Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Minutes from August 10, 2010

Present:  Jami Smith, Greg Naftzger, Patti Housenga, Bill Stoermer, Heather Bennett, Deb Schaver, Phyllis Housenga, Linda Hollis, Paula Rogis, and Kim LaShelle.

Absent:  Steve Owen, Tim Wright, and Bill Wilkin.

Minutes:  A motion was made by Patti Housenga and seconded by Bill Stoermer to approve the minutes from July 13, 2010.   Motion carried. 

Treasurer's Report:  Hollis reviewed the July Treasurer's Report:  revenue as $2,040.58 and expenditures of $2,631.15 leaving an ending balance of $9,193.70.  A motion was made by Phyllis Housenga and seconded by Deb Schaver to accept the July Treasurer's Report.  Motion carried.  Bennett provided a year to date budget to actual report - total revenue received $38,379.91 and total expenditures $34,403.44 for an ending balance of $3,976.27.  Bennett noted invoices for the Reagan marker and Hwy 84 sign have not been received, yet. 

FY2010-2011 Budget Proposal.  Bennett emailed the board members ahead of time with the 2010-2011 proposed budget.  The proposal explained each revenue and expense line item.  While the Chamber has consistently operated on a zero-balanced budget, the new fiscal year budget would be off $2,000.  The Reagan marker donations were deposited in the current year's budget, but the expense for the marker would not be reflected until the new fiscal year budget.  Noting the overage of $2,000, a motion was made by Stoermer and seconded by Phyllis Housenga to approve the 2010-2011 budget.  Motion carried. 

Executive:  Bill Stoermer nominated the following individuals to serve as officers from September 1, 2010 thru August 31, 2011:  Greg Naftzger (President), Patti Housenga (Vice President), and Linda Hollis (Treasurer).  Greg, Patti, and Linda accepted the nominations.  A motion was made by Deb Schaver and seconded by Bill Stoermer to accept the new officers.  Motion carried.   Attached was Bennett's monthly meetings report.  The August E-Newsletter was emailed out to all members but is also available online.  The Annual Membership Drive begins with the new fiscal year, September 1.  Letters and forms will be mailed out to all chamber members and local businesses. 

Tourism & Promotions: 

• Note card Fundraiser for Reagan Marker - Additional note cards have been distributed to 8 more locations. 
• Summer Nights - The July 22 event sponsored by the Kiwanis Club did not have a large turnout due to the hot weather, but Kiwanis did an excellent job organizing their activities.  The next event will be held August 12, "Old Fashion Night," sponsored by Immaculate Conception Church, Fulton Presbyterian Church, and the Girl Scouts.   
• City Tourism Committee - There will be an outdoor movie, "The River Is Life", held near the windmill on September 8.  A couple from Fulton discussed their adventure as Citizen's For a Day in Wisconsin.  They were surprised by community leaders and treated to a daylong adventure including business tours, food, and gifts.  They were also given a free night's stay at the hotel.  The couple thinks Fulton should do the same program, but they are not willing to organize it.  No one from the Tourism Committee stepped forward to organize the Citizen's For a Day program so it will be brought up at the Chamber's Annual Planning Session for consideration.
• Lincoln Buy-Way Sales - August 6 &7, with over 70 registered sales.  It was very busy in Fulton during the weekend.  Some suggestions were to add food vendors, port-a-potties, and a flea market at Drives Athletic Park.  Patti Housenga reported the Wa Tan Ye Club disbanded, so either the Chamber or some other organization will need to handle the registration and signs.  Bennett suggested, rather than spending money on port-a-potties, finding food vendors, and organizing a flea market - the maps could list on the front side local restaurants and public restroom facilities (gas stations & parks).  It was mentioned we do not want to take business away from our local restaurants. 
• Great Route 64/84 Shop Hop - Bennett was approached about Fulton joining Mt. Carroll, Lanark, and Savanna in the shopping promotion.  For businesses to participate it would be "pay to play" and those funds would cover advertising costs.  A total of 8 Fulton businesses have signed up to participate.  Details on the event were attached to the agenda. 
• Fall Festival - the preliminary schedule of events was attached to the agenda, but is also available online.  Volunteers will be needed for setting up, tearing down, and staffing some of the children's activities.  Sponsors are still being sought.
• Highway 84 Sign - Exelon and Community State Bank became additional donors to offset the costs of updating the sign lettering to reflective.  

Government Affairs:   Email updates provided by the mayor and Colleen Wilkin were shared: 

• The Complex - Per Colleen Wilkin, The Board of Directors has put a timeline in place to raise enough money to purchase the building.  The goal is to raise a million before October 15 to keep the project going.  Per Ted James, the additional million will allow the facility to open and help with the flooring, lighting, insulation, heating/cooling, and some cardio equipment. 

Due to another commitment, Bennett left the board meeting.  Linda Hollis continued taking the minutes.

• Senior Services - Per Mayor Russell, The Senior Team will meet again on August 17 at 9am to hear a proposal by Whiteside County to establish a Whiteside County Senior Center satellite operation in Fulton.  This would bring added services and funding to Fulton for the benefit of seniors throughout western Whiteside County.  The group also plans to form a 501c3 Riverbend Senior Organization to apply for grants and receive charitable donations.  Much depends on having office and activity space in either The Complex or Robert Fulton Commons.  There is a preference for having a downtown presence near the drug store, post office, and shops. 
• Robert Fulton Commons - a grant has been submitted to the State of Illinois to update the facility. 

Member Relations:  A business site tour of Agri-King, Inc. will be held August 17 from 8am to 9:30pm.  A ribbon cutting for Curves and Supreme Tan's new owner, Sarah Eads, is scheduled for August 25 from 5pm to 6pm. 

Downtown:  Fulton Retail Development Group - no update.  

Old/New Business:  The Riverbend Athletic Boosters requested a donation from the Fulton Chamber of Commerce.  In the past, the Chamber has made one annual donation ($200) to the Fulton Community Fund to cover all donation requests.  A motion was made by Rogis to give $200 to the Fulton Community Fund.  Motion was not supported.  Some board members cautioned giving donations to other groups could cause more groups to ask for money from The Chamber.  A motion was made by Deb Schaver and seconded by Bill Stoermer to give a free booth space to the Athletic Boosters during Fall Festival.  Motion carried.  The Fulton City Council will be voting on a sales tax increase from 6.25% to 7%, matching Clinton, IA.  The ¾% increase will provide over $200,000 more in revenue for infrastructure improvements.  The sales tax increase will be placed on the November ballot. 

Next Meeting:  September 14 at Noon at Golden Wok. 

Adjourn:  A motion was made by Stoermer and seconded by Schaver to adjourn the meeting at 12:52 p.m.  Motion carried.