Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Minutes from March 9, 2010

Present:  Heather Bennett, Greg Naftzger, Linda Hollis, Paula Rogis, Deb Schaver, Bill Stoermer, Kim LaShelle, Bill Wilkin, Phyllis Housenga and Guest, Heidi Kolk. 

Absent:  Steve Owen.   

Grant Award:  Heidi Kolk, F.A.C.E. Board Member, presented a check to the Fulton Chamber of Commerce for $500 towards the Ronald Reagan Historical Marker Project.  The funds were provided by the D.S. Flikkema Foundation.  Thank You D.S. Flikkema Foundation!

Minutes:   A motion was made by Stoermer and seconded by Rogis to approve the minutes from February 9, 2010.   Motion carried.

Treasurer's Report:  Hollis reviewed the February Treasurer's Report:  revenue as $4,343.04 and expenditures of $763.00 leaving an ending balance of $11,814.36.  A motion was made by Housenga and seconded by Stoermer to accept the February Treasurer's Report.  Motion carried.  Bennett provided a year to date budget to actual report and noted to date the chamber has 113 members, only two down from last year.    

Executive:  A thank you letter from Linda Hollis was read thanking the board for the plant because of her ankle injury.  A thank you letter was sent from the University of Illinois Extension Office for the $50 Drawing.  The Executive Director's meetings report was attached for review.  The March E-Newsletter was passed around.  A motion was made by Rogis and seconded by Wilkin to approve the nominating committee of Heidi Kolk, Betty Wiebenga, and Lynne Loerop or Chuck Dykstra, depending on their schedules.  Motion carried.  Bennett will follow-up with the nominating committee members.  Board members whose terms expire on August 31 include Paula Rogis, Linda Hollis, and Bill Wilkin.  Only Wilkin is eligible to serve another term.  

Tourism & Promotions:  The Lincoln Highway Association will host their annual conference in Dixon, Illinois, this year on June 23-June 26.  Fulton will have an opportunity to provide visitor guides for their goody bags and be a tour stop for their attendees.  The Windmill Cultural Center will host their public open house on Saturday and Sunday, April 23 & 24, 2010.  The KROS Trivia Night Fundraiser brought in $1,300 for the Windmill Cultural Center which will be used for the private reception for the Windmill Cultural Center.  A senior Girl Scout is doing her Gold Award Project (equivalent to Eagle Scout Project) on landscaping the area around the Lincoln Highway Gazebo.  The Fulton Chamber of Commerce Summer Night event is July 8 and board members will be needed to assist with the evening.  The theme for the July 8 event is "Happy Birthday Fulton."  First Reformed Church has also agreed to be a cosponsor of the evening and will assist with games. 

Planning Session Goals:  J.T. Cullen is working on a tin cup prototype for the public art event this summer.  Bill Wilkin will contact the American Legion regarding their intentions with the land located along Highway 84.  During the planning session, chamber members believed a nice sign directing people downtown along 84 was needed.  Bennett has made three email contacts with travel bus associations but has not heard back from them.  Bennett is acquiring a mailing list of tour group operators/charter bus businesses from Blackhawk Waterways CVB.  Bill Wilkin will contact the Fulton Kiwanis Club about landscaping around the four welcome signs.  Bennett will update the visitor spreadsheet and distribute to the businesses that deal with visitors/tourists frequently - restaurants, gas stations, hotel, attractions, and retail.  Steve Howes, Howes and Jefferies, is working to schedule a conference call with the Federal Bureau of Prisons and local community leaders in the near future.    

Bus Trips:  Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Angels scheduled for June 19, cost is $75/person.  Amana Colonies with dinner and theatre is scheduled for July 7, cost to be determined. 

Volunteer Appreciation Event:  The City of Fulton is hosting a volunteer appreciation event on April 10 from 2pm to 4pm at Manny's Too.  The Fulton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is invited to the appreciation event and an RSVP is due to Heather Bennett by April 1. 

Historical Marker:  Thus far, the Chamber has secured $1,500 for the marker project, and $3,500 is needed.    Additional requests pending include Immaculate Conception Church, Fulton Township, Whiteside County Republicans, and River Bend School District. 

Government Affairs:  Legislative Luncheons have been scheduled with the Republican and Democratic State Representative Candidates for March 18 (Morthland - R) and March 25 (Ahern - D).  Eric Johnson, Dave Vogel, and Betty Steinert traveled to DC in early March to lobby on behalf of the four-lane route 30 project.  Due to city budget cuts, Bennett was unable to attend but submitted all the necessary appropriations paperwork on behalf of the coalition.  There was no update regarding the city's Riverfront Corridor Action Team.  The Complex continues to raise funds to meet the $3M they need to purchase and renovate the building.  The Senior Services Action Team and Whiteside County Transportation hosted a Biz After 5 and Soup Supper on February 25 at the Robert Fulton Commons. 

Member Relations:  The Ribbon Cutting for Elk River Merchant was nice, but only a few board members were in attendance for the photo.  The $50 drawing winner was present, University of Illinois Extension.  The turnout for the Biz After 5 hosted by the Senior Services Action Team and Whiteside County Transportation was very well attended.  The Site Tour with Fulton Corporation was a success with over 30 chamber members attending the tour.  There will be another ribbon cutting in the future for BPI Pool Supply located in downtown Fulton next to the Fulton Journal office. 

Downtown:  The Fulton Retail Development Group has rented the large upstairs apartment above the theatre building.  The new front doors will be replaced soon on the theatre building.  The current doors, while new, were not sealed properly and were damaged by water and moisture.  As an FYI, Nancy Kolk's Downtown Newsletter is available for viewing online at http://www.cityoffulton.us/ under Fulton Shopping.   

Old/New Business:  The Chamber board will meet April thru October at Golden Wok Chinese Restaurant.  Bennett inquired if a CPR workshop would be a good idea for this summer.  Board members seemed to like the idea and thought the workshop could be held at the new fire station.  Bennett has been in contact with the Red Cross and they can provide an hour session but the cost has not been finalized.  Naftzger recommended the Fulton Chamber purchase a new camera as the old camera has a bad battery and does not take very good photos.  The current camera is 6 years old.  Stoermer offered for Exelon to purchase a camera for the Fulton Chamber of Commerce not to exceed $250.  Thank you Exelon!

Next Meeting:  April 13 at Noon at Golden Wok. 

Adjourn:  A motion was made by Stoermer and seconded by Rogis to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried.  The meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m.