Quarterly State Committee of Vendors Meeting

Embassy Suites International Drive, Orlando - August 17-18, 2012

The meeting was called to order by Tom Spiliotis at on Friday, August 17, 2012, 8:59
John Klindtworth called the roll. The following persons were present:

Tom Spiliotis, Chairman; John Klindtworth, Vice Chairman

District Representatives: District 1-Marcus Armstrong; District 2-Kurt Ponchak; District 3 -Don Tuell; District 4-Rob McClaskey-Alternate; District 5-Dennis Horn; District 6-Bob Murray, District 7-Charles Hackney; District 8-Catherine Gyorke Alger; District 9-Joel Rose; District 10-Jesus Villeda

Bureau of Business Enterprise Staff: William Bill Findley, Bureau Chief; Maureen Fink, Operations Manager; Alan Risk, Compliance Officer; Janet Chernoff, Administrative Services Consultant; Don Meloy, Marketing-Site Development Manager; Lawrence Batterton, Government Analyst; John Ahler, Region 1 Consultant; Bernie Kaiserian, Region 2 Consultant; Gregory Coon, Region 3 Consultant; James Carper, Region 5 Consultant; Chadwick Duncan, Region 6 Consultant

Licensed Vendors: David Kaplan (Alternate, District 9), Mary Hayes (Alternate, District 6), Stephanie Zolin (Alternate, District 1) Jim Warth, Shirley Smart, Troy Arthur, Mitzi Tyler

Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired:
Steven Moss, Jill Richardson; Instructors
Trainees: Will Grignon, Mary Ann Alexander, Emmett Magee, Pauline Bush, Cecil Tesmer, Ron Light,
Woody Matthews (OJT)

Guests: Dolores Lambert, DJ Hackney, Marion Matthews

Tom Spiliotis acknowledged the recent passing of licensed vendor David Harbach.

Janet Chernoff read a summary of the minutes from the May meeting. Gyorke Alger moved to accept the minutes, seconded by Kurt Ponchak. Passed without objection.

BBE Updates - Bill Findley

Bill discussed the BBEs continued effort with the Veterans Administration. Bill, Don Meloy and Bernie Kaiserian met with VA Visual Impairment Coordinator in Gainesville.  The meeting was positive and we should get the vending in the new Jacksonville clinic when it opens in December.  Bernie was notified that the clinic may want to put a small snack bar in one of the vending locations.  BBE staff continues to work on this. We need to make sure that we have qualified managers and the necessary resources as we pursue these opportunities. If we can get a successful operation in one VA facility it should open the door to other prospects.

Kennedy Space Center did not choose the BBE for the food court because we did not have a branded partner. We are putting out an RFI to companies to see if we find a franchised brand that we can partner with in the future. This is a complicated process which will take at least 3 - 4 months. There was a short discussion about the food court concept among the attendees. We would like to partner with a brand name that we could use in future and existing facilities.

As we continue to pursue opportunities such as the VA we need to be sure to have qualified managers. We have a much improved training process but it is a work in progress. Bill outlined the current process including vocational assessments, application, background check and the assessment interview a potential trainee needs to go through prior to entering class at Daytona Beach. We plan to utilize the cafeteria in Daytona Beach (in addition to the snack bar) in the training process.

Bill Findley plans to write a letter to the director of the Kennedy Space Center to advocate for the program. KSC has had a drop in income of over $350,000 dollars due to the ending of the shuttle program. The direction at KSC continues to be uncertain as plans are continually changing. We would like the fence removed from around Bob Murrays facility and tourists visiting KSC to be allowed to eat in our facilities. We would also like renovate Bob Gagnes facility.

In Tallahassee a recent meeting with the Department of Management services was postponed. We have heard that they may wish to offer us the over the counter facilities in the Capitol Building. We are working on a coffee bar for the 16th floor of the Turlington building. AFV will run that initially. DMS also asked us about rent for our facilities. We drafted a response.

We are working to assume control of Visinity/Best Vendors locations. We are looking at local companies to take over locations that we are not able to service who will pay commissions directly to us. We plan to end the contract with Visinity by the end of this year.

