HILL CITY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
February 14, 2012
Board of Directors Meeting
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Super 8 Motel Conference Room
Present: President – Jim Denevan; Treasurer – Michelle Olson; Deb Bruce (Director);Chris Busby; Dave Gray; John Knapp; Mary Jo Marcy; Julie Stremick;
Not Present: Secretary – Lorena Freis; Joey Bond; Blanche Farrar; Bob Stanfiel; Larry Walker;
Others Present: Eric Bruce (Timberline Tree Spraying); Frank Carroll (Save the Legacy Trees); Denise Etzkorn; Dawna Kruse (Holly House Bed & Breakfast); Jeff Menkens (KOTA Radio); Angela Raderschadt
President Denevan called the meeting to order at 8:00 am, requesting approval for the Agenda for today’s meeting. Motion by Michelle Olson to approve the Agenda, second by Mary Jo Marcy. Motion carried. President Denevan requested approval for the Minutes. Ms. Kruse was noted as seconding a motion; she is not on the Board and her motion second cannot be accepted. Noting those changes, John Knapp made a motion to accept the Minutes as corrected; Julie Stremick seconded. Motion carried.
President Denevan requested approval for John Knapp to be appointed to the Vice-President position on the Board. Michelle Olson made a motion to approve John Knapp as the Vice-President; second by Julie Stremick. Motion carried. Mr. Knapp is to be added to the Chamber bank accounts as an authorized signature. For those purposes, Mr. Knapp’s signature and Social Security number are listed below:
John Knapp, Vice-President Social Security Number
Treasurer Olson presented the Treasurer’s Report. Discussion ensued.
“Save the Legacy Trees”: Frank Carroll spoke about the “Save the Legacy Trees”. Eric Bruce was available to field questions. The pine beetles are marching forward into our communities and private property. 22,000 acres were damaged in 2009, 44,000 acres in 2010, 67,000 acres in 2011, potential for 100,000 acres in 2012. There are 36 logging companies to pull the logs out. A new campaign is being launched to protect the trees that no-one owns. Mr. Carroll requested that the Chamber begin to seriously consider what trees we should protect for Hill City. Proper spraying saves trees; nothing else does.
KOTA Radio Co-op Advertising Program: Jeff Menkens – Deb & Jeff are working on a co-op advertising opportunity for Hill City, with Chamber members working together to promote Hill City on a general basis, not just the individual businesses and the specific events. Duhamel Broadcasting will match whatever ads we pay for. The cost will be $10/month, per business, payable annually. The goal is 75 – 95% of Chamber members to participate. The bottom line threshold will be 50% of membership.
Central Reservations Update: Michelle Olson – Deb & Michelle attended the most recent Board meeting. They are currently working on a Utopia platform which allows a booking platform. Hill City is strongly represented on the Board. State Tourism is predicting a small increase in tourism numbers for 2012.
No public comments were received.
Black Hills Badlands & Lakes Report: Deb Bruce – They are using a new wrapped ATV for promotion on their Road Trips. The BHB&L budget and Road Trip itinerary were available for review. Another Marketing Committee meeting will be held at the end of February 2012.
EDC Report: Jim Denevan – There are questions about the BID tax; no discussion is happening on this matter at this time. The City is receiving a $300,000 grant for new sidewalks. EDC & the Chamber have a small sign committee. The State will put up 1) Hill City; and 2) Visitor Center signs. There is also work happening for a Welcome to Hill City sign; the costs for these signs is assigned to DOT. There are also plans for Railroad Avenue and RV signs. 5/5/2012 will be an Open House for the CCC Museum at the VIC. The Art Council has volunteered to write Grant applications for the CCC.
Visitor Information Center: Denise Etzkorn – Constant Contact is being used for the weekly newsletter now. Hill City will have 5 new businesses in 2012. Jan/Feb/March bookings and website traffic are up compared to 2011. Last Hill City Hosting was to promote Winter sports.
Committee Reports:
By-Law Committee: Michelle Olson – No report
Membership Committee: Lorena Freis – No report
Events Coordinator/Events Committee Report: Angela Raderschadt – Tour de Chocolate seemingly went well. Naked Winery will hold the 2/21/2012 Chamber Mixer with a Mardi Gras theme. The Easter Egg hunt is the next Chamber sponsored event. The Logging Show will be 2 days this year. The Rendezvous and the Quilt Show are well under way.
Director’s Report/Marketing Committee Report: Deb Bruce –
- Google Analytics will be available for us every month. The numbers are amazing.
- The Hill City Package Page on our website is now complete. Further discussion needs to happen.
- Website banner ads. This provides the Chamber with another opportunity to promote our Chamber member businesses for a fee to the member businesses.
- Dakota’s Co-op Page: Hill City will have a page for $250; six additional businesses can place an ad (4 have already purchased space). This is an annual publication with a 14 month on-line access.
- Chamber brochure is in the works.
- Certified Folder: We are checking into upgrading to a higher distribution package. Last year we spent $1,484 for 5 months. The goal is to be in the $2,000 package; we are on a waiting list.
- Black Hill Playhouse: We are splitting a 1 page ad with EDC & the City. The Arts Council is coordinating this project.
- Logo-wear: Working with a firm in Rapid City. These will be sold in the VIC. T-shirts, hats, tote bags will be available.
Old Business:
Visitor Center Video: No discussion.
Sponsorship for Black Hills Film Festival: We are paying $500/month now; we will also provide $2,500 of “in kind” advertising.
Mixer follow-up: Discussion tabled to the March 2012 meeting.
New Business:
ATM for Visitor’s Center: The owner of the ATM will be available at the March 2012 Board Meeting to make a presentation to us.
Deb went to the City last evening requesting an additional $25,000. She will submit this formally at the 2/27/2012 meeting.
President Denevan requested we remember the Art Anderson family this week in our prayers and thoughts.
Motion to adjourn the meeting by Michelle Olson; motion seconded and carried.
The next Board meeting will be held on March 13 at 8 am at the Super 8 Conference Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Lorena Freis
Secretary
