 Good morning. We are calling to order meeting number 275 of Massachusetts gaming Commission on Thursday, August 15th 2019 at 11 a.m. At our offices here at 101 Federal Street in Boston We're going to begin with item 2 Just to before we commence mr. Grossman as many of you are already aware The Commission required the appointment of an independent monitor as one of several conditions in our written decision regarding wins suitability review Soon after the issuance of the decision in order in April an internal procurement review team was convened To conduct a competitive bidding process to identify and select a highly qualified and experienced entity To fulfill this important requirement Before these presentations get underway, I would like to take a moment to commend the procurement teams hard work diligence and most of all collaboration This was an intense and rigorous process requiring extensive time expertise and focus of each member and I'd like to express my Appreciation personally for those efforts to Commissioner O'Brien. Thank you Todd Grossman deputy general counsel Loretta Lilios chief enforcement counsel and IEB deputy director and Derek Lemon chief financial and accounting official And finally a special. Thank you to Agnes bullio The finance and budget office manager in our chief procurement specialist for being at the table every day every minute And behind the scenes to ensure that we comply fully with the public procurement process. So thank you Thank you to all and now Mr. Grossman and miss bullio you please begin Thank You madam chair and good morning. Good morning commissioners Morning as the chair has has just articulated and of course you'll recall the Commission's April 30th Decision relative to the suitability of wind mass LLC did include a condition that required the Commission to appoint an independent monitor At the company's expense and with the company's full cooperation Generally speaking the independent monitor is expected to conduct a full review and evaluation of all policies in organizational changes adopted by the company as Described in the Commission's decision and as represented By the company to the Commission as part of the Commission's review process The monitor will then periodically report to the Commission relative to the effectiveness of those policies and the changes To that end as was described a procurement review team internal to the Commission Was assembled for the purpose of selecting an independent monitor a comprehensive procurement process Was conducted and on behalf of the review team I am pleased to report that the law firm Miller and Chevrolet chartered has been selected as the presumptive Successful bidder to be appointed as the monitor Miller and Chevrolet is a Washington DC based law firm with broad experience in monitoring and associated activities The team will be led by Alejandra Montenegro, El Monte, Ms. El Monte and her core team are here today I don't want to steal their thunder so I won't get too much into their background and experience I'll leave that for them to describe But needless to say as is described in the packet materials the review team found their experience to be impressive Before we move on to them I would like to make a Few quick comments about the process that led us here today You have been provided with a memorandum which is included in the public packet that describes the procurement process And as the chair has already described in part the team was made up of the five members Including the chair Commissioner Brian, Mr. Lennon, Ms. Lilios and myself Additionally, as you mentioned Agnes Boliere Contributed tremendously with her insight and assistance throughout the process The team reviewed 19 written submissions and scored each based on four categories They were the experience of the petitioner the quality and thoroughness of the response the diversity of the team and the overall cost The top five applicants by score were invited to appear and present their proposals to the review team In this regard we enjoyed an embarrassment of riches of sort as all of the five bidders were tremendously Well-suited for this assignment incapable. We knew of doing exceptional work There was one however that did emerge as the clear choice to us and that is the group from Miller and Chevrolet Which impressed us with the breadth of their direct monitoring experience Their understanding of the purpose of the this particular Monitorship their handle of the relevant subject matter the diversity of their team and their overall disposition Additionally, though not the highest or the lowest cost relative to the other bidders the review team concluded that the fiscal terms proposed by Miller and Chevrolet Were reasonable for the quality of services to be provided Overall, they stood out as the right choice To implement this important condition of the commission's april decision With that we are here today asking that the commission ratify the review team selection of Miller and Chevrolet And to authorize the execution of a contract so that the monitorship may commence In addition, I believe it will be helpful for the commission to identify and discuss The role of a contract manager to help oversee this particular contract And with that i'm happy to answer any questions you may have about the process or anything else Otherwise, i'm happy to turn it over to Ms. Almonte and her team You know was there was there uh, i'm sorry Um As this process unfolded, uh, was there anything that the procurement team felt that was perhaps something of Great importance that was perhaps not contemplated Initially or Was there The responses all spoke for themselves and the presentations As you mentioned just rose to the occasion Uh, certainly there were themes that emerged Experience conducting actual monitorships was something We valued we took a close look at potential conflicts of interest Um, and any associated type issues and determined that this particular Uh, applicant did not have um any conflicts that were of any concern To us and that they had actual monitoring experience So those were two of the things that I think we would agree emerged as important factors for us Todd, I apologize if I kind of missed your your ending note But as we move forward if if ultimately we approve this This firm, uh, there Is there an opportunity to think about some things in the contract report, you know relative to reporting requirements and reporting schedule You expect those types of details would be worked out with any with In the the scope of contract I do the the form that the contract is Taking at the moment. It has not been executed though. We have been working on it Would be to require them or whoever the successful bitter ends up being to submit a work plan To the commission for approval Within 30 days of the execution That would articulate All of the proposed elements of the monitorship Some on a higher level than others not necessarily getting into the weeds on every single thing That's planned, but that would be a way that we could have a clearer understanding of exactly What the plan is the plan it is expected will be consistent with that Which has already been described to us in the response to the r of r during the Presentation we received some of the information you'll receive here today So everything the basics are already known, but certainly there will be an opportunity to hash out some of the particulars And it's important to note The expectation is that the work plan will be somewhat of a dynamic plan that could certainly evolve During the course of the monitoring activities as Things issues emerge or don't emerge for that Look forward to listening to the To the the members that are here today, but I think the process was laid out very clearly and Um, articulated every step of the way. So I think the team for that work Thank you Before we dive into I lived it live so a lot of work and effort to go into it And I do want to thank Agnes and Todd and Derek and Loretta also for the work that went into it because a fair amount of work went into Not only reviewing the submissions, but the callbacks and the presentations and the vetting of the candidates. So Yeah, I will note that there was a real important diversity within our own procurement team To have the finance the legal the IEB and the commissioner and the chair input. I think it's it is Very well put together and And a great outcome I suspect I would note that it will be a matter of public record That we enjoyed Well, the rich is not only with respect to our five outstanding applicants that we interviewed But also a multitude of excellent excellent Responses, uh, it was very the the process was robust not because it was difficult in terms of to choose a qualified Uh Applicant for your consideration. It was because they were all outstanding in so many ways. So we thank all of those who participated in the process and Took really to heart the seriousness of this appointment and also Recognized what we were trying to achieve in terms of scope and tone. We very much appreciate the responses Thank you to the broader community Oh, and also they should add I think it's noted that the team also participating in crafting the procurement To again ensure that the process followed all of the rules that agnes knows so well Thank you. Thank you Thank you Welcome to boston Thank you And I understand that you Stayed last evening we did we like that the city is showcasing itself well for you with pretty good weather A little foggy this morning. So hopefully you'll see a little bit of sunshine this afternoon Escaping a dc summer. So thank you very much, right? So the one thing that's exactly right. I was in dc recently on that That during that hot spell Just remember to please speak Into the microphone. Don't be shy about that so that folks are watching can hear you. Thank you The green button needs to be pushed to be able to activate the microphone great Fantastic and introduce yourself the first time you speak. Absolutely. Well, good morning. Um, alejandra montanero al monte And I I want to begin by thanking the commission madam chair commissioners for the opportunity to be here today Truly is An honor for our team and for our firm to be considered especially amongst what we understand to be remarkable Candidates for this process. I also want to thank the procurement committee The process having gone through it. I have to say was incredibly smooth Which we very much appreciated our our conversation with the committee and and look forward to a dynamic conversation with you as well I would like to begin by having the team introduce themselves Every person who's here is going to be an integral part of this process And I do want you to have the benefit of hearing from them personally nicole Hi, my name is nicole guccivi. Thank you so much for having us again I'm the associate on the team and prior to joining miller and chevalier I worked on very high-profile commercial litigation matters in ireland arising under the economic crisis at the time These matters were very much in the public eye. And so I have an appreciation and Many lessons learned as to how to handle those sensitive situations I've also assisted nightclubs with licensing applications In the european side of things and upon joining miller and chevalier my practice is focused on assisting companies and Conducting internal investigations Thank you. Good morning. My name is katherine pappas. I've been with miller and chevalier for six years Prior to that I clerked for two years in dc for one judge at the trial level and one at the appellate During my time at the firm. I've had the opportunity to work on both criminal and civil litigation matters But I focused my work on internal and government investigations and in that role. I have interviewed employees at all levels of international companies I have analyzed not only witness credibility But also whether employees have violated company codes of conduct Because much of our work is compliance focused I have engaged in root cause analysis and advising clients on steps to take to avoid recurrence And finally because our work is often very sensitive. I have advised clients on privileged concerns Good morning. I'm very happy to be here today. My name is ann sultan Um, I began my legal career actually practicing as an attorney in massachusetts working on general corporate matters Including FCC disclosures and financing Since joining miller and chevalier about six years ago. I have focused on internal investigations and compliance matters On the investigation side one of the things that I really love about working at miller and chevalier And the way that we approach matters is that we always do it in a very compliance focused way So even when we're delving into the weeds of fact patterns We are looking at root cause analysis as katherine said and also systemic issues that we can help improve at our clients On the compliance end. I have worked with multinational and local companies on evaluating and assessing their compliance programs Including the ways in which they themselves go on to evaluate and assess their own programs Good morning. My name is Preston pew and like the rest of my team. I'm very happy to be here and thank you for your time I'm also happy to be a member of this team. I lead our firms complex civil litigation practice and I'm on our firm's executive committee I'm a former assistant u.s. Attorney in chicago And have 20 years a little more than 20 years of employment experience both on the government side and also the private sector I have the seven years Of combined monitors of experience One of them is public EOC versus wire c dealing with harassment issues of a variety of types Lasted for five years and was appointed by the district court Um, the second one is with the waterfront commission of new york. I'm dealing with some other types of issues Um, lastly, I just say that I look forward to serving the public here So thank you And again, I'm alejandra. Um, currently the vice chair of the international department at miller and chevalier Um, like some of my colleagues here. I focus my practice both on compliance and internal investigations On the compliant side work with multinational companies of all sizes across a breadth of industries Really doing much of what we're going to be doing here Which is evaluating the structure of a compliance program the design the implementation Testing the effectiveness of that compliance program for our companies We come in both when companies ask us to assess what they have in place And also very often to come in to help design programs from the ground up And as an mentioned in our internal investigation space, which is the second half of my practice We really do Have a you know what I consider a bit of a new unique approach because it is informed by our compliance baseline We come in not just to understand individual misconduct, but really understand what went wrong Was it a design in the compliance program that perhaps was not properly implemented? Was it a policy or procedure that perhaps needed to be modified for circumstances that hadn't been anticipated? Or was it truly just a Complete breach of the company's values and expectations That's what we will be doing here. We understand, of course There has been alleged misconduct that has given rise to us being Before you today We will have that in the backdrop, but more importantly We're going to be looking at what the compliance structure the company has in place today For its risk profile its reality its business reality and of course your expectations Prior to joining uh, miller and chevalier I spent six years in-house five of those years was as general counsel to a company operating around the world and across the u.s Including here in massachusetts highly regulated entity And as general counsel in conjunction of course with the vice president of human resources I had primary responsibility for enforcing the human resources policies and procedures of our company In that capacity i investigated numerous sexual harassment allegations across the organization across our operations at all levels I trained on sexual harassment policies and procedures how to mitigate sexual harassment avoid sexual harassment at the company I conducted audits of our policies and procedures again to ensure that they were fit for purpose and that they were being properly implemented And of course advised the company high-level executives on The reality of sexual harassment within our organization Finally and probably most relevant. I've recently completed A role in a monitor ship that miller and chevalier had I served as deputy to one of my partners who was monitor in that In that particular matter Similar to what we're seeing here the allegations in that monitor ship were at the very high ends of the company It was very high profile and we understood Navigating that monitor ship that we had multiple stakeholders But at the end of the day our role was really to preserve the public trust Not just in the company and the organization also in the enforcement agency that was overseeing the monitor ship and ultimately And ensuring that the laws and values policies and procedures of the company were being upheld That's the profile that we bring to this project. We treat it with the utmost seriousness Again, we're very honored to be to be here and I do want to walk you through a little bit of our overall approach We've talked about our individual experiences, but I want to talk to you and please interrupt with questions As they come up of what our approach is generally to compliance programs We start from the baseline understanding that in order for a compliance program to be effective It really has to be tailored to the reality of every organization No two businesses have the same business reality. No two businesses have the same risk profile So our very first step as monitor is to understand this particular company to understand its inner workings its Dynamic its employees so that we can assess what its actual risk profile is and from there We bring an independent critical eye to the structures that are in place To ensure whether or not the risks that we identify that perhaps the company itself has identified are being properly addressed and mitigated We also I think importantly when we think about compliance, we're not looking at specific elements We don't come with a checklist We're not looking at a litany of policies that we want to make sure are in place We take a very broad approach and we want to understand how the different parts of the company work together To ensure a culture that is focused on compliance We want to make sure that the program is embedded so that it's not just the compliance function It's not just the legal function that is promoting a culture of compliance within the organization But that it really comes through all aspects of the company and that's where Preston's experience as a monitor my experience as a general counsel We understand what it means to really drive compliance and more importantly to get buy-in From all stakeholders that the program that is going to be in place When the monitor ship ends Is going to is going to survive the term of this monitor ship So that leads a little bit to what the goals of the monitor ship are Of course the goals will be informed As dynamic as our work plan as we continue our discussions with you But at the core is to ensure that the policies the procedures and the practices The government the corporate structure and governance of the organization are designed one to detect When there's any wrongdoing particularly with respect to sexual harassment To prevent it and critically to respond to it right a Program is worth the paper. It's written on if it's not something that is actually Swiftly implemented when misconduct is detected Of course as I've said before we want to ensure that it is actually mitigating the risks that We will be identifying and that it it truly protects the welfare of the employees of the organization That is at the heart when we talk about human resources That really is what we're talking about is protecting the wealth the welfare safety security of employees. It's patrons and all involved You know, it's interesting. We talk a lot about internal controls in other Types of compliance programs and other types of investigations But I think this is something that is important to this project as well Not only internal controls around payments to third parties Payments to employees that are separated from the company ensuring that those payments are reviewed and approved and authorized Within the proper government structure governance Structures of the company, but also again ensure that there is a system of internal controls that Supports the human resources policies and what do we mean by that? So Taking for example alert line calls a sexual harassment call comes in there has to be an actual system That tracks how that sexual harassment allegation is responded to is monitored How it's actioned and that data must be collected and stored For a program to really be able to be tested for its effectiveness Those are the sorts of controls that we will be looking at here How are those incidents reported then and managed not just by the executive leadership by the board itself Because we do believe in Preston will speak to this It's you know, not just a tone at the top issue, but it's it's a conduct at the top It's what is what are the most senior parts of the organization not just by words, but by action Demanding of the rest of the company We will be looking to ensure that the company has a compliance program that really Does not not just ask but really promote Affirmatively promote a speak-up culture that it's transparent and really an uncompromised implementation of its policies and procedures So that it's very clear that it's not just some employees that are bound by the values and policies of the employee of the company But all employees regardless of rank within the organization And finally we want to make sure that when the monitor ship ends it survives And that's why we will be spending so much time focusing again on the effectiveness of the implementation of this program So that when we leave you have the confidence of knowing that the compliance program that has been reviewed and will continue to develop Will survive the monitor ship and all of that of course goes to what core goal of ours is to maintain the public trust In the company in the commission and in the process that we're hopefully going to be privileged enough to to walk there Preston you want to walk us through the work plan overview? So you get a high level we will get too much into the weeds But a high level overview of what we'll be doing if we should be privileged enough to move forward so Thinking about what Alejandra said From your seat it's one of the important things to know is that our job right as monitor is to work ourselves out of a job Right all right to make sure that as Alejandra said this program works like it like it's supposed to That it makes you proud it makes the the public proud right and there's real confidence There are certain things that we're going to start our process with one of them Of course is is working with uh the commission to Uh solidify a work plan a detailed work plan we will do that but some of the lards are hallmarks Um include reviewing facts Underlying the the decision in order we've had obviously the The the pleasure to to read through the facts that were presented in the rfp package and we're familiar with that But of course there are probably additional things that we need to know right so we look forward to having opportunity to do that Alejandra talked about the importance of of Of the compliance policy and also the structure right and and and operations of the company and and and to what extent of the structure and