 Good morning all We are calling to order meeting number 265 by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission on March 28 2019 at 10 a.m. At our offices at 101 Federal Street here in Boston We will begin today's meeting with agenda item number two the approval of minutes commissioner stephens Good morning, madam chair. I think we have two sets of minutes from the 14th We do you have both the regular session minutes and the executive session minutes, okay? Well, I'll first move approval of the regular session meeting minutes is included in the packet against subject to any Immaterial changes or grammatical corrections? Everyone had a chance to review them Yeah, well, I'd like to just make a comment proposed correction on page seven Where it says on the item of research and responsible gaming On the third graph paragraph where it says that the Commission has sent out a request for proposal It really should say that the Commission is preparing a request for proposal and will send that before the end of the fiscal year It was just And I have it's just a similar small edit in the similar vein on on page two. I would say At the bottom Here back general update on the administrative update rather than the verb have on the third line will have the investigative report that the investigative Investigations and enforcement bureau will have their investigation report to the Commission would just be distribute Okay, those technical corrections I second All those in favor hi Opposed 5-0. Thank you with respect to the executive session minutes Again included in the packet of the March 14th executive session meeting minutes I'd move for their approval again subject to any grammatical corrections In material matters Have we had a chance to review? Yes, any discussion at it? We have a motion Motion made Post 5-0. Thank you Good morning Executive Director of Procuretion. Do you have your administrative update? I do good morning commissioners morning one update You want a few items? First as it is spring first racing season is upon us In fact under the direction of dr. Lightbound our human resources department. We have been Busy staffing up the race racing season season Easy for me to say which actually starts on Monday with qualifying races at Playbridge Park And then the official standard bread season will start on the following Monday April 8th If you have not had the opportunity To sit in a starting card beginning of the race. I recommend it in fairness I've not done yet, but I've heard from many people That it is quite an experience. So maybe I'll get it done, but I'd recommend that you get it done this year If you can I think it's in my future. I don't like it. I in that we will document that with photographs Thoroughbred racing season is scheduled to start in May. In fact, there are a number of agenda items For the commission to consider relative to the thoroughbred racing season today I Know that both staff and commission have been preparing for our Juditory hearing next week and the wind suitability review just to remind folks We have scheduled that hearing starting on Tuesday April 2nd and going through Thursday April 4th And I put in parentheses if needed So there could be three days of hearings We plan to start at 10 a.m. Each day and to ensure there's plenty of room and we can meet the technical needs of attendees the hearing will be at the Boston Convention in Exhibition Center in rooms 156 a.m. B. I think that the signage there will clearly tell people where 156 a and b are I Anticipate the commission would have a morning session break for lunch and then do an afternoon session the exact timing of lunch and stuff like that I suspect will be With the flow of the hearing I Do want to remind people that when the commission functions in this adjudatory Capacity as you will next week it operates under a different set of rules as you do In an open meeting such as today For example today in an open meeting if you make a formal decision You will have a public vote after any necessary public discussion in your adjudicatory role You have a public hearing which the evidence whether it's documents or testimony is public But the commission will deliberate privately to come to a decision Also, the decision will be issued in the form of a written document So I cannot estimate I don't think that the commission could even estimate how long it will take to deliberate in Write its decision, but I think it's fair to say there are complicated issues that will require deliberation by the Commission So that is my update with the one final thing and I don't want to say it's the most important thing, but welcome to opening day Go socks Thank You director for motion General counsel blue, please Good morning commissioners Good morning. Good morning. We are now doing our yearly election of secretary and treasurer as you have done in the past You should discuss between yourselves who you would like to nominate one commissioner can nominate another commissioner for a particular post And then you vote on it so You may begin to Make nominations and currently Our treasurer Zaniga and our secretary is commissioner Stephens. That's right With respect to the position of treasurer. Do we have a First stop would you welcome if you were nominated the opportunity to serve again commissioners and even very much. Thank you chair I think it's it's it's been a great Opportunity to have this this position in terms of oversight of finance and Another matters the disbursements that we make I Could make the case that it's good to have just a different Eyes from time to time, but I I think We've started a really good process in these compliance group that I would like to continue So I would welcome that opportunity to continue being In the role of treasurer Madam chair after that robust campaign speech I would be I would it would be my pleasure to nominate Commissioners in eager. I actually think he served us in all seriousness. I think he served us very well He has a tremendous background and he has made so many Important suggestions and we've we we have adopted many of his suggestions And I know he's taught me personally an awful lot about finance. So I I'd be pleased to nominate him Do we have a second? Any further discussion? All those in favor I Zero well, I love staying my madam chair, but thank you. Thank you now. We also have the position of secretary to elect Is there any reason why you would like to step away from your No, I actually have the benefit of having a talented team from the legal department that helps me out so Be happy to serve another year that be fine Is there any discussion would anyone else like to campaign against? Do we have a motion Yes, I would move the commissioner Stevens be appointed to retain the secretary position second In terms of further discussion I too wish to thank you for your service And in fact there have been moments since I've been serving where you haven't had the benefit of Catherine blues assistance. So thank you Do we have further discussion? All right about All those in favor I Opposed five zero. Thank you both. Thank you really important work good work. Thanks. Thank you very much. Thank you Catherine our next item on the agenda very critical item and timely Our research and responsible gaming update from director Vanderlinden and his program manager Teresa Fiore and I believe We have I see I see Marlene Warner here nice to see you We have Teresa in the leadership spot perfect in Teresa. We just have everyone introduce themselves for our closed caption microphone I'll start with her again Marlene Warner executive director of the mass council on compulsive gambling I'll do to my right is Julie Heinz who is the newest addition to the council She is serving as a director of responsible gambling at the Massachusetts Council on compulsive gambling Amy Gribbler who is the senior game-sense advisor at MGM Springfield and he is not up at the table yet Right behind me is Lin Ho who is a game-sense advisor at MGM Springfield So this presentation comes as we come to an end of problem gambling awareness month Which is a national campaign now in its 15th year The purpose of this campaign is to provide education of problem gambling as well as available treatment resources Support of this campaign is especially important to us because we know from our own sigma research that two percent of the Massachusetts adult population struggles with a gambling problem with an additional eight point four percent Considered to be at risk of a developing a gambling problem That's my brief introduction really the council