Minutes

Crisfield Chamber Special Board of Directors Meeting
May 1, 2007



There was a Special Board of Director’s meeting held up stairs at the museum, starting at 6:00 p.m. Meeting was brought to order by President Steve Marshall. Members in attendance were: Steve Marshall, Chris Sterling, Teri Christensen, George Calamaras, Wade Ward, Virginia Townsend, Sue Heath, Pat Carson, David Price, Patti Marshall, Bill Buttrill, Dean Goldsborough, Terry Pehan, Mary Beth Pruitt, Chris Tyler and Diane McGonigle. Members absent were: David Mason, Clarence Bell, Jay Tawes, Tom Shores, Dennis Smith, Sandy Atkins, Mike Milbourne, Dan Kuebler and Mark Good. There was a quorum in attendance. The meeting was regarding the budgeted $50,000 contribution to the City of Crisfield for the SRP (Strategic Revitalization Plan).

Mayor Purnell was invited to discuss and explain the plan to the board members. The RFP (Request For Proposal) went out to 25 firms. The RFP Committee, headed by Dan Kuebler, received 5 proposals to do the SRP for the city. They did a ranking and the committee narrowed it down to 3 and brought all 3 firms in for a meeting. It was then narrowed down to 2 firms.

Commitments from other sources totaling $135,000 have either been received or expected to be received and the City needs a total of $185,000. The City of Crisfield is asking the chamber for a commitment of $50,000. After Mayor Purnell spoke, he excused himself from the meeting, for further discussion.

A motion was made by Sue Heath to commit the budgeted $50,000 to the City, seconded by Bill Buttrill.

Discussion: Bill Buttrill stated that the Mayor and his committee have bent over backwards to insure this project was conducted openly and fairly and that we should support them. Dean Goldsborough asked if it is “business friendly”? Pat Carson, who is a board member and also sat on the committee for the SRP, stated that it attempts to tie the downtown and uptown business sectors into an integrated and complimentary business corridor and that they tried to get a “happy medium” and yes, it is business friendly.

Tom Shores gave Valerie the penalty amount for taking out a CD early. For $50,000 it would be a penalty of $1,237.59. However, it may be possible that we can for wait the CD to mature and we would not be penalized. The treasurer and finance committee were tasked to ensure the chamber executed the commitment with the best financial position for the chamber.

Terry Pehan commented that we should not look at this as a contribution or a donation; we should look at it as an “investment” in out city.

A vote was taken. 16 Board members were present: 15 voted YES, one abstained.
Meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.


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

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