operations of particularly the human resources function support Real enforcement of this compliance program right Making sure that it is not just a paper program, but it's in fact one that has lived Um There are some uh some themes that we will look for one of them as Alejandra mentioned is high level commitment But having done monitorships in the employment space. We know high level commitment is important We also know that uh the tone from the middle is also critical Right that it's not just the folks top saying hey, we're going to do the right thing But your your day to day managers. What are they looking for? Are they making sure that uh Both employees and even uh third parties customers Are treating their employees as they're supposed to right or is is there is there harassment that is kind of given a wink Not as may have happened in the past In the industry we are here to make sure that does uh that the company is doing what it can to make sure it doesn't happen Training and guidance Making sure and we had the pleasure to speak with you before about this but making sure that the training and guidance Right is context specific right is is appropriate Maybe there's some employees where you want to talk about the right things to put in email But there's some employees who may never touch me, right? So how do you make sure that their communications are what they're supposed to be and they're not running a file of the Program that the company is put in place one of the keys And this really goes across the spectrum of compliance not just in harassment or employment But in all fields is making sure the people who step on the wrong side Of the of the rules are truly disciplined as they're supposed to be All right, because there's nothing that will gut a program like our people who are given um A second chance, uh, where a second chance really should not have been afford right, um And and then we'll continue to monitor and test uh over the time that we are here um There are of course certain things that would look for we're quite familiar with the eoc's guidelines on On harassment and and things that they look from at from a federal level and they're well publicized We think that those are instructed for this this field And so by the way of as you see on on on the screen by the way of baseline reporting and recommendations We'll look for those things. We have the this team as a whole has the Experience of in in compliance Of understanding what the best practices are for example from other agencies that Can be applied in that human resources field Very familiar with the department of justice this policy is very familiar of course having worked with the eoc So we're we're looking forward to the opportunity To help you I'm the commissioner sevens you asked about communication with the with the commission during this process Well, of course in six months have a baseline report that will outline our Initial findings. We expect that there will be as there is with any And any compliance program of you a number of recommendations that that we would Make at that point Part our work plan will reflect a proposed cadence of communication and that will of course be in With the commission or with the contract manager What makes sense based on key markers in the work plan so that we're giving you meaningful information and not just You know short status update. No, and I appreciate that obviously and Just thinking about reporting And appreciate your thoughts and kind of a cadence and we schedule to it and and i'm sure this is Certainly been on the minds of my colleagues and the review team is if something comes up that's Timely and we need to know about that. We're not waiting for upper-scribed reporting. We want to know it now Um, so we can try to address it That would be something that we would commit to you and of course something that we would be asking from the company as well So for instance, if there were allegations relevant to human resources policies that are during within the purview of the Monitor ship, we would want to know that so that we have the benefit of of course not Coming in and descending upon the company to do what the company should be doing in reviewing Allegations but to monitor the process of that review and of that investigation and follow up Thank you You know, you mentioned the baseline. I'd like to just Speak a little talk a little bit about it. Um, this is uh, as per In our opinion and also by many actions that they have taken company that's different from When the allegations when when When the activity happened There's new executive team There is a new procedures one that I suspect you'll be analyzing But can you speak a little and and a new VP of HR at a corporate level and many other things? A lot of Which took place in great way as a result of the investigation of our own IEP And and the company responding to to that How much in your baseline? Are you Looking at the history Out of necessity for which we have a lot of documentation by the way and you mentioned that you have read some and might read more And how much is now the assessment of the current Company when you look at that baseline The short answer is we will be assessing the current Company and we've reviewed many the company put forward a white paper that explains the many Changes that they've made to the company And specifically the compliance program that being said we do have to look not to reinvestigate by any measure Past allegations, but we do want to make sure that the measures that have been put in place now Do directly respond to the allegations and the that that were made previously that goes a bit to You know we're starting to understand what the risk profile of the company was what it is now And ensuring that the policies procedures and other structures within the organization Would really be designed to prevent the recurrence of that past conduct And I think more importantly and this is you know something that we talk about when we talk about culture is There have been changes at the very Top of the organization and very often when we come into a monitor ship that has already happened But what we see is that there's a little bit of a tail For those changes at the top to permeate throughout the organization So much of what will we be doing is not just testing the effectiveness of what's new But how is that commitment being communicated across the organization? How has the culture throughout truly change and Preston's message about you know tone in the middle um, you know, I would take that through The very top and you know very lower levels Is there truly a belief that the culture has changed? So that people understand that expect what the expectations are For their own personal conduct and how they ultimately fit in to the survival and sustainability of the compliance program You know, it's a related question. Um, I know you're uh Yeah Well, I well it's fresh in my mind You talking your presentation about the need for and importance of efficiency. Yes as you But the public also knows the costs of this monitor ship are going to be borne by the company The costs for the commission Are borne by our licensees and that that freedom We take very seriously And responsibly So can you speak a little bit about the balance that by definition you are probably going to have to strike? relative to how much to dive into details went to Praise a yellow flag to say we need to reassess our estimate Can you speak to that to your experience in that or absolutely? I think in our collective decades of experience Really does drive our efficiency in these types of projects. We understand what stones need to be turned and what stones don't We take that approach both in a compliance program and frankly in internal investigations Very often what you know, you might perceive against our our interest because The more hours we built at the glee law firms get paid, right? We don't operate under the model that we have to take a scorched earth to be satisfied That we know what we need to know So we would again look at the core elements of the compliance program that go to the issues that are within our purview We're not going to look at policies that are outside of that for example Based on what we know our estimated fees right now, of course are based on what we know of what's been publicly available We think that's A good measure of what the work will take if for example, there are new Allegations that surface if there are multiple ongoing investigations or new investigations that surface While we're actively involved in the monitor ship. I would expect that could change the scope of our work and therefore Extend our fees potentially, but we would come to you Well before We know that there might be an impact on our estimated budget does that answer if I and if I could add I believe um Todd you're at the disadvantage of not having a microphone, but Mr. Grossman has explained that part of the contract will include if I if I'm and you'll correct me if I'm wrong an internal controls for us to be able to Really monitor invoices to to confirm that Miller and Chevelliors invoices reflect the work plan And and to the extent that the scope needs to expand One of the Factors that were part of our evaluation was Their ability ability to be able to come back to open meeting And be able to inform the entire commission of of such expansions Working in and being subject to the open meeting is is is a structure that not all of our Um Respondents had some familiarity with they because of their work. They did have familiarity with that So there will be internal controls to monitor budgeting and scope expansion, etc And they'll be that you as you heard a reporting channel that will allow for Us to be informed without getting in the way of their independence If I could put a final point on that on that issue Miller and Chevelliors takes pride in our efficiency And we're well known for it in addition to that without a Honda having served as a general counsel And and I've served in the house as well We've been purchases of legal services. So we know when they've gone too far and if not, that's how we run our practices Good morning, and thank you for being here Um So it looks like you really put a terrific team together It appears that just reading all of your bios that it really is a team that can can work efficiently. I was um I was particularly pleased to see the extent of the The monitoring experience and I know that the team valued that I think that piece is really important and um having come from an organization that I dealt Under a consent decree dealt with federal monitors For a five-year period Understand the role and it's a different role than Advising a client say on compliance and you touched on that Could you just expound about how you see that role is a little bit different than your your normal course of business? Which is advising clients appropriately? It's independent, right? It's 100 percent independence as an attorney representing a company. You're you're giving advice Anticipating perhaps that in the future you may have to advocate and defend that compliance program never compromises your council never compromises The advice that you're going to give Here we There's 100 percent independence. There's no personal Skin in the game if you will I mean I don't want to that to be misinterpreted But it's at the end of the day. We're evaluating the program Based on your expectations based on legal requirements that apply to it Our experience of course ensures that we'll give practical recommendations But it's to protect again the the public interest and your goals and objectives of ensuring that your enforcement authority is Is being followed You mentioned a couple things that I thought were important transparency and effective communication Again back to my experience with monitors those who communicated effectively Really did it helped with the buy-in of organizational change So I was happy to see that in your response that you really talked about your independent, but You really need that effective communication in order to be successful We want this to succeed right we want at the end of the day for the company to have a compliance program that works We will have failed if that doesn't happen That that is a goal Thank you It's just a couple other questions that I had I also I think to to commission our cameras probably I did like a lot of what you provided about the approach Um specifically working with the company to make sure that There are no surprises when your reports are finalized everybody has been in communication. There's no kind of Strict adversarial relationship. It's with the entity that you're monitoring I also uh was impressed with the level of Uh monitoring compliance work that you've done with respect to HR policies. I think your your experience and Uh some harassment issues in the workplace Um, help me get a better sense of when you talk about, you know, one of the scope requirements How that work translates also into incorporating best practices, which might come from your experience with other entities or it might come just with general familiarity of What's current out there in the business best practice world give me an idea of how you've Had that experience in the past not just looking at what they're doing making sure it conforms with the law But finding opportunities to integrate, you know, what's What's new in the business world in terms of best practice? Sure I mean, I think a lot of that comes from what we do every day, right? I mean, we're working like I said earlier with companies across all industries that are implementing compliance programs in these and other spaces And you know, we frankly learn a lot from our clients from their own creativity We give the recommendations ultimately how they implement it Is theirs So just to give you an example one of the areas that many companies struggle with is how to test the effectiveness of a training program Right, you have your employees who go online. They do the training. Um, how do you test the effectiveness? We have given recommendations like put, you know questions at the end of every module and see how employees score We've had um companies that take it Further and they for example will have Trivia weeks or trivia months that are drawing from trainings that have been given in the past quarter Let's say at a company to see how their employees are Really internalizing My own company had When we're talking about incentivizing you press and talked about enforcement and discipline A large part of what we look at too is the upside right the carrot side of compliance Which is how do you incentivize your employees? To act by your policies and uphold your company values One of the things that my own company did was every quarter. We would have a values award And the different offices and operations would nominate From employee ranks who they thought best represented the integrity value for example or the Accountability value based on that. We'll almost call it library of what we've seen other companies do On their own and that we have been able to recommend and help our clients implement We bring what would fit to this company. We would bring those types of recommendations to them and of course always reading legal opinions that start to give us a sense of what Agencies are also expecting and trending towards for best practices To that last point. We're in a particular time the eoc is as we've seen Where where I think alongside the department of justice Compliance is no longer new right They're they're now kind of seeing kind of what works and things have been tested And so now this has been boiled down into how do we move the ball right? How do we make our these programs more effective? The fact that the eoc now has reconvened its task force right on harassment. I think is a testament to that All right, and those are things that that are certainly in our sights We know that those may not necessarily Define all of the things that you want to see from this company But they're they're a good backdrop right that that helps us understand what the best practices are Any further questions for our guests Commissioner bryan Did you have any comments for our guests or anything? I know that you participated on the procurement team I know that we we thank you for coming today No, I don't don't take my silence as It's more I guess that I lived it live I I was part of the initial presentation and for me one of the most important things was prior monitor ship experience because I do Think there is a distinction between Advising a client and acting as a monitor And I was very impressed with the depth of it at your firm And and the depth of the team that you put together Which is you know, no small part why you sit before the commission today I think the other questions that have been asked I We've vetted fully before I don't think there's anything additional That I think I would want to bring forward to the other commissioners other than what's already been presented I think I would only add to that in addition to the focus on HR matters. We also focused on corporate compliance and best practices and you bring extensive Experience and depth in that field and and and your team reflects that I also should note that your additional team members are included in the packet It's not lost on me that the chair of the firm is part of that depth and she has extensive independent monitorships I have to acknowledge her Catherine Cameron Atkinson because She did what I think was very generous She had that direct experience. She's there for a resource for you But she sent the team that she knew could accomplish this and that could win the The respect and the award so to the the chair of your firm I I really congratulate her for for having the wisdom to send such an impressive team With that said, I think we've got business to do and I think that as you heard from Mr. Grossman, we are looking to I understand that we are looking for a vote From our legal team here in this case Do we have a motion? Madam chair, I'm happy to move that the commission ratified the selection By the procurement review team of miller and Chevrolet are am I saying that property? Yes, it's the tennis charge Okay As the independent monitor of when mass LLC has described to the commission's April 30th 2019 suitability Decision and the commission enter into a contract with the firm Outlining the terms of engagement. We'll take these one by one these motions It's the first motion second Any further questions? Those in favor I opposed Five zero Catherine. Thank you Madam chair, I I I believe you're interested and actually would be Very strong as a contract manager. I would love to Designate move that we designate you saying but I'm I'm assuming that's the job you would I shouldn't assume I'm asking if you would if you would be interested in that position for the commission Yes, I would be interested. I'm wondering if there should have been a little bit further explanation of that rule Should we invite mr. Grossman to explain that not to displace any of you? Maybe we can He can come sit where mr. Virgil and sit let's let's displace the executive director This is a little bit of dance, but I I I did not understand the Quite properly. I was not aware of the motion So I think it probably merits some discussion given that there's a motion The contract manager Serves in in my estimation as a In the first instance as a conduit between the The vendor in this case, uh, miller and chevalier and the commission Understanding that the commission itself Can't make itself available on a moment's notice to resolve any issues that may arise Questions about travel things of that nature We're gonna go talk to this person. Is that okay stuff like that? Is important that there be a person who can respond quickly And be nimble, but Still has the ability every other week or however often the commission meets to come in and report as appropriate As to what types of issues have arisen Secondly, it's important and the commission can do this as a whole But it would be helpful to have one person assigned to ensure that the work that is being done Is within the confines of the work plan as the commission will ultimately Approve and to really be focused on that individually And certainly the contract manager can consult with other commissioners Consistent of course with the open meeting law and not violating any of those principles Uh, but to have one person focused on that seems like an important thing to do to have a look at any invoices That come in to keep a watchful eye Not that it would go astray on The billing and things of that nature So that's how I would envision the contract manager role to unfold in a situation like this And I think that It's unusual because typically we would have our executive staff and operations team take Care of these matters, but because this is part of a decision that was It was made by The commission as part of an adjudicatory decision I think that that was why it would be recommended that it stay With a member of the commission when we discuss this to be fully transparent I um I thought that made great sense But I also recognize that I am able to speak with a fellow commissioner and I've pledged that If we do hear from our awarded, um Monitor Even if it is something about travel, I would always turn to Commissioner bryan to let her know about the inquiry with that said if there was a particular specialty, perhaps Finance or something I could without violating open meeting rules. I'd always check in with legal To speak with perhaps commissioners uniga. So that would allow us to keep it and also Use the judgment of commissioner bryan or as appropriate With respect to open meeting laws to say this really needs to come before the commission It's a matter for that with that said we also have in the our decision The company when mass when resorts has the ability also to raise any concerns that they may have with respect to matters that arise With this very important relationship that they'll be developing and navigating with you And so that would also be the kind of contact that would come through the commissions and the reason why is that would absolutely Ensure that everything is conducted in the open meetings that setting rather than what normally is conducted as operational So is that fair? That's right. Okay Well, I'm very comforted with the involvement that that you describe Especially given the fact that you were involved all the way from the beginning in drafting the rfp The the the two of you of you chair in consultation with not just commissioner bryan But the rest of the staff that as I mentioned earlier brought a real important diversity of skills with Derek in finance and agnes as well as Loretta and and Todd so I'm very comfortable with If you if you so choose if you are so accepted to to designate you as a contract manager understanding that that's the approach you will take Why did I Put that in the form of a motion. All right I move that the chair be designated by the commission as a contract manager for purposes of providing supervision over the Monitor ship the contract manager shall be authorized to make decisions necessary to ensure that the monitoring activity remains fluid Will be will but will utilize her best judgment to determine whether any particular issue should be brought before The commission for review I further move that the chair be authorized to execute the contract between the commission and miller and Chevalier After consultation with the legal department Second any further questions Commissioner stephens. I'll set all set. Okay All those in favor I Opposed I believe do I need to abstain or is it's part of my the job? You can I'm in favor of this arrangement She's available 24 seven noted Thank you very much very much. Thank you. Thank you. Look forward to the