Special Committee Meeting Minutes

October 13, 2025

DRAFT

Via Teams

Attendance:
Randall Crosby, Chair; Sead Bekric, Vice Chair

Representatives:
Mike Sumler, District 1; Patrick Martin, District 2; Jim Gaudette, District 3; Darryl Brinton, District 4; David Stevens, District 5; Phil Hubbard, District 6; Jose Quintanilla, District 7, Jim Warth, District 8, Mike McCrea, District 9; Antonio Gonzalez, District 10

Bureau of Business Enterprise Staff:  Alan Risk, Bureau Chief; Maureen Fink, Operations Manager; John Ahler, Business Analyst; Jay Payne, Region 3 Business Consultant; Tony Arduengo, Region 4 Business Consultant; Alecia Brown, Region 5 Business Consultant; Yusnay Torrens, Region 6 Business Consultant; Angela Elgaard, Region 7 Business Consultant; Mary Ellen Harding, Administrative Services Consultant; Andrea Mendez, Administrative Assistant III.

Guest Speaker:
Terry Smith

Meeting was called to order by Chair Randall Crosby.

Approval of Agenda

• Motion to approve the agenda made by Warth.
• Seconded by Patrick Martin.
• Agenda was unanimously adopted.

Presentation by Terry Smith
Topic: Military Dining Arbitration and Randolph-Sheppard Vending Program

Key Points:

• RSA staff reductions due to government shutdown are impacting arbitration processes.
• Arbitration strategy involves multi-state participation to challenge DoD's position on vending priority.
• Goal: 15–20 states to join; currently only two confirmed.
• Legal representation by Brown, Goldstein & Levy; states asked to commit up to $10,000, prorated based on actual costs.
• Only participating states will benefit from arbitration outcomes.
• Arbitration focuses on vending and micro markets, not dining contracts.
• Clarified that this is not a lawsuit but a request for arbitration.
• Timeline: If filed by early 2026, resolution expected by early 2027.

Committee Q&A

• Questions addressed regarding:
• Eligibility of vendors/committees to join arbitration (only SLAs can).
• Role of Department of Education in SLA decisions.
• Clarification on arbitration scope (vending only, not dining or VA).
• Financial logistics and legal representation.
• Political challenges in Florida’s SLA participation.

Committee Discussion

• Motion to open discussion on arbitration made by Quintanilla.
• Seconded by Patrick Martin.
• Discussion included:
• Clarification of arbitration scope.
• Importance of forming a united front.
• Recommendation to form a work group to develop a proposal.
• Debate over timing and procedural clarity.

Motions and Voting

• Motion: To recommend that the SLA proceed with efforts to join the multi-state arbitration regarding vending rights on military bases.
• Made by: Hubbard
• Seconded by: Gonzalez
• Vote: Unanimously approved via roll call.

Next Steps

• Workgroup led by Stevens to prepare a formal package for SLA and Commissioner’s Office.
• Committee will draft a letter of recommendation to support SLA participation.
• Continued monitoring of DOD waiver request and RSA staffing status.

Adjournment

• Meeting adjourned 4:45 p.m.