Cultural Preservation Society, Inc.

General Membership Meeting Minutes

March 19, 2003

Bayview Park, Key West, FL

Board Members present:

Isaac Valdes, Chairman

Ann Summers, Vice Chairman

Sabrina Liguori, Secretary

Antonio Rodriguez, Treasurer

Jan Nelson

Will Soto

Isaac called the meeting to order at 12:07 p. m.

Isaac called for the Treasurers report. Antonio submitted a copy of the paper work to the secretary and advised the members of the following:

The ATM is broken. There is approximately $4080 currently in the machine. We still have $400 in the Putnam account and our bank balance is approximately $28,302.

Jan made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report, seconded by Smegley. Passed.

Isaac calls for the Secretary’s report. Wink makes a motion to by pass the reading of the minutes. Steve K. seconds. Passed. Wink then makes a motion to accept the Secretary’s report, seconded by Jan. Passed.

Isaac calls for the PC report. Steve K. reports that there has not been any jurying so there is nothing to report. Dave D. makes a motion to begin jurying again and keep track so that if anyone needs to be sent home the newest members would be sent home first. Jan seconds. A vote was taken and the motion passed with 16 in favor and 4 opposed.

Steve K asks the Board what caps are still being enforced. Michele suggest that the Board let PC be responsible for decisions and also states that the PC does not have a list. A long discussion takes place. It is decided that PC will go back to their regular twice monthly meetings. The PC will also have a meeting prior to their next regularly scheduled meeting to come up with their plan on caps. They will then advise the Board what they would like to do and get Board approval.

Sabrina makes a motion to accept the PC report and it is seconded by Ryan. Passed.

Isaac calls for the Performers Report. Michael Patrick speaks and asks that we all work together for the betterment of CPS. Will Dark suggest the performers alternate nights off so other performers won’t be sent home due to lack of space. David Vicard makes a motion to accept the Performers report. Joyce seconds. Passed.

Isaac calls for the Pier Managers Report. Pete advised that as of March 15^th that the Caricature Artists can no longer use a spray fixative as it is getting on other vendors items.

Pete also reminds the performers that they need to make nightly donations to CPS. Mark R. states that on our release forms it states that they will make nightly donations to CPS.

Will S. states that performers help by donating their time to local charities.

JoAnn H. reminds all members that a large number of CPS members donate time to charitable organizations. There are many costs involved in running CPS and that everyone that works there should share the costs equally.

It was brought up in discussion that the cost to run CPS annually is approximately $140,000 per year.

It was also discussed that a TIP Bucket be placed at the Kiosk for the performers to make their nightly donations in.

Pete asks the smaller act performers to choose the pier to set up. That would allow more performers to work each night.

Joyce reminds all acts on the pier to keep their crowds pulled up to their show. This time of year the crowds are bigger and sometimes the pier is blocked.

Will S. asks if a performer will do a show and then leave so another participant can have the chance to work. He also asks that performers alternate their spaces.

Greg G. makes a motion to accept the Pier Managers report. Seconded by Eddie W. Passed

Isaac calls for any Old Business discussions. Antonio reads what the digital are committee has agreed upon. He also submits a copy of the report to the Secretary to be included with the minutes of this meeting. Also a copy is to be posted at the Kiosk for all members to read and be able to add further recommendations to the PC or the digital committee. It is requested that persons making the recommendations sign their names so discussion can be made if necessary.

Greg G. makes a motion to bring this item up for a vote at the next General Membership meeting.

Eddie W. discusses making a change in the membership status. This would require a By-Law change. He suggests the following categories:

Participating Membership

Sponsor Membership

Friends of Sunset Membership

He explains that this will make it easier to conduct business and also ensure that any and all business that is done is by and for the working members of CPS.

During the discussion someone states that it is a violation of a persons Civil rights to demand that all participants must be a member of CPS.

Will S. makes a motion to table this item until the next Board meeting. Greg G. seconds. Passed

Annie S. makes a motion to use the two large act spaces in the plaza for amplification and add one more music amplification space. Joyce S. seconds. Discussion is held and suggest a $10 per space fee for amplification.

Wink W. reads a letter from our attorney re: Banning of Amplification. After hearing the content of the letter Annie S. withdraws her motion.

Will S. makes a motion to remain “status quo”. Smedley asks someone to define “status quo”. It is defined as amplifiers for background music for Mustafa and Lou. Will S. amends the motion to original status quo meaning Mustafa and Lou only.

Another motion is made to open up amplifiers for all performers and if they abuse the privilege the person will be suspended permanently.

It is suggested that we have a trial period for amplification in the plaza only for a two week period.

Michele seconds. Passed with a vote of 21 in favor and 16 opposed.

Pete then asks how he is supposed to control this situation? Eddie suggest that if anyone has a complaint that it be written and given to the pier manager and will be reviewed by the Board.

Steve K. brings up the 1/3 rule as written in the guidelines and asks for the Board to assist PC in defining what it means exactly. Jan N. suggest that the set up design is 2/3 of the whole set up display. PC needs to modify and bring to the Board.

Joyce S. makes a motion to have an artist’s committee to come up with suggestions. Steve K. seconds, passed.

Annie advises that “Spring Break” special event is cancelled and will be re-scheduled.

At this time the only members remaining at the meeting are Board Members and performers.

Johnny say a prayer. Will S. asks the Board to remain at the meeting and deal with the performers issues. Will states that complaints are being ignored by the Board. Combat busking by Mark towards other performers is not being taken care of by the Board. He states that all complaints against Mark are being ignored. Will also states that when he speaks in reference to Mark that he also includes Casey because they are one in the same. Jan states she also has seen Mark as well as other performers verbally attack each other. At this time the performers demand that the Board take immediate action and suspend Mark because of issues they (performers) accuse him of. The Board states that there are no witnesses and the Board, Pier Managers or other members have not seen anything to warrant suspension. The Performers state that if the Board does not act that they (performers) threaten to go to the States Attorney.

Most of the Board members have walked away from the meeting at this time so no decision can be made regarding this issue. There is not a quorum present. Patrick Maher states that if Mark is set up on the pier again he will physically fight him. The other performers all agreed that there would be a physical fight if the Board let’s Mark set up on the pier. Sabrina advises them that they will be permanently suspended if this happens. Will S. asked why Joseph was suspended. Sabrina advised him that a complaint letter was received from a Police Officer against Joseph.

There are not enough Board Members to continue this meeting. It is adjourned.