BESB Statewide Committee of Blind Vendors Meeting Dates for 2017:
March 7, 2017 at 4:30 p.m. (teleconference); May 18, 2017 (Special teleconference meeting at 4:00 p.m.); June 6, 2017 at 4:30 p.m. (teleconference); September 16, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. at BESB Office (annual meeting); December 5, 2017 at 4:30 p.m. (teleconference). Contact Edward Owens at (860) 602-4198 for additional information and teleconference instructions.
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Statewide
Committee of Blind Vendors
Draft Minutes of
the June 6, 2017 – 4:30 p.m.
Quarterly Meeting
Attendance:
Committee:
Keith Haley Rich
Braccia Frank Roberts
Brandy Altergott Amos Fatorma Jim Ferguson
Bureau:
Brian Sigman Ed Owens Nick
Faenza
Everyone introduced themselves.
The minutes of the 3/7/17 and 5/18/17 were brought up for action.
Motion made by Rich Braccia to accept the minutes as presented.
Seconded by Brandy Altergott
Vote: Yes – 4, No – 0, Abstained – 0
Vote count is 4 as two members joined the call after the motion was
voted on.
Chairman Hailey updated the Committee on his trip to Washington, DC to
attend the Randolph-Sheppard Fly-In. Meetings were set up with Congressional
Representatives to discuss issues
affecting the program. The topics included the award of contracts at Defense
Facilities to Ability One without the recognition of the Randolph-Sheppard
priority; the lack of opportunities offered by the Veterans’ Administration to Randolph-Sheppard;
and the proposed commercialization of the interstate rest areas.
The participants of the fly-in sought greater communication between the
Department of Defense and the Veterans’ Administration with the Department of
Education which oversees the Randolph-Sheppard Program.
On the topic of the commercialization of the rest areas, the facts were
presented of how this proposed change would negatively affect entrepreneurs who
are blind as well as many other small businesses located in the vicinity of the
rest areas. The Committee members thanked Chairman Hailey for his involvement in
this important effort.
Ed Owens stated that the recently released Presidential budget includes
an allowance for the commercialization of the rest areas.
Mr. Owens reported that the vending sponsorship payment from Coca-Cola
was received. Vocational Rehabilitation, which has been a source of funding support
to the BEP has had a budget rescission and funding is very tight. The
Legislature will be going into special session to address the state budget for
FY18.
Mr. Owens advised the Committee that Coca-Cola, as permitted in their contract,
is requesting a 2% increase in the cost of product sold to BEP facilities. A
price sheet with the specifics has been requested. The Department of
Administrative Services is handling this request. New prices will take effect
in July.
Mr. Owens also spoke of the partnership with the Connecticut Department of
Public Health (DPH) to develop healthy recipes for over the counter facilities.
BESB has already set the standard with vending partners to have 30% of items
offered in vending machines to be in the healthy options category.
BESB’s cooperation with DPH dates back several years. This commitment
has been recognized and BESB staff were invited to participate in a recent webinar
with the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials in a
presentation of how to engage agencies in other states which oversee the
Randolph-Sheppard Program to become a partner in the healthy choices initiative.
Mr. Owens spoke of the open Insurance Enrollment period. The options planner
was sent to all of the facility managers and a new co-pay rate will begin as of
July.
Motion made by Rich Braccia to adjourn.
Seconded by Brandy Altergott
Vote: Yes – 6, No – 0, Abstained – 0
Meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.
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Statewide
Committee of Blind Vendors
Minutes of
the May 18, 2017 – 4:00 p.m.
Conference Call
Attendance: Committee:
Keith Haley Marc
Dombkowski Frank Roberts
Zac Shaham
Agency:
Brian Sigman Andrew Norton Ed Owens
This meeting was called to review the waiver previously issued to the
New Haven Parking Authority for the concession operations at Union Station due
to expire on June 30, 2017.
After a review of the status, the following motion was made.
Motion made by Marc Dombkowski to waive the concession operation at
Union Station, New Haven but to retain our rights to all vending machines.
