Minutes

Crisfield Chamber Board of Directors Meeting
April 12, 2007

The meeting was held upstairs at the Tawes Museum and brought to order by President Steve Marshall. Board members present: Steve Marshall, Virginia Townsend, Chris Tyler, Tom Shores, Terry Pehan, Dan Kuebler, George Calamaras, Mary Beth Pruitt, Diane McGonigle, Patti Marshall, Teri Christensen, Pat Carson, Sandy Atkins, Dennis Smith, David Price, Jay Tawes, Bill Buttrill. A quorum was in attendance.

Board members absent: Wade Ward, Chris Sterling, Sue Heath, Dean Goldsborough, David Mason, Clarence Bell, Mike Milbourne and Mark Good.

Previous minutes were read and approved. Motion made by Terry Pehan, seconded by Jay Tawes. Treasurer’s report was approved. Motion made by Terry Pehan, seconded by Jay Tawes.

Office Summary was given by Valerie. We have a situation where bleachers are still down at the city dock left during the Christmas holidays. The chamber hosted the Christmas parade but did not host the singing at the dock, where the bleachers were being used. Valerie will find out who moved them down there and ask them to please move them back. We are also looking for a place to store the Miss Crustacean float. If anyone has any suggestions, please let Valerie know.

Valerie checked into the Verizon and  AT & T bill. We are getting the best rates we can get as a business. However, we can put the long distance calls (now with AT & T) with Verizon and have everything on one bill and it would be a couple cents cheaper per minute. The chamber office has hired Shirley Merrywheather as part-time help in the office this summer. She will start in May. Also, Courtney Flaherty, who is a student at S.U., is looking for internship work this summer. Her major is communications, minoring in Marketing.

She will be working 12 hours a week. Since it is an internship, she will not be paid. The Mayor’s Prayer breakfast will be held Thursday, May 3rd at 7:00 a.m. at Asbury Church. Valerie will have tickets for that; the chamber is supporting it by purchasing a table of eight (8).

There will be dinner honoring Mr. Wade Ward on Friday, April 27th in Princess Anne. It is sponsored by the Tri-County Boy Scouts of America. The chamber will help sponsor the event by buying a table at $360.00. Motion made by Dan Kuebler, seconded by Tom Shores. If anyone is interesting in going, please see Valerie.

Curly Byrd Jazz Festival: Ki Coleman from Captain’s Galley was a guest. He is chairman of the Curly Byrd Jazz Festival. He asked for the chamber’s support on the festival, which will be held Saturday, July 7th. Ki stated that the festival would possibly be spread in 3 different areas around town: City Dock, Side Street & Marina (museum grounds). The goal of the event is to raise commerce in town. He asked for a small donation from the chamber.

After Ki Coleman left, Steve Marshall asked for discussion on the event; asking if we wanted to help with the insurance and some of the marketing. Dan Kuebler suggested that we not set a dollar amount yet, until we find out how much the insurance and marketing will cost. He also suggested that the chamber be acknowledged in the advertising as a supporter. Diane McGonigle made a motion for the chamber to financially support the event, seconded from Bill Buttrill. No opposed.

Insurance Review: John Phoebus was in attendance to discuss the chamber’s insurance for the upcoming year. Jay Tawes excused himself since he sent in a proposal. John made the presentation. Terry Pehan also worked on the insurance with John, they sent out a request to 5 insurance companies and received one (1) complete proposal and two (2) incomplete proposals back. Tawes Insurance will receive the business/policies, they were the only one to send back a complete proposal and the premium was lower than last year. Bill Buttrill motioned to accept the proposal, Dan Kuebler seconded, with the suggestion to ad the alcohol rider. The board also approved adding “AD & D” coverage to our existing insurance policies to supplement our workers compensation coverage.

David Price abstained. David Price also suggested that we may want to consider an insurance advisor to look at the policy. Steve thanked Terry and John for their many hours of labor that was put into this.

Committee Reports:

Finance Committee – Jay Tawes gave the finance report. A hand-out was given to board members.

Events Chairperson: Virginia Townsend stated the each committee is working on their own projects, which includes fishing tournament, clam bake and crab derby. The boat docking committee had a luncheon meeting with potential sponsors a couple weeks ago.
Diane McGonigle announced that the committee is working on the fishing tournament. Also, some of them got together and moved fishing tournament supplies, etc. from George Tawes’s building to Mike Milbourne’s building.

Scholarship Committee- Sue Heath/Pat Carson: Pat said that the form is getting out to the students. She also said that they are asking the students to give back to their community. Not to just take the scholarship and run – get involved.

Government Affairs- Diane McGonigle, Diane spoke with Frank White who is working with our council to form a coalition. Dan Kuebler stated that they are finalizing things with the SRP plan with the city. Five (5) companies gave a proposal, they cut it down to three (3). All 3 will be interviewed next week.

Membership Committee- Patti Marshall: Patti announced that they are working on a Business After Hours, which will be sponsored by the Peninsula Bank (PNC). It will be Wed., May 16th – 5:30-7:30 p.m.- at the museum. Information will be sent out on that.

Beautification Committee – Chris Tyler/Terry Pehan: Woodson School students (5th grade) will be helping to plant and paint the downtown flower boxes. Principal Debbie Dean and teacher Jenni McDorman will be coordinating this with the chamber.
The committee needs $3,000 for the project. Motion made by Dan Kuebler, seconded by Diane McGonigle. No opposed.

By-Laws Committee: Terry Pehan: Terry sent an email (or Valerie faxed) to all board members an updated handout of recommended changes to the by-laws. The board went through each one and either passed them or made a change. Terry will type of revisions and we will get by-laws out to all the chamber members.


Other Reports:

Somers Cove Marina – Dennis Smith: Dennis stated that they are working on B pier to be repaired. Also building a walkway and adding 30 boat slips on the other side of the marina, behind the motel. They are also finalizing seasonal help. 4th July fireworks will be held that day, 4th at approximately 9:00 p.m. from the marina. Fireworks are being sponsored by the chamber and the marina.

Old Business:
Showmobile is still up at Meadow Hydraulics. Paul Emely will go get it and have it painted at ECI. We are not sure about what color the outside will be painted.

New Business:
Steve announced that Somerset County Administrator, Charles Massey will be retiring after 31 years of service. Steve suggested that we give him a plaque from the chamber thanking him for his many years of service to the community. Terry Pehan motioned, George Calamaras seconded. No opposed. Valerie will order the plaque.

Steve suggested that the next chamber meeting be held in the evening, so that other chamber members could attend. Next meeting: Thursday, May 10th, 6:00 p.m.,
Upstairs at Tawes Museum. All members are invited.

Meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.


Prepared By: Respectfully submitted by:
Valerie Mason, Office Manager
Terry Pehan, Secretary
 

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