Fulton Chamber of Commerce

Agenda

February 12, 2008

Noon

1. Call to Order

2. Minutes  (following pages 2 & 3)

3. Treasurer's Report  
   1. January Treasurer's Report (handed out at meeting)
   2. Budget Update (see Excel attachment)

4. Executive
   1. Executive Director Meeting Report January/February (see MW attachment)
   2. Dutch Days Festival - Blow-Up Ride and Float Participation

5. Tourism & Promotions
   1. Advertising Publications (available for review at chamber office)
   2. Lincoln Highway Mural Project (see MW attachment)
   3. Cubs vs. Cardinals Bus Trip - August 9, 2008

6. Government Affairs
   1. Springfield Lobby Trip - February 27 & 28, 2008 (see MW attachment)
   2. Washington, DC - US 30 Lobby Trip - March 4 - 6, 2008

7. Member Relations
   1. Membership Education Committee Report  (see MW attachment)
   2. Bridal & Anniversary Walk Update (see MW attachment)
   3. Ribbon Cuttings -  Agri-King 2/21/08 and Manny's Too 3/7/08 *

8. Downtown
   1. Fulton Retail Development Group Update

9. Old/New Business
   1. Next Board Meeting - March 11, 2008
   2. Other

10. Adjourn

Fulton Chamber of Commerce

Minutes from January 8, 2008

Attendance:  Chuck Dykstra, Patti Housenga, Shirl Wierenga-Huber, Linda Hollis, Lynne Loerop, William Stoermer, Paula Rogis, Bill Wilkin, Steve Owen, and Heather Bennett.

No board meeting was held in December due to lack of quorum. 

The January Board Meeting was held at Golden Wok Chinese Restaurant.

Minutes:  A motion was made by Stoermer and seconded by Loerop to approve the minutes from November 13, 2007.  Motion carried.     

Treasurer's Report:  Hollis reviewed report noting expenses and income for the month of November:  $3,069.86 revenue and $1,408.18 expenses, leaving a balance of $19,326.89.  Hollis reviewed the December report:  $3,198.03 revenue and $4,464.26 expenses, leaving a balance of $18,060.66.  A motion was made by Wierenga-Huber and seconded by Housenga to accept the November and December Treasurer's Report.  Motion carried.  Bennett provided a year to date budget report. 

Executive:  The monthly Executive Director meeting report was provided to the chamber board. 

Tourism & Promotions:    Copies of the December advertising were provided.  Bennett reviewed some of the recommendations presented to the Fulton City Council by the Tourism Committee.  A maintenance check list was created for each of the city's attractions indicating the accountability of tasks between the city, volunteers, and contractors.   The committee requested Heritage Canyon hours be extended back to their original times, April 15 thru December 15, weather permitting.  They also requested the part-time public works employee hired at the Canyon start a week or two prior to Dutch Days rather than the first part of June.  The committee would like to see the hotel/motel tax put in a separate fund so that in can roll over each year.  Per state statute the hotel/motel tax can only be used for tourism.  The committee has also recommended the hiring of a full time parks employee to work on community appearance issues such as landscaping, planting flowers, entrances into the community, tree trimming, etc.  Bennett reported the Christmas Walk went very well and despite cold temperatures there was an excellent turnout.  People seemed to enjoy the reindeer and ice carver.  The third annual run/walk had around 140 participants.  The Annual Bald Eagle Watch was well attended and many people were at Lock & Dam 13.  A total of 450 eagles were spotted.  Linda Hollis volunteered to be apart of the Fall Festival committee and Paula Rogis mentioned Regina Dixon would be willing to jury an art/craft show. 

Government Affairs:     The Springfield Lobby Trip will be held February 27 & 28, 2008.  This is the first lobby trip organized by the chamber so attendees will be limited the first year.  However, depending on the success of the trip, future lobby trips could entail more local participation.  A lobby trip to Washington, DC is set for the first part of March.  Those planning to attend include Heather Bennett, Eric Johnson, Betty Steinert, and Barb Bees.  Bill Stoermer indicated he had spoken with Congressman Manzullo about coming to Fulton again and Mr. Manzullo was interested.  Bill and Heather will work on more details of the visit for later this spring or the first part of June. 

Member Relations:  Bennett provided an updated list of the chamber membership.  The Membership Education Committee, consisting of Nancy Kolk, Alisa Sharpe, Heather Bennett and Andrea Feller are set to meet January 24 at 2pm.  The Bridal & Anniversary Walk is set for June 26 from 4:30pm to 7:30pm in downtown Fulton.  The Bridal Walk committee includes Susan May, Greg Naftzger, Heidi Kolk, Audrey Kooi, Kris Muur, Heather Bennett and Chuck Dykstra.  The committee will meet January 31 at noon. 

Downtown:  Chuck Dykstra proudly showed off his Christmas gift from Heidi Kolk that was a shirt with an embroidered chamber logo.  The FRDG purchased the Vander Vinne Building and is currently removing items out of the building.  The FRDG will concentrate on restoring the façade to its original theatre appearance.   

Old/New Business:    Paula Rogis announced Agri-King would be hosting a ribbon cutting/biz after 5 for the new Del Curley Convention Center on February 21, 2008 from 5pm - 6:30pm.  Agri-King will be sending out invitations for the event. 

Adjourn:   A motion was made by Housenga and seconded by Stoermer to adjourn the meeting at 12:42pm.  Motion carried.     

Next board meeting:  Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at Noon.