in game-sense is going to be providing all of the activities that they've done this month So with that I pass the microphone over to Marlene Good morning madam chair and commissioners Thank you for wearing your green and I appreciate the and the socks and I appreciate the support of problem gambling awareness month I think that You know we've come to every year with a little bit of a different flavor as to how problem gambling awareness month has been Addressed by the mass council and this year is no different We were doing kind of new activities trying to reach new audiences and really generally Make people more aware that gambling can be a problem. It can be a fun and entertaining Pastime but also it can be a problem for some individuals and so we really want to raise that awareness So the mass council has worked through Our contract with the mass gaming commission through the Department of Public Health Bureau of substance abuse services and through private funding to Do a wide array of activities including doing a lot of outreach activities, you know Tabling and doing screening day screening day something that is supported by the year was initiated by the Harvard Medical School's Division addictions at Cambridge Health Alliance. That's something we participated in So over 75 different activities have either taken place or a plan through the end of March to really make the You know 6.8 million people Massachusetts aware that gambling can be a problem So I'm gonna let these folks tell you a little bit more about kind of what those are and tell you some stories related to that one of things I just want to do though is Teresa mentioned that Julie Hines has joined our team. We are so fortunate to have her she is a a scholar and an expert in the field and Everywhere I go people are keep asking me. How did you get Julie Hines to move to Massachusetts? I said it's the same way we got Mark van der Linden to move to Massachusetts, which is We have a lot of special cool things going out of Massachusetts It relates to responsible gambling and I feel really proud to sit at the mass council. So without further doing I'm going to Turn things over to Julie Good morning, madam chair and good morning commissioners morning. It was also the socks Yeah It's it's a delight to be here in Massachusetts and we've had a chance to meet a couple of you But this morning and we're really excited to talk about problem-gaming awareness month This is something that in Massachusetts that we've been able to do with game sense It's really highlight back-of-house activities for problem-gaming awareness month knowing that casino employees have higher rates of gambling problems Then the general population and so we really wanted to highlight Getting folks involved in back-of-house And so we've had over a thousand different engagements with the game sense information centers with Lane Ridge Park and MGM And I'm here to talk a little bit But really I think the more interesting piece of this all is the stories that are told and so we have our game sense advisors here to Kind of share and highlight a few of those stories with you this morning. So I'm going to pass it over to Amy Gabriella I've already been warned. I don't have a lot of time. So just Thank you for having me this morning As these guys said problem-gaming awareness month is definitely a huge part of what we do we get a lot of activities done Focusing on back-of-the-house This month also this happened to coincide with a bunch of trainings. We were doing For MGM staff on game sense. These were advanced trainings 90 minute sessions. It was very grueling but So many great things have happened because of it And I guess that's what I want to focus on is, you know, how how we are really starting to intermingle and Make really great collaborations with staff in the industry So one story I have And I just gotten done with one of the advanced trainings, which is supervisors and up just so you know all different departments and In this one training I had a lot of executive hosts I had a lot of marketing folks and I've been in the business I know these folks probably don't want to hear what I have to say. All right, we've I've been down that road You know, this is I knew this was going to be a tough one But honestly by the end of it, they all seem to kind of enjoy it. I thought it went over well a couple days later One of the executive hosts that happened to be in this training 33 years in the business Came up to me and he stuck his hand out. He said I just want to thank you And I said you're welcome. You know, I hope you got something out of this I hope this wasn't too horrible for you, you know, we joke and he said I'll be honest with you When when I was told I had to come and I had to do this. I was not happy. I did I felt this was a waste of my time There was no reason for me to be here But I'll be honest after hearing you talk about your experience What you guys do how you do it how this can can gel with us and what we do You made me think about some stuff. I Almost fell over. I mean, I'm not gonna lie to think that an executive host of 33 years would even be saying wow I got something out of that So he proceeded to tell me did you get a phone call yesterday from a young man Who's struggling with his gambling and I said hey, I actually I did and he said that's that's one of my accounts It's actually one of my biggest accounts, you know, the kids going on a trip to Vegas He gets all kinds of free stuff definitely a top-tier player And he said he came into my office yesterday and he told me he's like I'm struggling And he said oh my god, this is perfect. I just had a training with this lady I'm gonna give you her number. You're gonna call her She's been in the business. She understands she's gonna go over all your options with you and I promise you She's gonna help you pick the best option for you again. Honestly, I cried because Never in my 22 years on this business would I have ever believed that an executive host a guy that lives off getting people to play That's his business Was willing to drop off his his one of his best Accounts to me because he felt it was the right thing to do The fact that we are now in this space Where we're changing the narrative of responsible gambling in the industry from the inside out MGM has been incredible the collaborations with us and it's not just an acceptance of us It's an embrace and that trickles down to their employees who now feel permission To be like we're gonna get game sense. We're gonna talk to game sense And it's happening ten of our last 15 voluntary self-exclusions have been referrals from MGM staff Blows my mind from all different departments table game slots poker supervisors executive hosts Guys it's something I never thought would happen and it makes me smile every night And I'm gonna put my foot on the gas and we're gonna continue to do this and we're gonna continue to have these collaborations and I hope it makes you smile because it makes me smile And I really really appreciate you giving me a few minutes to talk today. Yeah, great story and you know commend MGM as well for embracing and And being willing to give permission. That's a really good word. So thank you for that story Good madam. Good morning, madam chair commissioner. Nice to see you again Sammy say that this month we have to begin going on at MGM and Credit to the MGM staff. They were very involved in the activities that we do we give out quizzes every single week We give out three different quizzes and a lot of them, you know taking these quizzes and I'm surprised They got more a lot of them doing very well in these quizzes and I asked them how you know all this answer They say that these are the stuff that you guys train us in the beginning through new hire training that we do every single time with the MGM staff and I say, you know, these are Good things has happened at MGM that you know the employees really know how to handle situation when patients have questions on particular gaming problems or talk to somebody they know how to direct them to the center and also how to get a hold of us to answer these questions for them and I run couple days ago One of the employee came up to the center, you know talk to me about hey, are you guys going to have any more quizzes this week? This is the last week of P game and I say have you done all the quizzes the previous week He said yeah, I did more and I can't wait for the next quizzes because these are good educational things that you guys are given to us and As Emily say in the past few weeks, we have a lot of MGM