Seconded by Frank Roberts
Vote: Yes – 4, No – 0, Abstained – 0
Chairman Haley then reviewed the efforts made in contacting state legislators
to advise them of the Committee’s position on the budget proposal which would
close the rest areas.
The topic of proposed federal legislation which would allow for the
commercialization of the highway rest areas was also discussed. Chairman Haley
will be going to Washington, DC to discuss with members of Congress the potential
impact this proposed legislation would have on the Randolph-Sheppard program.
He will update the Committee at their June meeting.
Motion made by Frank Roberts to adjourn
Seconded by Marc Dombkowski
Vote: Yes – 4, No – 0, Abstained – 0
Meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m.
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Statewide
Committee of Blind Vendors
Minutes of
the March 7, 2017 – 4:30 p.m.
Quarterly Meeting
Attendance: Committee:
Keith Haley Marc
Dombkowski Zac Shaham
Amos Fatorma Frank Roberts Jim Ferguson
Brandy Altergott Rich Braccia
Agency:
Brian Sigman Andrew Norton Ed
Owens
Nick Faenza
Everyone introduced themselves.
The minutes of the 1/10/17 and 2/8/17 were brought up for action.
Motion made by Brandy Altergott to accept the minutes as presented.
Seconded by Amos Fatorma
Vote: Yes – 7, No – 0, Abstained – 0
The Transfer & Promotion sub-committee presented their
recommendations to the full committee for action. Chairman Hailey noted that
the sub-committee followed the criterion as stated in the regulations regarding
eligibility for transfer or promotion.
Motion made by Marc Dombkowski to accept the recommendations of the
Transfer & Promotion sub-committee as presented.
Seconded by Brandy Altergott
Vote: Yes – 7, No – 0, Abstained – 0
A budget update was given. Mr. Sigman advised that a staff member formerly
in BEP has been transferred to Adult Services, as the primary service
coordination and advocacy needs of the clients served by this employee have
changed from vocational to more of an independent living focus over the years.
All thing remaining equal the current income is projected to cover program
expenses. The Committee was advised that this is a very tight budget year.
Two site survey requests were reviewed by the Committee. The first is a
request by the Town of Glastonbury for a Vending Truck at Riverfront Park. The
second request was for the establishment of a micro-market at New Britain City
Hall.
The Committee addressed both locations in the following motion:
Motion made by Rich Braccia to waive the Food Cart Operation at
Riverfront Park in Glastonbury and also waive the Micro-Market Facility at New
Britain City Hall.
Seconded by Marc Dombkowski
Vote: Yes – 7, No – 0, Abstained – 0
Andrew Norton advised the Committee of Senate Bill 796, an effort to
incorporate “person first” language throughout existing statutes where there
are references to individuals with disabilities.
Mr. Norton also indicated that guidance from the Governor’s Legal
Counsel has been obtained, affirming the Agency’s position that no legal
requirement exists for the Agency to collect a three percent health insurance
increase from the BEP Managers, since these individuals are not state employees
and do not fall under the terms of the SEBAC agreement.
Results of the Request for Proposals (RFP) issued by the Department of
Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to seek other concessionaires at
State Parks were reviewed. DEEP did receive one response, suggesting food
trucks for various locations, including the locations where DORS operates
concessions. DEEP did note that this plan could be easily implemented at parks
in which DORS does not operate a concession; however at locations where DORS does
have facilities, the statutes would need to be amended.
Mr. Owens gave a summation of the RSA-15 figures for FFY 16. Program-wide sales were $5.6 million. BEP
Manager’s average income was $39,185. Program-wide, managers employed 80 individuals.
Program spending increased by $564,314 with the opening of two new facilities.
The Committee was advised that the vending contractor has agreed to the
implementation of a healthy vending initiative in all vending machines program-wide.
The initiative will include clear signage of the healthy selections and each
vending machine will offer 30 percent selections that meet healthy vending
product criteria.
