New Hamburg Board of Trade Executive Meeting
February 11, 2009
Present: Paul Knowles, Ed Lemont, Nigel Gordijk, Tom Hinz, Dave Seyler, Audrey Cook, Doug Brenneman, Terry McIntosh and Larry Zehr.
Regrets: Lynne Mackie and Tim Bender.
Motion to approve minutes from previous meeting Tom, second Nigel Carried
Financial report; a full report will be given at the General Meeting
Flood fund: Paul gave a short report to the committee. Donations continue to come in and the committee is reviewing all applications for flood relief. Further reports will be given to the executive and general membership as things unfold.
Membership update: Dave has no current numbers but membership applications continue to come in. It is hoped to have more information by the General Meeting
Bypass and Feb. 25 meeting: Paul informed the executive that the fight is not over. Will it be maintaining the existing corridor or bypass? There is talk of cloverleafs, service roads, etc. He again urged everyone to be present at the meeting and to bring others. Ask questions, be polite but direct.
Budget presentation: the executive reviewed the budget for 2009. It was suggested by Terry that we apply for Visa services. This will be discussed at our next meeting when Lynne is present. One amendment for the merchant service charge was added to the budget. Moved by Dave to accept budget as amended, second Nigel.
Waste containers for downtown: Old liners need to be removed by early spring. New liners are ready for placement.
New Hamburg Welcome Signs. No further info.
Duck Race, we are still hoping for a convener for the rubber duck race to be held in conjunction with Canada Day, July 1.
Sausage Tent: Tom Hinz has offered to be the co-coordinator of this event in mid-August 2009.
Information on "First Impressions Community Exchange". This is a structured process that reveals the first impression a community conveys to outsiders, including tourists, potential investors and retirees. The Board of Trade will investigate this for our community. Moved by Tom, second Terry.
A funding application has been submitted by a group of local businesses to the Provincial Government for a New Hamburg Festival of the Arts, May 20 - 24. There would be approximately 10 cultural events involving both visual and performing arts.
Moved by Dave, second Ed to apply for funding for a summer student. Carried.
New business:
There is a figure of $2,200.00 in our budget for advertising. It is important to apply these dollars where they would do the most good. Larry, Nigel and Tom will take responsibility.
The B of T website will be changed to show membership forms and the date of June 15, 2009 for our annual golf tournament
It was suggested that the Board of Trade consider and perhaps comment to the township on the cost of Community Center rental to community groups. There seems to be a disproportionate cost between the New Hamburg Community Center and Wilmot Recreation Complex. Weeknights are more reasonable, but weekends are expensive and bar help must be hired from the Township. |