employees that Reach out to us about VSD program for patrons and I see a lot of improvement from day about compared to day one that when we started it and A lot of employee they they did really know know how to handle situation when they have questions from patients and how to direct them to our center and how to reach out to us and A couple weeks ago. I have a chance to do some outreach in the Boston area and do a chest area idea presentation at the V-A community center I know you guys know V-A community center is the one with the largest Vietnamese center in the Boston area about responsible gambling and also about our This month about the P game So after my presentation, I have this lady come up to me and say hey think thank you for what you're doing because This kind of organization does not exist years ago. You have a word over to save her husband And she said that you know they both are very successful business people in the Boston area and her husband fall into a Gambling problems and she does not know how to get help and where to get help Plus the language barrier that is harder for her to get help and she see me there in her center talking about Responsible gambling and she was surprised. Wow. There's a Vietnamese guy out there and talking good response for gaming When the Asian culture is very it's a taboo to talk about Problem gambling or admitting you have problem gambling and she see me going out there and talk about these subjects It just opened up the door for other people come and share this kind of story with us and as and we know that when we go to outreach these are kind of story we hear all the time and The more we continue to educate people and get the message out there The more people will open up to us and share their stories and you know tell us You know how to get help and we can support those kind of information to them and Myself I've been with the game since July of 2018 and I'm very proud of this program where we're going as a team and this is This is what I come to work for and you know, I'm very proud of the organization that we put in place and Not just inside casino, but outside in the different communities to in our outreach program And I'm very proud of the team that we have going on here and the best is just getting out there before they get Into casino, so thank you very much. Do you? Can can you elaborate on the outreach program because it's a searing door chested, you know, yes Yes, I have many opportunity to go out different communities before I was I was at MGM I go out in the worst area They have a good amount of population of enemies and now that I'm doing outreach in the Boston community doorchester Boston Quincy area and I you know connect with these groups Vietnamese groups and also Asian group any groups that I can connect with and To share this information about us because they don't know anything about Responsibly and they don't know anything about us and this is the great way for us To get out there to get the word out there So they know who we are when they go inside casino and and they're well prepared You know, they get that knowledge that we go in the community and talk about it Knowledge before they head into casino and and they know how to get help if they need help and Especially when I see me as an Asian American talking about response or gambling that's never happened before It's very you know, it's very close closed door in the community about these kind of subject so it make them open up more talk to you more and Reach out to us more if they know somebody that you know their loved ones need help or want to talk to somebody So this is a great outreach program that Marlene and Julie is putting into place for us to go out there and get the message Out there before they get into the casino You know, I am just a couple of comments and maybe You know for for for your benefit madam chair We went through an evaluation of the game sense program a few months ago Out of that evaluation one of the things that I took away is we need to continuously be thinking about the metrics and What are of course the outcomes? There's great anecdotes and so on but in order to continue to improve the program So if you can talk a little bit Marlene or Julie relative to some of the activities you continue to do measuring those interactions quantifying You know the number of interactions. I you know, I have my own Beliefs and assumptions about the program, but when I hear from you for the benefit of the rest of us The that process that I think you have bookended really well here with from inside the casino with Amy's story and The outreach that you're now doing that lean highlights How is that? How are those decisions being made? There's you know trade-offs if you will tell us a little bit about you know Program managing this program if you want absolutely. I know I think metrics The nice thing about Massachusetts is that data is is kind of paramount right from from day one in the legislation data Research has been really important and I think this gaming commission has held that to be true throughout and And so we take that very seriously with the game sense information center operations so you think about it in terms of or I think about it in terms of You know kind of awareness looking at Attitudinal You know beliefs beliefs that are held and whether those attitudes change and then behavior and so in those kind of three segments so What we were able to assess through The survey data which has done so just so you know we when these folks have any of these interactions And I think Julie referred to you know over a thousand interactions anytime they talk to anyone. They're filling out a Checklist and the checklist kind of denotes what's taken place between whom you know is it is it it's primarily between the game sense advisors and the And and whoever they're talking with so whether that be a patron family member a An employee someone out in the community. They're noting that interaction and they're talking about the level of Information that's been exchanged in that sometimes it's very one-sided We're kind of explaining something to someone sometimes. It's a very simple interaction where somebody is asking These guys are really amazing at not Letting that person sometimes always even know as they're walking them to you know Where is the the shop or the restaurant or the bathroom or whatever so I you know I'd like to say like they don't walk into the bathroom or the restaurant with them But they are really skilled at kind of engaging them in a conversation as they're walking over to that location and relaying information about who game sets is and What you could come back to game sets for if they were interested after they spend some time at the casino, so they're they're limit their Limiting they are identifying those interactions in a checklist so every single interaction and again whether that's back of the house As Julie was explaining at the tables all that's happening. That's kind of an attendance Piece right that's in and to a certain extent awareness. There's also the intercept surveys that are happening through the patron surveys that Dr. Rachel Volberg and her team are doing through UMass Amherst that are helping us to have a better sense as to how aware people are Is the signage in appropriate places do people know about what not only the game sense exists But what game sense does have they had an interaction and what was the result of that interaction? So we have some senses kind of what people think about it and and how that changed anything about Responsible gambling problem gambling in their mind And then we had the intensive survey or study done Where an outside third party comes in and really studies is game sense changing people's behaviors And that's really the hardest thing to study, but there's an attempt at it. We just also consulted a lot with our Cohort, which are other game sense licensed partners across North America and Canada and the United States Who are all kind of trying to figure out the same thing? Game sense, you know, what's the awareness? What's the attendance but also kind of what are those behavioral changes look like and how do we best measure that? I don't think we've pinpointed it perfectly, but I think we're closing in on it And so we have that first study done at PPC. We hope at this time next year. We'll have begun Survey and and and study of kind of what's happening at the games at center MGM I think we learned from the work at PPC that we really need a year plus under our belt of operations before we start to study it and I think