CALL TO ORDER 8:03 am

INTRODUCTIONS  Merry Scharfe, Ruth Ann Hocking, Steven Kidd, Dale Jacobson, Jill Grey, Wayne O’ Dell, Sherry Hash, Keleigh Schwartz, Dave Little, Ragan Andrew, Jane Holeman, Kay Buesing, Craig Smith, Cheri Diehl, Keith Schwartz, Jeff Harrell

APPROVAL OF MINUTES  Motion Andrew.  2nd O’Dell.  Unanimously approved as written.

TREASURER’S REPORT  Sherry Hash gave oral report; written report attached.  General fund is increased by approximately $20,000 due to sale of land.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Independence Day Flags.  Merry Scharfe reported that she would like to see this group continue this activity in an ongoing manner including a $250/year line item in the budget to accommodate.  Dale Jacobsen noted that Elks, Eagles and Moose have been good in the past about funding flags.  Ragan Andrew offered to talked to Elks.  Merry needs $210 to pay for this year’s flags this year.  Motion by Hocking.  2nd by O’Dell.  Unanimously approved.

Insurance.  Sherry discovered that we did not have Directors & Officers insurance.  She got quotes and presented to the Board of Directors.    Strand Insurance was selected to cover our general liability, our volunteers and directors and officers as we learned in the process that we were under-insured in the policy we had.

Festival Involvement  Several of our events are in desperate need of leadership and volunteers.  This needs to be a priority for the group in the coming year or events will be disappearing.

NEW BUSINESS

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Beach to Chowder Run.  Sherry Hash reported 38 runners in the inaugural half marathon and roughly 260 runners total.  165 were from farther than  50 miles away.  Registration cost was higher this year but didn’t seem to reduce participation.  Cost to certify the course was roughly $1,000 but the course remains certified for 10 years and can be used for other runs.  Feedback from runners was positive.  Volunteers are needed and Sherry desperately would like to turn the reins of chair over to someone else.

Doggie Olympic Games  Jill Grey reported 92 dogs this year (up 10% from last year) with 74% of participants coming from off-peninsula.  Cash donations were down but the total number of sponsors was up.   She found interesting the statistics of how people learned about the event; 9% return participants, 18% from funbeach.com, 20% from flyers, 27% friend/family, 16% no response and the rest from various publications.  12% entered more than one dog and 33% entered their dog in 4 or more events.  Jill has retired as chair.  The event will not continue if a chair is not located.  Discussion ensued about estimated count of spectators and how these counts are made.  Jane Holeman reported how Kite Festival has estimated in the past and Dale Jacobsen reported on a similar method.  Jill had estimated 2,000 spectators, counted by how many were around an arena at a time.  It was questioned that some people were counted multiple times using this method

SandSations  Ragan Andrew reported that the t-shirts are in and look great.  Naselle Marimba Band will be playing.  3 Masters teams are confirmed and a fourth may be coming.  There will be a VIP tent after the Pet Parade for the public to meet the Masters.

Jake the Alligator Man’s Birthday  Ragan Andrew reported the cake is going to have police escort.  The Coffin Cruiser’s show is ready to go.  The burlesque show will be inside a tent.  Dingo will be back.  Rockabilly music.  There will be kids activities during the day and more adult entertainment in the evening.  David Marsh is working with a brewery to do “Jake Ale”.  Jake is active on FaceBook and MySpace.  The Bride of Jake contest has stirred a lot of interest.

Kite Festival  Jane Holeman reported everything is on schedule for business as usual.  Question was asked if Sports Boosters had been replaced with another fish bbq vendor; not to date..  Featured Flyers include the fellow who was the Kite Master in the movie “The Kite Runner”.

Holidays at the Beach  Ruth Ann Hocking reported that she has spoken with Mrs. Claus…

LBMA After Hours  1st Thursday in December.  Mark your calendars!

Bluegrass Festival  Ruth Ann reported that the committee was in the Ocean Park Independence Day Parade.  She is attending bluegrass festivals in other parts of the country and  is emceeing at least one of them.  There will be a bluegrass band this Saturday at Waikiki Beach as part of the concert series there.

OTHER REPORTS

Kite Museum  Kay Buesing reported that auction items are being received now.  All merchants are requested to donate.   There will be events at the museum each evening during the Kite Festival.  Museum attendance has been going up roughly 15%/month.

Loyalty Days  Ruth Ann reported that 2010 is 60th year. “Patriotism: Always Ready” is the theme. George Washington is coming to town as he was in office when Loyalty Days was established.  Coast Guard will be the honorees.  Several merchants gave praise to Ragan Andrew for the participation, attitude and behavior of the Junior Court Ambassadors.

Surf Perch Derby  Dale Jacobsen reported there was no report at this time of year other than that he vacuumed seven pounds of sand out of the Lion’s trailer after the event.  ?

SummerFest  Ragan Andrew reported on the coming weekend’s events with a “Beach Safety” theme.  See funbeach.com for the full schedule.

Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau  Kay Buesing reported that the most recent meeting was focused on Independence Day and merchants concerned about safety and the number of fireworks booths (12 in county this year plus 2 in Long Beach City limits; up from a total of 4 last year).  Visitors Bureau and individual merchants will be asking county to reduce fireworks stands to the number County staff can monitor and control.  Concern about furniture left on the beach; suggestion to have law enforcement get names during use and inform of hefty fine if left there.  Concerns were noted that dry camping without restrooms was out of control.  Dale Jacobsen reported that controlling camping, drinking, etc. isn’t controllable by law enforcement with that many people in town.   Kay reported that Ilwaco Merchants were pleased having their fireworks on the same day as Long Beach because it made attendance lighter and the event more enjoyable.

Liaison to Long Beach City Council  Congrats to Matt at the Candy Man for outstanding customer service award that was a result of mystery shopping done by George Sharp earlier this spring.   There is an interim zoning change to allow merchandise into the sidewalk in old town; contact the City for details. Recent media coverage in NY Times, Seattle Examiner, AAA Journey, Coastal Living and several smaller publications, thanks to the efforts of Zahorsky & Boyle.  Public meetings coming up on the 14th and again on the 21st on upcoming ordinance changes.  Contact the City for info.  Audubon is looking to do a conference.  Car commercial was filmed at Cape Disappointment State Park recently.  Public meetings being planned to begin moving forward with new water treatment facility.

City Lodging Tax Advisory Committee  Wayne O’Dell reported that the new kiosk brochure was finalized and is now on press.  Longer term marketing plan is in the works; serious planning to begin in September.  Viral video plan being formed by David Poulshock was discussed at length; Wayne’s concerns revolve around making sure results can be measured and the committee supports the plan in general.

Liaison to Ocean Park, Ilwaco  Dave Little reported on a great fireworks experience in Ilwaco.  Blues & Seafood and Jazz & Oysters coming up soon;  both have new websitesm <jazzandoysters.com> and <bluesandseafood.com>.  Saturday Market has new chair, Bruce Peterson and event is going well.  Sturgeon is reopened this and next weekend.  Railroad Days is coming up in August; new book coming out also.  Art Walk was last night.  Great parade in Ocean Park.  Flag project was well-received.  1100 usable entries for the free gas promotion in Ocean Park.

National Heritage Area  No report.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

LBMA Board Meeting: July 17, 2009, 8:00 am, Benson’s
LB City Council Meeting: July 20, 2009, 7:00 pm, City Hall
LB City Council Meeting: August 3, 2009, 7:00 pm, City Hall
LBMA Meeting: August 7, 2009, 8:00 am, Benson’s. Note that there is an LBMA meeting in Aug but no Board meeting.

ADJOURNMENT 9:06 am