Bill Findley reported on the BBE budget. Last fiscal year (July 2011-June 2012) we spent a total of $2,755,000. Kurt requested a budget by region, and we will see if can get the budget department to provide those figures. Kurt would like BBE to be able to plan how we will spend our budget rather than just tracking expenditures. Bill wants to avoid locking ourselves into a budget by region.

Sales figures by facility types:
Snack bar sales are down by a half million dollars largely based upon the fact that KSC is down $336,000. Cafeteria Sales are down $44,000. Interstate vending is up $62,000. Non-highway vending is up primarily due to the conversion of snack bars into vending only. Overall we are holding our own and need to move forward, good managers and a good managerial presence make all the difference.

We have a number of projects in the works. Sixty post offices will be available soon and we need to determine which locations we will be adding to facilities. In addition we are looking at adding shelters and storage to rest area facilities that do not have them. DOT has no plans to renovate any rest area besides the one at Alligator Alley. The plans for that rest area have changed and they no longer plan to put our machines in a climate controlled area. We are also working on the Turlington Building 16th floor coffee bar. This past year we renovated Don Gerschicks facility in West Palm and added a storage area to the facility at Fort Knox.

Type II Awards - Maureen Fink

We currently have 27 locations on a Type II. Five of those locations will go on the business opportunity list for September. Two are planned to be combined into other locations and seven are currently operated by new licensees. The rest need to be evaluated. The Type II selection process has changed and operators need to take the process seriously as applicants will be asked questions by the panel. Operators interested in a Type II need to be familiar with the facility and have a plan. We will be looking at six months of figures for current managers and will have a consultant from another region on the call. The needs of the facility is the prime concern when awarding a Type II.

It was recommended that a consultant from another region; rather than the region the vacancy has occurred, be on the Type II panel in addition to the Administrative Services Consultant and the Chairman of the Committee of Vendors or his designee. Gyorke Alger motioned to accept the changes in the Type II process. Seconded by Joel Rose. Passed without objection.

Coke Representative Presentation - Travis Warren

Travis Warren a representative who handles Florida DBS account for Coca-Cola spoke to the group. Travis recommended that operators email him if they are having a problem with an order. Please provide him with a tracking number if possible. There was a brief discussion of shared vs. exclusive pricing.

Daytona Beach Training Class - Steve Moss

The students from the current BBE classes in Daytona introduced themselves. Steve Moss updated the group on changes at the facility including the new technology center and a new space for vending machine training. Plans are in the making to have trainees work in the cafeteria in addition to the snack bar.

Monthly Reports/Reimbursable Expenses - Tom Spiliotis

Credit Card fees were discussed as a deductible business expense. We have limited the number of approved business expenses because of the difficulty of providing proof to the auditors of some expenses. With online reporting vendors no longer turn in proof of the expense. Proof needs to be available for examination during monitoring. Kurt Ponchak moved to allow credit card fees as a business expense. Motion was seconded. The motion was tabled to be discussed at the next meeting.

The committee discussed reimbursements for security cameras. Recently there have been several incidents of vandalism at interstate rest areas. Security has been cut back at the interstates and all operators are asked to send documentation of thief and vandalism to Bill Findley and their local DOT. Bill will forward the information to the State DOT. The committee discussed and agreed that security systems should be at the expense of the operator.

On the monthly report ATM commissions are treated like any other commissions and should be included as other income on the monthly report. The ATM program is still a pilot program. On the monthly report rebates received should be deducted from the cost of goods.

Compliance Office update - Alan Risk

Alan advised the group that legally the phrase Applicants who have previously been licensed in the Business Enterprise program whether in Florida or another state, must have left that program in good standing with no outstanding debts cant be put into the manual because it is not in the statutes.

Eleven of the twelve new licensees this year have been awarded facilities. During the May selection cycle there were 10 opportunities and all but one was awarded. There were 22 applicants, 3 withdrew and one did not show up for the test. Sixteen applicants were interviewed and six facilities went to new licensees.

