Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting February 27, 2014

Transcription

1 Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting February 27, 2014 Call to Order The Board of Directors Meeting of the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority was held on February 27, 2014 at 5240 Knowledge Parkway, Erie, Pennsylvania. Legal Notice of the meeting was given through an advertisement appearing in the Erie Times-News. The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 8:37 AM. Roll Call Present are: Jay Breneman, Tony Logue, Mike Paris, Sue Ellen Pasquale, Chuck Peters, Dave Sample, Barbara Steele, Tim Wachter, Dave Yaple, and Perry Wood. Approval of Agenda Mr. Yaple makes a motion to approve the agenda. Mr. Paris seconds. Motion carries 6-0. Approval of Minutes Mr. Yaple makes a motion to approve the minutes. Mr. Sample seconds. Motion carries 6-0. Comments by Chairman None. Public Comment From Millcreek Township: Jessica James, Recycling Coordinator; Judy Zelina, Director, Public Services Department; and John Groh, Supervisor. Ms. James gives an update on the Millfair Compost & Recycling Center project (Fairview Township 2013 Municipal Collaboration grant). She goes on to request a 6-month extension and reallocation of funds as new research has shown that equipment other than the composter itself needs to be purchased. Mr. Peters asks if Fairview is still involved and why no one from there is present. Ms. James explains that Fairview s recycling coordinator resigned a year ago and they only recently hired another. Ms. James is much more informed about the project than Fairview s new recycling coordinator. Mr. Paris asks why this research wasn t conducted before the grant was applied for. Ms. James explains that at that time she was new to the job, and it wasn t until afterward, when she

2 attended the 2013 Professional Recyclers of PA Conference, read the Gannet-Fleming Technical Assistance Report, and made several site visits to current food waste processors that she discovered adding in a mixer, compost shelter, and a tractor would significantly increase the efficiency of the project. Mr. Yaple will take the request for extension and reallocation of funds to the committee and get back to the board on their decision. Committee Reports a. Budget and Finance Committee: Mr. Paris presents the January 2014 treasurer s reports. Mr. Sample makes a motion to approve the reports. Mr. Yaple seconds. Motion carries 6-0. b. Personnel Committee: At 8:15am an executive session was called to discuss the extension of Mr. Wood s contract. The session ended at 8:37am. c. Regional Assets Committee: Dr. Corder is absent. Mr. Wood reported that Special Events grants are due at 4:30pm. Several new applicants are expected this year. d. Strategic Planning Committee: A meeting was held and will be commented on at the next board meeting. Executive Director s Report

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7 Solicitor s Report None. Old Business None. New Business a. Resolution No. 2, 2014 Resolution to adopt the Budget. Mr. Sample makes a motion to accept the resolution. Mr. Yaple seconds. Motion carries 6-0. b. Resolution No. 3, 2014 Resolution to approve executive director s contract. Mr. Paris makes a motion to accept the resolution. Mr. Yaple seconds. Mr. Peters reads the following list of accomplishments attributed to Mr. Wood since his hire in 2011.

8 Adjournment Today, the Board of Directors is being asked to take action to secure the immediate future of the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority. The Board has in front of you a resolution to renew Executive Director, Perry Wood s contract for an additional term of three years. Mired in lawsuits and the inability to reach consensus on the organization s direction, ECGRA experienced fits and starts since its founding in However, that changed in 2011 when ECGRA hired a new executive director to turn the organization around. Mr. Wood is the 4 th and longest lasting executive director since ECGRA s inception. The last 3 years have been both challenging & rewarding. Under the Board s direction, our executive has deployed over $27mm into Erie County by designing fair, open and transparent grant-writing processes consistent with the best traditions of local government and the philanthropic community. He s forged relationships with Erie County Council, the County Executive s Office, the Erie Community Foundation, nonprofits both big & small, and local government officials from the Governor s Office to the City of Corry. The Team Pennsylvania Foundation and the Governor s Center for Local Government Services have called upon Mr. Wood to participate in discussions on what s working in the Commonwealth. Mr. Wood s knowledge of local government, economic development and the nonprofit sector have been crucial. He s launched every grant program and investment initiative in our annual reports for the last three years. Mr. Wood shares in the good will that s been generated between this Board and the community. I can say with utmost confidence today that ECGRA grant money is at work in this community making a difference. After 5 months of research and benchmarking, the Board has agreed to extend the executive director s contract for three years and offer him a raise comparable to that of County employees. By adopting the Consumer Price Index Model for cost of living increases, we can justify raising Mr. Wood s salary at the same rate as County employees. We wish his level of compensation could truly represent the tremendous progress he s made at ECGRA, but because we re a public authority, we recognize there are limitations to compensation. As a result, I believe the Personnel Committee s recommendation is fair and sound in its structure. It recognizes Mr. Wood s contribution and incentivizes him to continue leading the organization. Mr. Logue expresses that he believes the raise Mr. Wood will receive in the new contract, while no reflection on Mr. Wood himself, could be better spent in communities, such as the one in which his Parade Street office is located, and that he must vote his conscience. Motion carries 5-1 (Logue votes no). Mr. Paris moves to adjourn.