Long Beach Merchants Association | Regular Meeting
Friday, October 2, 2009, 8:00 am
Benson’s by the Beach Restaurant; 504 S Pacific in Long Beach; 642-3300
CALL TO ORDER 8:01
INTRODUCTIONS
Judi Andrew, Bob Andrew, Ragan Andrew, Rob Merrill, Keith Schwartz, Linda Jessup, Wayne O’Dell, Judy MacPherson, Jay Flint, Holli Beller, Olivia Beller, Dave Little, Gayle Borchard, Craig Smith, Cheri Diehl, Paula Mraz, Vin Ciaramella, Sherry Hash, Mike Dickerson, Steven LInhart, Keleigh Schwartz
APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion to approve as written by R Andrew. Second by Vin Ciaramella. Unanimously approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT given by Sherry Hash and attached.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
• Sherry Hash reminded Event Chairs they were to bring budgets to this meeting. She brought backup paperwork for each detailing the past 3 years of activity.
• Sherry is working with bookkeeper Kathy VinZant to get a copy of our reseller’s permit to each of the event chairs.
• The Board requested approval from the membership to raise dues from $75 to $85 effective 01/01/10. Dues for 2010 remains at &75 if paid before the end of December, 2009. Motion Dave Little, 2nd Judi Andrew. Unanimously approved.
• Membership is requested to review updates to the LBMA bylaws and be prepared to request changes else vote approval at next month’s meeting.
• Nomination of officers for 2010. A chart was provided showing positions in need of officers. Gayle Borchard agreed to serve on the nominating committee. Sherry Hash, Ruth Ann Hocking and Paula Mraz were nominated to serve in non-specific positions
NEW BUSINESS
• Linda Jessen, Pacific NW 4 Wheel Drive Association/Operation Shore Patrol reported on a successful cleanup and thanked LBMA for the group’s cash donation. The group’s cleanup is always the 3rd weekend in September. Mayor Andrew invited Linda to Present to the City Council and perhaps gain additional support from the City.
• Jay Flint of ShoreBank gave the group an update on the National Heritage Area. Jay passed out a fact sheet (attached). The Feasibility Study will be finished soon; it will Then be presented to the public, in a draft form, for comment. It will then be finalized and submitted to Congress for designation, which is expected to happen before the end of next year. The next step is a management plan for 15 years, which is followed by National Heritage Area projects. ShoreBank’s focus is on projects that support economic development. Mike Dickerson added that comment sites will likely be in Ilwaco, Astoria and Seaside. He noted that a support letter from LBMA, and individuals, will be requested during the comment period. Mike and Jay are both very open to questions and encourage all to contact Jay Flint 360 042 4265 ext 149 or jflint@sbpac.com
• Judi MacPherson came to speak about the Doggie Olympic Games being able to donate profits to the Shelter, as was done the first year when the event was under the purview of the Humane Society. Keleigh Schwartz (current President of the Humane Society) noted that there had been no donation made to the Shelter that year and no donation since, because the event requests, and accepts, lodging tax money (public funds). She further clarified the way to position the event to make a donation to the Shelter is to not accept public funding to produce or market the event. Judi then asked for their to be food on the beach, which LBMA has not allowed due to the policy to not permit vendors on the beach unless there are enough people to close the approach (~4,000). Bob Andrew suggested that a box lunch be offered as part of the registration process. Gayle Borchard suggested that a LBMA member business make a run to the beach to take orders for sandwiches. Wayne O’Dell asked that Judi come back to the group with a proposal that meets the needs of the Association and the Event. Ragan Andrew asked if the new event Chair, Brandy Ferguson, was aware of these issues, all she has to learn to be the new event chair, or that Judi was here representing the event. Judi responded that she had not spoken to Brandy, who was not present. Keleigh agreed to send Judi the LBMA rules at issue:
- To have vendors on the beach, an event must have attendance that warrants the City spending man hours to close the beach approach, which is roughly 4,000 people.