Thirteen vendors currently have 0 CEUs. Twenty-one vendors have already met or exceeded the required amount. There was a discussion about how we should advise operators about the CEU requirement and whether this should be handled through the district representatives. Alan Risk will advise every vendor about their status concerning CEUs. Committee members need to encourage vendors to fulfill their CEU requirement by the August 2013 deadline. BBE staff will be doing workshops throughout the state in September and October that will not only give vendors .5 CEUs but will help them with on line reporting, inventory, and customer service. We need to encourage vendors to take classes including the vending training being offered and Hadley courses. Vendors need to realize that they are putting their contract in jeopardy by not fulfilling this requirement.

Eighty-seven vendors are reporting on line. Twenty-three are not reporting on line. This includes five vendors who have no CEUs and are not reporting on line.

Grievances - Alan Risk

There have been no new grievances since the last meeting. A Chapter 120 hearing was held on May 3, 2012. A recommendation was issued in our favor and DOE followed that recommendation. An arbitration hearing was held on July 16 and we expect a decision in September.

Manual Revisions - Alan Risk

Policy 4.0 LOFA - Alan recommended that it be revised to read: Permanent L.O.F.A. (Type I):
A Permanent L.O.F.A. is implemented for the operation of a B.B.E. Facility in perpetuity by a Vendor.  It contains the contractual obligations and expectations between the Vendor and the B.B.E. as well as the interactions of both with property owners.  A Permanent L.O.F.A. is usually awarded as an outcome of the competitive Selection Cycle Process.  However, the B.B.E. may elect to award a Facility outside of the Selection Process, as allowed by {Rule 6A-18.0424 F.A.C.}, if a Vendor is adversely affected by no fault of his or her own. When a newly licensed person accepts his or her first L.O.F.A., a one year commitment is a stipulation of acceptance.

Temporary L.O.F.A. (Type II): A Temporary L.O.F.A. differs from a Permanent L.O.F.A. in two significant ways.  It is not awarded through the Selection Cycle Process and it is time specific as to its duration to meet the needs of the location for stability and transition to its next permanent Vendor.

1. Signing a LOFA for a new Type I facility immediately cancels any other Type I LOFA(s) held by the vendor. The agency reserves the right to combine two or more Type I facilities in order to make it a viable business opportunity for the vendor.   The vendor may keep any Type II LOFA(s) held as long as the needs of the facility are being met.

2. Vendors are not limited as to the number of Type II LOFAs held at any given time, as long as the needs of the facility are being met.

The committee agreed to the revision in principle but felt that the language needed to be worked on. The revision is tabled until the wording is finalized.

Policy 5.0 to be revised to read:
Each Licensed Vendor shall agree to do all of the following:

1. To accept responsibility for costs associated with normal business operations, including, but not limited to, cleaning supplies and services outside the scope of the Licensor responsibility, replacing light bulbs, restoration of function for jammed mechanisms, and any financial loss due to vandalism or theft.

Kurt Ponchak moved to accept the change. Gyorke Alger seconded. Passed without objection.

Policy 5.6 to revised as follows:
The following statements are to be deleted from 5.6 Monthly Business Reports and Set-Aside Levy

1. On-time submission of the Monthly Business Report (M.B.R.) is determined by the date the report is received and stamped in the DBS office.  Any M.B.R. received and stamped after the last business day of the following month is considered late.  If a M.B.R. shows a Set-Aside payment due but not included, or if documentation is missing and corrections are needed, it is considered incomplete and returned to the vendor.
2. Checks returned as non-negotiable (insufficient funds, closed account, etc.) shall be returned to the vendor submitting it for replacement by a Cashiers Check or Money Order.  The date of report receipt shall be recorded as the date the replacement Cashier Check or Money Order is received.  All future set aside levies from the involved vendor shall henceforth be made by Cashiers Check or Money Order only for a period of twelve (12) consecutive months.
3. Monthly Business Reports and the payment of set aside fees may be made online.  The new Online Reporting system replaces the requirement of mailing a paper report and payment to Tallahassee each month.  Once sales figures are entered in the system, the set aside and profits are calculated automatically. This should reduce the potential of data entry errors and the potential for late reports because the new system timestamps the date and time when the report is submitted online.
4. Note: Online reporting is currently required of all newly licensed vendors and beginning with the October, 2012 report, online reporting will be required for ALL facility operators. 