partnership likewise. Thank you so much. Thank you Thank you We've been requested for a five minute break before our our next presentation again Thank you to our our next guest for your patience. We appreciate it. So five minutes Austin, I'm not sure if I said a proper good morning to you. So thank you We're now turning to item three on our agenda. We have reconvened public meeting number 275 Good morning I'm buttsman zamba. Here you are. I'm looking for you over there. Thank you. We'll turn it over to you Thank you very much chair and commissioners today. We have presentations from the town of plainville and plain ridge park First up is a presentation by the town of plainville regarding its recently completed Municipal complex executive director pedrosian Attended the opening of this excellent new facility on behalf of the commission I know that many commissioners have also had the opportunity to either see The facility recently or during its construction And so with that, let me turn it over to jennifer thompson, uh, plainville town administrator jeff johnson, chairman of the board of selecton mark part nazi building commissioner James alfred chief of police and justin alexander fire chief to begin their presentation Well, thank you. Thank you so much for having having us. Um, you know, this is such a wonderful story to tell And we're honored to be here and we thought we would just kind of walk you through the process of How we got these beautiful buildings and um and give you some Wonderful pictures to look at I know many of you have seen it in person and if If you haven't had a chance to come down since the buildings are open I know a lot of you came during the construction You know, we would love for you to come down and take a tour or take a look you can certainly Post meetings there now that we have a beautiful meeting room Which the chair got to see on monday So, you know, it's always open and welcome to the commission. So, uh, thank you again for having us Plain Ridge Park casino, as you know, was the first facility in massachusetts To receive a license they opened in 2015 With 1,250 slot machines They made a 250 million dollar investment in plainville and in the commonwealth Um and since then it's had a tremendous economic Development impact in a very positive way not only for plainville, but our surrounding communities in the region as a whole They are the largest largest taxpayer in town And they've created over 500 Jobs in the region those are just jobs in the facility There were also the jobs that were created from the actual construction Of both plain ridge park casino and our municipal complex So, um, very significant positive impact on the town of plainville in the region as a whole So, uh, one of the first things we did was negotiate our host community agreement, as you know prior to opening, um We sat down with um plain ridge and we, um, negotiated the agreement Whereas, um, the first part is the taxes that they pay they pay 2.5 million a year in real estate and property tax That goes up two and a half percent every year And then the second piece, which is really germane to our conversation today Is the community impact fees So in years one through five after the full opening, they pay the town 2.7 per per year 2.7 million per year In years six through 10 that changes and we shift to 1.5 percent of their gross gaming revenue And then after that years 11 and beyond it switches to 2 percent Of gross gaming revenue. So as you can see, it's a true partnership public private partnership And um, you know, we in the town of plainville are committed to their success As I know the gaming commission and the commonwealth is as well These community impact fees the town of plainville made a very very smart decision very early on And that was to put those fees into a Gaming we call it the gaming capitalist capital stabilization fund. It was actually special legislation that the town filed and those funds go into a special account to be used for Capital expenses and there were a few reasons why we did that So years ago the town of plainville This is a lovely picture of our old town hall The town of plainville had a landfill a landfill And we had a host community agreement with the landfill and received Revenues from the landfill every year and what the town did for decades was they took that money And they used it to fund the operating budgets of the town. So they were able to keep taxes Pretty low I think the chief will tell you for a decade taxes whenever raised in the town Because they used the funds from the landfill to supplement The operations of the of the town What happened was the landfill closed and that extra source of revenue was gone And the town was faced with a significant fiscal crisis When that happened because they no longer had that revenue coming in So, you know, people were laid off positions were cut And I would say over the last decade there really hasn't been Any investment in the infrastructure and in the buildings in the town because the town just simply didn't have the money to do it So we were very Careful that we didn't want to create that we didn't want to create Revenue going into the operating budget just in the event that the casino someday is not there So we wanted to use the lessons that we had from the landfill And create some tangible and material things that would last Maybe long after the casino was gone if it's not there 50 years from now So and we also had a significant need for capital investment, especially in our buildings, which you'll see So this was the existing Facilities, this was the town hall the picture on the left Was actually my office when I started with the town, but also the room where the board of select men met and The room is not much bigger than that actual picture if you have ever been there I'm sure the folks from plain ridge that are here went to many meetings in that room and it was um Incredibly limited never mind not accessible for handicapped individuals The second floor is what we had for limited storage In other meeting space up on the second floor of the building again, no elevator no access for people with disabilities These were this is the a picture of our HVAC systems and my building commissioner is here For a couple of reasons one because he had to deal with these buildings And two because we decided to use him as the owner's project manager on the new facilities Which we'll talk about in a little while But I think he more than anyone can tell you what the struggles were dealing with an outdated HVAC and heating system Our lack there of I think is probably a better way of saying it Looks like there was only one setting in that HVAC system. Yes, exactly The picture on the left is what you would call the public bathrooms in our town hall, but um, we only had two bathrooms men's and women's and They were shared by both the staff and the public so there was no separate Public bathroom versus the staff that were working there And again, there were only two There was no functioning kitchen or break room We had like a little fridge stuffed in a server room There was no, you know, even employees didn't have a place to like wash their Dishes when they brought their lunch in You know, so they, you know would wash them in the bathroom sink or they throw them away. That's our very Sophisticated electrical panel in the old town hall This was my office About two months before we actually moved in to the new facility and the ceiling had collapsed. We had a flood and some pooling of water on the roof and I walked in on a monday morning and this is what my office looked like the ceiling had collapsed In the public safety facility was in In the same In the same type of shape and had some of unique challenges above and beyond what we had at the town hall As you can see on the picture on the left The facility was not 88 compliant And people, you know in wheelchairs And using canes and and stuff like that had very a lot of difficulty getting into the buildings Excuse me the picture on the right is um, we ran out of space in terms of where to store the apparatus And I think I'll let the fire chief talk a little bit about this if he doesn't mind This is actually a facility across the street from the fire department And if you wouldn't mind chief just explaining what you had to do So when right around the time the casino opened Um incident volume went up. So we changed our staffing level But in order to house our staff the additional staff We had to put the trucks outside and that doesn't work well with water in the winter So fortunately across the street from the station is what you see in the picture on the right We were able to rent that space It cost about $15, $1600 a month and we were able to put some of our auxiliary apparatus into that to store Across the street. So when those trucks were needed often you had to move two or three Different trucks to get the truck out that you wanted because they were stacked in front of each other And you had to get your gear on across the street and walk out and walk across the street Which was busy 1a and it was dangerous crossing and then move the trucks to get them out And it would add minutes and minutes to our response time But fortunately thanks to this whole situation. We don't have that problem anymore This is these are pictures again of the public safety building on the right is what they had for You know storage it was if you walked through that building It was any little crevice that you could find they would use for storage because that's really all they had This next picture on the left is actually a view from one of the cells Inside the inside the police department and the view that you're looking at And i'll have the police chief talk about this a little bit is um, I believe to the administrative assistance office. That's correct Good morning. Um, yeah, so the view you're looking at is My secretary's office which is lit up from the pictures being taken from the cell doors So every morning, um, we take the prisoners out to go to court. I'd have to stand in front of the secretary's door for safety The facility was very small she got to meet an awful lot of Interesting people over the years. She served with the top of 38 years. She's retiring this year Um, so and she's very happy to be in the new facility Where I don't have to stand in front of the door and god Thank you You know storage was obviously a challenge in both buildings. We didn't have adequate um space for any of our storage needs The left is just some additional storage that I think the fire department added You know a lot of just auxiliary pieces of you know buildings and sheds and stuff that we had to use That's again, I think the HVAC system perhaps in the public safety building And you can see just to the left using whatever we could for space in terms of storage On the left is what we had for a training room. You can see how limited that would be for roll call and um, you know The both departments trying to get their um, you know employees into one space was a challenge The cells were not compliant with um Current regulations. That's the picture on the right On the left those are um, the other issue that we had in public safety was um gender separation So we didn't have proper gender separation for our female officers. So the chief rented a Modular building I guess we'll call it. I'll let you go ahead and tell that story So we had to rent a a trailer basically And then have it built a hallway built from the existing building into the trailer so that we could have two separate locker rooms One for the men and one for the females So which we didn't have for years. We actually had a uh bulletin board that separated the boys and the girls so to speak For a locker room And now we're all crowded into One small room. We outgrew that as the town Grew especially over the last few years. So that was the only thing we could do for For some type of facility for for both would be A modular trailer And then the picture on the right is the um public restroom in the public safety building So obviously, um, you know the town I was hired in 2015 right after the casino Opened and most of you know, Joe Fernandez who was the town manager before I and um, you know, he really Worked incredibly hard with the gaming commission and with penn um to get the casino to come to town and also was very instrumental in getting that capital fund set up Um, and then he retired and I got to reap the benefits of it. So thank you to Joe Um, but so we got together um a year later after the casino had opened and started to talk about what we were going to do With those funds and um, you know, obviously you can see from the pictures There was a clear need to do something with those buildings Um, and and so what did we want that to look like? So in 2016 we went before town meeting for an appropriation for um a study a feasibility study and a design We didn't want to wait a whole year to get the design going. I mean, I think we kind of all Thought that the best location was going to be where we had um, it's called the old It was the old wood school. It was um right behind the library And it was a school that had been vacant for 12 years. Um, we built new schools And um, you know it was town owned land So it just kind of seemed like the obvious place But um, you know, you have to go through that process and make sure you're considering all your options Um, there was a lot of discussion in the town on whether or not we could renovate that school Um, I think all of us at the table knew that that was going to be Probably not only challenging but not cost efficient the building, you know a vacant building for 12 years um has a lot of um Challenges with it, you know, so we had but we had to go through that process There were people in the town that were very tied to that school because they had gone to school or sent their children to that school So, um, you know, there was a desire to at least look at it to see if we could save it. Um, but it's certainly, um I think we all knew in the back of our minds that it probably wasn't going to be able to stay But in 2016 we um, we got that appropriation at town meeting To move forward with the feasibility and the study and we used the funds from the host community agreement to fund that So no tax dollars were used for um The feasibility study or the design and this is just one of the slides we presented at town meeting um on the first um The first section you'll see the old fox market, which is um a building that's If you've been to that center district of plainville That was really the grocery store in the downtown and um, jeff kinney, who's an author and who lives in town He's one of my favorite He's definitely my son's favorite author without a doubt. Um, but he has done a wonderful job. He, um Purchased the property and then rebuilt it to look just like the fox to look like the original market And um, it's a beautiful bookstore and cafe. They have events there and if you haven't been there It's a wonderful place to visit. Um, so that's that, you know one kind of corner of the um We'll call it an anchor Of the downtown and what we wanted to do was look at whether or not we built the municipal complex next to the library So added these two buildings In the same, um, you know proximity of the library to kind of generate You know that that downtown feel and that center district feel that we're trying to accomplish there Um, so that's what these slides kind of represent We showed, um, you know what the market used to look like what mr. Kinney did What our public safety building looked like what it could look like In the same with the town hall Which is very interesting looking back because our buildings these aren't our buildings This is just kind of what we envisioned, but they ended up looking very similar to these So, um, as I mentioned, uh, we looked at the location where the library was the school was right behind it We knew that we owned the land so we wouldn't have to purchase the land The proximity to the town center We wanted to look at a building that would complement the library if we were going to go there And then kind of create that sense of community in the downtown area These are just some pictures of the old wood school and what it looked like so, um, as I as I said 12 years can have, um Certainly some effects on the building and um, these are just inside pictures. That's a classroom on the right ceiling on the left Um the flooring, you know, we had asbestos and all kinds of things in there that you would expect from an old building That's just the front of the building and those are different sections of the stairs on the right Um, let me just go back for one second. So so we evaluated the building We you know, we what we thought came true and and the architects made a recommendation that the building be demo Demolished and that we move forward with building The buildings in that on that land So a year later we presented at town meeting A plan and a rendering. This is a rendering of what the buildings might look like and we proposed a new municipal complex At a cost of 34 million dollars, which would include demolition of that that old school But what we proposed which is different than Any other town had ever proposed in massachusetts was paying for all of it out of the host community funds So we would borrow the 34 million and then make the payments on that note From the payments that we received through our host community agreement Um, it was it was a remarkable experience because we were the first to ever have done it. It was um Embraced by the town we were able to build a municipal facility without using one dollar of tax dollars, which is amazing. We didn't have to raise taxes to do it And um, it was a unanimous decision at town meeting. We were actually applauded When we did the presentation. So it was it was wonderful and um, you know, it was the people at this table that are really responsible for that So this is just a picture of the rendering when we did present at town meeting And it just shows you the libraries on the right and right across from it You see what is now the new town hall and then in the back is where that school used to be And that's the public safety building. They also have an auxiliary kind of outbuilding to the right, which we built Because it was a much less cost to Construct that particular area rather than make it part of the the exist the public safety building. So we did that to save money Again, that was just another picture of we wanted to create this kind of boulevard entrance as you walk in and You know as the we tried to keep as many trees as we could keep and You know, there's certainly more growing in but we really wanted to create this Park feeling in between the building that members of the community could go to and You know, if they are doing business at town hall or visiting the library or going to the public safety building They also might want to sit on a bench and just enjoy The area and enjoy the complex This was our groundbreaking and commissioner Cameron was there. It was wonderful to have her and um It was a wonderful day. We had um, you know, everyone that had been involved in the process there and uh and We moved forward with construction These are just some pictures of the School as it was being demolished and then you can see the pictures of the footprint starting to come to life on the right Again, these are on the right is the town hall being constructed on the left is the public safety building being constructed And then we had these beautiful buildings So um on the right is that boulevard entrance that I talked about when you enter into the complex The public safety building is right ahead of you the library is on the right and the town hall is on the left On the left is our new town hall building and on the right is the public safety building And I mentioned to you earlier in the presentation that um, we chose to have our building commissioner serve as the owner's project manager The opm on the project So if you know anything about public construction in massachusetts If your buildings or your projects are going to be over a certain amount You have to have a owner's project manager on the project that is looking out for the best interests Of the town. Um, a lot of times people go out and they hire an outside firm To to do that. We felt that it was important for us to have someone in-house Who was investing in the project? There with their feet on the ground and their eyes on the on the project And that's why we chose mark and it was without a doubt the best decision. We have ever made We also had an assistant opm on the job. So when mark couldn't be there He was there and um, in my opinion, it made a tremendous difference in terms of the quality That we received on the job The other thing that we did is the fire chief and the police chief were very in their staff were very involved in the Actual designs of the building and the construction So all of them went to all of the construction meetings every week throughout the process Because ultimately they're the ones that are going to live in that building. So while the architect was wonderful They don't know what it's like to be a police officer or a firefighter Or work in a town hall. So for us it was important that we get those key people involved right from the beginning And now that we're in the buildings, I think it made a world of difference So These are our new meeting rooms So you saw the picture in the very beginning of what our existing meeting room was like now this on the left Is our town hall meeting room with the board of selectmen planning board and all of our major Boards meet as well as members of the community How they need to have meetings can use that space on the right is the training facility for public safety On the left is like oh If you wanted to mention the craftsmanship of the the board Desk, yes, if you will that's a great story. So, um, you know, obviously when you're building buildings and you're Using public funds, you want to make sure that you're Doing everything that you can to be You know cost efficient. So we had gotten a price for that, you know, credenza so to speak Where the boards will sit behind? And I think the price was around 50 or 60 thousand just for that one piece And it's you know, it's all solid wood and it's beautiful But you know when we got the price again being kind of involved hands on We were like that seems like a lot of money to spend on something like that And someone had the idea of reaching out to The prisons so the correctional industries in massachusetts to see if they did something like that and they did So, um, the department of corrections actually had um their correctional industries folks make the credenza the two um desks that you see in front of it And then there's a podium And I think we got all all four of them for $11,000. So it was um, they did a remarkable job And you know as the chair mentioned when you see it in person the attention to detail. It's absolutely beautiful Um as I mentioned the left is just the foyer and the entrance into the public safety building The right is a picture of the booking area Um And I think that picture's coming in from like the sallyport right chief On the left again, there's an actual sallyport that you can drive in and drive out of not have to back into um on the right is um A meeting space in police that they use for their roll call and for any other meetings that the chief needs to have So you can actually fit them all in place now Um, and then the other thing that we did is prior to opening we held open houses in the town hall in the public safety building So before we actually moved in but the buildings were complete We invited the public to come in and see them And um, we had an amazing turnout. It was wonderful to see people come in and Remark at how beautiful