MEETING MINUTES January 24, :00 p.m. Palm Ramada Inn, Kearney NE

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1 NEBRASKA STATE FAIR BOARD Nebraska State Fair * 1811 W 2nd St, Ste 440 * PO Box 1387 * Grand Island, NE * * MEETING MINUTES January 24, :00 p.m. Palm Ramada Inn, Kearney NE A regular monthly meeting of the Nebraska State Fair Board was held on Friday, January 24, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. Public notice of this meeting was published in the January 13 14, 2014, issues of the Grand Island Independent newspaper and posted to the Nebraska Public meeting calendar website from January 9 24, Roll call was read with the following members present: Doug Brand; Mark Fahleson; Chris Kircher; Jana Kruger, Chairperson; Dan Kunnemann; Kathleen Lodl; Bill Marshall, via conference phone; Lowell Minert, Vice President, via conference phone; Chuck Rolf; Marvin Rousey and Kent Zeller. Others in attendance were: Joseph McDermott, Executive Director; Kelly O Brien, Administrative Assistant; Bill Angell, Livestock Superintendent; Sandy Spiehs, Livestock Assistant; Shaun Schleif, Marketing & Sponsorship Director; Jace Robinson, Marketing & Sponsorship Assistant; Chelsey Jungck, Events & Entertainment Director; Kelsey Brozek, Events & Entertainment Assistant; Jaime Parr, Facility Director; Scott Yound, Maintenance Director and Ryan Hassebrook, FFA. Kruger announced the meeting had been properly advertised as an open meeting and informed those in attendance of the posting location of the Open Meetings Act. Minutes of December 6, 2013 There being no corrections: Motion made by Rolf to approve the minutes of the December 6, 2013, meeting as printed. Rousey seconded the motion. Upon voice vote, motion passed unanimously. December Financial Report McDermott reported total current assets of $2,890,183; payables at $684,298; total direct revenue at $3,813,765 and direct expenses $5,864,225. Motion made by Kunnemann to approve the December Financial Report. Rousey seconded the motion. Upon voice vote, motion passed unanimously. 1

2 Executive Director s Report McDermott shared that the Nebraska State Fair will be making a presentation of a framed aerial shot of the fairgrounds to the GI City Council within the next few weeks. McDermott mentioned that the Nebraska State Fair won several awards at the IAFE Convention in Las Vegas. McDermott asked Schleif to report on the awards won. Schleif shared that the Nebraska State Fair won Best in Division for Ag Trading Cards. The Education department also took home a first place award by creating a new youth division to accommodate the interest of showing community service efforts. In addition, the Nebraska State Fair won a total of six 2 nd place awards and three 3 rd place awards in the competitions. McDermott commended staff as they do a great job at not only planning the fair, but in entering these competitions at the IAFE convention as well. Approval of the 2014 Nebraska State Fair Budget McDermott shared that the Finance Committee had a conference call on Friday, January 17 to discuss the 2014 budget and McDermott s proposal to pay down some of the current debt and create a rainy day fund. Kunnemann commented that the Finance Committee did discuss the major improvements that have been presented and have agreed to not proceed with some of the improvements in Everything else looked good in the budget to move forward. Motion made by Kunnemann to approve the 2014 budget. Seconded by Marshall. Kruger asked Marshall if he had anything else to add to the budget conversation. Marshall responded that he thinks setting up the rainy day fund of $800K is a great idea. If we would have 10 days of rain during the fair, it would help us out and is a good plan. Kircher commented that he thought it was really well thought out. Kunnemann added the Finance Committee feels we are right on track with the budget. Upon voice vote, motion passed unanimously. Zone 5 Schedule March 7, 8 & 9, 2014 McDermott briefly explained what the Zone 5 conference is, as 2014 is Nebraska s turn to host the conference. McDermott asked Jungck to give an update on the Zone 5 planning. Kruger first asked Jungck to introduce her new assistant. Jungck introduced Kelsey Brozek as the new Events & Entertainment Assistant. Jungck continued that we are busy planning Zone 5. We are working in partnership with NAFM (Nebraska Association of Fair Managers). Early registration deadline is February 7. Friday, March 7, is registration day. We do have some community tours set up for late Friday afternoon. Saturday, March 8, we have lots of activities including four sessions of workshops. We will also be taking everyone over to see the fairgrounds and tour the buildings. When done at the fairgrounds we will bus them to Riverside Country Club for supper. Sunday, March 9, convention wraps up and is done by noon. Jungck mentioned we would like to ask Board members to help with the tours of the Fairgrounds. Jungck also mentioned if anyone s company has 300 items they would like to donate for the goody bags that would be great. Jungck also shared that we will also have several of the Volunteers there in their yellow shirts greeting people just like they do at the fair to show the awesome support we have from our Volunteers. 2

