Dundy County Chamber of Commerce & Development
Meeting Minutes € Thursday, July 5, 2007 Community Building
President Rita Jones called the meeting to order at 6:09 p.m. Other
members present were Glenda and Richard Bartholomew, Gary Clark, Linda
Melchert, Bob Prangley, Janice Edwards, and Ben Blecha. Jerry Preston
arrived at 6:24 p.m.
MINUTES AND TREASURER'S REPORT--Linda made a motion to approve the
minutes of the June 7, 2007, meeting. Bob questioned the minutes as to the
membership and dues issue and other items that were included on the agenda
for the current meeting. Glenda seconded the motion and it was approved.
The treasurer's report was reviewed with Linda making a motion to
approve. Bob seconded and the motion carried.
UPDATES/REPORTS--In the absence of Gene and Linda Jones, Richard
presented a handout to provide the Housing Action Group report as prepared
by the Joneses.
Gary reported on the status of the West Portal Project (American Legion
building area), the Dundy County Library project plans and a county
historical population graph.
Following some discussion, Gary made a motion that the chamber contribute
$100 toward the Haigler Country Schoolhouse project. Glenda seconded. Motion
carried.
Rita reported on the handrail project at the post office and the status
of such. She said she would follow up and provide more information at the
next meeting.
Linda provided an update on the Chamber decals and distribution of them
and the repair project to the west entrance sign.
Ben made a motion that Linda negotiate the needed repairs with Hot Brush
of Bird City, but encourage the work to be completed on the front, lower
right quadrant by county fair time; the other work to be done at a later
date. Linda is empowered to make the decisions as to repairs needed and
costs to be incurred. Bob seconded the motion and it carried.
It was stated that the Chamber window cling decals that had not been
distributed would be left at the newspaper office for members to pick up.
A reference in the form of the alumni directory is to be sent to Betty
Sayers of Nebraska Rural Living.
Rita reported on the signs along the highway project. She said that the
signs would have to be placed on private property and not the rights-of-way
of the highway. Following other discussion, Ben stated that he would work
with Rita on the project's groundwork yet to be done.
Bob reported on the updates to the website and proposed a small ad
campaign in the local paper to advertise the site. Following some
discussion, Glenda stated that a small (2 column by 1 inch) ad could be used
as a filler from time to time in the paper and, therefore, no cost would be
incurred.
Bob suggested the creation of small magnets with an advertising message
be included as a part of the mailing that Betty Sayers will do to alumni.
More information on this subject will be presented later.
Bob also encouraged the establishing of a search engine agreement on the
Internet with Google.
ORGANIZATION REPRESENTATION--Discussion turned to representation
from our county on the SWNCBC board. Bob made a motion to nominate both Ben
and Gary as representatives for Dundy County, subject to the approval of Ann
Burge, director of SWNCBC. Jerry seconded and the motion carried.
Janice left the meeting at 7:22 p.m.
Other discussion was held on the SPUCC organization and the question as
to what benefit this Chamber receives.
SWNCBC was further discussed and concluded that "everything comes back to
funding and costs."
MEMBERSHIP--Bob urged consideration on changing the membership
dues structure because he is recruiting now and will continue to do so.
Following discussion, he made a motion that dues for new active members,
both individuals and businesses, pay what is due for the remainder of the
calendar year (pro-rata). Ben seconded the motion and it was approved.
(Pro-rata amounts would be $12.50 per month for businesses and $2.92 per
month for individuals.)
SLOGAN--Bob suggested an expansion of the Chamber's slogan (Try
local. Buy local.) to Be loyal, Buy local.
P.A. SYSTEM--Ben led a discussion about the proposed downtown
public address system project. He referred to an estimate sheet dated in
March of this year that had a cost of $7,340.56 and reported that radio
transmission would be allowable with no licensing fees. He also stated that
in talking with radio advertising personnel, the possibility of a discount
for ads of Chamber members exists. Linda offered to follow up on the project
scope and cost estimate with Randy Raile at BWTelcom. Bob offered to survey
the downtown area for the pulse of people and businesses as to the support
of the public address system.
LEGION PROJECT--Further discussion was held on the Legion Project
and Ben stated that if promotion of the idea was presented to the public,
there was a good possibility that private donations would be forthcoming.
Linda offered to include at her booth space, the proposed project as a "what
is coming" for people to see at the county fair. The "West Portal Project"
will then be put before the public again at the Fall Festival on September
15.
NO INTEREST ITEMS--It was decided not to join the Nebraska State
Chamber of Commerce at $250 annual dues.
A proposal about a community map drew no interest.
ASSISTANCE OFFERED--Rita reported that upon question to Pat
Rotherham, co-organizer of the Pre-Fair Barbecue, Chamber members could help
with the setting up of the tent, tables and chairs on Friday, July 20.
TABLED--Bob asked, and it was in general agreement, that two
agenda items, Population and Business Growth Plan and Retail Action Group
Leadership Recruitment, be tabled to the next meeting.
NEXT MEETING--The next meeting is set for Thursday, August 2,
2007, at 6 p.m. at the Community Building.
There being no further business to come before the Chamber at this
meeting, it was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Richard Bartholomew € Secretary/Treasurer