Committee of Blind Vendors Meeting

Summary of Minutes October 25, 2014

The Committee of Blind Vendors held its regularly scheduled quarterly meeting on Saturday, October 25, 2014 at the Holiday Inn and Suites Hotel in Memphis, TN. The following were in attendance:

Committee Members Agency Visiting Managers

Joe Ruzzene Richard Harris Gary Weaver Ralph Brown

Greg Self Mary Baker Barbara Badger Penny Verity

Sharon Treadway Doug Rhodes Debbie Propst

Lance Morris Mike Rebich Sharon Bragg

Billy Brumlow Barry Bryant Randy Herndon

John Spencer Donna Smith Marie Morris

Jim Baker Jennifer Boyd Kevin Williams

Eric Breeden Bonita Davis

Dewayne Cox Helene Donohue

Following the reading and approval of the minutes, the Agency presented its report. The following are the highlights of the meeting:

• Gary Weaver recognized the new staff in the Nashville Region.
• The Quarterly sales report showed sales of $6,058,907 which is an increase compared to the same time period last year.
• The Temporary Managers Report shows there are 22 blind temps operating 27 facilities, one sighted temp operating one facility and six on the “Ready for Employment” list.
• Barry Bryant updated the Committee on activity with the unassigned accounts.
• Kevin Burke gave the Commissary Report. Counties included are Williamson, Hamilton, Grundy, Lawrence, Unicoi, Madison. He also sent letters to several counties.
• Barbara Badger updated the Committee on activities in East TN. In Region 1, she asked everyone to remember Missy Hammons in their thoughts and prayers.
• In Region 2, TVA is moving staff to Chattanooga.
• In Region 3, the Post Office is due to close in July 2015. The McCallie State Office Building will be moving to Riverfront Pkwy in November. Kim Williams is resigning at Sequoyah; the Nuclear RIF’s at TVA will start in January. Rodney Jackson was awarded the Hamilton Co Jail.
• Doug Rhodes updated the Committee on activities in Middle TN. He introduced his new staff and asked them to provide a brief background in business and education.
• Cordell Hull we will provide temporary foodservice at TN Towers. The opening of the Avanti Market at Andrew Johnson has been moved to May 2015.
• Melissa Chilton is the temporary manager at the Williamson Co. Jail, Brian Wooten is temping the Citizens Plaza, David Hall is the permanent manager of the I-24 E Welcome Center, and he is temping Ft. Campbell. There are discussions to add an Avanti Market at Citizens Plaza.
• At MTSU, a new science building opened, their administration wants to share commissions with TBE. DHS Legal is involved since TBE asked to service all vending. At the U of M, the school has allowed some vending in new buildings, but similar actions to MTSU. Billy Brumlow recommended TBE file a complaint with the Secretary of State to enforce the law.
• At TN Towers, demolition has started. The permit and contracts are in Legal.
• Jody and Roxanne Chamberlain’s son passed away, Terry Hasselbring has stopped taking chemo.
• Mike Rebich updated the Committee on activities in West TN. Mike thanked everyone for their thoughts and prayers during the time of his father’s passing.
• We continue to deal with the Memphis attorney concerning Regional One Health. There are ongoing discussions with the Legal department regarding MATA.
• The Subway renovation began and is projected to open around Thanksgiving.
• At the Shelby Co. Correctional Center, the kiosks arrived but have not been installed yet.
• In Jackson, there are three (3) possible new commissaries.
• The Avanti Market opened in August. The Grand Opening was a success, and the building population has increased with employees from leased space.
• Melinda is following up with the City of Jackson regarding the workman’s compensation requirement.

Each Committee member then filed their reports on activities in their local areas.

