Cultural Preservation Society, Inc.

Board Meeting Minutes

January 29, 2003

Key West Library

Board Members present:

Isaac Valdes, Chairman

Ann Summers, Vice Chairman

Sabrina Liguori, Secretary

Antonio Rodriguez, Treasurer

Jan Nelson

Dave Van Hulst

Others in attendance:

Pete I., Pier Manager Susanne Buxton Mike Liguori

W, Winko, PC Chair Dave Sells Steve Kurstin

Michael Patrick, Performer Jeep V’Ketah

Smedley Joseph Joel

Isaac called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m. He asked for the Treasurers report. Antonio reported our balances and our current funds available on this date are $17,981.20. A copy of the report is attached to the minutes.

Jan made a motion to accept the Treasurers Report, seconded by Sabrina. All in favor. Passed

Isaac called for the PC Report. Wink spoke and informed the Board that they had only juried two participants, both for additional products and that both were rejected by the Committee. He asked the Board if the policy of not jurying should be continued. The Board advised that they would review that policy on a monthly basis at a Board Meeting. For now, the policy will remain in place. The PC will only jury for additional products. Wink also made mention that he is going to prepare ballots with a block to be checked: In favor and Not in favor. If any PC member wishes to have a vote by ballot rather than by hand, they will have them available. This will alleviate the problem of the PC members being harassed by anyone for they way they vote.

Annie made a motion to accept the PC report. Seconded by Antonio. All in favor, passed.

Isaac called for the Secretary’s report. Sabrina asked if all the members had read the minutes she passed out previously. All stated that had. Jan made a motion to accept the Secretary’s report, seconded by Dave. All in favor, passed.

Isaac called for the Pier Manager’s report. Pete reports that he has been having many problems as of late. One he wanted the Board to be made aware of was something that happened to Robert. Robert advised Pete that he has permission to store his props under the Customs House. One evening when he retrieved his props, nails were found to have been driven in to the board on which he has placed on his back for participants to walk on. Luckily they were found before he was hurt. Isaac stated that if they find out who did this, they would be expelled from working at Mallory Square forever. This can not be tolerated. Pete stated that Pat Lloyd had filed a complaint against Rondini’s helper. He also said that he had many complaints being filed on a daily basis, with the majority of them by and on performers. He has asked the Board to take the complaints and deal with them since he has not witnessed any of the problems and everything is really a he said, they said situation. He turned over the complaint forms to Isaac. Pete went on to say that since the City has advised us that we are not in compliance with our lease and the Board has stated that we must come into compliance, we really only have 19 spaces for performers. When those spaces are filled, all others will be turned away. Pete believes that the “stage rotation” decision is working for the Pier as a whole. Jan asks if the Pier Manager can judge new performers to determine if they actually have a show. That way, the ones who really are not “acts” can be turned away. It is discussed and determined that we really cannot do this. What we must do is take action when anyone, performer or vendor causes problems at the pier. Suspensions should be meted out in these situations. Isaac states that the City is against the persons causing the problems at Mallory, not the actual type of act they have. Pete goes on to say that we are still having problems with the people that hang out around the bathrooms and others that are selling their products in the Plaza area. He states that the Police will not respond when he calls after advising these persons to leave the area. Isaac advises that Myra has offered her assistance in contacting the police to control these people. Pete brings up the fact that Rick and Jan, who have recently returned to Mallory Square from the Hilton pier have been doing one show at Mallory and then packing up and going to the Hilton to do a show. They were observed blowing their horn and calling to visitors at Mallory to come over to the Hilton. The Board advised Pete to put a stop to this practice. Pete says he will handle it. Pete tells the Board that he has been asking at the lottery each night for all participants to sign up and become members of CPS. Jan states that in the next lease this may be a requirement for working at Mallory. Those details have yet to be worked out.

A motion is made by Annie to accept the Pier Manager’s report, seconded by Jan. All in favor, passed.

Isaac calls for the Performer’s Report. Michael Patrick is the spokesman for the committee at this meeting. He tells the Board the committee is going to try and institute a chain of command for the performer to follow when having a problem at the pier. This would eliminate the PM from having to hear every little problem going on. It would still remain the PM’s responsibility to solve the problems is they cannot be resolved by the Performers themselves. Next was the policy that is now in place to rotate the “stage” among all performers. The performers state that they have voted and no one likes this policy. There is a lengthy discussion on the pro’s and con’s of the policy. The PM states that is seems to be working for the whole show and wants to continue. The performers do not want it to continue. Isaac tries to let everyone know that we have to do what is best for the event, not just ourselves. Annie makes a motion to continue with the rotation of the stage area and review it again in 30 days, seconded by Jan. Six in favor, one abstain. Passed

Isaac asks Joseph (Silverman) to come up in front so the Board can talk with him. Isaac tells Joseph that we are all aware that he is currently having some problems and that we all want to help him. He has been acting very badly and out of character for him in the last few weeks. Isaac tells him he really needs to seek some professional help. He goes on to advise Joseph that he is being put on 90 probation. He cannot arrive at Mallory to work if he is drunk, he cannot drink while participating during our hours of operation, he cannot use the air horn that he has in his possession and he cannot use the amplification system that he has been using to bother the other performers and interrupt their shows. He also cannot come to work and harass other performers or disrupt their shows. It is further stated that no one who has been suspended can work anywhere in the Mallory area during our hours of operation. This is to include Pepe’s. Isaac has spoken with Fred and he will not allow our people to set up on his space. All board members are in agreement with this decision. Annie makes a motion to put Joseph on a 90 day trial probation, seconded by Jan. All in favor, passed.

Annie gives a report on the progress of the Summer Solstice for this year. Our permit has been approved by the City Commission and includes a three day liquor license. We will not be inviting any outside vendors to participate due to the space restrictions we will have. We will be sharing the Pier will the Cuban American festival. Annie will keep us updated on the this up coming event. She is also working on another special event to take place during spring break. This would be March 21, 22 and 23. We are applying for a liquor license for that event also. We will probably invite others to participate in the event. Annie will keep us up dated on this event also.

Our electric is finally moving. Myra informed us that they will begin replacing some of the broken lights within the next few weeks and also begin installing some electric outlets for us. This is good news at last.

Carol Beck did not show up to speak to the Board regarding her item being denied by the PC. Since she was not present the Board did not take the issue up.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for February 19^th, 10:00 a.m. at the Library.

A motion was made to adjourn by Jan, seconded by Annie. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 a.m.