Long Beach, WA

Long Beach Merchants Association  |  Regular Meeting

Friday, September 11, 2009, 8:00 am
Benson’s by the Beach Restaurant; 504 S Pacific in Long Beach; 642-3300

CALL TO ORDER 8:02 am

INTRODUCTIONS
Keith Schwartz, Jerry Phillips, Troy Rodenbaugh, Cheri Diehl, Kay Buesing, Merry Scharfe, Jane Holeman, Diane Carter, Wendy Murry, Sherry Hash, Dave Little, Steven Linhart, Keleigh Schwartz, Dian Barker Sayce, Craig Smith, Ruth Ann Hocking

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion was made by Dave Little to approve the minutes as written. Seconded by Merry Scharfe.  Unanimous.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Sherry presented an oral report (hard copy to the Secretary).

Dian Barker Sayce moved that our annual liability/auto/property in storage insurance policy of just of $5,000 was divided between events based on percentage of event attendance:  Jake 2.08%, Holidays at the Beach .83%, SandSations 10.40%, Doggie Olympics 2.08%, Beach Run, .83%, WSIKF 83.16%.  Seconded by Merry Scharfe.  Unanimous.

Board approved payment of $490/year in lieu of determining actual back use tax.  Be advised that all receipts need to go to the Treasurer so appropriate use tax can be calculated on an ongoing basis.  Note that resale certificates are only good through end of 2009; beginning in January, there is a reseller’s certificate that must be on file in order to sell without charging sales tax.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Event Dates.  Keleigh Schwartz passed out event dates for the next 5 years.  Event chairs are to verify dates right away else live with them as they’ll be published and given to magazines, etc. by the Visitors Bureau.  Events that are tide based are not projected; those event chairs are asked to define dates at least a year or two out and get them to Keleigh, and the Visitors Bureau, ASAP.

Doggie Olympic Games: Chairperson needed.  Steven Linhart reported we do not have an event chair.  Jerry Phillips offered that Ragan Andrew can assist for the coming year but she will not be taking over the event.  Jerry will talk to Gene to see if Ragan can be the chair this year so the event will be published in Visitors Bureau publications; there is a timeline issue.

NEW BUSINESS

Ruth Ann Hocking passed a sympathy card to be signed for the Jacobson family who recently lost long-time LBMA supporter Jean Jacobson.  She noted that Jean never complained about people and never said no to the Merchants when something was needed.  Service will be on the 26^th at Pentillas.

Bev Arnoldy, Pacific County EDC’s Ready, Respond, Recover Conference, made a brief presentation on the upcoming conference (Oct 15 @ Chautauqua Lodge).   Registration is $25 until Sept 18 and $35 thereafter.  A limited number of scholarships are available on a first come, first serve, basis.

Diane Carter, Peninsula Saddle Club, re Doggie Olympic Games.  The Saddle Club is interested in moving the Doggie Olympics to the Rodeo Grounds.  Handicap access, as well as all access, is easier.  There is an arena, clubhouse, bleachers, and plenty of parking.  The club would like to include a food drive for the Humane Society as part of the event.  Discussion about moving date away from Garlic Festival and Beach Run ensued.  D.O.G. is tide-dependent while held on the beach.

Request from Diane Carter to not schedule SandSations on Rodeo Weekend;  Dian Barker-Sayce noted that SandSations is scheduled around the tides.  Diane Carter asked that Rodeo weekend be avoided, if at all possible.  Merry Scharfe responded that the event had to choose the weekend in July with the best tide for the event and apologized if that meant the events were on the same weekend.

Membership Drive.  Merry Scharfe and Steven Linhart reported that the drive is underway.  2010 dues will be decided upon at the September 18th Board meeting; all are welcome to attend.

Steven Linhart reported the resignation of Steve Kidd as Liaison to LB City Council.  Any volunteers?

Call for Nominations: “Business of the Year 2008”.  Steven Linhart reported it is time for us to choose our candidate and called for nominations to be given to him publicly or privately.  The Board will be finalizing next week at their meeting.  Note: Reception is 10/24/09 @ Raymond Elks; Bus available for RSVP by 10/9/09;  $15; hors d’ouevres & wine.  RSVP 360-642-9330.

