January 18, 2021 BOARD MEETING MINUTES
KCFA Board of Directors Meeting, Zoom Meeting Because of Coronavirus
(Late start because of power outage, followed by recurrent connectivity problems.)
IN ATTENDANCE: Board Members: Barbara Anderson, Colehour Bondera, Bruce Corker, Chet Gardiner, John Koontz, Jim Monk, Sandra Scarr, Cea Smith, John Zulkowski. Also in attendance: Susanne Shriner.
Call to Order: 2:39 pm
GENERAL
Consent Agenda:
Approval of Minutes: November 16, 2020 meeting minutes (with an addition), M/S/C for approval.
Approval of Membership Applications: Motion to accept the application of Shamira Linnett as an Associate Member. M/S/C
Treasurer’s Report Discussion: Jim reviewed the matters included in the Treasurer’s Report.
Approval of Committee Reports: After extensive discussion of whether the Treasurer’s Report should be separately approved and after consideration of Robert’s Rules of Order, M/S/C for approval of the Committee Reports.
OLD BUSINESS
Deferred: EXPO Update, Restaurant Recognition Program, Green Coffee Program Update
Nominations Committee Review: Bruce reviewed the matters set forth in the committee’s written report sent to Board members and included in the Agenda. The Committee’s nominees for election of Directors at the Annual General meeting are: Kay Dixon, Chet Gardiner, Shamira Linnett, Jim Monk, Mark Peterson, Cea Smith, and Franz Weber. A motion was made and seconded to add Susanne Shriner as a nominee. There was a discussion of whether Bylaws Article V.3 applied to the nomination. The motion passed: 5 ayes, 1 nay. Pursuant to the Bylaws, the number of Director positions for 2021 will be determined by the AGM.
NEW BUSINESS
Planning Steps for the AGM: Colehour and Chet led a discussion of steps in preparation of the Association’s first Annual General Meeting via Zoom. There was a suggestion to send short written statements from Board nominees with the agenda to members prior to the January 31 meeting date. Chet reviewed the planning for tabulating votes.
Education Committee Presentation Discussion: John Koontz reviewed discussions he has had with Arturo Ballar for a possible in-person seminar (with masks and social distancing) to see and discuss the coffee cultivation practices on the Ballar farm. John was encouraged to pursue arrangements with Arturo, but to also remind him of KCFA’s policy for protection and promotion of Kona Typica as our heritage coffee varietal.
Meeting Adjourned: 4:07 pm
--Submitted by Bruce Corker, Secretary
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LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
Thank you to KCFA members for testimony in support of the 51% labeling and HDOA subsidy bills before the legislature. Here is the current status of these coffee-related bills:
HB461—51% blend labeling/R-T-D labeling: Drafted by Kona Reps. Kapela and Lowen. Significantly modified by the House Ag Committee, but the bill was passed and forwarded on 2/8 to the House Economic Development Committee. EDC has not yet scheduled a hearing.
SB130—51% blend labeling: Introduced by Kona Senator Kanuha. After a hearing, the Senate Commerce & Consumer Protection Committee deferred the measure on 2/5.
SB855—Extension of the HDOA CBB Subsidy Program and adding CLR Subsidies to the Program: Introduced by Senator Kanuha. After a hearing, the Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee passed the bill and on 2/12 referred it to the Ways and Means Committee. WAM has not yet scheduled a hearing. HB236 (an identical bill) was referred to the House Ag Committee, but was not scheduled for a hearing.
SB128—To Establish a Separate CLR Subsidy Program: Introduced by Sen Kanuha. After a hearing, the Senate Ag/Environment Committee passed the bill and referred it to WAM. On 2/10 WAM heard the bill and voted to defer it.
SB129—To Extend the HDOA CBB Subsidy Program: Introduced by Sen. Kanuha. After a hearing on 2/1, AEN deferred the measure.
HB1155—Kona Coffee Geographical Indication Mark; Tax Surcharge; 15% Minimum for Blends:
This unusual bill was introduced by Oahu Republican Rep. Bob McDermott. It directs HDOA to register a national geographical indication mark for Kona Coffee; to cover the costs of registration with a surcharge on sales of Kona coffee; and would raise the minimum blend requirement to 15%. The bill was referred to the House Ag Committee. It was not scheduled for a hearing.
--Submitted by Bruce Corker
