BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:  Julie Abel-JabberDesign - Ben Barton-White House Bistro – Lincoln Brackett-Brackett & Company  - Mike Carey- Del Sol –  Angela Holmes-Century 21 - John Jerome-Butler Pantry  – Angela Holmes – Fred  and Janet Schmidt – Marilyn Starring-Star of Saugatuck – Kevin Tringali-Bella Vita Spa & Suites – Jodi White-Macatawa Bank

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:  Bill Smith – Frank Rojek

AUDIENCE ATTENDANCE:  John Thomas-Now & Then – Jon Helmrich-IBC – Durenda Walker-Rubinkam - Jane VerPlank-City of Saugatuck/Victorian Inn – Les Korsos-Chef Container -  Kirk Harrier-City of Saugatuck -  Mike Tischleder-Amazwi  – Brent Birkholz-Harbor Duck Adventures – Janice Gibson-Good Goods - Marsha Burd-Saugatuck Trader  – Lisa Lungaro-Macatawa Bank

Secretary’s Minutes - Julie Abel made a motion to approve the secretary’s minutes as presented.  Mike Carey seconded.  Motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report – Jodi White provided profit and loss statement – transactions were detailed and provided a lot of information.  Jodi is still working on learning the program, and looking for direction on what type of report(s) we are looking for.    SABA Bucks – sold $210 in last two months – very few have been turned back in for redemption.    Janet Schmidt – Jodi has been very good doing a quick turn-around for merchant reimbursement.  Budget:  Brochure (Advertising $2,700 – that was for graphic designer work done for the ads – ends up being a wash.)  Fred Schmidt - Brochure line item of $20,000 included producing separate pads of maps – last year we started from scratch with graphic design – will keep same layout this year just making a few changes – so shouldn’t be so much for design work.  Angela Holmes wants to make line item for brochure $18,500 instead of $20,000.  Jodi White – Told board that SABA paid $3,500 for all the services that Sally Winthers provided for us last year.  Fred Schmidt:  Reserve funds in budget – Do we actually have $10,000 in this account?  If so, we should take these extra funds to balance the budget not to keep that amount of money in reserve.   Angela Holmes – this is a working budget and will amend it next month when we have a better handle on our final dollars  when we get final membership numbers.  Marilyn Starring made a motion to accept this as a working budget and to make final adjustments next month when we have final membership numbers.  John Jerome seconded.  Motion passed.

Kirk Harrier – Snow Removal – Kirk discussed what a difficult December it has been for the city with all the snow we have had so far.  In December of ’08 we had almost 80” compared to 57” back in ’07.  Mike Carey has been in and discussed the situation with Kirk numerous times.  Kirk has looked up the city’s   ordinance in regards to snow removal, and it requires all property owners to remove snow and ice from in front of their property and their adjacent property.  The last few years the city has used a small tractor with a snow blower (auger on front of tractor) to remove the snow from city sidewalks – this includes residential, as well as, commercial sidewalks within city limits.  The city began salting crosswalks to keep them clearer.  The Department of Public Works (DPW) has 4-5 guys to remove snow from downtown area – the city has limited manpower.  When time permits they push off the snow into street and removed to old airport property.  All streets within city limits have to be plowed before DPW can do anything else (remove snow banks) and takes all DPW personnel  to do this plowing – have two larger trucks out plowing – 1 or 2 salting and then 1 or 2 in smaller trucks plowing on dead-end streets or streets the larger trucks can’t get down.   Kirk has spoken with David Kowal in Douglas in regards to how they remove their snow in the downtown area.  Douglas has hired an independent contractor to perform this service at an annual cost of $50,000.  Douglas is going to rebid this service because of its cost – they are looking at reducing the expense.  Kirk - It is up to business owner to salt in front of their business and to keep it clean.  Kirk is going to bring up this item in February for the council to discuss.  Kirk can only enforce the ordinances on the book without further approval/direction from city council.  Mike Carey – There has to be some penalty to the business owners who don’t keep their sidewalks clean.  Why can’t the city do it (issue a financial penalty) and then bill property owners?  Kirk – This had been given some consideration but doesn’t want to the city to have to fine and then collect the fees – creates a lot bad feelings and extra work for city staff.  Kirk has talked to public works about keeping cross walks salted.  Marsha Burd – There needs to be a consistency in cleaning the sidewalk and it would probably be easier for city to do clean the walks and not fine business owners.  Kirk – Goal is to get sidewalks clear, and some businesses leave for the winter and are not around.  John Jerome – When will you bring this up to council.  Kirk - In February we are going to start doing budgets for next year – next fiscal year begins July 1st.  Kirk needs to get some projected costs on how much this is going to run.  Mike Tischleder – Fining those (businesses) for not salting isn’t going to solve anything.  Mike T.  has a situation where they plow in front of his store and then stop because they can’t get around a tree that is in between his building and the next business, which creates a barrier that people can’t walk around.  The snow is so heavy that he can’t move it by shoveling either.   Angela Holmes – We (SABA) are trying to promote businesses that stay open during the winter and it doesn’t make it conducive that customers can’t get to stores because sidewalks aren’t clear and are slippery.    Brent Birkholz – We not use the funds raised from the parking lot to help with the intra-structure.  Why not contact Aspen or Vail to see what they use to remove snow – they get tons of it and they keep their sidewalks clear.  Marsha Burd – The snow banks were so high and close to the road people couldn’t get out of their car.  John Thomas – There reaches a certain point where the city can only do so much.  John said he has gone out and has had to shovel out the street parking in front of his business for his customers.    Mike Tischleder  – You need to keep in mind that it is going to be a lot more than $50,000 to do this – Saugatuck’s downtown is a lot bigger than Douglas.  Ben Barton – He is glad that city comes out and runs the snow blower – it makes it easier when we have to go out and shovel.    Kirk – The city just needs to look for the right piece of equipment to do the work.   Also, when there is as a situation that arises please come and talk to him.  He cannot help find a solution to the problem if it is not brought to his attention.

