Cultural Preservation Society, Inc.

Board Meeting Minutes

May 20, 2003

Key West Library

Board Members present:

Isaac Valdes, Chairman

Antonio Rodriguez, Treasurer

Sabrina Liguori, Secretary

Jan Nelson

Will Soto

Joyce Stration

Dave Van Hulst

Isaac called the meeting to order.

Isaac called for the Secretary’s report. Since all members had read the minutes of the last meeting a motion was made by Jan to accept the Secretary’s report. It was seconded by Dave.

Isaac called for the Treasurer’s report.

Antonio reports that there is approximately $6,680.37 worth of check outstanding and that the bank balance is approximately $35,085.73. The Putnam account remains at $400.00 and the ATM box remains at $4080.00. Antonio asks that all money transactions go through the Treasurer. This will include but not be limited to the monies collected at special events for the set-up fees and booths selling items for CPS. It appears that the money collected from the Conch Republic Days event cannot be accounted for in total. Jan makes a motion the have the Treasurer be responsible to handle all the money and make the deposits for all events. After much discussion the motion is changed to: Have a Board member sign off on nightly deposits along with the Pier Manager for the nightly set up fees and incidentals and all monies from all Special events be handled by the Treasurer and deposited by the Treasurer. Sabrina seconds Jan’s motion. Passed.

Antonio also would like to purchase a receipt book so a receipt can be given for all monies collected (except the nightly set-up monies). Jan makes the motion for this, seconded by Dave. Passed.

Isaac called for the PC report.

Debbie has asked to take a leave of absence from the PC duties for an unspecified length of time. Joel will be leaving Key West and does not have a specified date for his return. This will leave the PC short and Steve K. requests volunteers for the PC.

Steve K. would like to have a camera purchased for the PC. They will use it to photograph all items a person is juried and approved for by the PC. Sabrina makes a motion to purchase a camera for PC. Seconded by Jan. Passed

Jan makes a motion to accept the PC report and is seconded by Dave. Passed.

Isaac calls for the Performers Report.

There is not a Performer Committee member present to present the report. Will states that there is nothing to report anyway. He says he would like to discuss the Mark Riggs issue. Will begins by reading the police report that was filed by Patrick Maher. He tells the Board he would like to see Mark suspended for one week for the threat he made against Patrick which resulted in the police report. There is a lot of discussion regarding this on going problem between Will and Mark. Isaac says we need to leave this issue alone since Will has already approached the City with his complaints about the Boards lack of action of the complaints he has written against Mark. Isaac says that we need to turn it over to our attorney and let him handle it.

Pete states that Mark comes to the pier, does his two shows and goes home. If conflicts arise Mark walks away and locates either the pier manager or a Board member and does not fight with the aggressor. He has the largest and best show on the pier. He is the only performer that donates money on a regular basis to CPS.

OJ Dave also states that he has not seen any incidents that Mark has precipitated.

Since Patrick Maher was suspended from the pier the problems have stopped.

Don Sullivan says that since no Pier Manager has seen any incidents there is really no case against Mark. Steve K. says since this was taken from our hands by Will submitting it to the City Commission we should table the issue.

Suzanne B. says that the Board is not at fault for not taking action on the complaints against Mark. It has been the Board’s policy is to require both parties be present before a decision can be made. This is the first time Mark was at a meeting and represented himself.

Will says that we have nine complaints filed this winter against Mark and none of them have been acted on. Sabrina asks Jan what exactly has she seen Mark do. Jan says that the only incident was at the General Meeting and never anything at the Pier.

Mark says CPS has always been fair with him. He also tells of the incident at Bayview Park. He says when the incident started on the basketball court he immediately walked away from the court. He tells the Board that he does not have any complaints against CPS. There is only one person at Mallory Square that he has problems with.

Jeep, another performer states that since this incident happened on the basketball court and not at the meeting site the Board should not even be taking a complaint about it or taking any action on it.

Will S. makes a motion to suspend Mark Riggs for one week for the alleged assault incident at Bayview Park. There was not a second for the motion. Motion dies for lack of a second.

The performers discussion is ended.

Isaac calls for the Pier managers report

Pete asks the Board when will the police requirements be stopped. Season is very slow now. Isaac tells Pete he will have an answer for him by Friday.

Pete asks if a shed can be built, or perhaps as Rubbermaid shed be purchased for some storage space at the Square. Isaac states he will ask Myra about this. He also asks the PC if someone wanted to come in and weave palm fronds can they do it as a performer? Steve K. says no.

Jan makes a motion to accept the Pier Mangers report. Seconded by Antonio. Passed.

Will S. states that he spoke to the T-Shirt factory and BUCC’s logo can be reproduced on T-Shirts. We can get 72 shirts for: We will be charged a $30 fee for the silk screen. If the run is a two color run the cost will be $5.50 each and if they are a three color run the cost will be $6.00 each. Each shirt (no screening) will cost $2.50 each for white and $3.50 each for color. The Board will decide approving the expenditure for 72 shirts.

Joyce S. says the T-Shirt artists at the pier will be offended. Sabrina says other t-shirt artist have agreed to wholesale their own Sunset Celebration t-shirts to CPS for CPS to sell them.

Michele would like to see CPS make stickers and other items with the Sunset Celebration logo them. The vendors could purchase the items from CPS and sell them from their tables.

Don S. suggests that everyone donate a product to be sold online by CPS. This would help to support ourselves. Everyone agreed.

Don S. also asks the Board if he can place an article with the Monroe County Commission of Arts in the Paradise magazine every Friday announcing that Sunset Celebration is open to bake sales and other events. This would be a community outreach project for Schools and non-profit organizations.

Jan wants the performers to be able to pay the $10 set-up fee and this would entitle them to sell their video’s.

Don S. says he would hate to see that happen but if the Board decides it is alright, a good resolution needs to be drafted on this subject.

Will S. makes a motion to allow performers to register as vendors for $10 a night and get a tax ID number so they can sell their videos and cd’s of their performances. Jan seconds the motion. The Board agrees to table this until further investigation on changing this in the guidelines and lease.

Steve K. asks Will who will product their video’s and cd’s? If they were sold at a specific table this would help to control their crowd by not holding them too long.

Michele would like to see this put on as a one year trial period but also thinks it is a good idea.

Pete I. says the performers should approach the Board with their ideas.

Don Henderson approaches the Board to ask that he be allowed to sell pizza at the pier. He would like to be an alternate food person. Jan advises him that the Board will have to discuss this and get back to him.

Sabrina makes a motion to increase the annual membership to $25.00 a year. Jan seconds. After a short discussion this was voted on. Passed.

Isaac addresses the Board and tells them he believes we need safe storage for our documents. He says we need a fireproof safe to keep all the important documents in. It will be kept at our storage space with the Treasurer and Dave D. having keys for it. Isaac says he will purchase the safe.

Jan makes a motion to buy the safe and Antonio seconds. Passed.

Steve K. asks the Board if the caps have to come off of T-Shirts and Jewelry? Sabrina reminds the PC members to use the phrase “the category is over represented”.

OJ Dave suggests a points system be assigned to people who participate frequently and not as frequent and so on. Everyone agrees this is a good idea.

All caps are removed but PC is reminded again to use the phrase “it is over represented in the community or the pier”.

Jan makes a motion to change the accounting firm. This motion is made due to the unfriendly and difficult situations that have been occurring with H&R Block. Sabrina seconds. Passed.

Jan makes a motion to change the Board meetings to once a month for the summer. Sabrina seconds. Passed.

Meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m.