we will get to that point I think there's a number of things that the gaming Commission has also really adopted through the Responsible gambling framework such as the positive play scale and other measures that give us a better sense as to you know when folks think about this are they thinking about How are they think about their responsibility? How are they thinking about their reaction and their connection to gambling and how do we measure that? So this is not a perfect science but I think there's a number of different plots of data that we can pull together to give a sense and and you know the 250 page Compendium that came out. I think overall there, you know, there were certainly areas for improvement But I think overall it's showing some effectiveness with game sense in Massachusetts and something I'm really excited to explore further as we look at our futures or you know our current center MGM and our future centers down the road I Hope that answered your question good. Yeah, I'm the next one that I had so See how good we are I also I just want to finally just mention a little bit Relative to the quality of those interactions that I think is central Amy mentioned, you know that a Number about seven or the last ten Out of the 15 voluntary self-exclusions that you've had this was over this month. Is that Right, right He's a he's a huge Indicator in my mind that however we're getting through those conversations and interactions Some of them are making the ultimate big breakthrough of you know Deciding to sign up for the voluntary self-exclusion and whether it was I suspect it's a cumulative of everything that has happened Around that person when they when they reached that time interactions notoriety Ads or you know their own contemplation of behavior. I think that's that's really it's really key There's a lot in the middle that you mentioned that I think it's really important for us to continue learning And I think there's there's a big component in there somewhere relative to the quality of this interaction something that is hard to measure But I I see you know through these conversations and when we visit Also a very powerful factor Yeah, I think what's really important to remember and we were constantly Trying to fully Help people to understand is that game sense is for every single person who chooses to gamble in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that how we How these folks kind of Direct that game sense message is going to have it. It's gonna they're gonna tweak it right so whether Lynn's talking to that those attendees at that V&A training or Amy's talking to that host of 33 years or We're talking to someone who's a regular or someone who's you know at the casino for the first time for a bachelor party Game sense is relevant to all of those different individuals And we just tweak the messages and the myths and address the different odds in different ways But it really is I'm useful to all parties involved and so yes I agree that ten of the 15, you know VSE is coming from staff is a huge Fantastic indicator, but so is the fact that you know again Folks who don't have a problem know what game sense is so there's I think there are a number of ways for us really Show the success of game sense and the game sense program here in Massachusetts That's that's an important piece and what I see is the passion and the caring From your game sense advisors and that comes across that comes across in a training And that comes across to people who are talking about something that's not comfortable to talk about right? So I just want to commend and let you know that that really comes across and we're proud of that That's exactly what this program was designed to do So thank you very much for all of you for the work you do and I would be remiss if I didn't notice that our director of responsible gaming is is Sporting his games and socks. I mean I it would be very hard for me to miss first of all But I just think it again it demonstrates You know the commitment right cares about this who wants to wants to promote the program so Thank you That was a good point. They're not his lucky socks Yeah, we were joking that we may be we're stylish, but not lucky. So Right I also think that your efforts really exemplify the value of collaboration and as you say we were very lucky to draw the talent here in Massachusetts much because of the leadership that you individually have brought and and certainly here at the gaming Commission with director van Renden So but it does really take a village and what I like to see is that You're out in the community and that you are Reaching the hearts and minds so successfully of the folks involved in this business. So, thank you Do we have other other points? Great job. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Moving on to item number five Budsman's the emba, please and I believe we have The Vice President and General Counsel of MGM sets right here. Good morning. Welcome back Thank you chair and commissioners up for consideration today is the status of MGM Springfield's commitment to provide 54 units of Market rate housing within one half mile of the casino As you're aware at the February 28th meeting of the Commission the Commission voted to extend MGM Springfield's deadline to make a determination regarding the development of such units that deadline was extended until today After an extension was requested by the city of Springfield and MGM Springfield The original deadline was established by the Commission last April in its approval of MGM Springfield's detailed construction schedule In excerpt of the minutes from that meeting is included in the Commission's packet In essence the requirements stated that by the deadline MGM Springfield is required to provide a commitment to the 31 Elm Street project documentation and a construction schedule from the city of Springfield in The event that MGM Springfield is not able to do so It shall proceed with the development of another residential development to be completed by the deadline Specified in Springfield's host community agreement March 2020 Today we are joined by Seth Stratton vice president legal counsel for MGM Springfield He'll provide further information regarding MGM Springfield's commitment We've also received the communication from the city of Springfield that is included in your packet Seth will address that as well. So I'm gonna turn it over to Seth, but after Seth gives his remarks I'm prepared to provide a recommendation to the Commission So with that Seth Thanks, John. Happy to be here today. Good morning, everyone. Good morning So at the last meeting we were excited by the progress on what has proven to be a very complex but Critical development project to the ongoing revitalization of downtown Springfield But we were not yet in a position to commit to it given how many moving pieces were still in play While we were optimistic that we could be here today with final details and signed documentation in hand Even though that's not the case Because so much progress has been made in the intervening period To move forward to that end We at MGM are comfortable Indicating that 31 the 31 Elm residential development project is our final commitment for residential development in downtown Springfield And And why is that it's it I can't give because we don't have the final details and signed documentation in hand I'm somewhat limited in the details that I can provide but I will give you An overview of why we are comfortable making that commitment We were we've been Throughout briefed by the developer in the city again. This is not an MGM project It's a project in which we would participate financially to help happen and so the city and the developers have been collaboratively briefing us Throughout there was there were significant concerns on our end that the that the it's a roughly a 55 million dollar project And that the sources of funding Were perhaps not close enough to really get to the point where we felt that it was that the project was More likely than not to move forward and so our understanding on based on our commitment and the commitments of The the private and public partners involved that that gap has closed to where it's Based on the projections and the identified sources and uses that any discrepancy is really immaterial and that there's enough funding With with commitments that it is more likely than not to move forward We also Participated in a An outlook Economic development outlook Presentation put on by the city of Springfield by Kevin Kennedy where he publicly announced The 31-own project as a priority that the city was moving forward with and we have a letter today in the packet from City solicitor coolah, and so I think all of those pieces together Suggest to us that this is not This is not just hopeful amount and optimistic thinking, but this is very likely to happen and while While there are some contingencies that remain in place. We still need to get an amendment to the our host community agreement And brief the city council The final details on funding and mo use have to be put in place That that is all moving forward We are comfortable committing to the project at this stage Happy to answer any questions that I can Thank you for that update said You you said that maybe the gap is immaterial which is good to hear I don't need you to Expound on that. I remember making an analogy maybe a year ago about You being not in the driver's seat not driving that bus But it's probably fair to say that that bus seems to be moving in a meaningful way and thus it's incumbent upon us to really Try to see it to fruition Given that the city has it given that this is a project that the city really is behind It's in a marquee Location of downtown Springfield and as commissioner Stevens has said in the past It's something that the city has been trying to redevelop for now a number of years And so while you might not be there or the parties might not be all quite there is Seat fair to say that there is some Time frame however small or little or however Specific you can get into that could give us some kind of sense as to what we're contemplating here Yes, I think we are based on my discussions With the folks involved including the city and the developer that we are we are weeks not months from final documentation So I think it would be fair to say that I Mean it and I say an optimistic target is The the end of April to have everything paper, but certainly the month of May We'd be hopeful that everything would be papered and parties are moving forward Again, that's my best guess and we're not in the diversity, but that's my There have been multiple multiple meetings phone calls Changes of documentation over the past weeks that I feel comfortable with that prediction Can I just provide one caveat to that when we say final documentation with a project of this complexity Documentation is an ongoing matter and so when we say final documentation that is not something that is very easily defined But but at least you may be at least alluding to an agreement in principle where all the parties concede that you know Their commitment is such and such whatever that may be and there's an agreement then putting together all the documentation can take some time but About that milestone of being close to that agreement is that what you really? Yeah, that so fair fair question and clarification when when I'm speaking a final documentation I think the documentation of the rules of the parties and the agreement in principle that would give the city and the developer Comfort in doing a public announcement press release an announcement about the project, which is I believe the goal is to have this public announcement about The details funding sources participants and timeline within within the next 30 to 60 days I Just have to say and I kind of echo what Commissioner Zuniga said Maybe I'm guilty of giving MGM a little bit of grief too in terms of what your role in this has been and Sometimes it was being driven by some other parties, but I'm happy to sit here today Hear that all the parties seem to line moving in the right direction It's still a little early to kind of blow the trumpets in the horns, but You know just a reminder That this is such this has always been identified as a critical redevelopment project in the city of Springfield Urban Land Institute reported talked about it. It's going to fill this big gaping hole in the in the downtown quarter and certainly be Hopefully have a tremendous ancillary benefit to Your facility across the street But understanding that we didn't get here just within the last month This has taken years the city has focused on this redevelopment for years So I'm encouraged by the report. You've been a little low-key about this But you know I was looking for a little more enthusiasm a little lawyer Lee a little lawyer Lee But that's my role and I've been at it for a while But we understand, you know, there's there's other entities and parties involved that need to go through there Legitimate processes and steps to finalize their commitments. We understand that but You know again Keeping keeping to what we asked you to do last April, you know Let's hope that you know, there is no big material event that changes, you know, where we're Hopefully going to be able to find ourselves in about a month And and I think we're also and we've had these discussions with staff, but we're also committed to In the hopefully unlikely event that some some material change Changes our perspective on whether or not this is more likely than not to move forward We would certainly commit to Communicating early and often with the gaming Commission On on any such changes in circumstances that we felt made it More likely not that it wouldn't be happening so that we could pivot but we're hopeful that that's not the case And that's the critical point is that we really appreciate your responsiveness your communication and the willingness to keep us up to date on that And today you are signaling to us a shift from last month. That is a strong commitment to this program I think we Can point out that again, this is what them and correct me if I'm wrong I'm about spin Zimba, but it is in order to satisfy the host Agreement and in our letter it The city solicitor writes the mayor has asked I write to indicate that the city and MGM are fully committed to participate in the 31 Project in satisfaction of the HCA obligations and that They're in the process of drafting amendment to the HCA to incorporate the project proposed by The developer and that the amendment will move forward in short order in accord with agreed upon construction schedule So we have the assurances from Springfield that they're satisfied and that if I understand correctly is is key to what we have to look at if the host That happens that in the past so we thank you for today and as a Retired lawyer, I appreciate exactly how you're communicating Yeah, I agree. I understand the cautious optimism And I look forward to the updates in the next couple of months Yeah, can I just build on a point that the chair makes about the deadline I think it's At least partially I'm going to suggest that you know the deadline that we Said a year ago may have contributed to the parties, you know Coming coming closer and pretty narrowing the gap to the point that you describe of being negligible but I would not want to set another deadline and I if this is Uncomfortable with the way you describe said that if you see at any given point in the near future Hopefully any indication that there's less likelihood Of this coming to fruition that we clearly have an honest conversation about whether it's time to move away from this Or not I would not want to be one to say you've missed a deadline It's time to walk away if you're so close But as the chair also suggests that we'd appreciate your candidate update as Things continue to develop. Thank you. And yes, we are committed Chair As the recommendation because MGM Springfield is today provided a commitment to the 31 Elm Street project and because Documentation regarding the progress of the project has been submitted by the city of Springfield I ask that the Commission consider approving a motion that states that MGM Springfield is not required To comply with item number three of the Commission's motion regarding MGM Springfield's construction schedule dated April 12 2018 until further advised by the Commission as required under the approved construction schedule MGM Springfield would continue to need to inform the Commission of any material event that will significantly alter the potential that MGM Springfield will proceed with the city's plan to Rehabilitate 31 Elm Street in Springfield with the assistance provided by MGM Springfield The Commission could instruct staff to remain in regular contact with MGM Springfield and the city of Springfield to monitor the progress of The 31 Elm Street project its documentation and its schedule and report back to the Commission at an appropriate time Since MGM Springfield is still required to provide quarterly reports to the Commission on the residential requirements MGM will provide an update at its quarterly report for the first quarter likely in April or early May Any further discussion? Do we have a motion? I would I would certainly you know We've been all the provided a copy of the language that ombudsman's the end that just gave us I'm happy to repeat it But if we can just adopt it as the motion as he read it We have a second second All those in any further discussion questions All those in favor Opposed 5-0. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you We're gonna have a five-minute break, please as everybody shifts to the front of the room. Thank you so much Thank you. We are reconvened and we will continue now with item number six our Presentation from Suffolk Downs Dr. Like that. Do you want to begin? Good morning commissioners? Good morning? Our first item on the agenda is the request by Suffolk Downs to amend it and add to their racing dates They in the file are two letters of support from the New England HBPA And the Master of Red Breeders Association There's members of those organizations here today if you have questions Paul and Bull and Darlene Brown I do have there is a typo on my recommendation on the first date in June. It should read June 8th to 9th This is there's no problem with this issue our staffing is able to accommodate this request It doesn't interfere or overlap any of the dates at a Plain Ridge this year so my recommendation is to Approve these dates requests and additions Chip Tuttle COO and Bruce Barnett Legal counsel is here for Suffolk if you have any questions and Chip can So I think as we've said in the past Obviously, this is not ideal for thoroughbred racing to have such a limited opportunity, but it is an opportunity So I I certainly am willing to support this. I know it's important to the horsemen and all of those All of those jobs and you know livelihoods around racing so two more days is Is certainly a good thing as far as I'm concerned with with racing? I Just had a quick question Maybe chip your thoughts on this because you've kind of condemned move some dates closer together What does that do for the availability of forces that again a certain amount of time between races? Are we going to lose people? We're going to be able to accommodate more breeders races? What is? Yeah, so we Thank You Commissioner Stevens Yeah, thank you commissioners Pardon me. We made the request in Consultation with the mass thoroughbred breeders association and with the HBPA and specifically Wanted to try to get the three weekends of racing in in a time frame that allowed the horses to come back and and The leadership of both as well as our racing Staff feel like three weeks between races is is more than enough time for the the horses to recover and to You know to come back if if they're going to race You know in on the multiple weekends based on the conditions and and we are As we may talk about Further in the request for resource development funds. We are planning to card additional races for the MTBA Then we have in the past so we're trying to See if we can help support their program a little bit more But they're they're fine with the the three weeks between dates. Okay, how many remind me how many mass spread races Did you do last year? I would have to look and and doctors is or Arlene may know we did I I Think we did all of their their stakes program and then we did some additional races Restricted to mass spreads that we just wrote as overnights, okay, but I'd have to get you the exact number We're trying to do well last year we had eight days and four weekends of racing, so we're trying to get As much as we can into the six days How many races do you anticipate in each of the days we don't want to do more than 10 or 11 a day commissioner based on prior discussion about the the strain of the timing on the on the staff and Remind us what's taking place around you in the Track the demolition of some of these barns. Yes, so We still are required to be done with live racing by July 1st Per the terms of our lease with the landlord H. Y. M. Development We got some very good news that I was happy to share with dr. Light bone earlier this month that the demolition schedule for the barn area for the revere side of the property there their demolition schedule was postponed from April 1st to after July 1st, so When we came to see you in the fall to originally have our dates approved We were concerned and and that we were going to have to do some work to keep Some delineation between demolition in the barn area and where we were going to continue to house horses that we were going to lose the availability of Restrooms and sanitary facilities that we're going to lose the availability of the dormitories that we were going to have to Move the fire alarm system and and all sorts of things. We were also facing Some hardships around Maintaining our CAFO status for EPA issues as we changed the production area in in the barn area and Luckily, that's all moot and we are going to be able to operate in the barn area the same way we have for the last several years So it's was very good news I Would move that the Commission approved the request of Suffolk Downs to add dates and amend their live racing schedule racing on May 18 19 June 8 9 and June 29 30 of 2019 You know I was initially In the negative when it came to the original vote of of this racing schedule Mostly because I thought it was just not worth it at the time with everything else going on Given that this is an incremental a couple of days and What you just described relative to the barn area I'll support these This motion really just making the note that there's a lot of Uncertainty relative to the future of this Of the racing a piece for thoroughbreds unless the legislature acts in some some way so I'll go along but Note that something needs to change in the form of what we have been operating under I So the next item is the Suffolk Downs first request from the racehorse development fund They've asked for 3.8 million from the racehorse development fund and that it be Dispersed to them before the meet opens just to give some Background on it last year the Commission approved 3.5 million for the first six days after that they did come back and asked to race an extra two days Which was they asked for 1.1 million. So this is basically 300,000 over the request for last year compared to it earlier years That with the total amounts were lower. It was about 400,000 a day on those requests But last year they did ask for a 15% increase in the Commission approved it There's letters that the previous two letters from the horseman's groups also support this increase and there's another letter in the packet from the New England Breeding Syndicate supporting this so One of the issues with the racehorse committee and this is the group that decides the split of the racehorse development fund Between the standard breads and the thoroughbreds over the years that amount has flipped due to the less days of racing on the thoroughbred side primarily and One of the issues with that committee has always been that when they make that change it changes the percentages for all the different groups that receive the money under each of those breeds and It proportionally disproportionately affects the mass thoroughbred breeders. So in a way, this is money that will Kind of balance that out You look at it that way Dr. Leibman, can you help me understand that last piece? Is that the source of the increase? Either from last year or from prior years of the request The request last year wasn't necessarily there were some overnight races Added to it and that was something that Suffolk had requested and that the Commission approved this year It's a little bit more So it's getting more expensive to write to race It we intend on on having overnight purse levels be pretty much the same as last year Commissioner With the exception of and Dr. Leibman may be planning to mention this with the exception of the lowest level claiming races We are reducing the purse levels for those a little bit about 15 to 20 percent, I believe in part due to safety concerns that that the The best practices around the country have established ratios between the lowest level claiming claiming price and and the purse level so that we're discouraging Anybody from putting horses at risk because the purse level is too high, right? and So based on Dr. Lightbound's request and some prior discussion we are we are moving back to the best practices nationwide on on that ratio But we are we are planning some additional stakes races ourselves especially given that this may be the last