Long Beach Merchants Association | Regular Meeting
Friday, June 5, 8:00 am
Benson’s by the Beach Restaurant; 504 S Pacific in Long Beach; 642-3300
CALL TO ORDER 8:00 a.m. Steven Linhart
INTRODUCTIONS – Cheri Diehl, Dale Jacobson, Judi Andrew, Ragan Andrew, Jessie Williams, Craig Smith, Jill Grey, Kay Buesing, Gene Miles, Steve Watts, Dave Little, Wayne O’Dell, Steve & Kathy Kidd, Keith & Keleigh Schwartz, Wendy Murry, Steven Linhart, Kim McAbee, Merry Scharfe, Sherry Hash, Dian Barker-Sayce, Ruth Ann Hocking, Jane Holeman, Jeff Harrell
APPROVAL OF MINUTES. Motion to approve as written by Merry Scharfe, and second by Ragan Andrew. Unanimously approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT. Given verbally and attached in the Secretary’s notebook. Motion to approved by Dale Jacobsen and second by Keleigh Schwartz
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Merchants’ Building – Sale closing Wednesday, June 10. Jeff Harrell reported shelving is finished and ready to move. Jeff volunteered trailer and time this Sunday at 11:00 a.m. to move stuff and organize the new storage space. Steve asked festival heads to come to the new site, Long Beach Storage – Unit I47 on Sandridge, at 1:30 this Saturday to determine the area they will need. The key to storage will be kept in a lock box so board members can access storage at will. Kiwanis club stuff isn’t being moved, Kiwanis is aware has made other arrangements for their storage needs.
NEW BUSINESS
Washington Dept of Transportation / Road Project – Gene Miles introduced representatives from Watchdog and Knife River who reported on the project. Downtown work will occur to occur on June 15th, more northern work already started – downtown road will be closed midnight Friday to noon Saturday (June 12th & 13th). No work will occur 4th of July weekend or August. Black asphalt ramps are temporary & required by law while permanent ramps are being worked on. Northern part of road will receive chip seal in July. Pedestrian sidewalks downtown will not be replaced, will be paved same as rest of the road. Project is funded by American Recovery & Reinvestment Act and thus subject to federal construction regulations. Representatives stayed after meeting to address committee members’ questions and concerns. Gene reminded that temporary signage is allowed during the week of roadwork, city signage regulations will not be enforced.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Beach to Chowder – Sherry Hash – full-page ad in NW Runner magazine. Steve showed map of new ½ marathon course. Course is certified for next 10 years and may be a good marketing tool for local businesses. Pre-registered entries are up from last year. 143 total runners are registered as of yesterday and more registrations are still coming in. 80% of registrants are from out-of-town.
Doggie Olympics – Jill Grey – Only 2.5 weeks until the event. Video out on Utube under Doggie Olympics and is also on Doggie Olympics page on Funbeach. Video shown to City Council last weekend. Website also shows event clothing. Have 15 pre-registrants, up from 3 at this time last year. Two free events for puppies & senior dogs – no fee or registration required. Event is Saturday the 20th, no dog required, come on down.
Sandsations — Dian Barker-Sayce – new people on Committee, Becky Johnson and Ragan Andrews. Going to have live music on the beach. Showed shirts -90% are not dated so carry over year-to-year, thank you Jeff. Judges and event volunteers are lined up. Summerfest rack cards are ready. Pet parade being organized, welcome packets ready, Kiwanis doing hot dogs.
Jakes Birthday - Wendy Murry – Approached by American Roadside Magazine wanting pictures and event information. Rebel Rods doing a two-page ad, artist going to make a mirror hanging Jakes head for cars entering the car show.
Kite Festival – Jane Holeman – brochures out, being delivered Saturday. Event is set.
Holidays at the Beach – No report … Santa & Mrs. Claus are still scheduled to attend.
LBMA Holiday after Hours – First week of December, shooting for Thursday.
Bluegrass Festival – Ruth Ann Hocking – booked for 2010, applicants all over US already applying for 2011.
OTHER REPORTS
Kite Museum – Kay Buesing – Handouts, Kite Art next weekend. Museum has put together a museum map with questions & games. Extra’s available for your business if desired.
Loyalty Days – Judi Andrew – excited, 60th anniversary next event, George Washington coming next year – theme will be ‘Patriotism Always Ready’, which s part of the Coast Guard’s motto – greater Coast Guard presence is anticipated. There will be a float honoring the Loyalty Princesses of the past 60 years.
Surf Perch – Dale Jacobson – successful event, numbers down slightly from last year.
Summerfest – Under way, music every weekend, face painting, horse drawn wagon gave rides to 600 people over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau – Currently has a job opening for a bookkeeper.
Liaison to Long Beach City Council – Steve Kidd – fire downtown was handled very well, it could have been much worse. Local merchants pitched in which really helped. The Mayor has proclaimed June 14th as Flag Day, please fly a flag in front of your business. New police officer was sworn in at the last meeting.
City Lodging Tax Advisory Committee – Wayne O’Dell – Kiosk and information brochure discussed – video & brochure are going to be amended to be more current and useful to visitors. King5 services discussed, hard to measure benefit, many coastal communities are not renewing King5’s services.
Liaison to Ocean Park, Ilwaco – Dave Little – Ilwaco’s Merchants Association meeting talked about use of a $5000 grant for advertising businesses in Ilwaco. Saturday Market back in the black – kudos Normandy. Blues & Seafood, tickets are going on sale soon, event needs a stage – Port of Ilwaco offered staff to build a sectional stage. Fourth of July fireworks going ahead as planned need more funds. Ocean Park – Garlic Festival has 41 vendors signed up, a total of 60 are expected, and event volunteers are needed. Also, ideas and prizes for children’s events are needed.
4th of July – trying to get flags from Ilwaco to Surfside. Merry Scharfe looking to raise $210 for LB’s portion of flags also needs volunteers to put up flags during early morning hours (@5:00 am) on 4th of July.
National Heritage Area – No report.
ANNOUNCEMENTS – Mr. Werner from Candy Store passed away last week. Above it All Kites is relocating to old Cranberry Castle location.
Circus was in town for holiday weekend, was a great success – put on by Lions to raise money for a woman to have cataract surgery.
LB City Council Meeting: June 15, 2009, 7:00 pm, City Hall
LBMA Board Meeting: June 19, 2009, 8:00 am, Benson’s-Annual Insurance Review
LB City Council Meeting: July 6, 2009, 7:00 pm, City Hall
LBMA Meeting: July 10*, 8:00 am, Benson’s
*Note: Variation in schedule due to event activities.
ADJOURNMENT – 9:00 a.m.