It was noted that going forward all agendas and minutes of the Statewide
Committee of Blind Vendors meetings will be posted on the Secretary of State’s
web site. Agendas must be posted at least one week in advance.
A question was asked if managers are receiving requests to use
environmentally friendly containers. There have been some requests made by
patrons at certain locations. BEP staff is looking into options. Initial research
has shown that environmentally friendly containers have higher costs and are
less secure in holding food. More research will be done.
It was noted that the current budget proposal calls for the closing of
the 7 rest areas that are a part of the vending contract.
Motion made by Frank Roberts to adjourn.
Seconded by Marc Dombkowski
Vote: Yes – 6, No – 0, Abstained – 0
Meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.
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Statewide
Committee of Blind Vendors
Minutes of the
February 8, 2017 – 4:00
Conference Call
Attendance: Committee:
Keith Haley Marc
Dombkowski Frank Roberts
Brandy Altergott Jim Ferguson
Agency:
Ed Owens
This meeting was called to review multiple site surveys. The Committee
requested the review of all operations to be considered in one motion.
The first location was Minnechaug Golf Course in Glastonbury. This is a
restaurant located on a 9 hole golf course in a residential section of
Glastonbury. While the course is open April through December the town is
looking to have the restaurant open year round.
The Fairfield locations were then reviewed. They include: Marine Fuel
Dock Concession, Lake Mohegan, Jennings Beach and the Penfield Concessions.
Motion made by Frank Roberts to waive Minnechaug Golf Course, Fairfield
Marine Fuel Dock Concession, Lake Mohegan, Jennings Beach and the Penfield
Concessions.
Seconded by Marc Dombkowski
Vote: Yes – 5, No – 0, Abstained – 0
The establishment of a Transfer and Promotion Sub-Committee was
discussed. Chairman Haley will appoint the members who will review the
applications received in January.
Keith advised of the opening on the State Rehabilitation Council and the
potential for a BEP Manager who is an employer to serve on the Committee. He
felt that while he would like to serve, his business needs would not permit him
to. Marc Dombkowski offered to have his name submitted to serve.
The status of the park locations was discussed. Jim Ferguson stated that
he not yet received his contract for the 2017 season. Ed stated that he had
requested an update on the status and will follow up. All three park managers
were on the call and they requested if we could take a look at their contracts
and identify if we see any changes. Ed asked if they received their contracts
in electronic format. They said that they did not. They only receive it in
print. Ed stated that he will request that they also receive it in electronic
format so it will be accessible and they could then share with us.
There was no further business to consider for this conference call
Motion made by Frank Roberts to adjourn.
Seconded by Brandy Altergott
Vote: Yes – 5, No – 0, Abstained – 0
Meeting adjourned at 5:00
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Statewide
Committee of Blind Vendors
Minutes of the
January 10, 2017 – 4:00
Conference Call
Attendance: Committee:
Keith Haley Marc
Dombkowski Zac Shaham
Frank Roberts Brandy
Altergott Jim Ferguson
Agency:
Ed Owens
This meeting was called to review two site surveys. The first was a
request from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for seasonal
food service at Burr Pond, Lake Waramaug and Mt. Tom State Park. The Committee
reviewed the information and discussed that we had previously operated Lake
Waramaug.
Motion made by Frank Roberts to waive the locations at Burr Pond, Lake
Waramaug and Mt. Tom State Park.
Seconded by Brandy Altergott
Vote: Yes – 6, No – 0, Abstained – 0
The second location was the Griffith E. Harris Golf Course in Greenwich.
The Committee considered the location and transportation, the need for a liquor
license, the availability of a manager and the start-up cost.
Motion made by Marc Dombkowski to waive the Griffith E. Harris Golf
Course in Greenwich
Seconded by Frank Roberts
Vote: Yes – 6, No – 0, Abstained – 0
There was no further business to consider for this conference call
Motion made by Brandy Altergott to adjourn.
Seconded by Frank Roberts
Vote: Yes – 6, No – 0, Abstained – 0
Meeting adjourned at 4:30