the buildings were How happy they were that we weren't raising their taxes to build them And and just um, it was just a wonderful wonderful thing. So that's um people coming out of the public safety building That's the apparatus floor on the fire side Those are some folks getting a tour of um The dispatch area some folks getting a tour of the dining and kitchen area in the public safety building and then in april of 2019 on the fourth, um, which is actually the anniversary of The town of plainville. We had our ribbon cutting and um, director bedroging came down and spoke and we had a lot of town officials there Um, joe finandez was there and all the former selectmen that were involved Penn national was there. So it was it was a wonderful day cold, but a wonderful day And again, these are just some some additional pictures from the ribbon cutting So, you know last but not least we want to thank the citizens of plainville who supported us We certainly want to thank the gaming commission who has been incredible and supportive to us You'll notice that that picture is of the new truck that we just got Great-looking truck I like so I'll tell a little story about the truck. So, you know being the first to kind of get the first license You know, you try to think of all the things that you're going to need But none of us have ever been in it, you know worked in a town that had a casino before And one of the things that we didn't realize at the time was plainridge was building a parking garage And that none of our trucks that were responding to emergencies could fit in the parking garage So if you had a car fire or a medical emergency, um They had to kind of deal with it from the outside. They couldn't get into the parking garage So and chief feel free to jump in if i'm not explaining it correctly, but um when the gaming commission came out with the you know grant funding and and um Mitigation funding it was perfect for us because it was something that we just didn't think of As we were going through the process. So we're very grateful that the commission You know looked at our application and then helped us with funding for that truck. So By the way, by the way, I I understand also that that truck allows you to get into areas Other areas in town where you couldn't otherwise. Is that is that correct? That's great So certainly thank you to the board of selectmen and the primitive building committee, which you know did all this work that i'm telling you about and um You know as we built the the projects our legislative delegation I mentioned joe finandez and of course, um, you know, I can't end the presentation without thanking pet national um Just a you know a little bit of a plug for us is that you know, we I know for me personally I've been in municipal government my entire career and the thing that you always hear people talk about is Why aren't there more public and private? Partnerships, um, we are very fortunate in plainville that we have a wonderful public and private partnership with pet national They have been incredible um to deal with We have virtually no issues in the town. I'll you know that jeff penna You know, he's the one that probably hears it the most from constituents if you do hear complaints and um Everyone is very happy that they're um, it's it's just they've been wonderful to deal with so Anything we can do to continue to help them and help them stay competitive The town is is they are support them Absolutely, they've been a tremendous partner to us all and the residents are very pleased With everything we've done together with them We're working hard with them in the future and the future is something that gen didn't mention in that presentation But those beautiful buildings one of the things that i am most proud of Is that these were designed to handle plainville for the next 50 years? So there's it feels big when you walk in and feels open and airy and that's great But it also feels like as plainville grows we're going to grow into those buildings even Even better and so we I don't have to go back to the townspeople and say in five years Oh, we need to build an addition or something on there. So very well planned well designed And the other thing I would say and thank you, madam chairman For pointing out that wonderful Desk area table area in the meeting room. I think the commission would look great sitting behind it at one of the fall meetings So you're invited Well, there may be a racing hearing That we usually we usually come come to plane bridge for the racing hearings. I don't know. We may miss the The senior center with the square dancing in the back We may miss that when we come to the new building. We might need that before and after picture as well Yeah, no, a great presentation. Thank you very much for sharing. Obviously the town Used money wisely I know in dealing with chief alexander chief alfred I frankly have never been in nicer police facilities or fire facilities The old pictures look like some of my old offices. So it brought back memories Of of what things used to be like in public safety. So really tremendous You know partnership as you say and I look forward to I toured right before you open. So I need to get out again now that Now that folks are there and to see it really working full time as it should but But great presentation. Thank you. Really impressive great great presentation And just a special shout out to jennifer because she has Always been willing to kind of take this good news story on the road She was very gracious to come up to boston a few months back Talk to a group of real estate appraisers from across new wingland and helping them understand The value and the positive impact that a that a gaming facility can have on the communities Thanks for helping to keep spinning that this good news story Yeah, it's a great story I'm glad that you um take the time to lay it out the way you do Congratulations because these these buildings look fantastic Chief alexander made such an impassioned Presentation about the need for that fire truck. It's nice to see it. Uh, see it on the screen I I want to thank you again for the tour on monday Uh Lantriska our communications director accompanied me The facilities are are so very impressive The training facilities that at the public safety Building our state of the art And you also have extensive meeting space. I was very pleased to learn that not only as residents of plainbill getting the benefit of that from the first respond You know the firefighters and the police officers, but also that those facilities are shared regionally Right now. We know that it's really important that regionally. There's public safety strategies Being put in place and we appreciate that the benefit that you received through very So Very clever very smart Negotiations of the host agreement actually worked In a way that really advantage your community, but also the surrounding communities and beyond so I Very much appreciated your time So impressed by how these dollars were leveraged and I missed you jennifer, but so i'm glad to meet you officially today So thank you. Thank you for the presentation any further questions Have you seen i'm just curious as to other aspects of You know economic development if you will more Interesting in people moving into town or some kind of Additional commerce coming into the areas that you described around the the center of town, you know, so we've seen An uptick in interest in the area around planeridge For instance, there's a large development that is shared between rent them in plainbill just on the opposite side of Interstate 495 that's opening up this fall with a couple of hotels and restaurants and Assisted living facilities and storage facilities and lots of other business there So that area has picked up interest and we also Have seen some increase on 1a, which is the main Who dragged through town Actually had a big hearing last just last week on a proposal for another new business there. So We we have seen a pickup the other thing that's been good is that The the racing the horse racing business Is doing very well there now Whereas if you went back five or six years ago, we did It was really struggling it's doing much much better now, which is great for not just plainbill But they're surrounding communities and the horse farms in the area They recently added a nuclear marten cup for For fillies and had a big spirit of massachusetts event a couple weeks ago and it was it was actually won by a local Local horse, which was I thought was a great thing So that's been a benefit not just again not just plainbill, but the towns around us It's great to hear The only thing that was missing was of course the live video that I failed to get I saw Chief Alexander Yeah, I'll have to see it on the phone the chief Alexander demonstrated how to go down the The fire pole if I had had jeans on I would have accompanied you, but I couldn't believe I did not take a photo And apparently it's been redone. So I'll look forward to seeing that great. Thank you again and And again, thank you too all the the service of your teams. Thank you. Thank you Thank you to um plainridge park casino, mr. George and your patients and I'm sure though that you too were excited to see Again, I'm sure a presentation you're familiar with So thank you chair and commissioners next up is the quarterly report for plainridge park for the second quarter That ended on june 30th of this year Today we're joined by lance george general manager mike miller vp of operations and michelle collins vp of Marketing before I turn it over to lance. I'd just like to give a very brief status update to the commission Regarding the potential extension of bus service to the plainridge park facility While the service has not yet been established We know that plainridge park continues to work with local partners To see how the service can be established And so with that, let me just turn it over to lance Thank you john Yes, the the only thing I remember about uh, the grand opening was how incredibly cold it was I think I was sitting next to executive director bedrosi and I think I was shivering on him We'll jump right in I think we're here Did bring some cheating glasses because i'm in the habit of Borrowing john zimbas in past meetings, so I went the extra mile and bought a pair We have a few pairs up here too. Do you have a few up there as well? Yeah, I get it Okay revenues A busy slide a lot going on here. I'll draw your attention to to just a few of these numbers Q2 your every year comparison of the second quarter shows a decline of approximately 3.7 percent in revenue Solid performance in the months of april may with a more significant decline in june Obviously a portion of june's performance would have been impacted by the opening of on core In a broader sense for us the landscape has certainly changed In a span of less than 12 months three casinos have opened around plain ridge We've got tiberton to the east mgm to the west and as I previously just mentioned on core to the north On core in particular is a beautiful property And certainly we've always anticipated our customers would visit With that said, I would tell you that the impact to date to revenue has been in line with what we expected All in for the second quarter 2019 Combination of taxes paid to the commonwealth and fees paid to the horseman at 49 Approach 21 million with gaming revenues over 42 million successful quarter for us. We continue to be pleased with with property revenues lands Just looking at the prior slide Just glancing up and down the quarters From this is all these are all quarters that were mgm was was open Perhaps just picking up speed in In the first one first quarter No, the third quarter Of 2018 Yes, right q3 would have been the first impact of tiberton and mgm So so is it fair to say that maybe there's been less impact from or is it from mgm Opening or is it too early to to tell i'm just comparing to an encore Certainly the we expect That the impact will be of on core will be greater than what we experienced with the impact of both mgm and tiberton. Yes Yes Lottery sales Again a lot going on here Call your attention to just a few of these numbers Consistent with property revenues. Lottery sales saw a modest decline approximately five percent Quarter two for 2019 total sales of over eight hundred and eighty five thousand dollars large number Encouraging results and lottery sales continue to be a great story for us Again, as I always mentioned if there are any changes or any marketing initiatives There were no marketing initiatives that helped to drive that number No change in the number of machines or outlets and no change to those locations just A continued good story for us. We saw a lot of lottery tickets spending in procurement Next two slides go hand in hand One is in-state spending And the other breaks it down a bit further. So for q2 2019 53 percent or approximately 900 000 of the eligible spend occurred in state The remainder is split among several other states which can be seen broken down to the right The 270 000 quarter over quarter increase to the in-state spend categories primarily driven by a few larger projects In which we were able to identify massachusetts vendors Those vendors specifically Ostroelectric, uh, curry buildings and dds industries Good work and continued diligence on behalf or on the part of our procurement team Led to solid results for us for the in-state spending category Um, Lance I could have stopped you there because um You know it's 53 percent Um for the second quarter your first quarter was 56 percent If you look at second quarter 2018 you were spending 89 percent massachusetts In your 2018 end result was about 26 percent in massachusetts So i'm worried Our trend is going a little bit In the in the wrong direction Um and and that might be on account of you know national contracts or obviously, you know the the places Where you're spending money the list, you know stays pretty consistent, but um I think it might warrant we don't need to do it today But it might warrant having a conversation with you and elie and just kind of Helping us understand where these trends are going because i'm worried they're not going in the right direction If you were trying to you know hit that 26 percent again for 2018 You'd have to have a pretty remarkable turnaround in terms of in-state spend over the next two quarters and I'm not sure that's what's planned But I think we do need to sit down and get a a little bit clearer picture on How this is unfolding happy to do that certainly all right. Thank you Uh one additional slide Here we go Part of the breakdown of local spending here, which we typically do approximately 77 000 Or roughly eight percent of the in-state procurement dollars For q2 occurred in our local and surrounding communities with those dollars being spread amongst all of the communities this number Remains largely consistent with q1 results Up approximately 16 000 dollars Uh, I know that last year I believe Last year year over year q2 We had a bigger number in our local spend that comes down to a couple of large capital projects So we had a roofing project last year We re-roofed all of the paddocks and then we Brought to life an old building that was sitting on the racing apron. So So 100 150 000 dollars alone spent in the town of rentham, I believe Uh with bristol construction. So that's why you see that drop year over year Fender diversity You overlook here as well as comparing to our goals for q2 Overall is represented by the first set of bars 28 percent of our spend fell into the category Of a mbe we Be or a vbe This number eclipses both prior year at 24 percent as well as our goal of 21 percent To the right of this is the detail behind the total Which shows a solid increase in the wbe category Largely driven by a few in-state vendors notably ipswitch shellfish mill hench industrial supply As well as kitteridge food service equipment Targets were achieved for both mbe and vbe as well with a modest decrease in the vbe category and then finally Just uh last slide on vendor diversity comparing q1 of 2019 to q2 of Overall the property continues to meet or exceed in its category finding greater success in the wbe category for sure While we have been consistent in achieving these goals and mbe and vbe categories We're certainly focused on improving those results hope to return in a few months with increased percentages in both of those categories for you With that i'll turn it over to uh to mike Good morning good afternoon In reviewing our q2 employment numbers we had 461 employees 308 of those were full-time employees with 141 part time The 308 made up 67 of our staff while the 141 part time made up 31 of our staff You can also see a 3 four seasonal which is generally our racing employees Our diversity hires came in at 26 of the total workforce Our veterans remained steady at 5 of our workforce and our massachusetts-based hires Made up 61 of our workforce while our local hires were 33 percent Our male to female breakdown in terms of our staffing is 49 male and 51 female as of the end of q2 so I think If i'm not mistaking you're doing well On diversity in your veteran school. I think you're exceeding massachusetts and local you're you're pretty close and I think male female you're almost right on target as well And I always like to go to your website. You have 21 job postings currently so it's still ongoing opportunities still opportunities to increase that little higher correct Going on to the next slide which is our compliance In q2 our security department checked 18,820 ids at our three entrance podiums Of those id checks for 512 people were turned away In breaking out those 512 individuals 26 were minors 129 were underage and 355 had either expired or invalid or no ids There were also two fake ids that were identified during this period Finally in this area. There was one minor in underage. It was found on the floor The minor was on the floor for a total of 12 minutes Came through multiple entrances did not game nor did they consume any alcohol And we were quick to find them and export that person and the people they were with off the floor I'm curious to see just just so you just see in case you know so the people who are Are turned away because they're underage or minors. What do they claim they didn't know or they were just trying They say Rhode Island is different age Well, I think there's a mix and and there's also the fact that The established casino on Rhode Island has a different age than we do So there may be some people that don't have the knowledge if they're coming to try a different facility Okay, Michelle Good afternoon Wanted to give you an update of our woman leading at Penn What we did in July was we had a panel discussion where Many of the women across the pen portfolio had a discussion in regards to their work life balance We had representation from those that are married those were children those that are single And uh kim rego is on the panel. So it was exciting to get to see her again And really uh talking about the challenges that we all face and it was interesting to see some of these statistics now how we never Unplugged truly unplugged and some of these stats I put up there just to share that Americans spend 171 minutes per day on their phones and an additional 90 minutes on their tablets And one of the stats that's near and dear to me is the 85 percent of us Who will be on our phones while our our children or our husbands or spouses are trying to to speak with us? So it really you know shed some light on on what we can do and how we can make some changes So the task that we have for homework for the group is to take a Minute by minute of your day and write down what you do and it's a big task But in the end the idea is to identify Where the opportunity is to actually unplug for a little bit more each day So it was very uh We learned a lot about one another and it is things that I think we forget to be mindful of And I like the quote on here where it says if work life balance exists You must build it and it really is our in our control to do it With with the support of company, right? So it sounds did did some of these uh participants talk about some ways that You know that could improve or just suggestions about yeah, I think the big one was You know clearly with summertime and all of us take vacations, right? So you're out of commission for about a week and It's making the rule to yourself that you check your email twice a day once when you wake up And once before bed but not in between because then it's on you know, you're not getting the true vacation So it was things like that that are very simple. You just have to teach yourself to do it and be okay with doing it Again, we've had another quarter of local community in contributions What I want to highlight here. Let me change the slide Is uh our our relay for life participation so We earned about $27,000 for relay for life and and we actually helped them exceed their goal of 150 000 for this season One of the things that we've changed this year that we didn't do in the past is we have Contribution boxes on the gaming floors at the exits where a lot of times customers will have a tito ticket for You know 50 cents or 85 cents that they're not going to spend they end up just stuffing it in their purse So instead they can put it in these contribution boxes and since we've started it at in february We've raised an additional $6,000 just from our gas putting in their change essentially Great idea. That's great Also with sponsorships, we've continued with many of the sponsorships that we typically do really Utilizing what we have in our surrounding community for entertainment destinations the Fenway concert series One of the new ones that we are doing this year, which we're all excited about is we really wanted to try something different That we haven't done before utilizing the outdoor racing area in the apron So what we did is we worked with bees league group and we did a concert series this summer So just three concerts the first one, you know, not a lot of people had shown up But we realized that it really does work well in the location and now that we have The Venue outside of the racing area with the bar where we can serve drinks and hot dogs and burgers and whatnot So the second one we did was a Which was journey tribute band And we had over 800 people Come to this outdoor event. So it was very exciting and again It's one year you start to try different things that you didn't try before and they're successful So it really opens us up to next summer to expand it and target that new demographic in a better way The last one is going to be in september and we're excited about it because it's a Brentham native Ayla brown who will be performing So she has a following and it's just something exciting to bring in a local artist Just a few additional marketing highlights As I mentioned the outdoor concert, we also have been really working on our my choice rollout So that is the pen wide universal part that allows our guests to go from properties to properties So now our portfolios over 40 properties and we're really focused on cross property visitation And getting more people to come to this area utilizing our our partnerships with The sports teams and with the different concerts and everything that goes on As well as with the The golf right so there's so much that we can bring people in to do So what we did was with the Stanley Cup We partnered with our st. Louis property and and kind of did a back and forth where we sent a group there And then they sent a group of their customers here And as you can see from that picture, we were all Very excited to be promoting the Bruins and It's unfortunate, but what what we can do is blame stevo tool because what he admitted to us is They don't win when he wears a jersey So had he called us that we would have asked him not to participate in the picture And now that we just broadcast that all across the way It's great for steve Steve will go into hiding now. Yeah, thanks. I'm actually happy to see lancin or Bruins jersey He looks very comfortable. What do we think? So that includes my portion of the presentation if anyone has any questions It looks everything looks strong. I think you're paying attention to all the issues and All of these sponsorships and Local community activities are just terrific. So congrats for the effort there. Thank you as as you know, we just gave The community mitigation grant to foxboro to work with the plainville and rent them to Look at tourism strategies to really make that part of the state in that region more of a destination. So it's All this ties up. Yeah, which is great Paige has done a nice job with that. