December 11th Board Meeting
| Date & Time: | Dec 11, 2008 at 08:00 AM – 11:00 AM |
|---|---|
| Location: | EPI Center 13805 58th St N Room 2-304 Clearwater, Fl 33760 |
A BASEBALL COMMUNITY (ABC)
A.K.A Tim ABC CoALITIoN
PUBLIC MEETING
EPI Center
13805 — t5h8 Street North, Rm 455, Largo, FL
December 11, 2008
Thursday, 8:00 a.m.
MINUTES
Board Members Present:
Jeff Lyash, Chair (President & CEO, Progress Energy Florida)
Judy Mitchell, Co-Chair & Spokesperson (President, Peter Brown Construction)
Alan Bomstein, Secretary Treasurer (President, Creative Contractors)
Ricardo “Ric” Davis (President, Bay Area Medical Supplies, Inc.)
Barbara Heck, Chair, Fan Support & Involvement CIG (President, Council of
Neighborhood Associations)
Steve Raymund (Chairman ofthe Board, Tech Data)
Craig Sher, Chair, Stadium Options CIG (President & CEO, The Sembler Company)
Bob Stewart (Pinellas County Commissioner; Chair, Tourist Development Council)
Chuck Sykes, Chair, Corporate Support CIG (President & CEO, Sykes Corporation)
Board Members Absent:
Gregory Johnson (President, Pinellas County Urban League)
Russ Kimball (Executive V.P. & General Manager, Sheraton Sand Key Resort)
Stakeholder
Representatives:
Michael Kalt, Sr. V.P. of Development, Tampa Bay Rays
Mike Meidel, Director of Economic Development, Pinellas County
Rick Mussett, City Development Senior Administrator, City of St. Petersburg
Stuart Rogel, President & CEO, Tampa Bay Partnership
Also Present:
Joe Bourdow, Co-Chair, Corporate Support CIG (President, Valpak Direct Marketing
Systems, Inc.)
Bob Carter, Chair, Stadium Options Government Information CIG (The Carter
Group)
Richard George, Co-Chair, Fan Support & Involvement CIG (President, Jr.
Achievement of West FL)
Charley Harris, Legal Counsel
Dr. Walter Kiages
Nancy Loehr (Community Relations Manager, Progress Energy Florida)
Cindy Margiotta (Pinellas County Economic Development Dept.)
Amy Maguire
Tony Satterfield, Co-Chair, Stadium Options CIG (GM, Alden Beach Resort)
Melissa Seixas (Progress Energy)
Joe Zeoli, Director ofAdministration & Finance, City Development Adm.
Vicky Davidson, Administrative Assistant, Development Services, City ofSt.
Petersburg
ABC PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 11. 2008
Agenda Item I.
Opening Remarks
Chair Jeff Lyash called the meeting to order at 8:13 a.m., a quorum was present.
At Chair Lyash’s request, the visitors around the room introduced themselves.
Agenda Item II.
Approval of Minutes
Deferred
Agenda Item III.
Impact of Baseball
Dr. Walter Klages gave a PowerPoint presentation on the economic impact of baseball based on an assignment given to him by the Conventions & Visitors Bureau (CVB). A copy of this presentation will be made available.
Discussions took place and questions were answered.
Agenda Item IV.
History of Baseball in St. Petersburg
Rick Mussett gave a PowerPoint presentation on the history of baseball in St. Petersburg. A copy of this presentation will be made available. Copies of a summary of the Use Agreement between the Rays and the City were distributed. Discussions took place and questions were answered.
Agenda Item V.
Community Outreach
Bob Carter talked about the elements involved with having a successful community outreach effort. Mr. Carter stressed the importance of communication and recommends forming a grass roots organization.
Amy Maguire gave a PowerPoint presentation outlining a draft of the Community Outreach Mission Statement, outreach goals, outreach audiences & tools, town hail logistics, and the next steps. A copy of this presentation will be made available. Ms. Maguire suggested using the website for citizens input and maybe create a blog.
Discussions took place and questions were answered.
Barbara Heck emphasized the importance of disseminating accurate information for feedback.
Bob Stewart voiced his frustrations on how long this process is taking. What is this group’s goal/mission?
Determine the questions first (e.g. What is wrong with the Trop? Why to we need a new stadium? What does it take to renegotiate or break the lease with the Rays? If a new stadium is needed, then where?), and then obtain the answers. This group needs to be prepared and stay focused on answering major questions.
Craig Sher stated that time is needed to complete the study and asked for patience.
Chuck Sykes stated his observation: This group needs to reconnect, re-energize and re-educate on a very broad regional basis to be successful in keeping the Rays. Also need to check with fan and corporate base for interest in a new stadium.
Discussions took place between the Board Members regarding community outreach and how this can be achieved.
Judy Mitchell stated that she sees community outreach as three components: (1) educate the community and get the citizens initial input; (2) start floating ideas to community; and (3) then sell the committee’s recommendation.
Rick Davis stated that they need some form of community outreach and the stakeholders are an important component.
Bob Carter stated that he feels other people need to be recruited to get the message out; communication is needed before the sales process.
Paul Cader (visitor) stated that it is critical to define the issue before going to the public.
Agenda Item VI.
CIG Reports
Deferred
Agenda Item VI.
Round Table
Stuart Rogel: Sees this phase as educational. Corporate Support CIG to meet with the Rays on December l9.
Craig Sher: He would like to add to the educational list a brief history of how Raymond James Stadium was built. Stadium Options CIG to meet December l5. He feels that fan support is now more urgent than stadium options and it will take several months for the Stadium Options CIG to process the material.
Alan Bomstein: He would like to add to the educational list a presentation from HOK Sports or other stadium designers regarding trends in stadium design and where it’s heading in the future, air conditioning of ballparks (outside vs dome). He agrees with Mr. Sher in regards to a sense of urgency should not drive this process.
Steve Raymund: No comment
Rick Davis: No comment
Richard George: No comment
Bob Stewart: He would like to know specifically what the shortcomings/deficiencies of their current home are.
Barbara Heck: Displayed a book entitled The Elusive Fan. Rays Fans/Community Outreach CIG meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.
Rick Mussett: No comment
Agenda Item VII.
Adjourn
Judy Mitchell announced that the next meeting is scheduled for January 15, 2009 at 3:00 p.m.
With no further items to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m.
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