(Revised policy)

BBE vendors are required to submit a facility business report and set-aside levy payment each month.  The set-aside levy is a payment due to BBE based upon the net proceeds from the operation of the facility.  Both are due no later than the last business day of the following month.  Any report or set-aside payment received after the due date is considered late.  If the set-aside payment is not received with the report, it is incomplete and will be considered late if not received by the due date.

Note: Failure to submit the monthly business report on time for two consecutive months, or three times within a twelve-month period is considered a breach of contract.

Vendors experiencing technical difficulties with submitting on-line reports, especially in cases that would result in a late report, should immediately contact Adam Gaffney, DBS computer helpdesk by calling (850) 245-0360 or by sending an email to Adam.Gaffney@dbs.fldoe.org. You may email Adam or leave him a voice message 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. A record will be kept of the time the problem is reported. If a vendor, in good faith, processes and submits a MBR on-line and is unable to meet the deadline through no fault of his/her own, there will be no penalty assessed. Below is a list of features that online reporting affords the B.B.E. vendor:

1. Informs you when a new report is due and for which month
2. Enter monthly reports online in easy to use format
3. Calculates set aside and profits
4. Make payment online
5. Review past reports online
6. Run comparative reporting scenarios.  You can compare your sales, costs and profits between one month and another, or one year and another.  Example: Compare my sales and costs from January through March, 2012 to January through March of 2013.

Inventory: For the purposes of the monthly report, inventory is defined as goods purchased for sale, and additional items offered at time of purchase such as plastic ware, napkins, and condiments.  Items not considered inventory are such things as other cleaning supplies, insecticides, purchases ordinarily considered as business expenses, or items purchased for personal use such as groceries or alcoholic beverages. Inventory does not include cash on hand or in machines.

Kurt Ponchak moved to accept the revisions to Manual Section 5.6. Joel Rose seconded. Passed without objection.

Policy 7.3 recommended to be revised as follows:
When a vendor resigns from a vending facility the vendor shall give the BBE a signed written notice at least 60 calendar days in advance of the effective date of resignation.  The BBE may waive this requirement in an emergency.  Upon resignation, the vendor is required to conduct an exit inventory at a date and time mutually agreed upon with the regional consultant.  If a vendor fails to comply with this requirement, BBE may terminate the vendor's license and the vendor shall be disqualified from reapplying for a license for a two (2) year period.    

1. At the time that a Licensee notifies the BBE in writing of their intent to resign or discontinue participation in the BBE Program, their license will be revoked. 
2. If a vendor voluntarily resigns from a facility with good cause (i.e. serious health issues or debilitating injury), and wishes to continue in the BBE at a later date, their license will not be revoked.

Note: A vendor may take a long-term absence from their facility for up to six months without resigning their facility if they are able to make necessary arrangements ensuring that service is provided in accordance with the terms and conditions of the LOFA.  Upon approval by the BBE, an additional three month extension may be granted.

The committee felt that the language needed to be worked on. It was recommended that the manual revisions be addressed at the second and last vendors meetings of the year.

Card validators for Vending Machines - Tom Spiliotis

Card readers for vending machines were discussed and whether the agency should purchase them. Some locations may require them. It was suggested that the agency would purchase them and the manager would be responsible for any fees. This would encourage operators to use card readers. In the near future Crane machines will include card readers on their machines.

Monitoring Review - Lawrence Batterton

Fifty-nine facilities have been reviewed this calendar year. Seventy-nine reviews have been done since July 2011.

Ice Cream Machines - Tom Spiliotis

Should the agency start purchasing ice cream machines for rest areas and other facilities? The agency has purchased frozen machines for non-highway vending because the building management has requested them. Several options were discussed including reimbursing operators for ice cream machines based on a depreciation schedule, having all machines purchased by the agency or having a date in the future when the agency will start purchasing machines. We will continue to investigate our options in this matter.

Veterans preference Discussion - Bill Findley

Bill Findley suggested that we should consider giving veterans additional points when applying for a VA location in the selection cycle. These would address two issues; reaching out to legally blind veterans as potential applicants for the BBE program and to show the Veterans Administration that we are interested in helping blind veterans. A discussion ensued and concern was expressed about giving an advantage to a veteran when many operators did not have an opportunity to enter the military because of their vision. No decision was reached.

