August 5, 2011 Minutes
Virginia Racing Commission
MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION MEETING
HORSEMEN’S BUILDING
COLONIAL DOWNS
10700 HORSEMEN’S ROAD
NEW KENT, VA
In Attendance
Commission Members:
Clinton Miller, Chairman
David Reynolds
Stuart Siegel
J. Sargeant Reynolds, Jr.
Commission Staff:
Bernard J. Hettel, Executive Secretary
David S. Lermond, Jr., Deputy Executive Secretary
Joseph M. Roney, Director of Security & Enforcement
Marilyn A. Bauer, Administrative Assistant
_________________________
At 9:30 a.m., the special meeting of the Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) was called to order by Chairman Miller.
The minutes of the regular meeting held on June 29, 2011 and the special meeting held on August 5, 2011 will be added to the August 23 agenda for approval.
Ian Stewart and representatives from Colonial Downs shared with the
Commission plans on the use of electronic sweepstakes to promote pari-mutuel wagering at the New Kent track.
Jim Weinberg, counsel for Colonial Downs addressed legal concerns pertaining to electronic sweepstakes being legal in New Kent County.
Don Fiechter, representative for World Touch Software demonstrated the electronic sweepstakes software and answered questions from the Commission.
Colonial Downs briefly addressed concerns pertaining to the Standardbred Race Meet. Ian Woolnough stated that a proposal on behalf of the VHHA could possibly be submitted by the September Commission meeting.
Chairman Miller recommended that the staff revisit the Strategic Plan and refresh the site to reflect a more modernized version.
Chairman Miller made the following motion to go into closed session. “In accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2-3711 (A) (7) of the Code of Virginia, I move that the Commission go into closed meeting for the purpose of discussion or consideration of the assignment, appointment, performance or salary of a specific public officer, appoint or employee of the Commission.” Chairman Miller’s motion was seconded by Commissioner Siegel. All were in favor by saying, “Aye.”
Coming out of closed meeting, Chairman Miller adopted of the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Virginia Racing Commission has convened a closed meeting on this date pursuant to an affirmative recorded vote and in accordance with the provisions of The Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and WHEREAS, Section 2.2 3712 of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by this Commission that such closed meeting was conducted in conformity with Virginia law; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Virginia Racing Commission certifies that, to the best of each member's knowledge, (i) only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and (ii) only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed or considered by the Commission in the closed meeting. Certified by the Commission, the vote was: Siegel, aye; D. Reynolds, aye; S. Reynolds, aye; and Chairman Miller, aye.
There being no further business, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. was set as the date and time of the next meeting to be held at the Horsemen’s Building, Colonial Downs, 10700 Horsemen’s Road, New Kent, VA. The meeting was then adjourned.