Meeting Minutes 11/01/2012
MINUTES
Agriculture and NYS Horse Breeding Development Fund
Board of Trustees Meeting
NYS Racing & Wagering Board Offices
Schenectady, NY
November 1, 2011
Present: NYSR&WB Chairman & ANYSHBDF Chairman John Sabini, NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Darrel Aubertine, Trustee Keith Hamilton, ANYSHBDF (Fund) Executive Director Tim Gordon, Audience included: NYSR&WB staff members; Kristen Buckley, Ron Ochrym, Robert Feuerstein, Brian Barry, Thomas Casaregola and Lee Park. Harness Horse Breeders of NYS members David Hanson, Betty Holt and Joseph Spadaro.
The meeting was called to order at 1:43 PM.
Agenda Item # 1. Public Comment - Chairman Sabini called for Public Comment:
None was offered.
Agenda Item # 2. Minutes of Last Meeting of June 30, 2011:
Motion to approve minutes of June 30, 2011 made by Trustee Hamilton.
Seconded by Trustee Aubertine. All in favor.
Agenda Item #3. Financial Statement was accepted without comment.
Agenda Item # 4. 2012 Fund Budget
Motion to approve 2012 Fund Budget made by Trustee Aubertine.
Seconded by Trustee Hamilton. All in favor.
Agenda Item #5. Revised Fund Mission Statement
Chairman Sabini advised the Board that the Authorities Budget Office (ABO) had requested a revised mission statement from the Fund which the Fund provided and was accepted by the ABO but required Board approval.
Chairman Sabini read the revised mission statement read as follows:
The mission of the Agriculture and NYS Horse Breeding Development Fund and the New York Sire Stakes is to promote agriculture through the breeding of horses. To that end the Ag Fund directs the state’s premier harness racing program designed to stimulate the breeding, buying and racing of standardbred horses in New York State. The New York Sire Stakes is the nation’s oldest harness racing program of its kind. We believe that these goals can best be accomplished by supporting educational programs, equine research and supplementation of racing purses at NYS pari-mutuel tracks, County Fairs and the Goshen Historic Track. Our authority accepts that by accomplishing our mission we will improve the economic wellbeing of the Empire State, keep agricultural lands in service producing products of value, preserve open space and increase employment opportunities throughout the whole of New York State.
Motion to approve Revised Fund Mission Statement made by Trustee Hamilton
Seconded by Trustee Aubertine. All in favor.
Agenda Item #6. Establishment of Fund Performance Measures.
Upon request of Chairman Sabini Executive Director Gordon spoke on the performance measures stating that the measures were requested by the ABO to replace the Fund’s existing narrative on performance with new performance measures that include specific measurable standards.
The Performance Measures of the Fund are as follows:
-Assure the fund’s programs have a positive impact on the breeding and racing aspects of the NYS standardbred industry by improving the economic factors such as employment and employment growth. We will work with NYSDOL to track this information in conjunction with the annual trends in Sire Stakes purses distributed.
-Create state and local economic impact benefits through programs supporting breeding farms. This will be measured by an annual comparison of the number of mares bred to stallions standing in NYS.
-Maintain competitive economic breeding conditions relative to other states as measured by the average price for NYS sired yearlings as compared to the average price of all yearlings at sales in Harrisburg, Lexington and Morrisville.
-Chart the performance of NYS standardbreds as measured by earnings and results in Grand Circuit, Breeders Crown and other nationally significant races.
Motion to approve Fund Performance Measures made by Trustee Aubertine.
Seconded by Trustee Hamilton. All in favor.
Agenda Item #7 NY Sire Stakes Race Conditions
Chairman Sabini Stated that the 2012 NYSS Race Conditions required further review by
NYSR&WB Counsel Robert Feuerstein and NYSR&WB Director of Racing Officials Brian Barry and suggested that the agenda item be tabled until an upcoming Board meeting within a few weeks. Trustee Hamilton commented that some tougher qualifying standards had been omitted and should be revised on NYSS 53 and thanked Brian Barry, Ron Ochyrm, Harness Horse Breeders of NYS and Tim Gordon for their work on the new conditions. Executive Director Gordon gave a description of some of the condition changes being considered. Chairman Sabini asked for comments on the conditions from HHB president David Hanson who mentioned the concept of a refundable starting fee for the finals.
Agenda Item # 8. Grant Request
4-H Program Budget Request - By application dated October 18, 2011, the New York State 4-H Foundation, Inc. requests annual grant monies for 2012 in the amount of $75,723 to support the statewide 4-H Youth Development Horse Program. PROPOSED MOTION: Based on the written request and Section 332 (1)(b). of the New York Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law, the Board grants final approval in the amount of $75,723.
Motion to approve 4-H request made by Trustee Aubertine.
Seconded by Trustee Hamilton. All in favor.
Request for funding by the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in Goshen, NY for $50,000. in support of programs and education. This grant includes $15,000. That was approved by the Board on June 30, 2011.
Motion to approve Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame request made by Trustee Hamilton. Seconded by Trustee Aubertine. All in favor.
Chairman Sabini asked for a motion to adjourn. Motion made by Trustee Aubertine. Seconded by Trustee Hamilton. All in favor. Meeting adjourned at 2:14 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Tim Gordon, Executive Director
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