very well be the last season at Suffolk Downs and the breeders The mass thoroughbred breeders association, which has been negatively affected by the change in the splits between thoroughbred and harness and Hasn't had the opportunity to accrue as much purse money in the MTBA funding as Because we're racing sooner in the year than we have in years past Have asked us out of the race to to make the request to help fund some of their stakes program out of the resource development fund So traditionally the funding for the MTBA stakes would have come from their Established separate fund and we would have run over nights and other races Out of the resource development fund funding this year in part, you know Try to be good partners with the MTBA and and due to their request. We have upped the request of From 3.5 for six days last year to 3.8 this year in part to try to get some of that money to Massachusetts Racing interests and breeding interests so that that's the main difference in the request so from our from our perspective then Which we still did get a request from the breeder breeders to to raise the same number of days Remind remind me dr. Lybon from last meeting Right, they had a their stakes races were basically in line with what they do every year And again, some of it depends on the time of the year some of the two-year-old races, you know They won't be ready this early in the season So then is there is there a safe? I don't want to characterize it as a savings But is there a cash flow thing here going on that part of it in in the letter from Suffolk Downs They mentioned that the mass breeders Will get less money It's not necessarily they're not going to be getting less money this year. They're gonna have less money available In May just because it's May and it's not further into the year This year the races will be done at the end of June Whereas in past years they started in either June or July and didn't end until October basically so you had a longer period and all that time the money was accumulating in that fund to pay those verses and therefore these these increase will be offset by more Accumulation happening after June 30. Is that am I understanding it generally? Okay, I think that's I think it's fair. I don't I don't know the exact balances in the mtba Last year for six races There was a request for three point five million that was correct And then you added two more races, and it was a one point Okay, and so there's a three hundred thousand increase this year and some of that and what portion of that is going to be to help the mtba Very likely All of it or perhaps more because the other point that you made was that those ratios right the ratios that you now That that's that's decreasing on those state races. Yes, although although The the decrease in the purse levels for the lowest claiming races I think we're we're gonna make up by running our own $100,000 stakes race right toward toward the end of the program, but is that new this year? Is that yeah, we've run small stakes in the past 75,000 and things like that, but Yeah, I mean we're we're just trying to put on a good show here for the last roundup so to speak So yeah, I mean the all of the additional funding and maybe All of the additional request and maybe more will go to the the the mass breeding breeders races and Madam chair, I when I hope you don't think I'm being evasive here But sometimes we we schedule and plan, but the races don't fill right So we so we do our best to schedule and plan and write the conditions for the races so that we Hit the purse levels that we've requested and received But then we always provide to the commission of full accounting of the races that actually made the program and where the purse Monies were paid and and we've gotten pretty good at getting to within you know a hundred thousand here or there for the 3.5 3.6 3.8 What you know, whatever the commitment is and and have traditionally squared up with the commission Based on what you know what the the delta is I? Appreciate that clarification helps me. Thank you Another point. I just wanted to make is that this amount of purse money won't Eat into what is in the Fund that's been you know accumulating over the years It'll just use it'll use less than what would accumulate and what would be the thoroughbred purse fund for the year So I know there's some concern that This money would be used up and in the future if somebody's looking to use that for different Things that it would be gone, but this shouldn't touch that Is that because there's more money coming in because of them right over the year with with it accumulating and And when does your the commission meet again or the committee well Madam chair, I just was advised that we the governor appointed a new chair to the horse racing committee Which means we were hesitant to meet without a chair. So we will be scheduling a meeting I will be reaching out to the new chair. Yes, and we will be putting that group together In the near future, but I Okay, good. Thank you so much. I appreciate that I suggest that we at least you know make the point that that that committee needs to take into account whatever may be happening on With the legislature relative to any changes to the right to the race correct. We know that there are groups Which I think is good news. There are groups that are possibly Working toward building racetracks here in the Commonwealth So that would certainly be ideal and yes something to take into consideration With the work of the committee. I think that the work of the committee is not It's not critical that we haven't met because there really is no change Meaning race days at Plain Ridge race days for thoroughbreds. Do you know what I'm saying? There was no I understood there wasn't I just wondered if it was if it were scheduled because I do know that we had in a new chair I pointed so I just wondered for the record, but that's fine. It will be set in the future. And that's excellent. Thank you I had one clarification question, which is when we talk about best practices and the lowest lowering a little bit of those Lower races We're talking about the temptation to run that horse Too frequently because of the higher purses or or if it's not I mean I've read about that, but I guess I Mean we're in Not not to put In delicate term the racing industry in the United States is in a crisis based on the number of The recent high incidents of fatal injuries at Santa Anita, which is you know one of the flagships for for horse racing in the United States and You know we're proud at Suffolk Downs of the work that we've done with this commission over the last several years since since 2012 to make sure that we have one of the the safer racing facilities in the country and The Commission has shown great leadership in terms of the the standards and practices that have been put into place To help make racing here as safe as it can be and and we realize that that is always ongoing and we're always looking at ways to to improve and We you know part of that was assessing last year at the end of the year You know do we have the best standards and practices as it results as it relates to The the claiming prices and and the purse levels and so yes, we we don't want to be creating conditions that encourage someone to put their horse at risk and You know there are inherent risks with any horse related activity and riding and racing and things like that but we certainly Don't want to increase those risks and that was part of the conversation with dr. Lightbound over the winter to try to Make sure that we we just recalibrated though those particular races for that reason But but if I just if I understood your earlier point, which is also what you're now further explaining Is that you don't want too much of a disparity between horses? Running in the same race. Is that in this case? We that's what you explained relative to the ratios. You don't want So the lowest level claiming race at Suffolk Downs is 5,000 right and if the purse for that Race is $25,000 that means that the winner's share is about 60% of that, right? So you have horses that are racing for more money than on paper is there is their their value, you know their sales price in the race, right and so they've looked at it around the country and and you know established parameters that that we think are Best practices and so we were a little bit above that last year and we're lowering those Bottom purse levels to make sure that we're within the the recommended parameters But I understood you you're on that point correct Is that not that there's