HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-11-14 - MinutesADVERTISING AND PROMOTION COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
November 14, 2014
Commissioners Present: Ching Mong, Matt Behrend, Tim Freeman, Bobby Ferrell, Matthew
Petty, Justin Tenant and Hannah Withers.
Commissioner Absent: None
Staff Present: Marilyn Heifner, Sandra Bennett, and others
The special meeting was called to order at 10:07 a.m. at the Fayetteville Town Center by
Chairman Ching Mong. The purpose of the meeting was to vote on having the Chamber as
a 4th candidate to interview for Executive Director.
Vince Chaddick, attorney for the commission, reviewed the events of the regular meeting
held on Monday. The Commission retired to executive session to consider the Chamber
application. After reconvening, there was not a vote done in public, therefore, the action
was not legal.
He suggested that the Commission have their discussion in public to promote transparency
and public trust and have their vote in public.
Behrend indicated that he felt a continued discussion of exploration of Chamber proposal
as the Executive Director to ask more questions and the option of management contract by
the Chamber was two separate issues.
The Executive Session was to protect private and public employees and promote candor
among the members. He recommended having the entire discussion.
Withers said Chamber would not be able to advertise and promote as we are currently
doing. The accessibility of their website and social media is not at the standard of A & P.
The A & P is a big organization with lots of moving pieces and a big staff. As we are going
through a transition, we need to try and keep the systems the same to gain staff support.
Behrend agreed, but would vote to see how we could merge efforts. He didn't see that
we'd get a lot of benefits, but he still had a lot of questions and needed more information
in the bucket to make a decision.
Tennant said he had hired and fired dozens of people and looked at the potential a
candidate brings. He is constantly looking at regional cooperation and would like to
Investigate the Chamber as a candidate. He would like to bring them in because he hasn't
seen enough to discount them. It would be cheap to bring them in and ask more
questions.
Ferrell opposed the motion and agreed with Tennant. He said the A & P was doing the best
we could with the candidates. He said the Commission had no intent in entering into the
Executive session to do anything other than our jobs.
Freeman said he was in favor of the motion. The Chamber of Commerce is good at what
they do. As a quasi -branch of government and managing taxpayer funds, as a
Commissioner, he would publically discount the Chamber because they take positions on
political issues. The A & P is big enough to operate on their own.
Mong said that if the Chamber was to be considered, the A & P would still have an
Executive Director. That is not to say that down the road, the Chamber wouldn't be
considered.
Petty said the Chamber doesn't make the cut that the other candidates do.
Heifner review parts of her management discussion letter previously distributed to
members.
Behrend said regardless of what happens, he would encourage the new Executive Director
to work with the Chamber.
Mong reiterated for both parties to cooperate for advertising or economic development. He
encouraged both to make this town a destination for business travel.
Roll Call Vote:
Freeman - yes
Ferrell - no
Behrend - no
Petty - yes
Withers - yes
Tennant- no
Mong - yes
For motion - 4 votes, Against motion - 3.
Moved by Ferrell to adjourn, second Petty. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn Heifner
Executive Director, Fayetteville A & P Commission