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you everyone. Thank you john. Thank you Visitors, thank you. Safe travels plain plain ridge. Thank you very much. Appreciate You're coming up in and uh your later morning start. Thank you We're going to I think have one uh, we'll hear from director wells before we break for lunch And I don't think I'll be too long. I know uh, attorney krum is here, you know In case there are any questions on the junket. So yeah, I understand from that. This shouldn't be, um Too lengthy. Thanks again. Safe travels. All right. Thank you, Karen this is uh Now we have um our investigations in and enforcement bureau director Karen wells addressing junket licensing and reporting requirements. Thank you Yes, and attorney teresy was working with me on that. She is unavailable today, but she was uh Collaborating with me on this and she'll be back probably for the next meeting on this on this issue And she did a great job. Um So, uh, encore boston harbour requested some movement on using junkets to bring customers into their casino And as a preliminary matter I just wanted to clarify for the commissioners and for the public that when we're talking about junkets in this context We're not talking about the same thing. We were talking about during the win and the mgm suitability determinations We're talking about junkets in macao So, you know, sometimes you hear the same term and this is a statutorily defined term So it's how we're using it when we're talking about junkets in macao and uh, sometimes we talk about Gaming promoters or gaming promoter rooms. Those are really many casinos within a casino So in macao, you'd have an individual operator running his or her own little casino offering credit Operating the games etc when we're talking about Junkets here in massachusetts You're really talking about almost, um, you know, like an organized tour group like bringing people into the casino and uh coordinating Did it sort of getting there in the rooms and everything like that? So it's not the same thing at all is what we were talking about. We're thinking about junkets in macao So just so that um difference I think is important So today, uh, we're looking for two things from the commission One, uh, the ib is asking for a determination on the level of licensure required for what I'd call an independent operator Or a solo practitioner Junket operators. It's not someone that works for a company an enterprise in llc Or or the llc or the company itself We currently have a licensing level for a junket enterprise that's the Sort of that highest level bed the applicant entity form and then employees of the enterprise or the Casino itself that are working as junket operators or would be licensed as a junket representative at that gaming employee level the gel form so we kind of have a hole in the Licensing levels we'd like to know what the commission would like to do for the level of licensure for An independent operator and and miss crumb can explain what you know Usually happens or what their expectations are at encore boston harbour for that kind of operator The second thing we'll be looking for is just some feedback from the commission on the regulations Attorney teresia has been working on those regulations And she'd like to finish drafting those and come before you at the next meeting With a version to start the promulgation process So we wouldn't really need to vote on that But it's helpful for the legal department to get some feedback before drafting the regulations and just saying oh here you go But knowing what the policy directive is from the commission during the drafting process so first As to the level of licensure, I think to start out if we could bring attorney crumb up and And Assistant director band is also in the room if there's any questions He is you know, 30 plus years of casino gaming experience down in new jersey So he can also help out sort of what their experience is there But if attorney crumb could explain how ebh intends to use junkets and specifically the utilization of this Independent operator solo practitioner. I think that would be helpful to give you a level of comfort and what the right level of licensure should be Good morning commissioners or good afternoon commissioners. Thank you for having me here So the way we didn't tend to use them is we'd enter into A contract with either the entity or the individual. So essentially it would be an independent contractor Relationship where they'd be bringing in people We would not allow them or under the regulations nor could we permit them to To give credit. So they would be essentially bringing in people introducing them to our team sort of hosting them, but As independent contractors not as employees Recruiting them how Do you elaborate that a little bit? So there are people who operate this way They either have businesses where they have a business enterprise and LLC or corporation and they employ individuals So that would be one one way of doing it Alternatively, there are individuals who we would contract with directly and they themselves Operate their own business. So I guess my question was more what types of incentives and etc I drive the people in what are they used to recruit them in if they're not giving credit So they would we would pay them commissions But what are they what types of things do they offer to the clientele to get them in? They'd have to work with a host at our property to much much the same way that we work with Much the same way that our host worked with clients directly. They'd work with a host in our property to incentivize the client Can you be a little more specific with me? Sure. So there's a room come to me all that sort of thing Oh, yeah, no, there's a wide range of doing that. So in some instances, it's free play In other times, it's a free meal a hotel stay Sometimes it's spa treatments. There's a large variety of comps that our hosts have available to them to provide Based on the level of play What what what seems to be the the Because we're specifically talking about the the individual representative or trip organizer Term junk it it's a bad term Um, it's in the statue. Yeah, it is it is, you know government. We think a junket is something that's even more nefarious the What's kind of the the mix of Folks, I mean, you know, are they an individual? Soul proprietor llc. This is what I do. It's my business versus You find somebody who's involved with a large group and there's a certain Contract award you pay to that individual to say hey bring your golf group here. What whatever the I'm trying to get an idea How much attention we really need to pay to these folks or If it's not a huge chunk of the business, can we just Help that individual a chunk of representative Go through a licensing that more resembles a bender as opposed to A gaming employee or a one-time contract. I'm just trying to get a sense of what the blend is So a lot of these individuals do this in other jurisdictions and they have Essentially gaming clients that they know that they're either very good friends, but they have a community they've developed a certain clientele and so They've got established clientele in other jurisdictions and essentially we'd be tapping into that to have their Clientele come to our jurisdiction as opposed to other places. So they do tend to focus on on gaming clients, okay, but are they a Soul proprietor they established business or is it just somebody who does this on the side and They're going to get paid and you know what they get paid shows up in their taxes Sure. So the answer is both some of them have established businesses where they actually have entities and they run They run it through a business others of them work in different Fields and this is something that they do on the side as an individual Could could you share the typical arrangement with the with a junket? A commission base. It's typically a commission base. We have a standard junket agreement We call it an independent contractor agreement not a junket agreement But it is it's a standard contractor agreement that has all the protections in it for us as well You know, we make them go through a background check From our perspective as well, right and then so they promise to bring in a number of clients at some level of play What if that play doesn't quite pan out for example? I'm just curious It's just a commission based contract. So if it doesn't pan out, it doesn't pan out. It doesn't pan out All right And they're they're under no obligation to necessarily deliver So we're not holding them. You've got to deliver, you know x amount of people per year Yeah, so they really resemble a lot your marketing professionals. That's correct the people that you have currently on staff offering promotions, you're just leveraging The presence by using contractors who are going to be doing that for you. That's correct Yeah I I agree exactly what she's saying I've seen it where it's also been commission based that based on Their players that they bring in is lost. They will get a percentage of that. I've seen contracts that way But basically it's bringing the group a lot of times professional athletes. They have a following We'll bring a whole group with them Then there's hosts that have left the business that have a large clientele base They will make the same arrangements with casinos. They're just doing it privately instead of, you know With the casino they used to work Lows them a wider range of casinos and to take their clientele How do other jurisdictions deal with licensing or obviously you guys only Operate domestically in Nevada. How does Nevada deal with some of these independent contractors not again the established business, but the The individuals the professional athlete who has a following, you know, I'll have to get back to you on that I'm not sure how Nevada does that. I I don't think it's as highly regulated as some other jurisdictions though Yeah, I think there'd be helpful information there. What's the level of licensure of people who offer marketing? at The hosts and yeah, the hosts So the gel or uh Well, the supervisor would be uh, key standard I think the gaming is of the game. Karen your microphone I think the uh, any kind of uh individual supervisor responsibilities would be at the Key gaming standard, but I think the line level employees would be at the gel because marketing is uh, Something that we definitely want to keep an eye on Uh, director Wells, you are recommending uh, key gaming employees standard, uh for this particular position Correct. Could you just elaborate a little bit on why IEB believes that's the right standard for this position the, um So I would say it it falls in between the gaming employee level licensure and the type of information that we request and the Key executive which fills out the multi jurisdictional personal history disclosure form and the massachusetts supplement so, uh The difference between the gel form the gaming employee license the key standard the key standard really does also Take a dive into the finances and given that this is uh, involved with marketing and this solar practitioner would not have the supervision of an entity that's uh licensed or the casino where that's licensed We just don't think that's quite enough of a look into the finances and some of the background information So we'd be more comfortable with that higher level of licensure The multi jurisdictional form itself that key employees fill out Has generally the same information as the key standard form, but the key standard form is somewhat streamlined I would say the one area where we don't ask for a lot of information that the multi jurisdictional asked for is for information on relatives So the parents children and other levels of consenuinity that are That are asked about in the multi jurisdictional. I don't think you really need that for this solar practitioner But the general information at that at that level is captured. So we discussed it internally with You know legal and with the gaming agents and think that And with the licensing division and that seems to be the appropriate level given that there's no supervision there's no other entity or casino that's That's overseeing this solar practitioner type employee Well, this is not an employee. It's just the jump in operator So that seems to give us a level of comfort because there is marketing involved in all this I know in this particular position you are concerned about finances And it's my understanding That the two higher level licensing background investigations both have a very strong financial Correct, and they are assigned to a specific financial investigator And there is a whole network analysis tax review that kind of thing and given you know Commissioner sevens mentioned if you're getting this money You're supposed to report on your taxes things like that That's the kind of thing that would be appropriate to just check that everybody's doing the right thing If I'm not mistaken though a key gaming employee standard has to pay a thousand dollar License fee But I mean they're paying Is somebody who's doing this and just Again, not an official business setup. Are they going to want to go through This process and this expense to be able to Offer that service to you or you know entering into that business relationship So we have reached out to a number of the well-known operators that we've previously worked with and We've found that they are willing to participate in the process Even if you included a fee because I think that's not something Are we contemplating charging the same? We would assume so but you know defer to the commission on what you want to do Well because the charge goes back to the company doesn't it on the key gaming standards That's up to the company Yes on an employee side, but obviously if this is a vendor they would pay at all Okay, so it would be like Yeah, I'm I'm kind of just struggling trying to make the difference between the person who's the sole proprietor has a business setup to do this and the individual who's Doesn't do this full time One might be charged a thousand dollars To go the key gaming employee standard group You know, how do we treat the other one if they're Right, but it's a thousand dollars renewable every year. This is a thousand dollars one time shot I just want to make sure be treating everybody fairly in the license Well, I'm not sure that when you say a year Uh, I think a key employee that's a key employee pays a thousand dollars Months, right? Yeah, it's renewable. It's renewable. Yeah, so you pay it again Is it for a key gaming employee? I think yeah standard three or five years. I think yeah, I think originally there's a whole my understanding The commission the commission had the sort of that I think there was Was five years five years initially and then renewals are three years, which is by statute the renewal time is by statute, I believe I know that because bob de salvio is coming up right exactly exactly like my math is coming up You know, so all these folks that we license three years ago are coming up again. Okay Well, I'm comfortable with the recommendation I the you know, I think it's it strikes the balance I I am I see the notion that operationally or functionally rather This would resemble a gel and we do a lot of A lot of investigation on the gel meaning the the lower level But as you point out because this is a sole proprietorship that may not necessarily be within a supervisory structure within the the whole company, you know, it it might merit this additional Look, I don't think going towards Executive or or higher where the BED has to be filled out Really applies here in terms of the information that comes On that form. I wouldn't want that to be a bit of a barrier In in terms of getting some of these people You know engaged. I think it it helps the casino to have them Engaged so mr. Curtis is here If we he just arrived if we have clarification needs Just be in the microphone It's five years on the microphone. It's five years on the initial and then three years Going forward after that every three years renewal. Correct. Yes, correct. You know thousand dollars every time they pay for the Yes What about the gel? I'm just curious gel is 300 dollars And the initial is good for five years and then the renewal is three years after that. That's 300 In the executive Which we didn't talk about but that's a thousand dollars to St. Graham's plus costs So what I'm hearing is that You don't want to see the application fee become a barrier to Engagement, but I'm not hearing any but we are Over I'm hearing a consensus that this is the proper Gaming licensing level But can we monitor then the application fee? But I think what Karen's trying to do is take something we have existing and fit it right that's right unique individual And at the same time, you know, I'm certainly comfortable with The form she's suggesting giving Her team the background and the information that they need to properly investigate folks My only challenge is balancing the individual who's just doing this is Kind of a part-time thing versus somebody who this is their explicit business May not rise to the level of a chunk in enterprise operator, but We're treating everybody fairly consistently But why would that be any any different if you're doing it as a side part time or full time If you are sole proprietorship, yeah, the financial risk the finance that we're eliminating with the background is the same regardless It's the same regardless. Yeah, I understand understand it, but it's it's treating an individual who does this Not is their primary form of business unless I'm Looking at the information line versus somebody who does this as a sole proprietor has an established business That doesn't rise to the level of the chunk at enterprise Operator, I mean if I'm a sole proprietor, I do the chores. I'm not getting to that chunk at enterprise The enterprise comes when you begin to have employees Right and so and you incorporate you have employees Then you have you're formed a company essentially right an enterprise, right? And then you have the two levels of licensure, right for the company Which they would be required to fill and for the individuals which they would also be required to fill But if you have a a sole proprietorship Will be just just one person whether they're doing it's this full time or part time I'd say it's the same level of investigation that we're discussing It presents the same level of risk whether they're starting because they just left the casino and have a cadre of clients that they can bring Or whether they've been doing this for many years that it's a full time Position we would investigate and charge the same I would actually Just the conversation I started thinking about The the fee I suppose And and yes, I would not want that to be a barrier But I suppose the company could enter could could figure that out by themselves And figure figure figure if it is you would either incorporate it in your arrangement Or you would actually bear the cost yourself, which is essentially incorporating it or not For licensure just like you do for other employees So I'm even though I think bring it up through the conversation chair. I I don't think It would be one in which we Might affect The market if you will It would really be up to the company to figure that out In the application fee reflects the the really the professionalism that we're expecting through this particular position As I understand it. There's really a gap in our regulations. We didn't anticipate the solo practitioners that turns out to be the model That that you're encountering That's correct. That's correct. I'm Convinced that this is the right level of licensure And you're and we are going to address reporting step. Yeah, okay It's helpful for me to have a vote just so I'm sure that this is the way to go for the licensure But for the reporting and all that we won't need to vote on that So it makes sense to do vote now if you want to do that I would like to discuss reporting before so I don't know how Oh, however you want to do it is fine with me. Do you want you want but you do want to vote On just on the level of licensure not in the reporting requirements I suppose they are independent To the extent though that In any way the reporting requirements inform your thoughts about the licensure we can go into that discussion I think there's there's separate. I mean it's it's part of the same conversation, but I think Solving you know agreeing that and it sounds like there's a consensus emerging that the key That the level of licensure is what we would anticipate I think it's fine in order to Advance your your work properly then do we have a motion with respect to the licensing level? Madam chair, I'd be happy to move that the commission approved the recommendation of the IEB and the legal department That individuals operating as independent gaming representatives With a sole proprietorship be licensed as key gaming employees As more fully Detailed in the memorandum from IEB director Karen Wells I would remove the sole proprietorship Because if you could actually choose not to LLC and still function in this way And I think it would be the key gaming employee standard that would apply to that regardless whether you incorporate it or not. Is that correct? Well, what we would do is if the application if the enterprise was an LLC Pursuant to the regulations that are in place the LLC You submit the BED for the LLC, but as the executive for the company That person would fill out the key gaming standard like it's a scope of licensing issues similar to what we do with our Gaming vendor primaries and gaming vendor secondary so so the commissioner brand is correct that it doesn't necessarily apply Just to the sole proprietorship You could have someone who does not incorporate who Chooses to take the risk to not be an LLC who could still function as an right and that person would be the key gaming standard, right? All right, I withdraw my motion and let me make it again I move that the commission approved the recommendation of the IEB and the legal department That individuals operating as independent junket representatives be licensed as key gaming employees As more fully described in the memorandum from director welts and associate counsel carried to recited August 8 2019 including in included in the packet And that the IEB begin to accept license applications from from independent junket representatives While the commission is promulgating regulations regarding These representatives and the reporting requirements And that is key gaming standard Right, yes second Any further discussion on This matter and then we'll turn to reporting Okay, all those in favor I opposed Five zero Catherine. Thank you Okay, so the second matter for discussion this afternoon The memo in the packet outlines what other states do as far as reporting requirements for Casino junkets and on page five that is some bullet points regarding recommendations as to what should be in the regulations for reporting