Agenda & Minutes: August 2006
Fulton Chamber of Commerce Agenda
August 8, 2006
Noon – Chamber Office

  1. Call to Order
  1. Minutes  (following pages 2-3)
  1. Treasurer’s Report – (see Excel attachment)
    1. Budget Update (see Excel attachment)
    2. Proposed FY’07 Budget & Explanations (see Excel and Word attachments)
  1. Executive
    1. Election of Officers (current officer’s terms end August 31)
    2. Chamber Office Renovation – final cost sheet - (see Word attachment)
    3. Executive Director Quarterly Report to City Council
  1. Tourism & Promotions
    1. Ad Schedule (see Excel attachment)
    2. National Night Out & Car Show Report
    3. Advertising Publications – handed out at meeting
    4. Downtown Sidewalk Sales Report
    5. Cubs Bus Trip Report
    6. Drury Lane Dinner Theatre Bus Trip
    7. Gateway Greetings Program
    8. Visitor Incentive Program
    9. Heritage Canyon Sponsors
  1. Government Affairs
    1. Candidates Forum:  Sept. or Oct. – Steve Haring & Mike Boland
  1. Member Relations
    1. August Spotlights –  Berg Pharmacy,
    2. August Workshop – “Change is good…….As long as it doesn’t affect me” Thursday, August 17 from 11:30am to 1pm, Fulton City Hall – Cost $7 lunch
    3. Membership Dues – mailed first part of September
  1. Downtown
    1. Fulton Retail Development Group
    2. Heritage Area Ordinance Update
    3. Façade Grant Application
  1. Old/New Business
    1. Next Board Meeting – September 12, 2006
    2. Other
  1. Adjourn

Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Minutes from July 11, 2006

Attendance:  Lynne Loerop, Gary Floding, Linda Hollis, Chuck Dykstra, Heather Bennett, Shirl Wierenga-Huber, Patti Housenga, Paula Rogis, and Trish Shear.

Minutes:  A motion was made by Rogis and seconded by Housenga to approve the minutes from June 13, 2006.  Motion carried.   

Treasurer’s Report:  Hollis reviewed report noting expenses and income for the month of June:  $2,332.08 revenue and $4,183.85 expenses, leaving a balance of $8,260.82.  A motion was made by Housenga and seconded by Wierenga-Huber to accept the treasurer’s report.  Motion carried.  Bennett provided a year to date budget report. 

Executive: 
Chamber Office Renovation:  Bennett provided an updated renovation report.  To date, the chamber has received $2,975 in donations, $326.79 in reimbursements and spent (including some estimates) $3,734.79.  The renovations are complete and all of the board members commented on how nice the office turned out and were very thankful for the support they received from the business community.

Annual Dinner:  The board felt the annual dinner went very well and thanked Paula for all of her decorating. 

Tourism & Promotions:    The National Night Out & Car Show will be held Saturday, July 29, 2006 from 4pm to 8pm at Drives Athletic Park.  There will be a free meal (while food lasts), Drive In Movie near the car show area, blow up rides for the kids, free children’s id kits sponsored by Community State Bank, and fire truck and police car rides.  Bennett handed out a copy of the June/July ads.  Downtown Sidewalk Sales are scheduled for Saturday, August 5, 2006.  The Chicago Cubs trip is scheduled for Saturday, July 15th and all tickets have been sold.  The next bus trip will be to the Drury Lane Dinner Theatre in Oakbrook on November 12, 2006.  Bennett discussed the idea of having a visitor incentive program that would entice visitors to the windmill and guests of the local hotels to redeem a coupon for a free gift at participating businesses.  The board thought the idea was good and general consensus was to proceed with the program.  Bennett mentioned she had gathered a listing of 85 tour bus operators that she will be sending a day long and overnight package on Fulton.  Dykstra mentioned it might be nice to offer a Dutch meal through Paddlewheel Pizza. 

Government Affairs:   Steve Haring has agreed to participate in the Candidate’s Forum but Representative Boland has not responded.  Bennett suggested even if Boland does not wish to participate that a Q & A could be held with Steve Haring. 

Member Relations:  The Journal has run several photos from the student workshops including Shear Class, Susan’s Calico Creations and Millers of the Windmill.  Susan’s Calico Creations, the Millers of the Windmill and Heritage Canyon have expressed an interest in doing the workshops again next year.    July spotlights include Artistry Gifts & Glass, Blackhawk Waterways CVB, Fulton Family Health Clinic and Berg Pharmacy.  The August workshop, “Change is Good….. As Long As It Doesn’t Affect Me” is scheduled for August 17 from 11:30am to 1pm, City Hall Council Chambers. 

Downtown:  The Fulton Retail Development Group has raised $154,500 and is still trying to sell their building.  The FRDG signed a 3 month contract to have the building listed with River City Realty.   The City Council will be voting on the Heritage Area Ordinance on July 17, 2006. 

Old/New Business:  Dykstra mentioned his Cousins Bielema Family Reunion was a success and the whole family had a wonderful time in Fulton.  Patti Housenga mentioned the idea of a Welcome Wagon for new residents of Fulton.  Bennett mentioned the Gateway Greetings Program is already functioning in Clinton and perhaps the Fulton Chamber can coordinate something with them.  Bennett will follow-up with Sharon Hesselman, owner of the Gateway Greetings Program.  Gary Floding talked about a boat regalia he saw while on vacation and thought it would be a neat idea for Fulton. 

A motion was made by Dykstra and seconded by Rogis to adjourn meeting.  Motion carried.  Meeting adjourned at 12:40pm

The next meeting will be held Tuesday, August 8, 2006 at noon at the new chamber office.