July 6, 2006 Meeting Minutes

Benkelman Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, July 6, 2006 ­ Benkelman Community Building

     President Rita Jones called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Members present were Harlan Cansler, Glenda and Richard Bartholomew, Rod Wiese, Bill Lewis, Phyllis Gardner, Janice Edwards, and Joya Neville. Ben Blecha was a visitor and Benkelman City Clerk Rose Marie Whiteley arrived at 6:28 for a presentation.
     It was stated that Ben Blecha plans to become a member of the Chamber and that the newspaper will soon be doing an article on his business, Sky Prosthetics.
     MINUTES AND TREASURER'S REPORT--Following a review of the June 1, 2006, meeting minutes, Phyllis made a motion for approval. Janice seconded and the motion carried. Upon review of the treasurer's report, there was some discussion on the meals count, payments and costs of the SPUCC meeting of June 13. Rod made a motion, seconded by Phyllis, to approve the treasurer's report. Motion carried.
     SPUCC MEETING REVIEW--Through discussion about the South Platte United Chambers of Commerce meeting hosted at the Max Community Center and Carefully Hidden Paradise, it was felt that the hosting provided some good networking with other communities and organizations of SPUCC, and through the tour of C-Clear Ice, additional customers may have been created for that business. The August 8 meeting of SPUCC will be held at Jeffrey Reservoir south of Brady.
     THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT--Phyllis reported that Governor Heineman will be in Dundy County the afternoon and evening of Wednesday, August 9. She would like to have as many members of the Chamber who could be available to meet with the governor and help with a tour of the area. Because of Heineman's ties to Benkelman, a special picture will be presented to him.
     RC&D REPRESENTATIVES--Upon question as to who Dundy County's representatives are on the RC&D (Resource Conservation and Development) board, it was stated that Phyllis Gardner and Dr. Dallas Watkins are those representatives.
     GUEST PRESENTATION--City Clerk Rose Marie Whiteley arrived at the meeting, was introduced to the group and given the floor. In that the City of Benkelman is in need of establishing a new Comprehensive Plan and revising and updating its Zoning Rules and Regulations and Map, Rose Marie is preparing a grant application to cover the professional planning costs of such. A part of the grant is the task of doing a Community Needs Survey. Rose Marie stated that the grant application is due in October. Meeting attendees reviewed the proposed needs survey as prepared by Rose Marie and provided input and comments and asked questions.
     Rod made a motion that the Chamber commit to and take part in the needs survey and provide support as directed by the City of Benkelman. Harlan seconded the motion. Carried. A sheet for sign-up of those who could help with the door-to-door survey distribution and collection was passed around the group.
     WARD BOND FESTIVAL--Phyllis presented a proposed schedule for the Ward Bond Festival on September 16. Discussion was held and input provided.
     NEBRASKA WHEAT GROWERS--Correspondence from the Nebraska Wheat Growers Association requesting a Chamber membership list with mailing addresses was discussed. The request is to be able to send brochures of the Association to Chamber members. Rod made a motion, seconded by Harlan, to approve the request for a Chamber membership list for the Nebraska Wheat Growers Association. Motion carried.
     FALL FESTIVAL--Rita reported that a request for help with the Fall Festival car show on September 16 has been relayed to the Chamber. The request is to provide a golf cart escort service for that event. The information will be passed to other Chamber members who have golf carts, but it was thought that a couple of carts could be made available.
     CHRISTMAS PROMO--Some discussion was held on the annual Chamber Christmas promotion. It was decided that the topic be an agenda item for the September 7 Chamber and town hall meeting.
     PRODUCE STAND UPDATE--Ben was asked for an update on his idea of a produce stand to encourage travelers to stop in Benkelman. He stated that things are progressing with a location identified and approved. A general favorable response has been heard and others are contacting him about making donations to the project. Harlan made a motion that the Chamber pay the necessary printing costs of informational sheets on the area to be distributed at the proposed produce stand. Phyllis seconded the motion and it carried.
     INVOLVEMENT--General discussion was again held on the topic of the Chamber's meeting place and the need to get more citizens involved in City of Benkelman and Chamber activities.
     NEXT MEETING--The next meeting was set for Thursday, August 3, 2006, at 6 p.m., at the Benkelman Community Building.
     There being no further business to come before the Chamber, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Richard Bartholomew € Secretary/Treasurer