requirements Those include the origin of every junket arriving at the premises the names and addresses of participants in the junket The arrival time and date of the junket departure time and date of the junket The name of the light and license number of all junket representatives and junket enterprises involved in the junket In the actual amount of complimentary services and items provided to each junket participant This would be something that the casino would keep on file that we could review if We so desired at any time And in addition the iubis recommending requiring the licensee to submit copies of all the junket agreements to the iubis that we can review those In addition, uh, we're also recommending that the regulations prohibit both one Juckets extending credit to patrons, which miss crumb already indicated. They have no intention of doing that. Anyway And number two, uh, junkets marketing to self excluded persons So we've had some, uh, discussion internally About, uh, attorney to racy also working with, um, mark van der linden and getting his expertise on how to craft that for the commission Is if that's the direction the commission is now Giving us so it would be helpful. Uh, I will report back to attorney to racy on sort of the commission's thoughts on These parameters for the regulations, uh, the other two recommendations about credit and Self exclusion and then if there's anything else the commission would like the staff to incorporate in those draft regulations Which you'll get a chance to view and change if you see Appropriate but just want to make sure we get on the right page before we give you that first draft I would say that your list and the two that you mentioned particularly the self exclusion prohibition Is important as in terms of the last bullet the actual amount of complimentary services I assume that means actual amount in type of complimentary services since it could come in the form of different types of credit So that's right. So they would give a list of what's going on And we already have complimentary reports that we make so this may clear what it is Right, so not just the dollar value amount, but also the actual in kind service And those gaming agents do review those it would be just there's not a sort of An end run around the requirements the casino has to do the don't get operator has to do the same thing I would just um I'm in agreement with with the list as well as the two that you point out I would just put up a finer point on the self exclusion list There is also a no marketing list, which may actually be Larger or um, you know a bit bigger than the self exclusion list I think we should um, it should be because it's essentially a marketing function That the The list to check is also Also include the no marketing. All right. So the prohibition would include the no marketing. There's no marketing. It's not just the self exclusion list I'm also curious, uh, miss kram. Uh, how Is there any is there ever in the arrangements? Is there ever any kind of other? Complementary service that the junket themselves provide to the um Sure, they might provide transportation. That's I think probably the most common. Um, I don't think of anything else Ultimately, all ultimately everything will be will be captured by all of these lists, right? I'm finding this so in reviewing other states, you really put together what you thought were best practices and from director bans experience Of the appropriate items correct to take a look and I think what we'll end up doing is we'll we'll monitor this When it's in practice, but like with anything else before this commission if we See concerns we'll bring it back before the commission if we want to see something else or something else is it or not Um, giving us the same level of comfort as we should have Then we can always revisit it. So it's not as if a one and done Situation where you do this now in six years from now. You can't undo it. We'll we'll let you know if we have any concerns I just wanted to to clarify Uh, the point that we discussed of director wells is that The ieb will receive a copy of each junket agreement Including those with the solo practitioners um And then the other information will not flow directly to ieb those that are put forth in the the bullets right, uh But you and through ieb occasionally audit this kind of information And expect on site and and am I hearing too that we get we would get in the quarterly report The complimentary services from from all the licensees and that would include here So that information does flow directly to the ieb through a quarterly report That's helpful to know And you're not looking for any further guidance in a in a vote or No, just if if there were any other bullet points any other things you wanted us to add that we hadn't thought about I want to make sure we incorporate that if you're in agreement with the Parameters that have been set here. That's what uh, the legal department will put into the regulations and we'll bring that I think at the next meeting. That's that's great. The the one, um items that we have now authorized uh You to proceed with this, um Licensing level in effect. I think it's always best This would be a matter of policy for enforceability A regulation would be great So we would proceed and through the normal course of a regulatory promulgation But keeping it on On a good cadence going forward Exactly Yeah, that would while she couldn't be here today. I'd like to thank associate general counsel to receive for all the work She did Yeah, director wells did mention it and and and said that she had done an excellent job So we miss we're missing carry today, but understand her her work So thank you. And so Jackie all this information in this list is readily available can be produced in reports It's not going to be onerous to no, we can produce all that information readily. Thank you All right, I'm fine. Okay. Thank you very much. You appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you Um, I I believe this is probably a good time for all of us to grab a bite to eat and we'll resume. It is now 130 Uh, this 215 seem to generous To 215 seems would you prefer to do you have? That's fine two two would work uh for us if that works for all. Okay. Thank you. We'll resume back at 2 p.m We're reconvening our public meeting number 275 We're going to start now with item number five on our agenda Thank you the research and responsible gaming report from director mark vinder linden Great. Thank you commissioners Good afternoon. Good afternoon So what i'm bringing before you today is um the fy 20 gaming research agenda And I will ask your for your your guidance and hopefully a vote affirming this agenda Chapter 23 k section 71 directs the massachusetts gaming commission with the advice of the gaming policy advisory committee To carry out an annual research agenda. There are three core functions of what the research agenda is intended to accomplish One is to broadly understand the social and economic effects of expanded gaming in massachusetts Second is to carry out a study of problem gambling and existing Prevention and treatment programs in massachusetts that address its harmful Results before any casinos open up in massachusetts and then finally and this is also rather broad Collecting scientific information about the neuroscience psychology sociology and public health impacts of gambling The research funded under the expanded gaming act is important To fully understand the effects of expanded gaming in in the commonwealth And more importantly the findings are intended to guide the development of interventions and policies that maximize The the positive impacts of gambling in massachusetts and at the same time function to minimize gambling related harm The memo that i'm giving you has um has several pieces to it Under the the fy 20 research plan One is a general description of each project that would be included in this plan Second is the very specific deliverables and activities that are included And finally there's a reference to the section of 23 k Which the the deliverable relates to And as well as a finally a budget review of what the fy 20 research Will cost The fy 20 plan begins to integrate the the gaming research strategy that was was Conducted or completed over the past probably about a year and a half right now That research strategy was was i think an essential component much as the Responsible gaming framework has guided the commission in its efforts Regarding responsible gaming this gaming research strategy will will provide the same this strategy is a multi-year Document that will provide us with valuable information about How to change it not from a research agenda to a research program It highlights key Areas in which we haven't necessarily focused on in the past, but Are important for us to if we really want to accomplish this overall goal of understanding the effects of gambling in massachusetts It integrates some important pieces of that And finally it does it it really calls upon us to do a to to Get the information out to the important stakeholders In a timely manner, which is a challenge of any research, but this concept of knowledge translation That is taking the the mountain of data that we have And maximizing its utility to key stakeholders so they can make them inform Much like we asked for for gamblers in massachusetts make an informed Choice or an informed decision that is based on on evidence rather than on on feelings and and anecdotes The research agenda This fy20 research agenda was approved by the public health trust fund executive committee in may on may 22nd I brought it to the gaming policy advisory committee on july 11th With no recommendations for for changes at that time The gaming policy advisory I'm sorry the public health trust fund executive committee did approve this this budget or this research plan in may The total cost of this Research plan for fiscal year 2020 is two million three hundred and fifty thousand dollars That is a hundred and thirty thousand dollars less than the fy19 approved budget And two hundred and thirty thousand dollars less than the fy18 approved budget for for research specifically Um the the exact uh the more detailed budget and the cost for each deliverable Or for each project. I should say is is on page five of the memo that you have So on page two from page two to four really it outlines as I said each of the the specific deliverables The tasks that are involved in and that deliverable and the statutory and practical significance Um I Like I can go through each each of these deliverables or I can talk to you just big Kind of generally about what the significance and importance of each of the projects that we have have our Why don't I do that and then if you have specific questions we can we can dive into that So on the top of page two Hey, um you can see that we have uh six months worth of work outlined with the Sigma team from from umas amherst That's only a six month plan because um from january 1st to june 30th the second half of this fiscal year We have this workout for repercurement at this point And so the exact work Largely will be defined through this this procurement process There are a number of deliverables that um are coming our way in the first six months Because of the nature that this is an ongoing had been an ongoing project We have a lot of deliverables in this first six months where we're we're being delivered the data And that it would be intended that that successful bidder Would take that data and begin integrating it into their work So for example, um an important task in the in the coming month or two Will be the spring field targeted survey This is a survey of a thousand Individuals in the in the spring field area adult individuals. I should say using address based sampling design That builds on a baseline that was done before mgm spring field opened up The significance of this is to try to get a a handle and understanding of what Changes have happened when you open up a the mgm casino in spring field. What are the changes with gambling behavior participation? attitudes And importantly, what are the changes and problem and at-risk gambling? That information is valuable because um, obviously we take that information and it begins the basis of what is our public health What is our public health approach or strategy to address that and that is done in partnership with our partners at the department of public health and other state agencies Mark just so I understand Again, this is just for Raw data that will be collected by our current uh researcher UMass Yes, and the rfp goes out and this data that's being collected when you issue the rfp Was part of the response the expectations for the response that The ability of the response Responsibility to actually Use this data or do we just assume that they can use that data? Is it universal research standards or was it specific to the rfp on all of these deliveries? Yes, so we we own the data that is collected. It's by contract. We we It is it is our data and so that data then Would be transferred to the uh, so I understand the ownership but Because I I'm I'm not an academic or researcher How the rate the data is collected or because it's simply raw data It's will be the data that will be acceptable to whoever actually is awarded The rfp correct That's correct. Okay. Thank you There's also In case other respondents are interested There is also they would have access not just to all the data But all the the model that's you know, that's underneath to calculate You know the algorithms that that are underneath to calculate incidents, for example So there's it's not just data It's there's also methodology the methodology. That's that's really the better way. Thank you that helps That also that also, you know allows anybody to respond who wants to take this on Yeah, great. Thank you And so you'll see that that a lot of these activities in the first half of The year that will be carried out by UMass or focusing on the spring field and in surrounding areas to understand what the what the impacts are And that includes the mgm patron and license plate survey So for example, they've they've been to the research team has been to mgm In two waves at this point one back in february and then again Last month, so they have this this data And they will be be reporting on that That is invaluable information because it begins to answer questions about what is the origin of the patrons that come to the casino and it answers key questions about repatriation of dollars coming to to massachusetts or We're bringing persons from outside of massachusetts And to to massachusetts to spend their their dollars gambling It includes the a new employee survey Which for For mgm as well as ppc and and encore The encore construction report That this would be another example where we would they the sigma team is collecting the data. They will organize it and The analysis and construction spending impacts will be Done through the through the repercurement So sorry to interrupt again in terms of the new employee survey. We discussed this a little bit. I'm not sure how we left it though mark Understand that they're that the idea is to To understand better the economic impacts on the individual employee And so you're getting kind of baseline information on the new employee And will there be an opportunity to Be able to survey those new employees who continue on in service to find out if if they're anticipated Impacts actually Come to fruition Will will that become part of the agenda? Do you think down the road? So then we could actually so we can track employees down the economic impact on the individual From when they're hired all the way through right because this is uh, you're doing a new employee survey now at mgm We probably did one before on the first round Now the new and yeah, and so i'm just wondering if we could track Particularly if we've done it have we started at encore doing new employees? We have There's an opportunity to maybe start tracking there right Um If I could get back to you with an answer on that, I know that there are complications of of tracking these employees over time And I don't want to give you a wrong answer I would love to say absolutely. We're tracking them over time, but I want to understand understand that completely from our Because of privacy issues, etc Yeah, and well, we have not done a repeat of the same Um Licensee on the employee survey what you articulated is essentially we're coming on the employee survey now on the third time around But only because it's the third casino um Actually, this is a good thought to To have in terms of future research agenda not the one before us relative to how much Follow-up of a prior employee survey should be done in the In in the facility You know, I think I think it's it's it's it's good. It's important. There's a high turnover in the industry That you know, it's in my mind. It's good to To see the trend they they tell us that those very high turnovers Decrease over time and that's that would be a testament to a good Um operation in terms of people But um, but we have not yet planned at least at this point Correct me if i'm wrong a follow-up survey on let's say plane bridge on the employees It has not we have not planned it. It's it's it's a good it's a good thought to to to keep in mind Yeah, mark is reminding me of how we left it that there is potentially some Some barriers legal barriers to getting that kind of information to the extent that there aren't barriers that might be helpful to know how in fact Being an employee at one of our licensed facilities Impacts them economically one presumes favorably if they're staying but that may not necessarily be the case So just the economic impacts in terms of how you measure Right, I think that that follow-up is it and commissioner stephens and I have spoken about this in the past, too You know it it does collect information about what what was the person doing just before they started working at the casino? Were they unemployed were they underemployed? What was their motivation to? To seek a job specifically at the casino A lot of people say it was the excitement and the idea of working working in a casino It would be interesting to see if that Remains true for them One year out. I think that's a fantastic question I can I can follow up with what are the potential barriers of of doing that And perhaps that's something that that through this next phase of of the research can be a focus And moving forward I think I think there's also some Coordination with Jill and how she's trying to format reporting mechanisms from our licensees as to breaking people out by senior level management mid management line level and you know right now I think to Enrique's point they're going to snapshots because we're still in kind of some turnover period But I think you could track diversity in those ranks. See if there are numbers moving up But looking at how those numbers stabilize a little bit But you know without again Immersing ourselves and trying to get it, you know get to the individual which I agree would be helpful because it does help Us better understand why some of you might have stuck with the job and left the job or what they enjoy about the job But aligning those two pieces. Yeah, even even more fundamentally Commissioner Stevens, I was thinking You know maybe shift work accommodates child care costs in a way that they their earlier jobs didn't so therefore Is actually an economic impact I am able to save more because my spouse is able to be home at night time while I do a night shift Because I didn't have that opportunity in my prior job. Just those kinds of child care cost transportation costs Uh The is is there an advantage Or or disadvantage they may say I'm getting promotions, but the the costs Are still actually Staying high so that I don't really feel the advantage of the increased salary Although I feel career advancement. Who knows but Yeah, no, this is a great conversation to have to to get A handle on and what's what's important for the commission to understand too. So I will report back Um, so moving on to the the nix project would be the massachusetts gaming impact cohort This is a project that was funded by the commission back in 2014 I believe 14 or 15 we are in this uh in the next year. So this will be a 12 month Um, a 12 month project that will be conducting Wave six data collection So again, the cohort is is following the same groups a group of individuals over the course of time To begin understanding what is a change of in their in their gambling behavior The unique part about the the massachusetts gaming impact cohort is that is over sampled with Individuals that would be considered at risk or problem gamblers This is a to me One of the more important projects that that we are doing right now Because it contributes to an understanding. What are the predictors of of risky gambling? What are the predictors of of problem or disordered gambling? And that information is is incredibly valuable when you're considering policy and practice Implications Um, so we are expecting wave wave three the wave three report to come before the commission in the next Very very soon. So That means that Waves four and wave four actually is going to be shortly behind that one In terms of a deliver deliverable that's coming to the commission and wave five is under analysis right now Um moving on to the public safety research Again, this is as you know, this is our our work with crime analyst christopher bruce He has he's juggling a number of different projects right now including The mgm eight month public safety impact report So that's building on the four month report that was presented to the commission as well as the baseline He is also finishing up work and it's in the analysis and writing up of the on-core or everett baseline report looking at Approximately five years worth of public safety data prior to the opening of on-core as well as the the year four plane rich park casino report. So He never Sees this still amaze me what what he's able to do with the limited time that if we have him And the quality of work that he does Um risk of asking another question. No, that's right I know that he does have a lot on his plate. I'm wondering if if uh, we have a More definite timeline on any of these deliverables for instance Do you think we'd have that baseline study for Our on-core meeting which is scheduled September 12th by chance just their their quarterly report or are we anticipating? Yeah, I don't know. So, um, we're running into some as he has a lot on his plate We're running into some coordination and logistical challenges with with christopher He has assumed a teaching position in at a university in main And september is is a tough time for him The work that he produces for us is is incredibly valuable. We want to We want to retain that and respect the balance So at this point we're hoping for our meeting with the police chiefs that ever in the surrounding communities Sometime at the very beginning of october And then after at the same time that report will go through our research review committee So that we would be able to if everything moves as predicted. We would have that later in the month of october I think We're going to get him in here for several days in october in which Using that time wisely. We have meetings scheduled or about to be scheduled with The surrounding communities and spring field the surrounding communities and ever at the surrounding communities and plain bill And then an additional meeting on trafficking So we have him in for four different meetings And just trying to figure out that we have them in two days at a time So we've been working on that now for a number of days So we think that's his best our best use and his best use of time And then we will shortly after that, I mean, I