STATE OF MICHIGAN

MICHIGAN GAMING CONTROL BOARD

PUBLIC MEETING

Cadillac Place

3062 W. Grand Blvd., Suite L-700

Detroit, Michigan

Thursday, June 29, 2006

10:30 A.M.

MINUTES

On Thursday, June 29, 2006, the Michigan Gaming Control Board held a special public meeting at the Board office in the Cadillac Place, 3062 W. Grand Blvd, Suite L-700, Detroit, Michigan.

Present:            In attendance were the following Board members:

                                                 Damian Kassab, Chairman

                                                 Judge Benjamin Friedman

                                                 Mr. Donald Robinson

                                                 Ms. Barbara Rom

                                                 Judge Michael Stacey

                         Also attending were:

                                                 Dan Gustafson

                                                 Laurie Lander

                                                 D/F/Lt. Vickie Johnson

                                                 Ben McMakin

                                                 John Page

                                                 Tom Barker

                                                 Jack Cahill

Business:          Board Chairman Damian Kassab called the special public meeting to order at 9:04 a.m. and noted for the record that all Board members were present.

                        Chairman Kassab invited Dan Gustafson to give an overview of proposed Board Resolution 2006-01 regarding vendor exemptions and waivers from supplier licensing requirements pursuant to R432.1322(4) and R432.1223 and delegation of authority to the Executive Director to grant vendor exemptions and waivers.

                        After Mr. Gustafson’s summary and questions from Board members were answered, Judge Stacey requested and received permission from Chairman Kassab to make the following statement on his position regarding this matter.

                                     By habit I rarely compliment attorneys, but I believe that Mr. Atkins has done a remarkably fine  job of advocacy in this case in presenting the position of his clients.  The fact that the Board is  meeting specially here today to consider the issues raised by him is a tribute to that skill. 

                                     For almost ten years the Michigan Gaming Control Board has been charged with the responsibility of overseeing the three casinos in Detroit.  And making certain that they have been operating within the framework of total honesty and integrity.  And I believe that this Board and its very able staff have been discharging that obligation effectively, diligently, and without any special favor to anybody.  I also understand that the Board has the concomitant obligation to, where possible, improve the civic, cultural, and business environment of the surrounding communities.

As I examine the issues to be addressed this morning, I noted that in the particular area we were talking about, that some 14 licenses or exemptions have been issued under the current and existing regulations.   I also noticed that the proposed changes may require some re-certification, hopefully expeditiously, could become a very complicated problem.

                                     However, having said all this, I am of the opinion that keeping the gaming industry operating honestly is by far the primary function of this Board.  So speaking only for myself, I find that the arguments as able as they are in asking for a change are not, to me at least, so persuasive or compelling to justify changing the rules under which this Board functions merely to profit a small number of businesses that could have complied with the existing rules and regulations and achieve licensure.  I personally do not believe that the requested changes are desirable or indeed, even prudent.

Upon conclusion of Judge Stacey’s comments, it was moved by Judge Friedman and seconded by Mr. Robinson that the Board adopt proposed Board Resolution 2006-01 regarding vendor exemptions and waivers from the supplier licensing requirements pursuant to Rule 432.1322(4) and Rule 432.1223 and delegation of authority to the Executive Director to grant vendor exemptions and waivers, and as amended by deleting the words “on-site” in IV.5.c of the proposed Resolution 2006-01.   A roll call vote was taken.

                                     Chairman Kassab:            Aye

                                     Judge Friedman:              Aye

                                     Mr. Robinson:                  Aye

                                     Ms. Rom:                       Aye

                                     Judge Stacey:                Nay

                         There being no public comment, Chairman Kassab adjourned the meeting at 9:46 a.m.

                         ______

                                 Patricia S. James

                                 Board Secretary