February 12, 2019

Chair Parks called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. All members were present, including the Administrative Manager; there were no members of the public present.

Administrative Manager Bush presented the January meeting minutes. Vice-Chair Dalling moved to approve the January minutes. Director Gerdes seconded the motion. No discussion was needed; all voted in favor; none opposed. Motion passed.

Administrative Manager Bush presented the current expenses for the month and Chair Parks explained how the District’s rent payments to the Chamber have changed. Due to only using the Chamber for meeting space once a month, rather than housing an office there, the District will no pay $25.00/month, totaling $300.00/year. Secretary/Treasurer Stone moved to approve this month’s expenses. Vice-Chair Dalling seconded the motion. No discussion was needed; all voted in favor; none opposed. Motion passed.

Chair Parks shared with the Board the updated contract for the Administrative Manager. Compensation was changed to include 600 hours of work/year, at a rate of $19.00/hour for a total of $950.00/month. Manager Bush will be keeping track of her hours worked to better inform the Board of the work load involved. Vice-Chair Dalling moved to approve this 2019 Contract with the proposed changes. Director Dawson seconded the motion. No further discussion was needed; all voted in favor; none opposed. Motion passed.

Secretary/Treasurer Stone updated the Board on some budget revisionfor the 2019 District Operating Expense Budget. Director Dawson moved to approve the 2019 Expense Budget with the proposed revisions. Director Gerdes seconded the motion. No further discussion was needed; all voted in favor; none opposed. Motion passed. Chair Parks presented the Board with a contract from Futures West, a consultant company planning to work with the group “Successful Gardiner”, a group of Gardiner citizens who are coming together to plan for the future growth and development of the area. Chair Parks stated that Futures West will be compiling all previous studies done and that the scope of the work will match the boundaries of the Gardiner Resort Tax District. The Board was given the contract to read over and discuss. Per legal counsel and the Ordinance, the Operating Fund spending is at the Board’s discretion; other groups/government agencies are being asked to contribute to Futures West’s consultation services also. The Board agreed that the findings of Future West could help the GRAD Board effectively appropriate funds to groups in best alignment with the community’s goals. Vice-Chair Dalling moved to enter into an agreement with Futures West for $15,000.00, from the District’s Operating Fund to assist in facilitating their project for Successful Gardiner. Secretary/Treasurer Stone seconded the motion. No further discussion was needed; all voted in favor (Chair Parks recused himself from the vote.); none opposed. Motion passed.

Chair Parks updated the Board on the proposed legislation SB 0241.01, giving local resort districts the ability to vote on whether the community wants to levy an additional 1% tax for Infrastructure. Chair Parks explained how a bill is processed and steps involved. The hearing for this will be held on Wednesday, February 20th. Chair Parks will attend to speak out in support of this measure. Resort districts across the state will be sharing the expenses for the lobbyist in this legislative process. The Gardiner Resort district’s share of the bill, up to $2500.00 was approved in the 2019 Operating Budget. Letters of support are also needed. Chair Parks will write one from Gardiner and Manager Bush will contact the Gateway Hose Company, the Gardiner Water District and the Gardiner Public School to ask for their support also.

In Old Business, Chair Parks opened a discussion regarding Seasonal Payments vs. Monthly Payments. Secretary/Treasurer Stone and Vice-Chair Dalling shared what they had learned concerning how other Districts collect resort taxes. After a brief discussion, it was determined that the Board has no desire to change any of the collection policies at this time. Next, the District’s “Application for Funds” was discussed. Director Gerdes offered to look into this further, with the possibility of shortening the application somewhat to make it less redundant and easier for groups who apply every year to complete. Finally, Manager Bush updated the Board that all businesses have brought their accounts up-to-date, with the exception of three. Those three accounts have all submitted their information for 2019 and have set-up payment plans with the District.

In New Business, Chair Parks directed the Board to a letter from the Gardiner School District. Their Boiler project has come in a lower cost than expected; they are requesting to use some of the funds from the $250,000.00 appropriation for items listed under Phase 2 of their project. Secretary/Treasurer Stone moved to approve the request to adjust Phase 1 work to include some of items listed in Phase 2, as stated in the 2/7/2019 letter from the school superintendent, up to the original amount appropriated of $250,000.00. Director Gerdes seconded the motion. No further discussion was needed; all voted in favor; none opposed. Motion passed. In other new business, Manager Bush reminded the Board of the upcoming Spring Letter to be sent out to all businesses. Secretary/Treasurer and Manager Bush will work together to get this letter drafted.

There was no public comment.

The next meeting will be held on March 12, 2019 at 7:00 PM. Future meeting dates agreed upon were: April 9th, May 7th and June 4th. Manager Bush will be sure that we are on the Chamber’s meeting schedule. Vice-Chair Dalling moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:26PM. Secretary/Treasurer Stone seconded the motion. No discussion was needed; all voted in favor; none opposed. Motion passed.