Fulton Chamber of Commerce

Agenda

June 12, 2007

Noon - Chamber Office

1. Call to Order
2. Minutes  (following pages 2 & 3)
3. Treasurer's Report - (see Excel attachment)
   1. Budget Update FY'07 (see Excel attachment)
4. Executive
   1. Annual Dinner Location Update
   2. Invites Mailed  - head count
   3. Dream Rental/Kreative Events by Kris
   4. Volunteer of the year award
   5. Slideshow
   6. Executive Director Meeting Report (see MW attachment)
   7. Streetscape Plan
5. Tourism & Promotions
   1. Advertising Publications - handed out at meeting
   2. City Tourism Committee Report
   3. Wooden Shoe Exhibit Update
   4. Painted shoe prints
   5. Dutch Fisherman
   6. Community Brochure - handed out at meeting
   7. Amana Colonies Update
   8. Cubs Baseball Game Bus Trip - Saturday, August 4, 2007
   9. Lincoln Highway Buy-Way Yard Sales Event
6. Government Affairs
7. Member Relations
   1. Ribbon Cutting - Snapshotz Photography June 27, 2007, 5pm-6pm, 1118 15^th Ave.
   2. June Spotlights:  ComEd, Fulton Concrete, Annabella's Nail Spa & FACE  - program to end in July/August
   3. Fulton Bridal & Anniversary Walk (June 28) Update - 21 vendors
8. Downtown
   1. Fulton Retail Development Group Update
9. Old/New Business
   1. Gaining Additional Chamber Memberships
10. Next Board Meeting - July 10, 2007
11. Other
12. Adjourn

Fulton Chamber of Commerce

Minutes from May 8, 2007

Attendance:  Steve Owen, Shirl Wierenga-Huber, Patti Housenga, Heather Bennett, Chuck Dykstra, Paula Rogis, Sue Mannix and Connie Koehn (FACE).  

Minutes:  A motion was made by Rogis and seconded by Mannix to approve the minutes from April 10, 2007.  Motion carried.     

Treasurer's Report:  Bennett reviewed report noting expenses and income for the month of April:  $2,240.88 revenue and $5,296.78 expenses, leaving a balance of $10,261.57.  A motion was made by Mannix and seconded by Wierenga-Huber to accept the Treasurer's Report.  Motion carried.  Bennett provided a year to date budget report.

Executive:    Eric Johnson, Randy Clary and Myra Norman have nominated Linda Hollis, Bill Wilkin and Paula Rogis to serve a 3 year term (2007-2010) as a Board of Director for the Fulton Chamber of Commerce.  The Annual Dinner will be held at Red Dog Steakhouse at a cost of $16/person and the served meal will include a choice of Prime Rib or a large fried chicken breast.  Bennett provided a handout on the meetings she attended in April.  Bennett has created a Chamber Policy Manual that includes information on job description/duties, Chamber sponsored events/activities, time table for programs, copies of the bylaws, budget, insurance policy and more. The board reviewed the idea of supporting a sales tax increase.  Currently, the IL State Sales Tax is 6.25%.  A percentage increase is controlled by each individual community and would have to be voted upon by the residents.  The increase in sales tax, for example even .25%, could generate enough funds to assist the city in streetscape and lighting repairs.  A motion was made by Mannix and seconded by Dykstra to decline being the lead organization to advocate for a sales tax increase but could revisit the issue at another time.  Motion did not carry.  A second motion was made by Mannix and seconded by Owen to amend the original motion and to exclude the wording "but could revisit the issue at another time".  Motion carried. 

Tourism & Promotions:    Copies of the April/May advertising were provided.  The first meeting of the City Tourism Committee was held on April 26.  Wierenga-Huber reported those in attendance updated the committee on what activities/events they have planned.  At the next Tourism Meeting in May, the committee will work on Tourism Planning.  The Cubs Baseball Game is scheduled for August 4, against the New York Mets.  The Amana Colonies and Old Creamery Theatre trip is scheduled for May 24, 2007.  Chuck Dykstra was happy to report the Fulton Wa Tan Ye Club has agreed to change their community wide garage sales to the second weekend in August for the Lincoln Buy-Way Yard Sale Event, August 9 - 11, 2007.  Mannix would like to see if the Library Board would be willing to sponsor a refreshment stand during the yard sale event. 

Government Affairs:     Nothing to report.   

Member Relations:  Rogis reported on May Spotlights.  The Fulton Bridal & Anniversary Walk is scheduled for Thursday, June 28 from 4pm to 8pm in downtown Fulton.  The event needs 20 participating businesses to proceed.  The deadline for participation is April 30.  

Downtown:  Dykstra reported the Fulton Retail Development Group will sell its building, currently occupied by Picture This, to May Mooc who plans on opening the Golden Wok Chinese Restaurant.  A motion was made Dykstra and seconded by Mannix for the September Board Meeting to be held at the new restaurant.  Motion carried.  

Old/New Business:    The Chamber was approached about purchasing a disk with 2006 Dutch Days Photos.  The chamber was able to secure some nice photos from the Fulton Journal and does not believe they need to purchase the disk.  Mannix informed Chamber Board that there may be an opportunity for some partnership grants with the library for cultural learning opportunities via bus trips to museums, operas, plays, etc.  Mannix hopes to learn more about the grants and will report back to the Chamber Board. 

Adjourn:   A motion was made by Mannix and seconded by Rogis to adjourn meeting.  Meeting adjourned at 12:40pm.   

Next board meeting:  Tuesday, June 12, 2007, at Noon.