HUNTER PARK

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Minutes of the meeting held at Riley Rink, 8/26/14.

Present at the meeting: B. Brown, A. King, B. Thompson, A. Schozer, P. Zilka, J. Hand, & B. Welsh.

A motion by B. Brown with a 2nd by B. Thompson to approve the minutes of the previous meeting, 7/22/14, was approved.

Ali West has regretfully submitted her resignation due to time conflicts.

Bill Hadden has also stepped down from the BOD but will continue on the finance cttee. Adria expressed appreciation for Bill’s commitment and contributions to HP.

Recruiting for new BOD members is essential.

Budget – Bob:

Bob presented the following summary highlights of what he believes to be a thoughtful and realistic budget.

  • A $10K deficit is projected before depreciation.
  • Gross operating margin is ($95K).
  • Net non-operating income is $85K - $74K of which is Annual Fund.
  • The Annual Fund and public skating are key income targets for success.

A motion by A. King with a 2nd by B. Brown to approve the proposed budget passed.

Governance – Barry:

  • The search for a new Hunter Park GMhas been successful with 3 qualified finalists. Jonathan Larson from Aspen, CO will begin on 9/15.
  • The BOD needs to enlist new contributorsfor Hunter Park’s success. Steve Soules from The Equinox acctg. dept. will join the finance cttee. Development and marketing contributorswould be beneficial. Andrea Ross?
  • A motion by B. Brown with a 2nd by A. Schozer to approve the slate of officers as proposed passed.
  • Barry’s exit interview with Steve Murphy provided the recommendation that the BOD not micro-manage the ED/GM and should provide as much guidance as necessary but as little as possible.

Development – Pat:

  • A newsletter will go out in mid to late September.
  • AF donors increased from 125 to 140.
  • The Annual Fund is at $65K of a budgeted $90K. AF budget for 2015 is $70K.
  • Consistent communications with donors and the general public is essential.

Field options – Andy:

  • BBA is interested in the northern section of Hunter Fields (event field and house). Engineering to determine the actual parcel and a current appraisal need to be done.
  • The possibility of a mini-Tanglewood as a home for the arts has been suggested.
  • John O’Keefe – the Rec. Park link is important. A highest & best use analysis of all vacant town parcels suggests the possibility of 40 houses and a park.

OB:

  • Karen Grabher joined the meeting late as a guest and active member of NHA. She expressed the need for better communication from the BOD to both NHA and the community at large as misinformation and speculation appears to be commonplace. She also asked for increased programming and social events to help not only attract new skaters but engage the public with the facility. Barry explained that efforts would be made to increase transparency to the public but that there were practical limits due to confidentiality issues.
  • A new skating coach has settled in the area from southern NY and is anxious to participate in RR programs.
  • The 9/16 Open Rink Meeting needs broad community support.
  • There have been 3 interviews for an independent bookkeeper to relieve Vanessa of those responsibilities.
  • Bill Drunsic is owed $9.7K for electricity generated from the solar farm that was credited to Hunter Park. Would the power generated by that installation be enough to offset RR usage and warrant a FMV purchase of the facility in 7 yrs.?
  • The tenant at the West house is presently month-to-month. Her intentions need to be confirmed and the septic system at the house needs to be checked.

With no additional business to discuss, the meeting adjourned.

Bruce Welsh, Secretary