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 Meeting Minutes

 

Last Updated: Friday, May 9, 2008

April 17, 2008

Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting

Okemos, MI

(Subject to board approval)

 

Present:            B. Alexander, T. Barrett, A. Bennett, B. Boyd, M. Breuer-Bertera, C. Cary-Davidson, K. Greengard, F. Kayden, E. Oldford, M. Sweeney, H. Vaupel, M. Walker

 

President Boyd called the meeting to order at 12:40 p.m.  A moment of silence was observed in memory of Y. Bertera, D. Boido, T. Jarrell Jr., C. McIlmurray, C. Pixley, and K. Rocheleau.  Motion was made by Vaupel supported by Sweeney, to approve the minutes of the March 20, 2008, board meeting; motion passed unanimously.  (Greengard entered at 12:45)

 

Legislative:  Knight reported that the legislature has returned to session and is acting on a package of energy bills which will result in increased electric charges for all state residents.  Senate hearings on the FY09 Budget Bill started yesterday; representatives of the racing industry will give testimony before the Ag. Appropriations Subcommittee on 4/30.   The state will have calculations of first quarter revenue generation and the impact of the new Michigan Business Tax by May 15, and will create new budget targets at that time.

 

Track Committee Reports: 

 

Northville Downs:  The live meet ended 4/5.  Average daily handle was $57,219 compared to $57,724 the previous year.  Average daily purses were $49,078 compared to $52,713 the previous year.  The purse pool was overpaid $51,000.  A total of 54 programs were drawn, and there were a total of 82 short fields; short fields have a negative impact on the purse pool by eliminating the possibility for some exotic wagers.

 

Sports Creek: Average daily purses are $19,344 compared to $20,626 the previous year when the meet ended March 11. 42 programs have been drawn through 4/13, with a total of 182 short fields. The live meet ends on 5/4.

 

Hazel Park:  Hazel Park opens 4/18, with live racing Mon., Tues., Fri., Sat; post time 7:25.  A track committee meeting was held on 4/8.  185 stalls have been allotted, anyone entering the barn area will be required to sign a liability waiver, and the lasix barn has been moved to the west end of ship-in barn 14.  Hazel Park races will be simulcast into the Las Vegas sports books on Mon. and Tues. nights; export revenues to the purse pool are projected to be approximately $1,125/month but the main advantage will be the increased wagering pools.  A horsemen’s meeting will be held on opening night to address presentation and the importance of full fields and 12-race cards.  Daily purses are projected at $57,261, a 3% increase over purses at the close of the 2007 meet.  Hazel Park will host a Press Party opening night, and will also feature a Dollar Night promotion opening weekend.

 

Colt Stake:  Corrion presented the futurity nomination and sustaining statistics.  There has been a decrease in sustaining in all age groups; most evident is the 20.5% decline in the 2-year old payments, when there was a 12% decrease in that foal crop.

 

The fairs have received their letters of approval for colt stake and overnight funding from the Dept. of Ag.

 

Boyd met with Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association President, Jerry Knappenberger, on 4/12; and is still exploring some type of Michigan/Ohio late closer for 2009.  The colt stake committee will continue to pursue colt stake blanket sponsorships for this year.

 

Personnel Committee:  Kayden and Stackpole are proceeding with the framework for restructuring job descriptions.

 

ORC Advisory:  Boyd and Kayden met with Christine White and Gary Post from the ORC to discuss several concerns raised by the MHHA board and our members.  A letter outlining these issues--integrity, ORC position on eligibility to drive in pari-mutuel races, future of racing and breeding in Michigan, and realignment of live racing/qualifying schedules—was mailed to the ORC as a basis for the discussion.  The ORC is attempting to establish formal written rules on some matters, rather than following “policies” as has been done in the past.  White stated that the ORC is basically a regulatory agency, but they will support any marketing efforts of our industry.

 

Driver/Trainer:  Cary-Davidson reported that there have been several “conflict of interest” issues regarding trainers and drivers competing in the same race.  The MHHA will make effort to assist the ORC in developing their rules governing these situations.

 

Finance:  Financial statements for the first five months of the fiscal year ending 2/29/08 were e-mailed to the board prior to the meeting.  The Finance Committee met this morning and Vaupel reports that Association revenues have decreased; expenses have increased.  The board will continue to institute cost-saving measures.

 

Boyd and Corrion met with B. Hensinger from the Dept. of Ag. on 3/27 to discuss proposed additional cuts to line items from the Ag. Equine Fund for the remainder of the fiscal year, based on projected revenue through 9/30/08.  A summary was distributed to board members via e-mail and a vote was taken by phone and e-mail.  Motion to revise “Outs” Distribution and realign pari-mutuel supplements to accommodate 21% funding cut and revised “outs” as mailed; motion passed unanimously.

 

The Dept. of Ag. just released their FY 2008 Status Report on the Ag. Equine Fund for the period 10/07-2/08; a slight increase in simulcast tax revenue has decreased the initial projected deficit of $2,085,623 to a YTD projected deficit of $1,617,575.

 

Amateur Drivers:  Walker reported that the committee is attempting to schedule a Michigan Amateur Drivers’ six-race series with a final at the pari-mutuel tracks this year.   They are still exploring sanctioning and purse structure.

 

Old Business:  Rick Sigsby presented a book proposal at the March meeting and asked for financial support for the project; action was tabled at that time.  Motion by Bennett, supported by Sweeney, that in consideration of the financial condition of the Association, we decline financial support at this time; motion passed 11-1 (Greengard opposed).

 

Stackpole reviewed prior action on the Harness Horsemen’s International insurance dues and annual membership fee, and Oldford presented the March HHI minutes concerning this issue.  Motion by Kayden, supported by Greengard, to send HHI a check for $2,500 for payment of 2008 membership dues and a check for $4,383 towards reduction of the $22,500 balance in dispute for 2006 third party liability insurance premium.

 

New Business:  Bennett attended the Pinnacle Race Park thoroughbred track in Romulus ground breaking ceremony on 4/4; he presented drawings of the project.  Construction is proceeding as planned, with opening day scheduled for 7/18/08.

 

Sweeney reported that the golf outing to benefit the IPC fund will be held on 6/12 at the Genesee Valley Meadows Golf Course; details will be in the magazine and on the website.

 

Future board meetings will be Thursdays, 5/15, and 6/19 at 12:30 p.m.  There being no further business to come before the board and upon motion by Vaupel, supported by Cary-Davidson, meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

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Phone: 888 898-6442 or 517 349-2920
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