• Nashville – Sharon Treadway reported Don Burkeen retired from Breaktime Vending, and his son Donnie took it over the business. The Avanti Market at the Andrew Johnson building is projected to open in early summer. Mary Baker asked that the Committee remember Roxanne Chamberlain in their thoughts over the recent loss of her son. The TN Tower restaurant began demolition. They’ll provide temporary foodservice from the Cordell Hull Building. She made comments on Chick-fil-A and brought up concerns about the new food court.
• Jackson - John Spencer commented their Upward Mobility went well. Some managers are experiencing problems with the Debitek system. He congratulated Barbara Henry and Melinda Jones for their work to open the Avanti Market. He asked about a bid package and was told around January 2015.
• Memphis – Lance Morris reported Penny Verity and Barry Shaw had medical issues. He commented on the second Upward Mobility in Memphis, machine placement at the U of M locations, TVA Allen Steam Plant, and concerns over the Regional One Health issue. Richard Harris reported on changes at the UT Medical Sciences campus.
• Johnson City -.Eric Breeden asked everyone to remember Missy Hammons husband in their thoughts and prayers. He made comments on the training class in Morristown and the Sevier County Jail.
• Knoxville – Greg Self updated the committee on Judy Heath and Coca-Cola.
• Chattanooga – Dewayne Cox commented on the new Hamilton Co. Jail, Kim Williams retirement, the Post Office, UTC vending, Nickajack Welcome Center, TVA, and the Cleveland State food service. He asked for thoughts and prayers for David White. Billy Brumlow commented on the Post Office changes.

Next on the agenda was the first Open Forum. The following managers asked to be recognized:

Marie Morris – commented on kiosks for new commissaries. Mike updated her on the workman’s compensation requirement for the City of Jackson. She expressed concern over the training provided for the Avanti Market in Jackson.

Sharon Bragg – updated the Committee on the new kiosks for her facility.

Penny Verity - expressed several concerns over providing Braille materials, communication issues, and kiosks that are blind compatible.

Kevin Williams – reported on theft with his vending machines. Mike was asked to check into security equipment. He expressed concerns over unannounced Consultant visits, MATA, and promulgation of the Rules.

Helene reported new Brailler’s were recently installed across the state and she will compile a list of those requesting Braille.

Gary Weaver expressed concerns about respect, communication, and professionalism at Committee meetings and efforts by the Agency. There was extended discussion with the Committee about these concerns along with staff attendance at committee meetings, monthly conference calls and newsletters.

Gary Weaver updated the Committee on the State’s Healthy Vending. He will meet with F & A next week.

Next, the various subcommittees provided their reports:

Awards - Gary provided updates about the proposed NFBEI contract for the Statewide Manager’s Meeting May 1-2 in Nashville. Sharon Treadway reported the Embassy Suites Hotel has been contacted and may include a trade show.

Legislative - Lance Morris reported TAMA told him there may be changes proposed in the General Assembly. If TBE wants to propose legislation, sponsors need to be sought after soon. Martha Gentry was mentioned as a Consultant to keep TBE informed of proposed bills so a sponsor could be hired. Dewayne Cox made a motion to contribute a $1000 donation to TAMA for the Martha Gentry Lobbyist Legislative Fund. Lance Morris seconded, and it passed. There are four states that have mandates or an EO to add healthy vending.

Personnel – John Spencer welcomed Bonita Davis as the new Consultant in Nashville.

Rules and Regulations – Mary Baker said public hearings need to be scheduled.

Commissary -Dewayne Cox reported on the TCI requirements and transaction fees sent to the County Trustee.

Healthy Vending – nothing new to report.

Insurance – the deadline to make changes is October 31 st.

Strategic Planning – nothing new to report.

Training – there are five (5) students in Morristown who’ve passed and will be going to OJT.

Budget– Barbara Badger presented the Quarterly Financial Report. Dewayne Cox made a motion to continue the rebate program for managers who meet or exceed net profit standards. Lance Morris seconded the motion and it passed. Lance Morris made a motion to include BLAST, NAMA, Sagebrush and Commissary Training for Upward Mobility credit. Dewayne Cox seconded the motion and it passed. Lance Morris made a motion to reimburse managers $500 who attend BLAST, NAMA or Sagebrush whose income is below the state average. Dewayne Cox seconded the motion and it passed. There was further discussion about the TN Tower Project.

Public Relations – Lance Morris established some media contacts and procedures were discussed.

Next on the agenda was the second Open Forum. The following managers asked to be recognized:

Debbie Propst – she asked how many kiosks were in the new jail. She asked about the location and date of the January committee meeting. Barbara Badger will send information out about the January Committee meeting in Knoxville.

Kevin Williams - asked about Upward Mobility trainings and was told the remaining ones for the year.

Marie Morris – she asked if the Healthy Vending reports would continue. All except one vending machine was removed from her location. Mike will follow up with Marie and Melinda.

Under Old/New Business, there was discussion about filing a complaint with the Secretary of State about vending new college campuses and buildings. Gary Weaver reported he is meeting with the Commissioner next week to address this issue.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

cc: Gary Weaver