The August meeting was held at the Eureka College Cerf Center with 16 members in attendance. The meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m. The minutes of the last meeting were accepted for filing as presented.
Treasurer’s Report: Eldon LiaBraaten said the balance was $7435.18.
Committee Reports:
Eureka Reagan Fest: Marge Ulrich reported that the entertainment is booked. John Green will run the sound system. They still need a MC; 2 people could do half a day each. Male Lawn has donated the awnings again. Chuck Staley stated that he had delivered the rain signs to Eldon LiaBraaten. Marge said volunteers are always welcome to do small things like pick up trash.
Taste of Eureka: Heidi Bowman said that 24 businesses are taking part in the Taste. She said many businesses donated prizes, and at least 20 Taste ticket buyers will win a prize. She encouraged everyone to buy a ticket.
City:
Jim Meares said the city had almost finished the water replacement projects. They purchased a new leaf machine for 23,000. They are preparing for the city’s sesquicentennial in 2009. They are putting in a new siren by Lakeview. The city is also running commercials to promote Reagan Fest. There is a current petition to get flashing lights placed by Davenport and Eureka Community Nursery School.
Old Business:
Circus: Lisa Reinmann said the circus will not be coming to town this year and the EBA will try again next year.
New Business:
Eureka Discussion: Jim Fyke said that while many people think the government creates jobs, in actuality entrepreneurs do. The business people of Eureka need to guide and direct economic development and tourism, and create a unified vision for the city. He suggested the EBA form an economic development/ tourism committee, which can report back to the EBA and then present to public officials. Dawn Maloney said she had been president of CCI, a group with the goal of bringing tourism to town. She said she thought the city needed an economic development person again. Larry Whitaker stated he would encourage the EBA to form this committee and be proactive. Larry Whitaker, Dawn Maloney and Eldon LiaBraaten volunteered to be on this committee.
Business Update:
Brian Shirley, US Post Master, talked about the postal service today. He worked for the US Post Office for the last fifteen years, and has been at the Eureka Post Office for the last four years. Postage is now based on size and shape as well as weight. Each Eureka carrier delivers about 2,500 pieces of mail daily and makes approximately 500 deliveries. Postal service is unique in that no matter where you live, you pay the same price for service. Since 1976, the postal service does not receive federal subsidies and must support itself through postage sales and the sale of other items. Nation-wide, the postal service has about 216,000 vehicles, making it the 2nd largest civil fleet in the country. Shirley also shared information about the website, usps.com, where one can do many things such as buy postage and print shipping labels. To reach the Eureka post office, call 467-2921.
