Agenda & Minutes: Sept. & Oct. 2007
 

Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Agenda
October 9, 2007
Noon - Chamber Office

  1. Call to Order
  2. Minutes  (following pages 2 & 3) - the chamber board did not meet in September 2007
  3. Treasurer's Report  
    1. August (see Excel attachment)
    2. September (see Excel attachment)
    3. Budget Update (see Excel attachment)
    4. Audit of Fiscal Year 2007
  4. Executive
    1. Board Member Resignation, Sue Mannix
    2. Executive Director Meeting Report Aug./Sept. (see MW attachment)
    3. Schedule Annual Planning Session
  5. Tourism & Promotions
    1. Advertising Publications - handed out at meeting
    2. City Tourism Committee Report
    3. Fall Festival - Oct. 13 & 14, 2007 (see MW attachment) -  Volunteers/two hour shifts
    1. Christmas Walk - December 7    5pm to 7pm, run/walk 6:30pm
  6. Government Affairs
    1. Highway 30 Report
  7. Member Relations
    1. Spotlights use - city website and photocopied for waiting areas  
    2. RK Dixon Workshop cancelled - other ideas?
    3. Ground Breaking Manny's Too
    4. Membership Drive (see MW attachment)
  8. Downtown
    1. Fulton Retail Development Group Update
  9. Old/New Business
    1. Kramer Retirement Party
    2. Next Board Meeting - November 13, 2007
    3. Other
  10. Adjourn


Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Minutes from August 14, 2007

Attendance:  Bill Stoermer (guest), Linda Hollis, Shirl Wierenga-Huber, Heather Bennett, Patti Housenga, Lynne Loerop, Paula Rogis, Steve Owen and Sue Mannix.    

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

Treasurer's Report:  Hollis reviewed report noting expenses and income for the month of July:  $2,499.95 revenue and $2,102.71 expenses, leaving a balance of $8,130.88.  A motion was made by Loerop and seconded by Rogis to accept the Treasurer's Report.  Motion carried.  Bennett provided a year to date budget report and a proposed 2008 Budget.  The 2008 zero balanced budget includes revenues and expenses of $29,855.10.  A motion was made by Owen and seconded by Rogis to accept the 2008 proposed balanced budget.  Motion carried.

Executive:    A motion was made by Loerop and seconded by Wierenga-Huber to elect the following executive officers:  President - Paula Rogis, Vice President - Steve Owen and Treasurer - Linda Hollis.  Motion carried.  Bennett provided an executive director meeting report for July/August 2007.             

Tourism & Promotions:    Copies of the July/August advertising were provided.  The fourth meeting of the City Tourism Committee was held on July 19.  Wierenga-Huber reported the committee discussed the operation, management and support of all city owned museums.   The Tourism Committee came up with suggestions on promotions, hours of operation and maintenance of each attraction.  Loerop reported the Cubs Baseball trip was successful.  Several board members commented the Lincoln Buy-Way Sales Events was very well attended.  The Wa Tan Ye Club was pleased with the chambers cooperation in promoting the event and organizing the map.    Bennett reported the Lincoln Highway Gazebo will be located at the southwest corner of 3rd Street and 10th Avenue.  The new city website is now online and can be viewed at http://www.cityoffulton.us/.  Bennett has been trained to maintain and update the website.  Bennett provided a listing of Fall Festival activities being planned.  Board members suggested finding a group to run a taffy apple stand and contact Granny's Sugar Shack out of Camanche.  The chamber board believed the decorated wheel barrows were a good idea for the public art event. 

Government Affairs:     IDOT will have an update to the US Route 30 Plan available on their website soon. 

Member Relations:  The spotlights have ended and a thank you card and cookies were dropped off at the Fulton Journal.  Per the last planning session (Oct. 2006) it was suggested all of the spotlights be binded, front to back, and available at waiting areas in Fulton.  Bennett and Rogis will follow-up.  The document imaging workshop is scheduled for August 23, 11:30am at the Masonic Lodge.  The workshop is sponsored by RK Dixon and a complimentary lunch will be provided.  Bennett emailed out a reminder about the Gateway Greetings Program to chamber members.  The chamber's annual membership dues will be mailed the week of September 4, 2007.  An update on seeking new chamber members was discussed.  New members include Fulton Country Club, H & Betty Wiebenga, and RSC Auto Sales.  Sue Mannix reported Van's TV Sales and Tom Senneff were not interested in joining the chamber.  Linda Hollis visited with Country Companies and believes they will join the chamber.   Steve Owen reported Country Orchids would not join the chamber.  Chuck Dykstra is hopeful Harbor Crest Nursing Home, Midwest Vision Clinic and A & D Seamless Gutters will send in their membership dues.  Patti Housenga has agreed to connect with MB Box. 

Downtown:  The Fulton Retail Development Group continues to look for another property to purchase.  The Fulton City Council appointed the following individuals research a streetscape plan for the downtown area:  Dan Clark, Jim Rhoades, Gene Field, Warren Juist, Wendy Ottens, and Dave Huizenga.  A suggestion was made to also add Bea Farwell to the ad hoc committee.  The façade grant program has been very successful, only $1,821.12 remains in the budget and an application has been taken.  Most likely the city will fund a total of 5 projects this year including awnings, windows, tuck pointing and painting. 

Old/New Business:    Bennett will be on vacation September 17 - 21, 2007.  The next board meeting will be held September 11, 2007 at the Golden Wok Chinese Restaurant (if open).  If the restaurant is not open, the board will meet at the chamber office. 

Adjourn:   A motion was made by Loerop and seconded by Rogis to adjourn meeting.  Meeting adjourned at 12:45pm.   

Next board meeting:  Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at Noon.