3 Committee Reports a. Facility Planning Committee- Kunnemann shared that Rousey, Rolf, Kruger, McDermott, Jungck and himself met in Lincoln on Friday, January 17 with space planners. They mainly wanted ideas from us of what we would like to see in the new office space of the building. The committee will meet again on Friday, January 31 in which the space planners will have some samples for them to look at. They all feel very comfortable working with this architect firm as they are very interested in the project. Kunnemann mentioned if anyone has ideas to pass on to be sure and let one of them know. Kunnemann also commented that the firm is looking at the technology that is needed in the board room. The space planners should have some dollar figures for them the next time they meet. Lodl shared that there were approximately 50 people that took the tour of the Nebraska Building earlier today. Everyone that toured agreed that the building is going to be pretty spectacular. McDermott mentioned that he had previously sent out to each of the board members via the topic of the road project in the east entertainment area that runs east & west. McDermott continued that he has laid out a proposal of what he would like to see us do in regards to improvements in McDermott is asking the board to let him know that the road project will be a 2015 project, not a 2014 project as it takes away a lot of space for entertainment. McDermott would also like to keep working with Olsson and Associates to better design the lay out of the road project. Kircher commented that he thinks the timing works better to do the road project in 2015 from a Marketing stand point. All board members agreed it would be best to wait to do the road project in the East Entertainment Area in McDermott shared that the Nebraska Building is to be completed approximately in mid April. We should be able to move at the end of April or first part of May. Lodl added that progress is going very well for the Nebraska Agriculture Experience. The group from MN was in GI this week to look at the actual space of the Nebraska Agriculture Experience and take pictures. They also had the design team here to measure the space so they can see how the actual exhibit pieces will fit in the space. b. Historical Committee- Brand reported that Scott Clarke has submitted his idea for display cases for the Historical display. Brand continued that he knows Allan has picked out a standard case already to be used. McDermott asked if the Historical Committee could meet on Saturday, January 25. c. Finance Committee- Kunnemann reported that the Finance committee went over the 2014 budget. Nothing new to add from his prior report given. d. Public Affairs and Outreach- Kircher reported that we need to improve our relationship with the Lincoln Journal Star newspaper. He thinks the timing is right as we have a forward looking strategy. Kircher reminded them of a proposal 3

4 that Schleif presented to them a year ago about doing research in the Lincoln area. The goal would be to find out how do we market to them or how do we provide better reasons for them to come the fair. Kircher mentioned he hadn t really seen the original proposal in-depth but now understands where the fair is headed. Kircher thinks this is the right time to do this type of study. Kircher also shared that our Marketing dollars would be better spent if we could do this research and find out the answers. Return will ultimately be there. McDermott referred them to the graphs that he ed out to them right after the first of the year. If we can tap into the Lincoln area it should help increase the attendance dollars. Rousey commented that he believes we need to invest in this for the future of the fair. Kircher shared that the sooner we get started with the research and the sooner we get the results back the better it will be for us. Kircher motioned to approve the research initiative for the greater Lincoln area for no more than $25 - $30K. Rousey seconded the motion. Upon voice vote, motion passed unanimously. e. Livestock Committee- Minert reported that the Livestock Committee had a conference call on January 22. The discussion was regarding a proposal to have an Open Class Junior Breeding Heifer show during the middle of the week. The pros and cons have been discussed and Angell has put together a proposal of what this would approximately cost to do. McDermott commented that there is a small cost to adding this show. It is currently not in the budget but he can adjust the budget accordingly. Hassebrook from FFA commented that they don t have any major issues. They are willing to try this for two years to see how it works. Lodl from 4-H commented that they honestly don t know what it will do to their numbers. It could raise them and it could deplete them. 4-H is willing to see what happens. Minert mentioned that they also talked about the rules in the Open Class Beef shows. A couple of the breeds stipulate in order to enter in the Open Class show, the exhibitor has to pay a state fee. The Livestock Committee would like to further discuss the Open Class Beef show rules at the February 21 board meeting. Motion by Rolf to approve adding the Junior Open Breeding Heifer show with an approximate expense of $5K. Seconded by Kunnemann. Upon voice vote, motion passed unanimously. Future Nebraska State Fair Board Meeting Dates and Locations a. February 21 Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, NE b. March 7 Midtown Holiday Inn, Grand Island, NE c. April 11 Bosselman Conference Center, Grand Island, NE d. May 9 Bosselman Conference Center, Grand Island, NE e. June - McDermott mentioned he had a conversation with Kruse and Kruse would like to host the June board meeting in Kimball County on June 6 possibly in conjunction with the Cattleman s ball which is also in the area this same weekend. McDermott asked that they let him know as soon as possible if they would like to attend the Cattleman s Ball as tickets sell out quickly. 4

5 Foundation update Koepke reported that she is busy working on Campaign materials. Koepke also mentioned that the 1868 Foundation Annual Meeting of the Trustees will be in April. Koepke confirmed that the Blue Ribbon roll out will be on August 9 to be held in the Heartland Event Center. Koepke reminded everyone that she is always looking for auction items for the Blue Ribbon Roll Out. Other Business No other business. Executive Session Personnel Motion made by Rousey to enter into Executive Session. Entered into Executive Session at 4:14 pm Motion made by Rousey to adjourn Executive Session. Executive Session Ended at 5:04 pm Motion made by Kircher to except the recommended wage increases as presented, plus McDermott a 5% increase in wage. Seconded by Rousey. Upon voice vote, motion passed unanimously. Motion made by Kunnemann to adjourn meeting. Meeting ended at 5:09 pm 5