Adjourned at 5pm.

The meeting was called to order at 8:30am on Saturday, August 18, 2012.

The following people attended:
Tom Spiliotis; John Klindtworth, Vice Chairman
District Representatives: District 1-Marcus Armstrong; District 2-Kurt Ponchak; District 3 -Don Tuell; District 4-Rob McClaskey-Alternate; District 5-Dennis Horn; District 6-Bob Murray, District 7-Charles Hackney; District 8-Catherine Gyorke Alger; District 9-Joel Rose; District 10-Jesus Villeda
Bureau of Business Enterprise Staff: William Bill Findley, Bureau Chief; Maureen Fink, Operations Manager; Alan Risk, Compliance Officer; Janet Chernoff, Administrative Services Consultant; Don Meloy, Marketing-Site Development Manager; Lawrence Batterton, Government Analyst; John Ahler, Region 1 Consultant; Bernie Kaiserian, Region 2 Consultant; Gregory Coon, Region 3 Consultant; James Carper, Region 5 Consultant; Chadwick Duncan, Region 6 Consultant
Other Attendees: Jim Warth, Mary Hayes, Stephanie Zolin, Dolores Lambert, Mitzi Tyler, Shirley Smart, DJ Hackney.

Snapple presentation - Nino Morales

Nino Morales discussed Snapple products and addressed delivery issues that vendors have experienced.

Inventory Discussion - Bill Findley

Alan Risk provided information on what other states require in regard to inventories. Currently the agency is suggesting a monthly inventory not requiring one. Concern was expressed by the vendors about the agency requiring an inventory. It is necessary to take a monthly inventory or have a reasonable estimate in order to file an accurate monthly report. Inaccurate reports are a compliance issue. Monthly reports should be checked and agency staff should follow up on any red flags. An audit is recommended in the case of a repeated problem or if intentional abuses are suspected. Training on how to do an inventory is planned.

Marketing and Site Development Updates - Don Meloy

Don has prepared a sales brochure and a scope of work regarding third party vending machine service companies located in Florida regions. This will be part of a Request for Proposal to use local vending companies to directly service vending locations not currently serviced by blind vendors.  This is a big step toward eliminating Visinity in the Florida BBE.  We are also investigating partnerships with a franchise such as Subway or Unos pizza. Other areas being investigated include Brevard County, Broward County, Coast Guard exchanges, Sunrail SFRPA, South Florida Water Management District, Fire College in Ocala, and non-chartered counties. We have given a proposal to Jacksonville Electric concerning their vending and await a decision. We continue to work on opportunities with the VA.

Regional Status/District Updates - Regional Consultants and District Reps

District 1 - Marcus Armstrong - All is quiet

District 2 - Kurt Ponchak - the new Tallahassee route is progressing with some challenges. He is doing approximately $6,000 per month in sales.

Region 1 - John Ahler
We are ready to take over locations on the Visinity list, but are receiving resistance from the current vending company that does not want to leave. In order to take over the Lottery location we had to agree to maintain the level of service, with the same machines and technology. Any State or Federal office location that is owned, leased or under state or federal control should be ours. Facility 534 - Saufley field. Seventeen machines on the Naval Air Station will be added to this location. We are working on the permit and hope to have the signatures by next week. We have added two new post offices - one in Tallahassee and one in Marianna. Robert Gary should be signing a LOFA and be servicing Facility #587, the Blackwater River Correctional Institute in Milton by the end August. The new immigration building in Tallahassee should be ready to move into by next month. There will be 75 people and the location will be added to Maria Reynolds route.

District 9 - Joel Rose
The new consultant Jim Carper is doing a good job. American Food and Vending will be operating a facility in Broward County after the operator is removed. Over three hundred people moved out of Joels post office on Friday. Locations have been added to his route including the immigration building and locations previously attached to the snack bar in Miami. In October some more small post offices will be added. Joel requested more notice when adding a location to his route.

