The board of directors for the Chamber of Commerce in Culver met at The Culver Coffee Company. President, Judi Dodge, called the meeting to order at 7:30 AM. Present were: Dodge, Ralph Winters, Scott Huberty, Rick Tompos, Ben Schaller, Mike Stallings, Greg Fassett, Dick Brantingham and Jon Guenin. Also present, Bobbie Ruhnow, executive secretary.
Dodge noted the next dinner meeting was scheduled for November 14, 2006 at the Culver Library. Librarian Carol Jackson and assistant, Jeff Kenney, will make brief presentations. The cost will be $10 and it will be catered by the Culver Coffee Co. The Awards Banquet will be held December 12 at the City Tavern.
Brantingham advised the winter banners would be hung this week by Bob's Electric. He noted the loss of five of the summer banners either through vandalism or storm damage.
Tompos gave the treasurer's report. Note was taken that the Chamber had not received the proceeds of the recent fund raising raffle causing a short fall in estimated revenue for the year. Noted that Dr. Bailey has indicated he would be pleased to host the Farmers' Market tent on his lot on the corner of Jefferson & Ohio Streets in 2007 with the stipulation that no vehicles park on the lot and parking issues on Ohio Street be resolved with the assistance of the Culver Police. Directors discussed the need to replace/repair the current tent. Estimated cost of replacement to be $3,000. The hardware would not have to be replaced.
General discussion on how to raise revenues in 2007 was held. The idea of non-business memberships for the Chamber was discussed including offering "summer memberships" to lake residents at a reduced cost. Stallings noted this would be a priority discussion in the planning session for 2007. The retreat will be December 9, 2006 from 8AM to 12 noon at the Culver Coffee Co. All directors are asked to attend.
Winters made a motion to allow the posting of the Directors' Report on the web site which was approved unanimously.
Second Century Committee is working with Leon Bennett, park board member, Town of Culver and the Culver Academies to make the old water tower area adjacent to the town park available for additional parking for park visitors. A pedestrian walkway from the parking area to the beach is a safety goal that will depend on easements being obtained, Brantingham noted.
Guenin, town manager, noted water/sewer projects proceeding with some delay due to weather. Family Dollar on State Road 10 will install sidewalks in accordance with town ordinances and Winters, owner, agreed that Culver Storage would be amenable to installing sidewalks at their place of business on State Road 10 as part of the share cost plan with the Town of Culver. Medallion Cabinetry will be joining the Chamber and Dick Rihl, general manager, is working with the Culver Redevelopment Committee and partner, SCC, on enhancing the W. Jefferson Street Gateway. Finally, it was noted that Ace Hardware may still appeal to the Culver Plan Commission for a rezoning of property on Tamarack Road.