think all his work will be done But those meetings just to make sure the chiefs are comfortable The trapping is different because that's much more of a An initial kind of a kickoff I think so, um, I think october's a better time frame. Is there one that you anticipate being first? Is it going to be plain rich or on card? You don't know yet. Well, it's almost You know part of the issue was um Summer vacations getting sure getting folks available. So I think it'll depend on who How many chiefs we can get at which meeting at what time so it's really driven by that as opposed to It is and You know, do we need him twice or can we do all of those four meetings in a couple of days and be on the road for a couple of days? So we're working out those details. He did send us his full availability. So It's it's coming quickly. Um, and then right right after those meetings. We should be able to present Because I could say the the work is done. It's just those final meetings that And right on the heels of that is he begins working then on on the next report specifically especially for MGM and and on and on Coral be it's the initial three month report. Yeah, you know, it ended up being a four month report for MGM Just the way that it worked out The the intention is to get a snapshot of what happened right after The casino opened and then and especially if you think about Are there any issues out of the gate that the commissioner the local law enforcement need to to really be paying attention to that? That are dead data drift Great work. So we're looking forward to getting it Yeah, I am too. You know, I mean that it's it's the the tension between Getting the data as as timely as we possibly can get it And at the same time have the rigor and our method give our give our researchers the The breathing room to do do it right and the rigor of the review process and I have to say in the six the six years that I've been working here that is the tension that that We experienced on almost every single deliverable and What what I can stand by is is the the findings and the the results that are presented to you And to others that we can really stand behind those findings and you know Christopher is very good is if you see something in real time he will report that so we're not waiting Four months to find out if there's something that needs immediate attention So that piece is is very valuable from a public safety system. Yeah, thank you for that clarification It's important. Thank you. Yeah um Okay, so then moving on to the community engaged research arm of the research programs call it now So we the community engaged research is to more deeply understand and address the impacts of the introduction of casino gambling The topic or issue that Is researched is driven by the community so it'd be a question that that the community would have We hold on to the same Research rigor So while it's driven by the community we We expect there to be a connection with a research team in order to to To carry out the the actual research Great examples of that of research that's been done to date Is work that we did with the Bedford VA report that was generated from that work that was driven by an agency called jsi looking at African-american perspectives on gambling and different regions of the state And finally a research deliverable that was just complete and I hope to bring to the commission is looking at gambling behavior among persons who live in the Boston Chinatown neighborhood And and specifically more shift workers That that work in that in that neighborhood in fiscal year 19. We awarded three new contracts One that is looking at the Hispanic and Latino communities in greater Springfield Going back and funding additional research in the Boston Chinatown neighborhood with funding to the Boston Chinatown neighborhood association and looking at Gambling behavior and impacts among older adults that research being led by the mass council and compulsive gambling In cooperation or in partnership with a local Agency serving older adults and in the southeastern part of the state Um, this is great great research. I think it's a great compliment to the To the broader research that that's being carried out by at this point by our segment team But this sort of statewide Regional approach. I think that it's really important to have Have those types of questions come up and for us to be able to have a funding mechanism to answer questions from local communities Yeah, let me spend a minute. That's a great summary, but let me just spend a minute to add to that Because even though there's been already some research emerging out of that process. It's a fairly new Uh in our in the arc of our research Project here. It's a fairly new aspect one that the strategic plan which is also in the packet identifies As a key feature of where we should be going with More you know community input not just a group of researchers or commissioners coming up with what should be studied That's fine, but there's a big supplement Which is what is the community? really Interested in learning or the banking or verifying Not only that there's usually and the three Studies that you mentioned and the ones that we will be seeing Also get to something that the big surveys don't quite get to And those are things more on the qualitative side of Um You know of different groups how different groups are affected differently Which again was the genesis of these three subgroups to begin with the the very early The big baseline study We were not able to ascertain too much about certain groups because of the sampling size So there was a lot of questions relative to margin of error and whatnot um with Funding these type of research for different groups Allow us to really begin to at least understand Why are some communities hard to reach from about surveys or what aspects to the how they think But gambling and whatnot So um as you as you correctly say, it's a great supplement It's one that I think we should continue as the years progress Um, we should see a little bit more Yeah, thank you um The next element of the the research program is the data transfer storage and access project And this is something that we've been working on for quite some time. How do this this could Relates, I feel like to some of the knowledge knowledge translation work that Let's we have we we have amassed a lot of data Through this research program through this commitment that the gaming commission has made Let's let's let's continue to maximize Let's make sure that that individuals researchers Have access to that data so they can do their own analyses and And it only strengthens our our research program and strengthens strengthens the field That just by just does not have a lot of funding to it So we we have uh, we have a great resource here and it's trying to figure out a system Which we we protect the data that we have but at the same time make sure that it's available for research purposes um, this also Fits in another piece that fits under this would be the section 97 data. That's uh, it's a statutory requirement that we gather um player card data and actual play behavior from Each of the casinos and that in turn becomes Accessible for researchers for research purposes um This is a project that we've been in partnership with the Department of Public Health on They have the types of safeguards and mechanisms in place to assure the the safety of of this data And again much like we want to make sure that the findings that we have are solid We want to make sure the data that we have is protected um, and the final piece of it is research review A group that I could not We we could not assure the quality of the research that we have without this without a committee that Independently reviews the the deliverables that come to my inbox asking them A very highly qualified group To to review provide feedback and guidance to our research teams That's the sort of the final step before we release it to to Before we release it publicly So that is the fy 20 research plan It I believe as you can see Relates and supports the statute It's guided by The gaming research strategy And it builds upon some of the the amazing work that has been done to date In massachusetts around gaming research I mean, I think you may have alluded to it at least or perhaps Certainly from the from the memo here you can derive that As you will remember we're going through a procurement of this The sigma portion Which Completed its sixth year on their contract recently A couple of the activities highlighted here are effectively The tail end of those deliverables Some of the funding here is reserved for Whomever picks up that part of the project Depending on the respondents Etc And there's other aspects that are not being re procured Notably the magic project which again you highlighted here some of the other Because that is under a different Time frame It might be re procured at a later time Or next year perhaps Same with some of the other Community driven research and whatnot So I just wanted to highlight that I'm sorry for getting short Mark I think I like everything you've walked through I think what's interesting is you look at your strategy, which you also included for us and the great work that went into that What's interesting to me is watching how I think you've been referred to is Driving the knowledge out to other stakeholders other people that can utilize the information Um, I think there are a lot of components, you know the patron survey You know the new employee survey There's a lot there that I think would be of value to The local tourism bureaus local economic development officials. I think even if you get to You know some of the public safety stuff that you know commissioner camera and tracks Sharing that information actually with our local community mitigation advisory committees so they can begin to think about guidelines and Steps to take with the community mitigation funds use I think all that is It's it's doing the research, but as you point out, it's just as important to share that information now to the number of stakeholders that want to see it as well right I should note that not in this document, but quite possibly for next year next fiscal year Or perhaps Well, yeah, quite possibly next fiscal year. We should be thinking about The redo of the big general population survey Which it's it's just a coming attraction and you will that will certainly have a big cost component If it's somewhat similar to what we did Last the first time around But we will ascertain all of that with some of the results that we get from that procurement The recommendations are appropriate. The research planned is Certainly in keeping with following Following what we've done, but obviously Looking to improve at every every step makes sense to me Need a motion to approve this? I do. Yes Madam chair, I'd move that the commission approve the fy 2020 research plan as described in the memo From director of research and responsible gaming mark van der linden dated 8 15 2019 included in the commission packet Through a second second Any further questions discussion all those in favor I Opposed five zero. Thank you. Thank you very much. Very very helpful And I have I have some follow-up. I will I will be presenting back to you We are moving on to item six on the agenda the administrative update a little out of order today All good. Thank you. So thank you for hanging in there. No problem. Thank you. Good afternoon commissioners I will not be all that long might be good news But the commissioner stephens had asked at a The agenda setting meeting for an update on racing And I think you all know this but let me give you the details on august 1st The legislature passed chapter 47 the acts of 2019 which extended the current horse racing And wagering statutes general laws 120 a and c until january 15 2020 the good news was that on that particular day august 1st There was no disruption in racing or simulcasting either a ppc or for simulcasting any of our other licensed simulcasting venues That those acts chapter 47 of 2019 Extended the current legislation in its form with one exception And that's the exception that suffix downs hold a live racing day 1 to 50 in order to simulcast um That requirement was deleted Otherwise all at other aspects of the racing remained intact Which will stay that way until january 15th unless the legislature happens to do something Before that which does mean which does mean that I might be anticipating something here That applications for next year will be due by october 1st With action by the commission by on on or by by november 15th 2019 this year so Little bit of a Interesting situation because people if they decide to put in racing applications Obviously ppc. We would assume would Whether there'll be other folks doing that. Um, we have yet to see I think we have done something in the past Where we did a the commission thought about a placeholder status So These are things we need to think about We Might get a little more granular as that date gets closer In the meantime, we will work with the commission and staff to think about how we could help the legislature And their responsibilities in the fall. We will want to Do everything we can to participate in that process And one of the proposals did ask for that and it just didn't end up in the final. So I think that's really Responsive, I think that's a great idea. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So the requirement of the holding one day of live racing to continue Simulcasting is no longer in the in this new In the extension in the extension to january 15. So soft rock downs could technically simulcast between january 1 and january 15 Exactly Exactly, right So it's uh Hey, it's a right now. It's basically a two week period at which at the end of it. There's again will have to be Some type of legislative action presumably Well, there's no live racing in january 15. Yeah, that's right right now. We've not yet Um, anyway, it would only be simulcasting who might be interrupted if the legislature decided not to act until the last day Correct, or even after The legislature did request information pertaining to Employment numbers associated with simulcasting. I don't know if all the commissioners received that but That's not lost on the legislature that would sign. Am I saying? Yes simulcasting kept on saying Syndication the other day simulcasting There are jobs associated and I think it was over 200 if I remember correctly Yeah, it was broken down to part time and in full time, but yeah between the Three facilities we say or two facilities three facilities, right? So there was yeah, right and ppc Well, and and and then there is there's also the all the live racing at ppc jobs That some I'll get a little bit lost in the shuffle in my opinion Because everybody's thinking about, you know It's up about but when um or might be But you know the the disruption comes also to plane reach If this was to be I don't know, but Expire or or what have you Sure I think the chair made a good point about you know the the one of the versions had asked for Impact on simulcasting even though that was stripped out. I would still like to see us Be proactive and share that information back. We've never shied away from communicating with the legislature Information we felt was valuable, you know the employment as well as Taxes and everything else there's a financial piece to this that impacts not only just the commonwealth with some of the communities And I I don't think we should hesitate or shy away from giving another push to the force racing bill that we've put in front of the legislature on a number of occasions to again, we don't want this industry to be forgotten or Uh lost at this point. I think you made a great point. We'll see what we get for applications, but That prefer to us to maybe be a little more proactive and a little less reactionary and Following up on you know the impact on simulcasting would be a great way to Push some information out there for the benefit of the lawmakers to make the appropriate decision Yeah, and and to be clear during the last several months there was a lot of Very well coordinated communications up to the legislature through our office and through the good work of john samba and others kathryn others And and With respect to the legislative process and the calendar The decision-making did come very very late However, we did communicate our our concerns and they were received and I think they were Received they think they appreciated the input from the gaming commission and and I um would say that we had Full cooperation from the governor's office at that at that last hour To so that we could make sure kathryn was able to provide important guidance at the end to know What time um was critical so As much as that it did seem very last minute and it was for our folks There is a lot of magic that goes on in the legislature that I suspect Many of us will never understand But the good news is it didn't impact our spacing right For this year and so I only say that because I want to make sure given Our ability to communicate together right now that John and kathryn were making calls continuously and was involved they were we were um Working to make sure that And with alex, of course, she's not here to that vacation is to make sure that we could preserve that raising day Gail of course was informed as well. You know and on that note Is there you you were mentioning commissioner stephens the notion of um, you know, you called it I guess the the the bill or the We proposed or we pushed if you will Um, I I'll remind everybody that you know, we will require to do that by statute by the original 23k We're supposed to look then and recommend improvements to Both the live racing and the simulcast Sting statutes we we proposed 128 d If I remember correctly, um, I wonder if there if if there would be Or in your conversations or if they would be beneficial for to have those conversations with that context that After all these one-year extensions, it occurs to me that that original proposal that would fix Or give us the discretion To to to fix all the moving pieces of the history of the gaming of the racing statutes I I I wonder if that's getting enough attention My guess is that it's not when it comes down to the last week or days But my hope is that now with a few months That we could have you know that reminder or those discussions to say Here's the broader context. Here's the research that we did Here's why we proposed the certain things that you simplify all these takeouts into one that you Do etc etc in addition to Things like what are the jobs that are associated with this industry? Just you know to hopefully have a shot at Something that would be more of a permanent fix rather than than a and I and I I do believe that we should approach us in a in a comprehensive and strategic fashion and I Gail has taken the leadership on horse racing and I'm hoping that she'll continue to do that Junction with the executive staff and I think that The goal is to use these next several months in the fall to to help Inform the legislature and others who are stakeholders of at least what We think might be helpful and again without getting over our skis too quickly too much Work work where those stakeholders to to be helpful, but also advocate as um I appreciate that We have real interest in preserving this industry and preserving these jobs both with respect to All jobs that are associated with horse racing. So I think that gail of you know, I'm kind of Remembering her original assignment on horse racing and we just actually spoke briefly this morning about it But she'll continue with her leadership role and we'll stay on a good timeline because Time is short now and I think to all the points it may be worth um For executive staff also reviewing that legislation. I mean, I think that was certainly During a different commission makeup and also the context might just change slightly, right? You know If we had legislation and I'm not saying our legislation isn't that agile, but You know the horse race development fund may be one of those issues the legislature wants to address How does our legislation necessarily deal with that doesn't presuppose a certain funding or not We just I think I'm not talking about major changes. I think I'm talking about tinkering Just making sure we're all okay So it might be worth that one of our meetings in september and october staff I'm bringing back to the commission and saying hey, are we is this Exactly what you think would be absolutely. There's there's definitely assumptions that we may have made then that Should be revised or we thought or new ones My point is that you know It would be too too much of a pity if we find ourselves In january 10th, let's say In a similar situation And I'm not suggesting that it would be for lack of anybody here trying I'm suggesting and agreeing with Many of the points made here, especially you commissioner about being proactive towards You know informing what what I know to be a very complex history of legislative history, you know these live racing and simcasting statutes and And what I see only from the proposed Legislation even though a lot of it ultimately fails Of what the thinking may be up there That you know, they may be thinking well, maybe there's a balance from the race or Isabella. In fact, could we use it somewhere else? I think to the extent that we could we should explain What is was first designed to do what it might not be doing and what it is in fact doing I'm a lot of good point and It's not just our bill. There are a number of bills That the legislature now has given themselves time to deal with and we will support In every way possible Getting information if we think it's important or responding when they make requests So Right, I know there are a number of factors that could change the landscape We just don't know but the legislature now has time and We will we will serve in that role I think as effectively as we possibly can And again with under A strict timeline and then we'll find out what happens in january, but we should at least be as helpful as possible So it was excellent that commissioner stephens asked for that update and we'll proceed but probably On a regular basis Get updates as to where we are positioning in terms of timeline So thank you. That is my short update Nothing else Do we have any other questions for uh director bejoshan at this time anything coming up our In terms of that you would want him focused on Okay, excellent. Thank you. Thank you Now we're moving on to our minutes. We really are in reverse order today Uh, madam chair in your packet you have the uh minutes from the meeting uh, the full commission meeting on july 18th 2019 i'd move for their approval Is always subject to correction for any type of graphical errors or any other non-material matters um, the only comment i had was um the bottom of page 13 The discussion of the hamding county district attorney's office Uh, I did mention and I'd like that to be emphasized that I wanted a meeting with the mdaa in the various uh, da office stakeholders to work together Uh, when they're developing the system for tracking the cases Do you want to say what that acronym is? Uh, the mdaa is the mass district attorney's association I just had one. Oh, did you have a No, I just was recalling that conversation and I actually answered my question in my head So So we're good. I was going to ask you a question about that, but then I recall that exact discussion And on the uh page 12 and 13, I think it's just a matter of um placement in terms of order on the end of Um the last paragraph at the bottom of page 12 it mentions that Um, I noted that I was singularly situated And that it does say I'm not likely to support the motion, but the motion hadn't been made In I mean, I the motion had been made by