Region 5 - Jim Carper
He has added 11 locations to the three routes in his region and is working to coordinate the routes. He has added 3 post offices and has an additional 5 post offices coming in the next two weeks to add to routes. He is working with Palm Beach County Parks. There are some legal issues with the agreements with Palm Beach County and they are working them out. He will add 15 more post offices by October. We received a call from a Business Consultant from Michigan who gave us a lead on a location with the Federal Air Marshalls office in Broward County.

District 10 - Jesus Villeda
There are two new vendors in District 10. Daniel Ochoa took over Facility 455 which was on the selection cycle list for three years. Louis Ritter took over the new North Miami vending route. Jesus had a workshop in July which included a Pepsi technician, an insurance agency and an accountant.

Region 6 - Chadwick Duncan
Louis Ritter will be taking over the new North Miami route this Tuesday, August 21 which will include 7 post offices, some Visinity locations, and an immigration location. The changeover was done Monday, August 13 to put Daniel Ochoa into Facility 455. There were locations in Broward that were attached to this facility and they were transferred to Facility 501 operated by Joel Rose. We have been in Miami Custom and Border protection for about 2 weeks. The facility was started with 22 machines and two change machines and they plan to reopen another area which will add a few more machines. Southern Commands gross sales have dropped significantly since they have opened the snack bar and convenience store near the facility. It may eventually be added to a route as it no longer is viable as a stand-alone.

Chadwick investigated the Visinity locations in the Keys. There is not enough right now for an operator but there may be an opportunity to do food service on the military base. He is converting the snack bar in the Brickell to vending. There is a delay in reopening because of building construction. Chadwick Duncan will examine combining all three facilities currently operated by Shirley Taylor into one facility. He will present this at the next meeting. The business manager for FCI Miami put forward a plan where the new vendor would not have to pay an escort. The paid escort requirement was in the contract with the previous vendor. Chadwick was told that the warden will sign off on the plan by Thursday, August 23 and our vendor would be in the week after that. Chadwick will be upgrading the hood system in Jesuss facility.

District 3 - Don Tuell
Larry Miller will be taking over the rest area at Jennings on October 1. There are two operators in this district with no CEUs.

District 4 - Rob McClaskey, Alternate
There are several Type IIs in his district and Dave Harbach recently passed away. Everything else is okay.

Region 2 - Bernie Kaiserian
A long time operator resigned his vending route without notice. In addition Spencer Henderson and Daniel Angelicola announced their retirement and with the recent death of Dave Harbach Region 2 has lost four vendors. Darryl Brinton has moved into the new courthouse and Bernie made adjustments in the equipment and wiring to accommodate the increase in business. New vendor, Junior Vega will be going into Hilliard the first of September. New Facility 599 is a vending route in Lake City that will be comprised of 5 locations with 13 machines. Troy Arthur has that on a Type II. Estimated sales are already looking higher than was reported by Visinity.

Facility 389, NAS Jacksonville vending route is currently operated by Larry Miller. Larry will be taking over the Jennings rest area in October. Facility 389 includes two locations located off the base. One location is 17 miles to the east and the other is 8 miles to the west. Bernie requested that those locations be removed from the route and added to the greater Jacksonville route. This will make Facility 389 totally within NAS in a two mile radius with free on site storage. Average annual sales for the sales without the two locations would be about $100,000 per year.

Joel Rose made a motion to remove the outside locations from Facility 389. Motion seconded by Dennis Horn. The motion passed 7-2. The representative from District 3 was out of the room.

Second proposed change is to move 5 locations from 590, Healthy Route to 513, Downtown Jacksonville route and move one location from 513 to 590. Currently the downtown route 513 does $9,000 per month. The changes will increase the revenue by $1,500 per month. Tom requested that geographical borders be added to the route. Tom asked about the JEA that is included in the downtown route. JEA put their vending out for bid and we are waiting for their decision. If the JEA is not included in the route that would be a loss of $38,000 to the route. Bernie has other locations that could be put on this route to offset the loss of the JEA location. Tom suggested that we table the vote until there is a definite decision on the JEA. The committee will address this via conference call so that the facility can be listed on the September business opportunities. Gyorke Alger moved to table the vote. Joel Rose seconded. The committee members agreed.

Bernie advised the committee about future plans to combine Facility 271, postal vending route with Facility 590, healthy vending route along with locations from Visinity and two locations from 389. The new route will require paid storage and a large vehicle.

