Albion Chamber of Commerce-Board Meeting Minutes

March 29, 2021

Members Present:  Chris Magnuson (P), Carla Fiandt (VP), Sandy Petrie (S),

Sharon Leitch (T), Tammy Luce, Ken Cripe, Kay Craig, Mariah Keirn 

Absent:  Tony Feichter

Guests:  None

Meeting was called to order at the NCPL Albion library by Chris at 12:05 pm.

Minutes:  Minutes from the November 9, 2020 meeting were reviewed and Ken made a motion to approve.  Mariah seconded, minutes approved. 

Treasurer’s Report:  Treasurer’s reports for December 2020 and March 2021 were provided.  A correction to the December 2020 report was made on the “Chris Magnuson website renewal” amount which was $352.73 instead of $257.73.  The total expense amount was actually correct.  Carla made a motion to accept the reports with the correction noted, Tammy seconded, reports accepted.

December 2020

Beginning Balance (11/9/20):  $9,455.11

Revenue: $1,080

                Noble REMC:  $990 (Chamber Bucks 33 @ $30)

                Candy Myers:  $40 (Chamber Bucks)

                Flag Program: $50 (late donation from 2020 - Parker Hannifan)

Expenses:  $1,506.72

Yahoo: $23.99 (December internet)

Chris Magnuson: $352.73 (website renewal & stamps)

Candy Myers: $40 Chamber Bucks

REMC: $990 Chamber Bucks

Christmas in Village:  $100 ($25 each for Lori Rice, Willow Pulver, Phoebe Pulver, Cheyenne Warrix)

Bank Balance (12/31/20): $9,028.39

March 2021

Beginning Balance (12/31/21):  $9,028.39

Revenue:  $3,868

Dues: $3,580

Noble County Chamber Dues:  $288

Expenses: $2,772.39

Yahoo: $71.97 (Jan/Feb/Mar internet)

Ebey Sales: $2,095.20 (flags, poles, and kits)

Junior Achievement: $250

Drug Free Noble County: $50

Post Office: $64 (box rental)

Tammy Luce: $131.22 (Christmas Village expenses - candy etc.)

Christmas: $110 (Steve Hook-$35 gift basket, Jack Owen-$50 bucket truck, Saddle Club- $25 parade)

Bank Balance (3/29/21): $10,124

Old Business: 

Christmas in the Village:  Went really well for a COVID year.  Santa saw about 60 kids and the mini parade of fire trucks and police vehicles was still well attended.

Note:  Tammy Luce does not have enough help on the committee for 2021 to do more than focus on the parade and Santa.  If you are interested in helping with those projects or other potential projects for Christmas in the Village, please contact her at the Brick Ark Inn.

Tree Lighting and Decorations:  Jack Owen who helps us with the courthouse tree lighting each Christmas is trying to sell his bucket truck.  This means that we may not be able to decorate the tree (which also gets taller each year) in the same way as we have in the past.  We will be researching options and welcome ideas and help. Chris also mentioned that the wire broke at the star in the high winds shortly after the lights were put up.  Also any future lights purchased for decorations will be LED lights.  Sandy will research decoration options that might be easier to do and require less maintenance.

Thank Yous:  Thank you’s were received from JA and Drug Free Noble county for donations made last year.

New Business:

Flag Program:  Ken has this well underway and KPC has done a great job of getting this in the papers for us. We had to replace many flags, poles, and unfurl kits this year due to really high winds last year.  We will need a lot of support from the community.  Chris made a motion for the Chamber to purchase 2 flags, Kay seconded, motion approved.  To date Ken has 24 flags sponsored.  His record if 42 but he is hoping for at least 50 this year. 

Membership/Dues/Directories:  There are still MANY businesses and organizations that have not renewed their membership for 2021 - PLEASE contact Carla at the Albion Community State Bank (CSB) to renew your membership. 

Town Wide Garage Sale:  Tony let Chris know that only 10 applications have been received so far but this is typical at this stage. 

2021 Budget:  Chris provided the board with the 2020 budget and actuals as well as the proposed 2021 budget.  Ken made a motion to approve the budget as presented, Tammy seconded, budget approved.

Chamber Bucks:  There was a discussion on how difficult Chamber Bucks are to manage.  This is because they stay on the books if unspent.  We are looking at alternatives.

Announcements/Functions/Dates/Events:

Business Entity Filing:  Our Business Entity report is current and up to date through 11/30/2022

Chamber Bucks:  We want to make sure that Albion businesses are knowledgeable about the fact that if their business gets one of these, they are to be deposited exactly like a check.  They should have the CSB routing and account numbers connected to them at the bottom.

Dec 4 - Santa (Christmas in the Village):  from 5-7pm at Grace Christian Church

Adjournment:

Carla made a motion to adjourn, Sharon seconded, meeting adjourned at 1:05 pm.

Next Meetings: