Sidney Chamber of Commerce Meetings

Chamber of Commerce Meeting Minutes
COMMUNITY REPORT

Meeting Notes, April 2, 2003

The meeting was called to order by President Tom Graham at 7:35 am. Directors and officers present were Tom Graham, Wiley Vincent, Greg Hitchcock, Ed Curley, Scott White, Andy Matviak, Noel Goodspeed, Nick Nuciforo, Tom Mirabito, Jr., Craig Stevens, Pam Roach, Lori Bennett and Janet Wright. Members present were Keri Insinga, John Marano, Dorothy Reif, Jim Doig, Barb Barnhart, Dennis Porter, Ann Henry, Maggie Gilbert and Jennifer Ross.

Secretary's Report - Wiley Vincent made a motion, seconded by Andy Matviak, to approve the Meeting Notes of March 5th as written. The motion was approved.

Treasurer's Report - Noel Goodspeed made a motion, seconded by Andy Matviak, to approve the Treasurer's Report as submitted. The motion was approved.

Correspondence was passed around for review.

Community Reports

Village - Greg Hitchcock
· They are almost finished with the budget. A 5% increase in taxes is expected.
· Elections were held and Jim Warren was re-elected Mayor, Andy Matviak and Bruce Francisco were elected as Trustees.
· They expect to receive reimbursement for the snowstorms from both the Federal and State Government.
· A committee has been formed to review the code enforcement rules. If you have suggestions please contact Andy or Greg.
· There will be one more meeting April 14th on the Master Plan. Once it is adopted they will need to prioritize the goals.

School Board - Nick Nuciforo

· They have had a couple of interesting meetings. They are working very hard on the budget and expect the tax impact to be about 8% this year.
· They may renew two teacher contracts to accommodate specific class sizes and put back in some community use of the facilities. Elementary music for 4th and 5th grade may be funded along with some departmental chairmen.
· They have received two petitions. One is to have an evening with no activities so that kids can have an evening at home.
· The second petition is to bring the vote on the swimming pool back for another vote. Some people do not want the pool and are concerned about the cost of operating it. The design work has already been completed, along with some site preparation. The Board is seeking a legal opinion before their April 10th meeting in order to respond to this petition. If this petition succeeds the remainder of the building improvements would have to be redesigned. No one is sure what those costs would be at this time.
· Costs to operate the pool are now estimated higher than originally presented in 1999 when it was voted. The pool is not a part of this year's budget.
· Enrollments are down this year, and that is the reason that some cuts were made. They have been able to carry smaller classes because of the State Aid that we receive. That aid is no longer available.
· A study group may be formed to see what should be done in the future regarding all three elementary schools. Several options were mentioned.
Sidney Chamber of Commerce Meeting Notes -2- April 2, 2003
· A motion was made by Andy Matviak, seconded by Noel Goodspeed to send a letter from the Chamber in support of continuing with the pool construction as voted by the community and to also collect a list of signatures who support the original project. The motion was approved. Nick Nuciforo abstained. The documents will be delivered to the School Board before the April 10th meeting.

Greater Sidney Development - Jim Doig
· More development is underway in Sherwood Heights.
· The grant application will be submitted this month.

Vision 21 - Jim Doig
· Officers were elected at the last meeting and Jim Doig is now serving as President.
· The Master Plans are still the major focus.

IDA - Scott White - No report

Committee Reports

Executive Committee - Tom Graham

· The budget was reviewed and it looks like our cash flow will be okay for this year. Three chicken barbecues will be scheduled to help raise some funds. Please help if you can.
· Letters were sent to our other tenants and all have agreed to offer Assemblyman Hooker some space in our office. A letter will be sent to him.
· Planning for the Annual Dinner is underway. The cost for the tickets this year will be $22.00.

BEST Program - Andy Matviak
· BEST graduation will be Thursday.
· Eighteen participants completed the program.

Government Relations Committee - Tom Mirabito, Jr.
· The Economic Summit went very well.
· We heard some great presentations. We were all impressed with how our two largest employers compete and continue to expand and do business in our area. Their major concerns are health insurance, taxes and utility expenses. They need a level playing field to remain competitive and continue in this area.
· Senator Bonacic attended along with representatives from some of our other legislators.
· There is still no budget in Albany.

Membership Committee - Nancy Burns
· The New Member Coffee went well. Thanks to Nick for the music and to all those who helped make the event a success. Ten new members attended.
· They would like to explore the possibility of a gift packet for new members. Please consider what you might be willing to contribute toward something like this.
· They hope to help with the Chamber booth at the Arts & Music Festival and provide information about the Chamber.
· New plaques are still being investigated.

Marketing & Promotions Committee - No report

Professional & Retail Development Committee - Maggie Gilbert
· Final preparations are underway for the Roundtable meeting tomorrow, April 3rd at Gavins.
· The cost is $3 for lunch.
· All are welcome. Please come and support this discussion on ideas for improving marketing for local merchants.

Public Relations Committee - Barb Barnhart
· They are still working on the website and the brochures.
· There may be a Business-After-Hours in May at the Sidney Library.
· The next meeting will be at the SFCU on April 18th.

Special Projects - Ed Curley
· The Ed Wessels Memorial Canoe Regatta is coming up soon on May 10th & 11th.
· We need our normal crew and would welcome some new help, especially to spot at the finish line. Contact Noel Goodspeed if interested.
· The C-1 Pro race is scheduled for Saturday, May 10th at 3:00 pm. It is a loop course starting and finishing at Keith Clark Park. All other races are on Sunday starting in Oneonta at 10:00 am and ending at Keith Clark Park.
· We have a new sponsor, Michelob Ultra. We are still looking for additional sponsors. Letters will go out soon.
· This is a good fund-raiser for the Chamber. Come and join the fun!

Old Business

Home Town Day Parade - Joe Zummo
· This is scheduled for Saturday, June 14th at 1:00 pm. (This is a week after our Annual Dinner. It conflicted with the Sherburn Pageant of Bands.)
· The parade is always very popular and well attended.

Arts & Music Festival - Nick Nuciforo
· Plans are ongoing.
· We received a matching grant for $1000 for advertising.
· The website is up and running. Check it out! sidneyonline.com , then go to FEST

Annual Meeting - Jim Doig
· Jim is preparing a slate of officers for our Annual Dinner Meeting. Please call him if you have suggestions for a Director to fill the current vacancy and someone to fill the 2nd Vice President position.

Unfinished Business

Citizen of the Year - Ed Curley was awarded the Citizen of the Years Award.

Business of the Year - WCDO was awarded the Business of the Years Award.

Annual Dinner - The Annual Chamber Dinner is Friday, June 6th at the Sidney Elks Club. Tickets will go on sale next month. Save the date and plan to join us as we honor the 2003 Citizen of the Years and 2003 Business of the Years. Contact a Director or call the Chamber Office for tickets (561-2642).

* * * * * UPCOMING EVENTS * * * * *

May 2nd Best Program Begins
May 7th 7:30 am Chamber Meeting @ Toddie's
May 7th 7:00 pm Vision 21 Meeting @ Sidney Library
May 10th 3:00 pm C-1 Pro Ed Wessels Memorial Canoe Regatta @
Keith Clark Park
May 11th All Day Ed Wessels Memorial Canoe Regatta, Oneonta to Sidney
May 16th 7:30 am Public Relations Committee @ SFCU
May 7:30 am Membership Committee @ Chamber Office
June 4th 7:30 am Chamber Meeting @ Toddie's
June 4th 7:00 pm Vision 21 Meeting @ Sidney Library
June 6th 6:00 pm Annual Chamber Dinner @ Elks Club
June 14th 1:00 pm Annual Home Town Day Parade
(West Main to River St.)