commissioner Cameron, but this suggests it came after my statement. So Because I remember um Gail you had moved and I you know I indicated I wouldn't support So maybe we could just put them the motion right after the paragraph that starts with general counsel If that's consistent, my memory isn't wrong Any other uh Comments about the the minutes any edits Very well done as always very well done. I uh, if it's any help I um I signed off on all the grants that we approved On behalf of Derek was out And I used the minutes to make sure very you were in accordance with what we voted Yeah, it's very great. Really really well done Kudos to char. It's not really me burning the midnight oil. It's It's very good work. Thank you char Okay, so do we have a motion? Oh, I mean You made it second. You will have a second. Thank you All those in favor Hi Opposed five zero Commissioner Oh the legal division my apologies and we're now on to A general counsel blue Good afternoon commissioners. Good afternoon We have four regulations before you today. They are in the final stage of promulgation I will lead off with the first one. I have deputy general counsel Grosman and other staff to come and speak to you about the balance of them So the first one is the 205 cmr 6.35. This is the pick and pulls and as you may recall This adds an additional set of wagers to the racing regulations This provides more of a more product as they say to the the wagers at the track We have had the public hearing on this regulation. We did not receive any other comments So we believe it is ready to go to the final promulgation process As you may recall racing regulations are a little bit different once you approve them We send them to the legislature where they have 60 days to provide any comments to us And if they don't provide comments at that point it becomes final Madam chair, I move that the commission approved the amended small business impact. Well Do that first the the amended small business impact the 205 cmr 6.35 pick and pull included in the packet I second that Any discussion on favor? I opposed I further moved that the commission approved the version of 205 cmr 6.35 pick and pulls as included in the packet and authorized the staff to take all steps necessary to finalize The regulation promulgation process second Any questions All those in favor I Opposed five zero The second regulation that we have is an amendment to 205 cmr 102.02 These are definitions particularly the definitions pertaining to minority business enterprise and Veterans business enterprise and I have jill griffin here today who can explain to you the comment that we got we received feedback from plane ridge park casino and plane ridge is interested in and has has raised Practices in other jurisdictions of colorado, missouri, iowa, ohio mississippi and nevada In those gaming jurisdictions They accept all certificate all diversity certifications And affidavits from all states So they're suggesting that that Could be an option for the massachusetts gaming commission to use Additionally, they raise some mbe certifications The national minority supplier development council other state certifications that they Suggest that we include in our definitions To make those definitions broader I'm however recommending that we follow our state supplier diversity office Procedures and that This is consistent with the practice that we did during construction With the exception of an update to the vbe Category because now our state supplier diversity office Is I was interested and we we did have a chance to discuss this previously With director griffin. I did anyway With regard to Two things one What were our concerns slash risks with using out of state documents and I know you pointed out that Um An important piece here in the commonwealth is a site visit To and that really is an effective way to Make sure there isn't fraudulent activity around this process So that actually made a lot of sense to me But at the same time it was important to me that we were not being onerous or It wasn't discouraging folks, but you you did have a chance to explain that the The in-state certification is really um been streamlined Um and not onerous to those individuals safe from another state who may have a certification elsewhere They can download it that'll You know kind of save time in the process So I I thought that was an important piece to the fact that We're asking you to do it here, but paid attention to the process and and it has been streamlined Um And it isn't in your opinion overly onerous. Is that is that accurate? That's accurate. And I actually had an additional conversation with the supplier diversity office They they reiterated That there is great variety from state to state in terms of standards For example, new jersey in new york don't do site visits. Um, and Uh, that's where some of the fraud can come in um Additionally they raised that um, they are in the final stages of a Memorandum of understanding with the The national lee bank the wbe certification entity so so Folks who have that certification Soon will have a very speedy process To to get their certification through the supplier diversity office They're open to other Arrangements as long as they have a working relationship with Certification entity and that entity has very strong standards and guidelines So in the example of new york and new jersey if a business from new york Let's say who has been certified by the agency there Wanted to use the streamline process in massachusetts and upload information Could they be certified by the sdo? So they cannot be certified by the sdo without a site visit Um, so they would likely need to get certified not by their State entity that doesn't do the site visits by but perhaps by another entity maybe the excuse me the We bank entity or the Equivalent of the greater new england minority supplier development council But without a site visit our state will not certify And they they raised I asked For a rationale they raised a Recent situation that occurred. They did give me permission without Names of companies of course, but in massachusetts a site visit that occurred They were in best, you know The certification investigator was meeting with One of the wbe owners a woman owner She owned 51 but you also need to Prove that you actually have control of the business in this case the Woman was asked If she had a business card and she said no, I don't have a business card and they said The investigator noticed that the husband's business cards that indicated that he was present Were right on the desk So, you know, there are situations like that that they can uncover with a site visit So they were married and She was listed as 51% owner And the husband was the president So in addition to um, and I think most states have this requirement in addition to Owning 51 of the business you need to show that you have Control of the business and and that you're actually involved in the business Making decisions I think that's the example that I would use to to say why it's appropriate to amend it the way you're amending it And leave it to supplier to diversity office It's their bailiwick in terms of when they think it's appropriate to have reciprocity and not And I think site visits are a perfect example of why we wouldn't make exceptions like penn is asking us to make and amend it the way You asked us to amend it I agree with that and I I think to do otherwise that Could really put our own WBEs and MBEs at a disadvantage because unless we could truly hold out of state vendors to the same Expectations For instance, jill would be going and doing site visits. It would put A stronger onus on on our own Businesses, it doesn't make sense the uh, you're quite right my experience Working with those states extensive in there have been extensive Streamlining to make sure that vendors from out of state are given opportunities here And and yet also ensure the safeguards that You know you've pointed out In terms of the site visits that is a way to make sure that in fact they are true Truly either women Business enterprises and minority business enterprises that they do have the control Yeah, I would I would just add, you know, this is it's Important to remember this doesn't cost a vendor or anything. It is great Massachusetts does provide this. I think we have a good mix of National certifications included so that if you aren't here in Massachusetts, you might have pursued certification through one of the national partners This also doesn't preclude any Massachusetts business from doing business with one of our licensees. It just Doesn't allow them to be counted toward their minority women and veteran own goals until they get some type of certification We're mindful of the integrity of this process and making sure that Counts and data and you know stories of you know the good news stories we expect, you know are Are valid And again, you know, this might actually give an opportunity for our licensees to up some numbers If one of the companies that they're currently doing business with doesn't have a certification it allows them to start counting them. So And again, you know, this was One of those specific pieces of 23k that talked about Our licensees having plans to do businesses with minority women and veteran owned companies. I mean it was It was that specific that I think it it's reflected in this level of specificity that would give some guidance as to what the true credential is to help us meet the goal Yeah, I I I read also the comments from Penn and I found them interesting I I don't suggest I don't agree that we should be as perhaps liberal as Some of the states that they list and it's just simply accepting anybody else Because there is that potential or that risk, but I it did make me think of What does an additional certification May mean however streamlined in terms of potential barriers so if somebody was certified elsewhere and We either came to know or the supplier diversity office came to know that that's a legitimate certification body Because they do site visits and they do all these other things That the way the current Regulation stands is restrictive simply to be certified by the supply diversity office here so I wonder if there is at least any kind of you know language that we could insert in terms of as maybe as determined by either us or The track record or some or allow for some kind of reciprocity with you know allowing that If we are comfortable that there's a body out there again after some period of record track record that there's somebody out there wherever they are Because they're the greater New England Council they certify people from all of New England for example The additional Certification step that's embedded here Just might I don't know that it will but just might serve as a barrier for somebody getting certified so I I think you know the fact that The concern is greatly ameliorated by the fact that The it doesn't cost to be certified as you correctly point out by the SDL It can be a lot of information could be uploaded Which is great that there's use of technology but at least the idea that I think is salvageable in terms of or worthy of Considering from one of the comments is that of reciprocity if there would be other Bodies that we would be comfortable with Uh accepting their certification Because there's either enough track record enough familiarity or enough Comfort level with how they do things I think the problem with that though is the the people with the expertise to make the determination of the quote unquote If we're comfortable is really OSD right and not us And so I think the better way to do it is this understanding they're moving toward things like a national We-bank recognition and reciprocity and things like that and when you want certification go both ways Right, not just letting you want mass juice companies have the advantage of being reciprocity in whatever other jurisdiction right One of the things jill and I have talked about is once this is formalized thinking about a communication that could go out Everybody we already know is registered or licensed in our system saying Be aware of this change be aware, you know, here are the actual access points to do this And I think to your point In the process that we've learned from OSD if you currently hold a certification from another state Here's a process by which you can have that certification reviewed by OSD again, ultimately leaving the decision making But I think something that maybe spells out how somebody can work around You know, uh, what might appear to be a barrier To do it not necessarily through the regulation, but you know That a pretty thoughtful communication out to people so that we don't leave people on the outside They still have a process or aware of what they can do to become recognized by OSD And again just using information that they may have already provided their own mistake And I again Would emphasize to do otherwise would mean that For our massachusetts companies They would be subject to a more stringent review Than what we might be requiring about a state Because they would have to be unless we're going to waive certification processes from massachusetts Where there's no reciprocity obviously because it's our state I don't I don't Don't think it would probably, you know, create a level playing field So, uh, I think, you know, commissioner brian has said it They are the the experts they have made They work Tiresly to break down the barriers that I think that I understand that you may assume that are out there The national, uh, certification process is an excellent one where they're going to use, you know enterprises that they trust to do a The thorough job that we expect so, uh I would recommend that we actually rely on the state experts to create consistency in For for our licensees I think it's a sound recommendation. I don't chair. Are you ready for a motion? I am So I move the commission approved the amended small business impact statement for 205 cmr one oh two oh two definitions included In the packet Any for the discussion The only comment I would say is I um, we appreciate Cambridge Park casino weighing in and um in our public comment process We thank you for Do I have um all those in favor? I I opposed Five zero Further move that the commission approved the version of 205 cmr one oh two oh two definitions as included in the packet and authorized the staff to take all steps necessary to finalize The regulation promulgation process second Those in favor I Opposed five zero. Thank you Moving on to eight c Thank you. Uh, thank you. Mr. Director. Thank you Mr. Roseman will present on the amendments to 205 cmr 143.02 Thank you. Good afternoon, uh Mr. Helwig and I were last before you a number of months ago recommending this particular amendment, uh, it pertains to Essentially the physical security of progressive gaming devices. Mr. Helwig could certainly explain the technical components of this but The lay version of it is that when we first Adopted this regulation. We did not account for the fact that a progressive gaming device Could be integrated into the software Of a slot machine and we said essentially it has to be Behind lock and key in a number of areas So what we set out to do based on a number of inquiries that mr. Helwig received from our licensees Was to clarify this section to say that essentially A progressive controller is considered secure if it's either integrated into the software Or it's housed In a dual key controlled environment, which we allowed previously Or some alternative that someone brings to us that we deem to be equally secure So that's the overview of the section essentially as you Likely observe this amends a section of gli 12, which is The uniform standard the commission has adopted governing progressive gaming devices in general And just modifies what they have in there at their direction Todd I just had a quick question down the bottom It says no controller may be accessed until written notice is provided to the commission And then we say no whenever the progressive controller and or bank controller has been accessed written notification shall people Provide it to the commission I think that came from the last time this was before us where I was concerned that not having the second sentence Would not let us know if a breach happened So it was putting the onus on them That if something happened and they hadn't notified us that they had to immediately notify And so I had asked them to amend the language accordingly Never mind I should have gone to the source. Thank you With that if there are no further questions we would Request a motion to adopt these changes and so we can finalize the promulgation process Madam chair, I'd move the commission approved the amended small business impact statement for 205 cmr 143.02 progressive gaming devices included in the packet I opposed 5-0 Madam chair, I'd move the commission approved the version of 205 cmr 143.02 progressive gaming devices as included in the packet And authorize the staff to take all steps necessary to finalize the regulation promulgation process Second All those in favor Opposed 5-0 Now thank you. Nice to see you Thanks. Thank you Um Moving on to 8d The Final regulation before you today consists of amendments to 205 cmr 152. This is the excluded persons list These amendments do a couple of things. They conform the hearing process that was originally in this section with our overall hearing Process in 205 cmr 101 It also allows an appeal by both parties if you remember initially under the excluded persons list Only the party could appeal it but the IEB could not appeal the hearing officer's decision So now either party can appeal And then finally that we've added language to allow the commission to revoke Condition or suspend the license of a licensee who does not take an excluded person out of the gaming establishment Sorry, what was the last aspect the last one gives the commission The ability to revoke limit condition suspend or find a gaming licensee if it knowingly or recklessly fails Yes, thanks paragraph 6 Are there any questions on this for uh, I'm I'm I think that counselor Lilios may have briefed you on this in the past. She's out today. So thank you counsel blue Any questions for Catherine? Okay, do I have a motion? Madam chair. I move the commission approved the amended small business impact statement for 205 152 individuals excluded from gaming establishment included in the packet second All those in favor I opposed five zero Madam chair. I further move the commission approved the version of 205 cmr 152 Individuals excluded from a gaming establishment as included in the packet and authorized staff to take all steps necessary to finalize the regulation application process So any discussion all those in favor I opposed five zero Thank you very much. Thank you Well Janice you performed quite remarkable timing and we're just a little bit off but the commissioners updates Uh, yep, I um Along with commissioner bryan had a chance to meet with Sheriff coutusion this week earlier this week He the sheriff and his staff took the initiative of conducting a problem gaming survey with with inmates at the facility and The sheriff reached out to us to Uh, collaborate to share the information first and then secondly to Talk about ways that we could collaborate with the research that he has done So I think we had a very um interesting meeting. I know um director van der linden who's not here now, but um He discussed a number of ways the collaboration Could happen the sheriff was very open to that And I think it really could add to the research that we do We also had a chance to tour the facility and see the good work they're doing With different units new ideas here in the commonwealth. So that was that was nice to see but in particular the The work around the uh, the gaming study the gambling study Was was important work Something that they took the initiative to do and So that was uh, that was a good meeting. Some of the staff members were here too Commissioner bryan anything to add just that the Harpus of it was really get a baseline Before on core hit open and one of the things that um, we noted that I think mark van der linden would follow up It's on sharp contusion on is because we don't have online sports betting now is the perfect time to get the baseline of what Sort of the illicit market and or the limited market is now and then see what if any impact it has because the The type of money that might be required to go into on core at this point might be a limiting factor on getting the Impact that you might have anticipated on the population that's in mass corruption in middle sex But that that might not be the same for sports betting Particularly if it goes online and so mark was going to work with them to really try to get a baseline on that With the understanding there's a real possibility that that would be coming in the near future Did mark say that there's some that the baseline study the original Um, the baseline study Did a transports betting at all do we have any data? We do. Yeah, there's behavior. We learn how you know the type of gambling modalities that people engage in Including illegal and online And at the general, uh, you know, it's it's time as as I was talking earlier to do the the redo But uh, but yeah, we we do have some information about that And then forgetting what is otherwise. Yeah, I think this is right If particularly where the sheriffs come in is there anything else they can do as part of rehabilitation and incarceration This particular operation. Yeah, and he's looking at you know, what are the stressors? What are the causes of reoffense and stuff like that, right? You know similar but they he has an independent purpose for But it'd be interesting to know in a subpopulation like this If there's a correlation or not Yeah, no, this is this is another one of those, uh, a general population survey will not have enough inmates if you will Or former inmates For for it to ascertain any kind of real Um You know understanding of of those subpopulations But as community driven research as I was explaining on targeted population Like the sheriff is doing Or like we could collaborate Could really go a long way towards understanding You know those those things or those idiosyncrasies that might be different From other other groups, right? Because I know in new jersey. They did they produced some early stats But uh, not with respect to that population with respect to the disability community with respect to minorities So that would be really interesting And so mark is going to follow up on this. Yes. He is he was he was actually most excited about this work And um, it's and really yeah, the the sheriff is um, is very very much, um committed to Data driven research analysis and then using that to To tweak programs So this was a good initiative Yes, and on that note, uh, marlene warner has been um, who is the As you know, the the head of the executive director of the mass council and compulsive gambling Has made comments into has provided comments and has been telling us on the public health trust fund About the need to look at or the potential to look at people who have gone through the criminal justice system and their levels of gambling at risk gambling behavior and and and Or whether it was their gambling that puts them into the Into the criminal system. So there's There's really an area for us to collaborate not just with entities like the sheriff. I'm really glad that They're being proactive in this sense, but there's other groups like the mass council and you know and dph who would be interested in understanding, you know All of those uh nexus Any other updates? Do you want to update us on europe? Oh, it was hot. It was fun Oh, we were jealous Do I have a motion to adjourn? So moved All those in favor. Aye. Aye opposed Five zero. Thank you