October 2011 Minutes

Virginia Racing Commission

MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION MEETING

October 26, 2011

HORSEMEN’S BUILDING
COLONIAL DOWNS
10700 HORSEMEN’S ROAD
NEW KENT, VA

In Attendance
Commission Members:
Clinton Miller, Chairman
David Reynolds
J. Sargeant Reynolds, Jr.
Stuart Siegel

Commission Staff:
Bernard J. Hettel, Executive Secretary
David S. Lermond, Jr., Deputy Executive Secretary
Kimberly M. Carter, Office Administrator

Attorney General’s Office:
Amy K. Dilworth
__________________________

At 10:10 a.m., the regular monthly meeting of the Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) was called to order by Chairman Miller. Mark Brown is not present.

The minutes of the regular meeting held on September 28, 2011 were approved unanimously.

During Commissioners Comments, Chairman Miller informed the group that dates for the 2012 race meets will be set at the next regular meeting of the Commission.

During committee reports, Commissioner Sarge Reynolds stated that, “a subcommittee meeting was held on October 20 at 1:30 p.m. in the Virginia Racing Commission conference room. After a lengthy discussion, little progress if any was made on a cohesive path forward regarding Colonial Downs and the VHHA. There is much work t be done in order for these two group to come up with a three year plan to get live stanadardbred racing on a more solid footing. If this group does not come to a mutually beneficial agreement to take bold measures to cut the expenses of a live meet and increase the overall handle then, we will be doomed to failure and live standardbred racing in Virginia will be a thing of the past.”

During the Executive Secretary’s report, Mr. Hettel stated that a Legislative Impact Study Group of interested stakeholders has been formed to begin the legislative process. The group will meet sometime in December to gather new ideas on regulations that have become dated in an effort to get on the path of horse racing in Virginia.

A discussion ensured regarding points of discussion that are being explored by the licensee and stakeholders in the Harness/Standardbred area. The points will be discussed in the working session.

There being no further business, Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. was set as the date and time of the next meeting to be held at Horsemen’s Building, 10700 Horsemen’s Road, New Kent, VA. The meeting was then adjourned.
Working Session
Following the monthly meeting, the Commission began a Working Session. The following action items include:

Mr. Hettel will be meeting with the Secretary of Commence and Trade to lay the framework for a face to face meeting with the Governor. Commissioners Siegel and S. Reynolds will prepare a presentation for the Governor to emphasize what has been discussed in order for responsibilities to be met.
Copies of the Strategic Plan should be distributed to the Commissioners for review and proposed changes.
Changes to the Governance Manual should be submitted before December 1, 2011 to be presented for action at the January Commission meeting.
Weinberg and Dunavant will meet on the circuit issue.