Minutes: June 2011
 

Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Minutes from June 14, 2011

Present:  Greg Naftzger, Patti Housenga, Chuck Dykstra, Heather Bennett, Phyllis Housenga, Edie Lenz, Jami Smith, and Kim  LaShelle.

Absent:  Tim Wright and Steve Owen

Minutes:  A motion was made by Dykstra and seconded by Patti Housenga to approve the minutes from May 10, 2011.   Motion carried. 

Treasurer's Report:  The May report was provided by Treasurer Linda Hollis and reflected revenue as $1,256.18 and expenses of $1,966.43, leaving an ending balance of $7,093.63.  A motion was made by Smith and seconded by Lenz to approve the May report.  Motion carried.  Bennett provided a year to date budget to actual report - total revenue received $29,840.38 and total expenditures of $29,266.67 leaving a balance of $573.71.  Bennett noted the chamber operates on a zero-balanced budget.  

Executive:  The Executive Director's monthly meetings report was provided.  Bennett also provided her quarterly tourism report that is given to the Fulton City Council.  Bennett noted both hotel tax and sales tax revenue is up from previous years.  The annual dinner is scheduled for June 30, 2011 at Buck's Barn Resort.  Invites were mailed and no petitions for the board were filed.  A draft of the program was provided.  Phyllis Housenga agreed to read the annual minutes, Chuck Dykstra agreed to give the Treasurer's Report, and Kim LaShelle would present Steve Owen with the outgoing director plaque. 

•·     City Tourism Committee - nothing to report, no meeting was held in May. 

•·    Bridal Walk - The event is set for June 23 from 4:30pm to 7:30pm.  26 vendors have signed up and 200+ postcards were direct mailed to brides.  An email reminder will be sent a few days prior to the event to the brides.  The Fulton Kiwanis Club has agreed to assist with setting up the room.    

•·     Whiteside County Barn Tour - a promotional rack card was handed out to each of the board members.  This is the 4th Annual Barn Tour and this year the barns will be in the Fulton and Garden Plain area.  The first stop on the tour and where tickets will be sold is the windmill.  Last year's tour had nearly 600 people.  Volunteers are needed to work two-hour shifts at the ticket booth at the windmill.  Edie Lenz volunteered to work the 9am to 11am shift on July 9. 

•·    Shop Hop - set for November 4 & 5 and November 11 & 12.  It will include Lanark, Mt.Carroll, Savanna and Fulton.  Eight businesses in Fulton will be participating.    

•·     Lincoln Buy-Way Sales - scheduled for August 5 & 6, 2011.  Helen Buikema has offered to help with registering sales on July 18 & 19 and July 21 & 22.

•·    Summer Nights - June 9 (Second Reformed Church), July 14 (First Reformed Church and Fulton Presbyterian Church), and August 11 (Fulton Chamber, Fulton Kiwanis, Mor-Huiz and Community State Bank.)  The events will be held near the windmill from 6pm to 8pm.  

•·     LumberKings Game - The chamber is one of the sponsors for the Fulton Day at LumberKings Game on Sunday, July 31 @ 2pm.  Bennett handed out free tickets. 

Government Affairs:     The next Legislative Luncheon will be scheduled with Senator Jacobs sometime this summer.  Bennett reminded the board of the US Route 30 Public Hearing scheduled for June 15 at the United Methodist Church in Morrison.  Written comments are very important. 

Member Relations:  The July E-Newsletter was emailed out to all chamber members and is available online.    The USDA/NIU Grant is still accepting grant applications for website development.  The committee will meet to decide on another workshop possibility.      

Downtown:  Fulton Retail Development Group meets quarterly.  Windmill Realty has listed Penny Zuidema's building for sale, $89,000.  Paradise Pools is listed for around $130,000. Neither of these buildings are desirable to the FRDG at the prices listed.  Nancy Kolk's downtown newsletter can be found online under the "Shopping" tab at http://www.cityoffulton.us/. 

Old/New Business:  First Reformed Church will host their second annual Back to School Car Show on August 20 @ 8:30am. 

Next Meeting:  July 12, 2011 @ Noon @ Corner Treasures & Treats.   

Adjourn:  A motion was made by Phyllis Housenga and seconded by Kim LaShelle to adjourn the meeting at 12:45 p.m.  Motion carried.