Steven Linhart reported we had received a request for donation of cash and/or door prizes from Operation ShorePatrol.  Their event is Sept 19-20.  Keleigh Schwartz offered to bundle any discounts or other offers for those traveling from out of town to the event. A motion was made by Jane Holeman to donate $250 to Operation ShorePatrol.  Seconded by Dave Little.  Unanimous.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Jake’s Birthday.  Wendy Murry reported on a great event.  She got out of half the debt she inherited and made a lot of new contacts.  She has received lots of positive feedback from out-of-towners.  Ruth Ann Hocking commented that she has heard about Jake’s birthday while out on Bluegrass events.  Wendy also noted the event draws out younger people, both out of town and from the area.

Kite Festival.  Jane Holeman noted that Frannie O’Neil is no longer involved with t-shirts due to illness; the event is looking for a new volunteer for t-shirts and for the first aid booth.  Also, the brochure and program committee needs new leadership.    This year’s event was noted as one of the best ever and two World Records were broken.

Holidays at the Beach. Steven announced that Brandy Ferguson and Holly Beller will co-chair Holidays at the Beach this year.

LBMA Holiday After Hours.  Ruth Ann Hocking.  First Thursday in December; white elephant exchange.

Blue Grass Festival.  Ruth Ann Hocking has been to five festivals since our last meeting and has done quite a bit of emcee work and promotion of our event.

Beach To Chowder Run/Walk. Sherry Hash noted the Great Columbia Crossing is coming up next month.   A flyer, created by Brandy Ferguson, will go in 3000 packets for entrants.  Beach to Chowder is still looking for a new chair and additional volunteers.

SandSations.  Dian Barker Sayce reported that everything has been turned over to Becky Johnson.  The event is in the black!

OTHER REPORTS

Kite Museum.  Kay Buesing reported the museum has had a very good summer.  Smithsonian Free Pass Day is September 26^th; go to Smithsonian.com for the pass, or pick up the magazine.  Oregonian coverage is part of the event.  October 10-11 is One Sky, One World Kite Fly to promote peace and understanding amongst cultures.  This year will feature skype communication between events.

Loyalty Days.  No report.

Surf Perch Derby.  No report.

SummerFest.  No report.

Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau.  Kay Buesing will attend the LBMA Board meeting to discuss what’s been happening at the Visitors Bureau as relates to safety, trash and fireworks over Independence Day.  All are welcome at the Board meeting.

Liaison to Long Beach City Council. Jerry Phillips noted the City is still working on the water plant; they are getting quite a number of grants.  Steven Linhart noted the Discovery Trail Dedication on September 19^th and invited all to attend.  Ray Gardner will be doing a blessing and all state representatives have been invited.  9am-1pm, Bolstad approach.

City Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. Jerry Phillips noted that meetings were suspended last month due to summer business.  The committee is working on a 4-year plan.  The trolley will be more present next year.

Liaison to Ocean Park, Ilwaco. Blues and Seafood went well; they sold out of t-shirts.  Final Art Walk was last night; Slow Drag is tonight.  Ocean Park is looking at advertising and increasing their web presence.  Garlic Festival came out in the black and will be at Wilson Field again next year, as will Independence Day.  Visitors Center in Ocean Park is open 4 hours per day and is getting quite a bit of traffic.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ruth Ann noted that the Governor has asked us to fly flags at half-mast today, 9/11.

Rotary club has taken over the Christmas Angels program from the Grange and is doing a golf tournament as a fundraiser on October 17th.  Donations for raffle prizes are needed and welcomed!  See Jane Holeman, Keith Schwartz or Keleigh Schwartz.

LBMA Board Meeting: September 18, 2009, 8:00 am, Benson’s

LB City Council Meeting: September 21, 2009, 7:00 pm, City Hall

LBMA Meeting: October 2, 2009, 8:00 am, Benson’s

ADJOURNMENT 9:08 am