Board Minutes

Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce
Board Minutes
Joshua’s Restaurant
February 10, 2012 noon to 1:40


In Attendance: Jim Hallett, Cynthia Warne, Alan Barnard, Ed Bedford, Brian Kuh, Jim Wahlsten, Shenna Straling, Todd Ortloff, Jim Jones, Jeff Robb, Noelle fuller, Cherie Kidd, Kent Myers
Staff: Russ Veenema, Lindsey Veenema
Absent: Julie Hatch, Kathy Charlton, George Bergner, Howard Fisher, Sharon Stevenson, Edna Petersen

Item 1: Brian opened the meeting with a welcome and a request for comments about the January 13 board meeting minutes. There were none and a motion was made by Alan B, with a 2nd from Jeff R. All were in favor and motion passed.
Russ had the minutes of the recent Executive Committee as a handout for the boards FYI.

Item 2: Financial report was presented by Jim W. Jim pointed out the very good news on the balance sheet showing a $11,000+ checking value. This is a big change from a year ago at this time. A couple of items of note on the P&L, are the web participation. This is almost at budget for the year and we are well under way to break budget as the year progresses. Also ADM costs are showing below budget, much of this is due to timing of when the report was printed. A/R is being monitored and Russ expects most of the accounts that are shown will come through. Discussion took place regarding not showing people that are doing a payment plan as delinquent. Russ will work on how to accomplish this and should have an answer in March. Motion to approve the financial as presented was made by Jim H, with a 2nd by Alan B. All were in favor

Item 3: Civic Field Bond proposal from City Of Port Angeles
Scott Ramsey was a guest at the meeting and presented the basics of what is being proposed for Civic Field renovation. This was also covered in the packets for the board members. A big part of the cost is a new synthetic turf field which will allow the field to be used by many more sports, in a much larger variety of weather. The increase use of the facility and the ability to attract more tournaments are projected to have a significant impact to the community. During the discussion the fact that several bonds will be retired during the next year or two, make the introduction of the Civic Field Bond much easier for the community to handle. After a good Q&A session Jim H made a motion for the board to support the Civic Field Bond request and the renovations proposed by the committee. Todd O 2nd and all were in favor. The board asked Russ to be sure to schedule a Monday Chamber lunch featuring the bond and the changes proposed for Civic Field.

Item 4: The proposed language regarding a revised mission statement for the Chamber was next on the agenda as a follow up from January. Russ read what he and George had crafted and after very brief discussion but very positive by the board the motion to accept the revisions was made by Alan B, with a 2nd from Shenna S. All were in favor. The revised mission statement reads as follows. The mission of the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of commerce is to be the voice of business and the greater community of our region focused on; business development, tourism, economic vitality and quality of life.

Item 5: March Business and or Beautification of the month selections were reviewed and a motion was made by Alan B with a 2nd from Jim H that the YMCA be selected as the Business Of The Month for their remodel of a defunct building and turning it in to a recreation center and also for the efforts of the Y for a healthy PA. Captain Ts was selected for the Beautification Award for the remodel of their new space on Front Street. All were in favor of this motion.

Item 6: Review of Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival & Chamber involvement
Scott Nagel presented a financial review of the 2011 event and discussed some of the challenges that an event such as this faces. He also highlighted the tremendous press the event receives and the importance of this event is being given by residents. Discussion then turned to the exposure the chamber has as being a partner of this event and how we need to be concerned about the liability we face in a worst case scenario. After good comments as to how to proceed a motion was made by Jim H with a 2nd from Alan B that a contract be drafted between Olympic Peninsula Celebrations (Scott Nagel) and the Chamber detailing the relationship. At the same time research will be done as to how to mitigate the liability possibly with the purchase of insurance. This will be brought back to the board as an agenda item in March.

Item 7: Presentation of committee recommendations for tourism grant funding was presented on behalf of the committee by Russ. There was little discussion and a motion was made by Jim H with a 2nd from Todd O to accept the recommendations as presented. All were in favor.

Item 8: Staff report
-Monthly report
-ONP Transportation Planners report
-Olympic Discovery Trail letter
-Trademark info: Jim H noted that the trademark info looked like something that might not need to be paid because it was from a private trademark company. Russ will research.

Item 9: Membership report was reviewed and members to be dropped due to nonpayment are: Greg Voyles Insurance, new Dungeness Light Station, HOWL, Evergreen Meats, and Royal Taxi. New applications for membership were approved for Barhop Brewing, Three Rivers Resort & Guide Service, Lower Elwha Klallam, Tribe. This proposal was made in a motion by Shenna S with a 2nd from Ed B. All were in favor. Kent mentioned that the Victoria Chamber and the PA Chamber will be doing a membership exchange. Russ confirmed this is in the works.

Meeting adjourned at 1:40