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Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Minutes from November 9, 2010
Present: Greg Naftzger, Patti Housenga, Jami Smith, Kim LaShelle, Bill Stoermer, and Heather Bennett.
Absent: Tim Wright, Deb Schaver, Phyllis Housenga, and Steve Owen
Minutes: A motion was made by Patti Housenga and seconded by Kim LaShelle to approve the minutes from October 12, 2010. Motion carried.
Treasurer's Report: The October Treasurer's Report was provided: revenue as $10,314.63 and expenditures of $3,149.32 leaving an ending balance of $14,095.59. Bennett provided a year to date budget to actual report - total revenue received $18,703.04 and total expenditures of $8,973.58 leaving a balance of $16,334.28. A motion was made by Stoermer and seconded by Smith to approve the Treasurer's Report. Motion carried.
Executive: The Executive Director's monthly meetings report was provided. Annual dues are coming in as expected but a second mailed reminder was sent with a due date of November 15, 2010. At the December meeting board members will divide up the non-renewals and make personal contact with the businesses.
Tourism & Promotions:
•· City Tourism Committee - the committee was in the process of brainstorming goals for 2011. Due to illness, Naftzger and Bennett were not present at the October meeting.
•· Great Route 64/84 Holiday Shop Hop - was a great success and all but one Fulton business said they saw increased traffic because of the Shop Hop. Other towns have also reported good attendance.
•· Highway 84 Sign Update - While the sign is rather large, it appears small sitting down in the gulley. The reflective lettering shows up very well at night. The Board had the following suggestions...seek special permission from the IL DOT to move the sign north and closer to the roadway and/or possibly build a berm for the sign to sit atop. As planned, perennials and flowers will be planted in the spring beneath the sign. (After the board meeting, Bennett and Naftzger suggested the sign could be raised about 2 ½ feet on the existing posts that are set in concrete. This would be an easier solution than removing the sign altogether, especially if IDOT does not grant permission to move the sign closer to the roadway.)
•· Christmas Walk - the Christmas Walk schedule of events was passed around. The walk has a full schedule of activities and volunteers are needed for road blocks during the race.
•· Reagan Marker - no update on funds, but Bennett plans to submit the application to the Illinois State Historical Society in November. There are enough funds to acquire a smaller marker and directional signs.
•· Summer Night Wrap-Up - we will continue with 3, possibly 4 events in the summer of 2011. If we can find one or two more sponsors a fourth night will occur - 1 in June, 2 in July, and 1 in August. Bennett has sent an email to area churches asking for volunteers. The committee agreed to keep the event in the same location (windmill area) and hours (2nd Thursday, 6pm to 8pm). Rather than purchasing a bunch of t-shirts for everyone, the chamber will order 2 dozen vests which can be rented at no charge to volunteer groups to wear during the summer night events or other community events. The committee would also like to have local chamber member restaurants provide the food at the summer night events, rather than the organizations making/selling food.
Government Affairs:
- The Complex - it was noted current advertising has been cancelled.
- Senior Services @ Robert Fulton Commons- an agreement has been signed between the City and Whiteside County Senior Services group. Part of the old fire station will be provided at no cost (rent free) for the first year to the Whiteside County organization. Karen Abbott has been hired as the part-time director for the center. Karen's salary is paid by the Whiteside County Senior Services group.
- Referendums - the sales tax increase and electric referendums both passed.
- City Council Elections - April 5, 2011. Candidates are needed to run for city council.
Member Relations: The November E-Newsletter was emailed out to all chamber members, but is also available online. There will be a customer service workshop on December 1 as part of the grant from the USDA Rural Development Office for the chambers of Morrison, Fulton and Prophetstown.
Downtown: The Fulton Retail Development Group will hold their annual shareholders meeting in November. No recent repairs have been made at the theatre building and it still remains for sale. At this time, no other buildings are financially feasible for the group to consider purchasing based on listed prices and what it would cost to restore. Nancy Kolk's downtown newsletter can be found online under the "Shopping" tab at http://www.cityoffulton.us/.
Old/New Business: None
Next Meeting: December 14 @ Cousins Subs. Complimentary holiday luncheon.
Adjourn: A motion was made by Bill Stoermer and seconded by Kim LaShelle to adjourn the meeting at 12:58 p.m. Motion carried.
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