Pecatonica
Improvement Association
“The purpose of this association is to promote the betterment of the Pecatonica area”
Meeting Minutes for meeting held on June 2, 2004
President:
Mary Ann Newton Vice President: Donald Sandell
Member at
large: Ed Smith
Treasurer: Joy
Seaton Secretary: Janet Fuenty
Members in attendance: Ruby Kramer, Laura Wiegert, Jeff Sterling, Russell Longenecker, Joy Seaton, Sherry Schuur, George Anderson, Jackie Moyer, Joan Cunningham, Janet Fuenty and Tara Theisen
Meeting called to order by Janet Fuenty at 8:00 a.m.
Welcome to new members and guests. We welcomed Deborah Maddy of Village Profile as our guest.
President’s Message: Mary Ann Newton expressed her pleasure with so many members having been in attendance at the last meeting and hopes that greater interest by our members will continue. She noted that a successful organization requires the participation of many more members than typically attend.
Treasurer’s Report was distributed and summarized by Joy Seaton. It was noted that the festival organizer, C.J. Gregg, has not requested payment to date.
Minutes of the last meeting were distributed. George Anderson moved that the minutes be approved. Joan Cunningham seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.
New members and businesses: Trees and More has opened since our last meeting.
Agenda additions: Deborah Maddy was in attendance, at the request of Don Sandell, to describe the Winnebago County Community Guide and Atlas and to discuss advertising costs.
Committee Reports
Finance and Administration Committee: No report was made.
Membership Committee: Tara Theisen reported that Trees and More was now open. She will order a plaque for presentation and invite the owners, Pat and Kathy Dougherty, to attend the next meeting.
Streetscape Committee: George Anderson shared some quotes and information regarding rope lighting. Jackie Moyer reported that none of the electrical contractors she contacted were interested in installing the lights. It was decided that George would speak with business and building owners to determine whether they wished to continue and/or improve the lighting.
Joan Cunningham reported that the flowers were planted and came in at $90.00 under budget. She stated that the Garden Club had offered to replace three (3) evergreen spreaders at the corner with the clock. Joan also stated that the area needed mulch. George Anderson offered to donate the mulch and will coordinate with Mrs. Long of the Garden Club. George moved that we authorize the funds necessary to purchase the spreaders. Janet Fuenty seconded the motion and the motion passed.
Advertising and Business Promotion: No report was made.
Crooked River Days: No report was made.
Summer Festival Committee: Janet Fuenty moved that PIA re-vote on whether to engage C.J. Gregg in order to avoid any recurrence of objections later. Although she believed that a quorum was assembled on the day of the original vote, the minutes of the February meeting were not distributed to the members, and, therefore, no notice of the March meeting was given to the members. Discussion then ensued regarding the current status of Ms. Gregg’s engagement and the work she had completed to date. After general agreement was gained regarding the re-vote, Janet Fuenty moved to vote by secret ballot. Jeff Sterling seconded that motion and the motion passed by consensus. Janet Fuenty distributed ballots she had previously prepared, votes were cast and were counted by Janet Fuenty. The motion to engage Ms. Gregg passed.
Old Business
Spring Sidewalk Sale: Mary Anne Newton reported that the Sidewalk Sale event was unsuccessful.
Haunted Pecatonica: Mary Anne Newton reported that the Theatre was interested in joining forces with PIA to do a weekend tour of the community’s haunted houses and buildings. Actors in costume would provide guests with stories of the strange happenings.
Welcome Center: The Welcome Center is being maintained by the Village at the Village Hall. Many thanks to Sherry Shuur for her work in organizing and presenting our information. Sherry Shuur also stated that if PIA obtained volunteers to staff the Center on Saturdays, she would see that they had access to the Village Hall until noon.
Christmas Walk: Mary Anne Newton suggested that we begin planning for the Christmas Walk. Jackie Moyer volunteered to organize the Nativity Scene. It was noted that someone will need to volunteer to organized the Silent Auction.
New Business
Flag. Joan Cunningham brought information regarding various promotional flags and suggested that we could purchase a promotional flag to replace the American flag. Mary Anne Moved that we purchase a “Welcome” flag to place on the wagon. George Anderson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Tourism Guide and Atlas. Deborah Maddy opened our meeting to explain the Guide and Atlas once more. The Winnebago County Regional Planning and Development intends to publish a promotional tourism guide and atlas. Each community will receive a promotional page. The guide will cost PIA nothing and we may get revenue from the sale of advertising. She provided advertising cost information and suggested that if a group of different businesses desired to purchase an entire page and divide it between them, the cost will be lower for each individual business. Interested businesses should contact Donald Sandell.
Next meeting will be Wednesday, July 7, 2004 at 8:00 a.m. at the Stonewall Café.