EUREKA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
Minutes for December 18, 2008
The December meeting was at the Eureka College Cerf Center with 13 people in attendance. The meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m. The November minutes were approved. Treasurer Eldon LiaBraaten said the balance is $5282.78; no change since November.
Committee Reports:
Buy Local: Jim Fyke would like to continue the intern position next semester. Aaron Rapp is the current intern; he was been interviewing businesses and submitting and submitting business spotlight articles to area newspapers. He works approximately 4 – 5 hours per article. The articles have been run in the Pegasus and Woodford County News Bulletin. Some papers will not run the articles as they represent competition to their town businesses. Aaron chooses which businesses to interview; but he is open for suggestions. He is being paid $500 per semester. A motion will be made at the January meeting to continue the intern position in the Spring of 2009. It was asked that the articles be sent to EBA members via e-mail as well, for those who do not pick up the newspaper listed above.
Holiday Homecoming 2008: Cynthia Baer and Amber Harmon thanked all businesses for their support and reported on the success of the first two events – the Christmas Stroll on December 4 and the Christmas Memories with Santa. They have received positive responses from a number of people on the carolers, businesses being open, and the advertising. The Jingle Is Right game was not very popular, and it was reported that some businesses were unaware that the contest went for a full week. There were 74 color page entries for the Christmas Memories with Santa event. Over 100 people attended the Santa event, with about 45 families placing photo orders. There was a profit of $308.40 from the photo orders. A sheet was passed for volunteers sign up for the Candy Cane Hunt, which will be held on Sunday, December 21. Expenses thus far have totaled $1172.81, and income is at $838.40. Businesses contributed approximately $530 in cash support and an invaluable amount of in-kind support.
City: Jim Meares shared that the City purchased $700 in EBA Gift Checks for their employees’ Christmas bonus. The city has amended the City liquor ordinance to allow Caterer Retailer to apply for a Class 1 license on an annual basis rather than on a per event basis. This mainly concerns Sodexho at Eureka College. The City is preparing an Ordinance to put the proposed swimming pool on the April ballot as a binding referendum. The City has also approved the leaf/brush pick-up schedule for the year 2009.
Sesquicentennial Update:
Jim Fyke (History Book Committee) reported that a flyer will be distributed soon advertising the purchase of the history book at the pre-publication price of $37.50. Nancy Scott noted that 1,750 cookbooks have been sold; only 250 are left from the second printing order. Sales of the commemorative pottery pieces have risen with the holidays.
Old Business:
EBA T-shirts: On the dues statements recently mailed out, businesses can select the option to buy an EBA t-shirt. If businesses have their dues payment postmarked by December 31st, they get one free t-shirt.
Gift Checks: Nancy Scott reported that $17,920 worth of Gift Checks has been sold. The list of businesses participating in the program has grown so much that they will soon go to a two-sided list.
New Business:
Nancy Scott stated that in 2009 a new Community Events committee will be formed.
Election of 2009 Officers:
No nominations were suggested. The members present voted unanimously to retain the current slate of officers: President ~ Nancy Scott; Vice President ~ Emily Reese; Treasurer ~ Eldon LiaBraaten; and Secretary ~ Heidi Bowman.
Suggestions for New Members to Contact:
Chuck Staley reported that a new chiropractic business (Preferred Chiropractic) will be opening in the former accounting office at Lakeview on February 1st. Chuck has contacted them regarding EBA and has received a positive response about future membership and participating in the community.
Brief Business Update:
None.
