With a quorum present on the conference call, Chairman Doug McKinney called the FRAC meeting to order at 9:05P.M. Those present on the call were:
Mike Ankrom - member
Donna Gosney - member
Gary Howell - member
Bill Snyder - member
Doug McKinney, M.D. - ex-officio member
Marti Riggall - ex-officio member
Cheryl Rust - office staff
Denver McCallister - Co-Finance Chairman
John Burdette - Co-Finance Chairman
Craig Blair - Co-Finance Director
Jonathan Miller - Co-Finance Director
Doug McKinney brought up the important issue of leasing the space at the corner of Greenbrier and Kanawha Boulevard. Some of the advantages/information of the lease space include the following:
Visibility for the party
Fundraising opportunities at space
Proximity to State Capitol providing central gathering place for our legislators if needed
Professional representation of the party
Utility bills similar to present costs of HQ in South Charleston
Craig Blair added additional comments including:
Signage exposure for the party
Tent could be inexpensive addition added in warmer months for social events as well as fundraising activities for legislators
Some rental costs could be recouped with the renting of second floor rooms to legislators
Donna Gosney spoke of potential problems:
Parking could be an issue during the day.
Lease contract does call for 4 dedicated spaces on the property
12 nearby street spaces on Greenbrier and Kanawha Boulevard available although it should be noted that they are first come / first served
John Burdette offered his opinion:
John Burdette leases office space and in that capacity, he offered to the conference call that based on his real estate expertise of Charleston, the rate of $2500 per month is a good value because of numerous factors such as the location, square footage and condition of the building. Also, with the furnishings that come with the lease space, the move-in phase is streamlined as the inventory of items at our disposal is quite extensive.
Doug McKinney also brought up that we could use the CD for the funding of the lease space based on legal advice that he had received. He emphasized to those on the call that due to advice he had received at the previous steering committee meeting, nothing would be solicited in writing from the West Virginia Secretary of State's office so as not to tip the competition to our plans. Furthermore, the FEC refuses to state an opinion in writing.
Bill Snyder offered the opinion that we should proceed with the rental regardless of any FEC opinions, feeling that any penalties are likely to be minimal and affordable.
Gary Howell stated that he had researched the situation, specifically the McCain-Feingold bill and as per Article I, Section 9 and Section 10 of the Constitution, the federal and state government are prevented from passing an ex post facto law. We are safe to use the money in the CD, since it was attained prior to McCain-Feingold. It is fungible. The Chairman assured the committee that money in the CD would be used for the sole purpose of obtaining appropriate office space.
Dr. McKinney asked for a vote of the committee as to whether or not to proceed with plans to move forward. He also told them that he would seek advice from the WVGOP counsel - Beth Elmore - on the use of the CD funds. The vote was as follows:
*Mike Ankrom - recuse
Donna Gosney - no
Gary Howell - yes
Bill Snyder - yes
*Please note:
Mike Ankrom recused himself from the vote as he informed the FRAC that he is related to the owners of the potential lease space. He deemed it prudent to do so as he did not want any appearance of impropriety on his part in this particular piece of business brought before the FRAC.
After the vote was taken, Dr. McKinney asked the dissenting voter - Donna Gosney - if she would be favorable toward the move if counsel or other legal entity thought the use of the CD funds was appropriate. Donna Gosney responded that she would then be in favor of the move to the building at the corner of Greenbrier and Kanawha Boulevard if that were the case.
With a majority of the quorum giving the go-ahead to proceed, Dr. McKinney concluded the call.
Submitted by:
Marti Riggall
Addendum to minutes:
Jim Reed was contacted by the Chairman the following day and stated that he favored proceeding with obtaining the proposed space. He later called back and had driven by the space and reiterated his vote to proceed.
My thanks to the source who sent it to me.