- Event chairs must give first priority to LBMA members when purchasing goods or hiring services. If there is not an LBMA member who can provide the goods or service, second priority goes to a non-member, local business. If there is not a local (Peninsula) business who can provide the goods or service, the event chair may go farther. Bids are recommended for all purchases and required for any purchases over $2,500.
- If any monies for the event come from public funds (such as lodging tax funds), profits from the event cannot be donated and can only be used to further grow the event.
- If the event does not take public funds, it may recommend to the Board of the Long Beach Merchants a dispersal to a non-profit such as the Shelter. The Board must approve these dispersals.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
• Holidays at the Beach. Steven LInhart introduced Holli Beller as the new Event Chair. Holli passed out her preliminary schedule and requested merchants consider extended hours during the Holidays (Thanksgiving) weekend.
• White Elephant Shindig. Steven reported that flyers were passed out and merchants were asked to hang them about town and invite as many merchants as possible from Ocean Park, Ilwaco, Astoria, Warrenton, etc.
• Bluegrass Festival. Judi Andrew reported that planning is strong and the event is looking great!
• Beach to Chowder Run/Walk. Ragan Andrew reported that 3,000 save the date cards went into the Great Columbia Crossing bags.
• Doggie Olympic Games. Steven reported Brandy Ferguson is the new event chair.
• SandSations. Becky was not available to report. Steven noted he has been emailing with her quite a bit and she is working hard.
•Jake’s Birthday. No report.
• Kite Festival. No report.
OTHER REPORTS
• Kite Museum. Dave Little noted that he is working with the museum to get skype running for One World, One Sky. Sherry Hash announced the Bob Milne concert is at 3pm on November 7th. $35; tickets at the museum.
• Loyalty Days. Bob Andrew reported they have had their first meeting. George Washington will be the speaker. Salute to the Coast Guard this year, the 60th Annual Loyalty Days. The theme is “Patriotism: Always Ready”. Junior and senior courts will be working together. Each princess will have a title.
• Surf Perch Derby. No report.
• SummerFest. Ragan Andrew reported approximately 18,000 people were on the wagon and 5,000 faces were painted over 16 weeks of activity.
• Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau. Steven reported that a letter is being drafted to go to state and federal representatives requesting limiting of fireworks stands and sales. Sherry Hash noted that the real problem is in illegal fireworks being brought in. Bob Andrew noted that the economic impact on the Peninsula outweighs the safety concerns, stating the biggest amount of fireworks ever were on the beach this year and there were no injuries reported.
• Liaison to Long Beach City Council. Position open. Jerry Phillips the budgeting process is beginning. The new water plant is moving forward well and grants have been received for that project. Steven Linhart noted a good trail dedication on the 19th with speakers and about 100 participants.
• City Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. Jerry Phillips reported the group is also in budget process and is working on a 5-year plan. He’ll be presenting possible dates for working on the 5-year plan by next week. The group is budgeting more money for the trolley so it has more of a presence during events and summertime. Jerry and Ragan are going to a tour operators conference in Reno to try to bring more bus traffic.
• Liaison to Ocean Park & Ilwaco. Dave Little reported that the other groups haven’t met since our last meeting.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
• LB City Council Meeting: October 5th, 7pm, City Council
• LBMA Board Meeting: October 16th, 8am, Benson’s
• LB City Council Meeting: October 19th, 7pm, City Council
• LB City Council Meeting: November 2nd , 7pm, City Council
• LBMA Meeting: November 6th, 8am, Benson’s
• Ready, Respond Recover Conference on October 14th, Chautauqua; contact Cathy Russ at the EDC.
• Washington Festivals & Events [WFEA] Conference “Show Me the Money” regional seminar on October 16th at Chautauqua is being co-sponsored by the City. Ragan reports that Event Chairs can register at the $50 rate due to being under the umbrella of the Visitors Bureau’s membership in WFEA.
ADJOURNMENT 9:11 am
