The 2nd meeting of the Interim Joint Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources was held on Thursday, August 24, 2006, at 10:00 AM, in the VIP Room, Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center, Louisville, Kentucky. Senator Tom Jensen, Chair, called the meeting to order, and the secretary called the roll.
Present were:
Members: Senator Tom Jensen, Co-Chair; Representatives Jim Gooch Jr, Co-Chair, and Thomas M. McKee, Co-Chair; Senators Ernie Harris, Robert J. (Bob) Leeper, Joey Pendleton, Dorsey Ridley, Richie Sanders Jr, and Damon Thayer; Representatives Royce W. Adams, Adrian K. Arnold, James E. Bruce, Dwight D. Butler, Mike Cherry, Hubert Collins, James R. Comer Jr, W. Milward Dedman Jr, Mike Denham, C. B. Embry Jr, W. Keith Hall, Jimmy Higdon, Charlie Hoffman, Brad Montell, Fred Nesler, Don R. Pasley, Marie L. Rader, Brandon D. Smith, Tommy Turner, Ken Upchurch, Robin L. Webb, and Susan Westrom.
Guests: Thomas J. Schifano, Chairman, Kentucky State Fair Board; Harold Workman, President and CEO, Kentucky State Fair Board, and members of the Kentucky State Fair Board; and Harvey Mitchell, Agricultural Heritage Center, Harrodsburg, Kentucky.
LRC Staff: Tanya Monsanto, Committee Staff Administrator, Biff Baker, Susan Spoonamore and Katie Carney, Committee Assistants.
Sen. Jensen thanked those present for attending the state fair meeting which he stated is an opportunity to showcase Kentucky agriculture. Then, Sen. Jensen asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the July 12, 2006 meeting. The minutes were approved, without objection, upon voice vote, on motion made by Rep. Nesler and seconded by Rep. Rader.
Then, Rep. Clark thanked the members of the committee for holding the meeting at the Kentucky State Fair in conjunction with the meeting of the Kentucky State Fair Board. Then, Sen. Jensen turned the meeting over to the chair of the Kentucky State Fair Board, Mr. Schifano.
Mr. Schifano asked that the board members introduce themselves and make some remarks. Then he introduced Mr. Harold Workman, executive director of the State Fair Board, to update the committee on the activities of the board, and the renovations and expansions on the fairgrounds including a plan for the construction of a new hotel. Mr. Workman stated that the fairgrounds property continues to be renovated and improved to keep pace with the public demands for Class A space. Kentucky has one of the best fairgrounds in the United States.
Then, Sen. Jensen recognized Rep. McKee for a motion on a resolution honoring Mr. Jack Crowner for his service to agriculture. After a motion and a second, the resolution was adopted by voice vote. Then, Mr. Crowner talked about his years as an announcer and his role in agriculture. He thanked the committee for the resolution.
Then, Sen. Jensen recognized Mr. Harvey Mitchell for a report on the site selection for the Agricultural Heritage Museum. He said that the site in Mercer County was first announced at the ham breakfast. For several years, a group has tried to establish an agricultural museum, and a feasibility study was prepared a couple of years ago by the Legislative Research Commission. Kentucky has a rich agricultural history, and this museum is able to convey Kentucky's rural heritage and hopefully advance Kentucky agriculture.
Then, Mr. Mitchell discussed the work plan for the site selection committee, the current commitments made for finance and land, and the need for a new feasibility study based specifically on those commitments and the Mercer county site. The site selection committee estimated that the Agricultural Heritage Museum will cost between $24 to $36 million dollars. Then, Mr. Mitchell asked if there were any questions.
Rep. Dedman thanked the site selection committee for their work. Then Mr. Drew Graham was recognized by Sen. Jensen to give information to the committee regarding the September 13th meeting at the University of Kentucky.
Then, Sen. Jensen asked for a motion to adjourn. After a motion and a second, the committee adjourned.