Cultural Preservation Society, Inc.

Board Meeting Minutes

February 19, 2003

Key West Library

Board Members present:

Isaac Valdes, Chairman

Ann Summers, Vice Chairman

Sabrina Liguori, Secretary

Antonio Rodriguez, Treasurer

Jan Nelson

Will Soto (arrived 10:35 a.m. departed 11:00 a.m.)

Others in attendance:

Pete I., Pier Manager W, Winko, PC Chair Dave Sells

Steve Kurstin Jeep V’Ketah

Joel Barb Winko JoAnn H.

Norbert Szilagyi Greg G. Ryan S.

Paul Caruso Stephanie Joyce S.

Debbie P. Eddie W. Rick

Will D. OJ Dave Pat M.

Ray Rolston Rondini A. Johnny

Roy

Isaac called the meeting to order at 10:06 a.m. He asked for the Treasurers report. Antonio reported our balances and our current funds on this date are $32,407.

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

Isaac called for the PC Report. Wink spoke and informed the Board that they had only juried participants for additional products. 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 have copies of the Guidelines and letter (attached) printed by Office Max to hand out to all members. After that the PC will begin walking the Pier to get all members in compliance with the Guidelines. The Board agreed to the proposal made to do this. A discussion was made regarding the total number of participants allowed on the pier. It was finally agreed that the total number is 55 spaces, excluding the Performers spaces. This consist of 10 Food Spaces as designated in the Guidelines and 45 Arts and Crafts and Special Category members.

Antonio made a motion to accept the PC report. Seconded by Jan. 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. A few moments were allowed so that the members could read the minutes. Jan made a motion to accept the Secretary’s report, seconded by Annie. All in favor, passed.

Isaac called for the Performers Report. Since Michael Patrick was not in attendance, Rick and Will Dark spoke on behalf of the performers committee. Rick asks the Board to please consult the Performers before changing any rules. Jan replies that the rules are already in place and have been for many years. She goes on to say that the City has asked us to abide by our lease and the rules that are now being enforced are included in our lease agreement. The next issue to be discussed is amplification. Rick says that it has seldom been enforced and does not understand why it is being done now. He would like the offenders that continually mis-use their systems to be punished and not everyone else. Much more discussion takes place regarding this topic and Jan advises that this has been going on for many years. It is finally decided that the General Membership will vote on this at the next meeting to be held on March 19^th at 12 noon in Bayview Park. Until that time the amp regulations will remain in force. The pier manager will enforce this rule. Jan made the motion to send it to the General Membership, Sabrina seconded, passed. Five in favor, on opposed.

Will S. informs the Board that the Performers are coming to him with many complaints about the way things are being done. He also states that he believes there is a big rift between the vendors and performers. He believes that Board is not responding to the complaints and that their next step is to go to the City. Will also believes he is being cut out of the loop regarding meetings that other Board members are attending. Isaac states that the meeting he is referring to has been a standing meeting for over a year. The 3^rd week of the month Myra has a meeting with our Board members.

Since there was not an official Performers Report there was no need for a motion to close this discussion.

Isaac calls for the Pier Managers report. Pete advises all in attendance that he has given the Board all complaints that he has received. He tells the Board that there are many, many complaints from various performers regarding the rulings he is making. He advises that he spoke with the manager of the Ocean Key House and that he was told the walkway was forced on them. He believes that the 6’ set back for performers is to allow foot traffic from there out onto our area.

Pete asks the Board to try and get the problem with the trash compactor fixed. It is broken most of the time or full and there is no where to put the trash.

Jan makes a motion to accept the Pier Managers report, seconded by Sabrina, passed. All in favor.

Paul Caruso is recognized by Isaac. He hands out a booklet detailing his background to all Board Members. He said he would like to help get CPS running smoothly and help them promote themselves better. He sited many problems he has encountered regarding communications with the public. He stated a few instances for the Board.

(At this time most of the Performers left the meeting)

Jan asks what exactly Paul would like to do for our organization. Paul says that he has much experience in promoting art organizations and would like to give us a hand. Isaac tells him that they will read the booklet and he will personally get back to Paul for more discussion.

Isaac brings up the matter of Regular status. He believes that a cap should be put in place at this time on making any new regulars. He wants that to be a Board decision and not have the Pier Manager make this type of decision. Jan makes a motion that a cap be put on the Regular category until further notice. This is seconded by Antonio, passed by all.

JoAnn Hassman brings up her complaint against Dennis the bag piper. She states he called her a “bitch” and that is was not provoked by her. She filed a complaint with OJ after the incident took place. JoAnn had the for thought to have a tourist that witnessed the incident sign on her written complaint. It was discussed and finally decided that Dennis would be given a one-day suspension.

Steve Kurstin is recognized and asks that he be grand fathered. He states that he has been a dues paying member for five years. After a short discussion Jan makes a motion to grand father Steve. It is seconded by Annie. Passed, all in favor.

A short discussion was held regarding a complaint that was received by Myra. After looking into the paper work it was found that we did not have a copy of the complaint. This item was tabled until a copy of the complaint was received from Myra’s office.

Dave Sells asks to be recognized. He asks the Board to over turn the PC committee’s decision to deny him a request to sell Buffalo Wings. He does not believe that the PC had valid reasons to deny him. After much discussion the Board (Jan abstained from this discussion for personal reasons) decided to let Dave sell the wings on a 30 day trial period. If there are complaints about the mess or grease getting on other vendors products it will have to be re-addressed.

Isaac brings up the subject of photo id’s for all members. There is much outrage regarding this. After a long discussion it was decided to table this item until the Board can talk with the City regarding this.

The Board set the date of the next General Membership meeting. It will be held on March 19^th at 12 Noon in Bayview Park. One of the agenda items will be performers and their amplification.

Eddie W. asks the Board if anyone has received written notice regarding the ship that will be in Port after sunset on Saturday. He was told that no one has been notified.

Eddie W. also states that we should follow the Guidelines on the amps. He does not believe that the pier manager should be required to spend all his time monitoring amps being used.

Steve K. asks that the Pier Manager enforce the leash rule on the dogs at the Pier.

JoAnn H. asks the Board to write a letter to the Performers stating that they need to attend Board Meetings and work out the problems rather than going to the City with them. Sabrina will write the letter.

John and Natalie Rojas ask that they be assigned a permanent food spot. They would like to have the same rights as all other members of CPS regarding their set up and times, etc. The Board states that the center of the wall near the Kiosk is their spot. They may set up in accordance with our Guidelines like all other participants.

Isaac adjourns the meeting at 12:35 p.m.