savings? Quote-unquote to the horse race race horse development fund as a result of those practices this year There are and but but over six days and and let's say, you know, let's say we're significant, right? Yeah, it's not and and if we run the extra stakes race that I mentioned that would basically offset the same second part of the request on that was to Distribute all the purse money before the first day of racing in the past the Commission has given the first two weekends of money ahead of time and then last year we gave 800,000 of the 1.1 million before the Final weekend and then after that about a you know took about a month for Suffolk and and the gaming Commission to Get everything lined up and you know, we were about 153,000 was what we Ended up doing as far as the true up goes. So it's really up to the Commission if they want to continue Doing it that way We could divide it into into two motions if that's helpful unless you have a recommend I guess maybe it makes sense on the amount first It's a proposal for the shirt point five million and in case There's differing opinions and then maybe we can't further discussion on your recommendation with respect to the timing So should we? I'd attain a motion for the Madam chair I Move that the Commission approve the three point eight million dollars from the worst racing development fund Which is consistent and just explained For this year six days of racing second Any discussion all those in favor I Opposed five zero with respect to the timing of the three point eight million Well, I'd like to comment that I would be I'm opposed to the Upfront disbursement of all of them. I would like to continue the practice that we have Done in prior years In the sense that it's it's this year is not not very different from before for that sense we can Consider the first two weekends and that should be enough Cash flow if you will for planning purposes and come back at any other Commission time commission meeting for the final weekend I believe in the past it was not necessary to come back and revoke But what we had run in the past it was authorized staff To make the additional payments before that third week of racing and I'll I'll be I'll go along with that Process and but but not with what they're requesting does that does timing in any way affect the Support that goes to the mTBA Any further discussion Well, then I'll I'll move that the commission approved the disbursement of The racehorse development fund monies in accordance with the practices that we've had in prior years Which means for two weekends, yes, which means two weekends of racing and then Before the third week, that's right for the first two weekends of Racing and then allow staff to Make a reconciliation and disperse accordingly for the last weekend second for the discussion To clarify the first two weekends are May 18th the 19th and June 8th the night so that we would hold What amount? Well, we would simply not disperse Amounts proportionate to the last weekend Until after that second weekend. Thank you. So that's a a little bit of a difficult motion But I think we understand it will be The first two weekends in proportion to the overall three Okay, all those in favor I opposed Thank you, thank you for the education Continuing now on On our Capital improvement on what the consideration The next items are all going to be handled by our senior financial analyst Good morning Nice to see you nice to see you So throughout our billing cycle we deposit funds into a Capital improvement trust fund and also a promotional trust fund Funds are distributed upon the commission's approval of both a request for consideration and also a request for reimbursement So the first item that we have In front of you is a request for consideration submitted by Suffolk Downs in the total amount of 108,964 dollars and 23 cents This amount reflects consideration for project numbers 2018-1 through 2018-16 and it also includes one holdover that was Requested now for 2017, which is project number 15 I have reviewed all the supporting documents which include opinion letters from Dixon Salo Who is the? architect or architecture who is charged with ensuring that all items are necessary And it is in his opinion that they are necessary and he is recommending approval This item does require the commission I'll make the motion because I love the capital improvement trust fund so much I Would move that the Commission approve the Request for consideration items for the Suffolk Downs capital improvement trust fund is provided in the packet total of 108,000 dollars 964 dollars and 23 cents Second any discussion or questions Are those in favor? I? opposed 5-0 and moving on to the second capital improvement funding Yeah, so the next item is a request for reimbursement from the Suffolk Downs capital improvement trust fund in the amount of 94,046 dollars and 17 cents the Commission did approve the request for consideration back on November 18th 2018 They did go ahead and move forward with each project I've included in the packet the opinion letters from Dixon Salo who provided all the documentation of the completed projects Along with the letter. I did review the supporting documentation which included pictures exhibits Invoices copies of checks made payable to all vendors To ensure that there were the accounting balanced out and which it did So this item also requires So madam chair, I move that we That we approve the request for reimbursement in the amount of 94 46 and 17 As outlined in the memo dated March 28th from the Suffolk Downs capital improvement trust fund Second Others in favor aye aye 5-0 The third item is both a request for consideration and reimbursement from the Suffolk Downs promotional trust fund in the total amount of 194,523 dollars and one cent I have reviewed all supporting documentation to ensure the funds requested were used for the advertising of racing I've also reviewed the invoices and checks made payable to the vendors to ensure accounting balances So madam chair, I will move that we approve the request for reimbursement from the Suffolk promotional trust fund In the amount of 194,523.01 as outlined in the memo from March 28 Second Can I just ask a question Who is what remind us what's a con over total pace? Suffolk Downs ever Suffolk Downs advertising and public relations agency and Believe the request for was from activity in 2013 Okay on to local aid So each quarter in accordance with section 18d of chapter 58 Local aid is payable to each city in town where racing activities are conducted The amounts are calculated at point three five percent times the handle from the quarter ending six months prior to payment the local aid payment for the quarter ending on March 31st 2019 is in the amount of 249,454 dollars and 13 cents this amount reflects the total handle from Racing that took place in July August and September on the second page You will see a breakdown of handles for the quarter as well as Distributions that are made payable to each city in town This item requires a vote from the commission any questions Madam chair, I will move that we we approve the request to distribute the local aid as Designated on March 31st in the memo for the amount of 249 454 and 13 cents Second Those in favor Five zero. Thank you. Thank you commissioners. Thank you commissioners and I would Would like to extend an invitation For any of you to join us during live racing it'd be my pleasure. Thank you. I'll be out. Good luck with the season Moving on to item seven commissioners updates. Do we have any I? Have just one quick one on Monday happen to be out in Springfield Very early on in the commission's life. We had a lot of support involvement from the American Institute of architects. I believe they're Boston chapter. They held a forum for us on casino design And I had the opportunity to take the executive director around the new MGM casino and he was Extremely impressed by the facility the grounds the buildings the historic reuse They he was Have he was gonna hopefully have an opportunity to report back to their membership is to his impressions of the Springfield casino I have one as well. I Along with our chair women were out at last week at a forum With sports betting being the topic Interesting to learn from other states what they're planning to do as we Learn as much as we can about the topic here in the commonwealth as well So it was a it was a good opportunity to share information with States in the region Do I have a motion to adjourn so moved? Second second all those in favor aye. All right post five zero. Thank you