District 7 - Charles Hackney
New vendor, Brian Britt took over Facility 124. Debbie Hietala will be closed during the Republican National Convention. Tom Saunders asked Charles Hackney to convey that his frozen food machine is netting $15.00 per week. The machine was requested by the building management.

District 8 - Gyorke Alger
Hugh Moss is retiring. He submitted his notice in writing to Maureen. It will be offered on a Type II.

Region 4 - Maureen Fink
Maureen is acting as the Region 4 Consultant as Stephen Holland has returned to his former position. Brian Britt took over Facility 124 two weeks ago. He has machines is the DBS district office in Tampa. In District 8 new operator Gary Ernneus will be taking over the Facility 322, Bradenton Route at the beginning of the month. Maureen Fink is requesting that the Facility 555, Manasota post office route be attached to Facility 322. Facility 555 is currently be operated by Jim Warth on a Type II. It was always the plan to combine these facilities as soon as a new operator was selected. Facility 322 will do about $91,000 for the year. Manasota will make about $34,000 for a year. Sarasota post offices have been added to the Manasota route. The total sales with the combined routes should be between $140,000 and $150,000 per year. The new combined route will be Facility 555. There is storage at the Manasota Post Office. Gyorke Alger made a motion to combine the routes. Joel Rose seconded the motion. Motion passed 9 - 1.

District 5 - Dennis Horn
There is one incidence of vandalism in his area. Phillip Hubbard has taken over Facility 378, Orlando Cafeteria on a Type II. Dennis has put in energy misers in his machines as required by the county. He has had problems due to power surges. The energy misers were purchased by the agency.

District 6 - Robert Murray
Mary Hayes will be moving to Facility 517 and her Facility 507 will be offered on a Type II. Bob agrees with the agency that vendors should not be lackadaisical about inventories.

Region 3 - Gregory Coon
We will be going into the TSA facility at the Orlando airport next Wednesday. TSA gave the current company notice and Dennis Horn has it on a Type II. The Type II conference for the Facility 507 will be next week and the facility will be offered on the September selection cycle. Greg added a post office to Facility 285, Daytona vending route and another post office will be added September 4.

Kennedy Space Center has two vending routes on Type IIs operated by Mitzi Tyler and Jose Formoso. The new vendors are trying to work with NASA and try new things. NASA has been consolidating staff into the larger buildings. Greg has received regular requests to move machines at least four times a week. NASA does not communicate with the vendors and does everything through Greg. Greg would like more contact between NASA and the vendors. Brian McKenney has a Type II in Facility 150. Brian provides excellent customer service. Greg has been working on a HACCP plan for the over the counter operators at KSC. Maureen and Greg met with NASA and were told that it needs to be revised. There is an organization called Space Florida that is a quasi-government agency. It is a small location that we are working on because similar operations may come along. Phil Hubbard has Facility 378 on a Type II. Phil has increased sales in the over the counter by 20% and the vending by 25%. Greg is working with Don Meloy on new opportunities with the VA and Sunrail.

Round Table Discussion - All

Dennis Horn had an operator in his area that asked about the possibility of the agency purchasing vehicles for vendors to use in their business. This came up because the agency is considering purchasing card readers for vendors. Tom expressed concern about vendors applying for a Type II that requires a vehicle. There was a discussion about purchasing trucks and card readers for a temporary facility and the additional costs required by a route operator as opposed to other facilities. These issues may need to be examined in the future. The six month time limit on the Type IIs at KSC were discussed. We need to look at the numbers after six months and confer with KSC before extending the Type IIs there.

Shirley Smart requested that the vendors be apprised by their representative of items that are coming up for a vote so that they can express their opinion and the representative vote as the majority decides. Joel Rose feels that the managers elect a district representative for their decision making ability. Jim Warth agrees with Shirley and he would like to be advised of any item that would affect his business. Dennis Horn requested that the agenda be sent to all the operators. It was agreed that the agenda could be sent out at least a week in advance so that the operators can discuss any issues with their representatives prior to the meeting. It would be up to the operator to contact their representatives.
The meeting adjourned at 11:59am.