Chef Container – Recycle Center – The city council approved an ordinance to move all residential trash removal to Chef Container effective January 1^st, 2009.  This ordinance was adopted to eliminate the excessive amount of truck traffic that was coming into downtown and to help save our roads.  Recycling is a very convenient method – it is done on a weekly basis by just placing your recyclable material curbside and it will be picked up with your weekly trash pick-up.  It was felt that by going to this contract the average residential customer may see a cost savings of close to $200 per year.  The city had a contract with Allegan County – in 2007 the cost for this service was $47,734.40. It was a curbside service that was picked up 2 times a month and material was picked up at the Maple Street recycling center.  In 2007 they did 46 did curb side pick-ups with this contract.  By changing to Chef it eliminated $47,000 cost and now provides the convenience of curb side pick-up weekly.  The city has removed the Maple Street recycle center there were a number of reasons for closing it – they found out that the site was not in accordance with county ordinances, it was unmanned, a lot of material was being dropped by non-Saugatuck residents, and there was quite a bit of hazardous material being dropped off there, as well as items that the city had to have removed (sofa’s, refrigerators, tires, batteries, etc.).  Most of the restaurants have their own recycling containers.  If any commercial business has any questions call Les Korsos 616-494-0561 (616-218-2319 – Cell) at Chef Container if you have concerns on getting recycling material picked up.  John Thomas does cardboard goes in with the trash?  Les Korsos – Yes, but it is dumped in transfer station and gets sorted out.  All of their trash is sorted and recycled.  It just makes it easier if the recyclable material is in the yellow bags.  They are free and may be picked up at city hall.  Marilyn Starring – We used to get cards from the city where we could take appliances – tires – paint – batteries,  etc. to be disposed of, do we still have this contract with Allegan?  If not where do we take them?  Kirk will check into this.

Holiday Lighting – Angela Holmes – There was a big issue with the ground faults that kept tripping the lights all the time and lights seemed to be out more than they were on.  SABA would like to help the city with a new lighting contract – seemed like the $32,000/$16,000 was a lot of money to pay for this service with all the problems we had this year, and the contract has expired with Lightastic.  Kirk indicated that the ground fault trips are a safety code issue and there really isn’t a way to get around all of this. Lisa Lungaro – We can discuss at signage meeting tomorrow.

Kirk said that there will be a Budget workshop in February.   Kirk will let Fred Schmidt know when it is so he can put out an e-mail blast to membership.  Fred Schmidt asked about information about the road constructions project, as some of the business owners are rather apprehensive about all of this and want to know how it is going to affect them.  Kirk said that the city will be holding road construction workshops prior to when construction begins.  Fred Schmidt mentioned that April 11^th is Town Crier race.

MARKETING COORDINATOR’S REPORT – Janet Schmidt – Saugatuck/Douglas was #4 in ‘Lonely Planet Guidebook’ article in GR Press on Sunday.  AAA has also spent a lot of time talking about Saugatuck.  If you’re not in the AAA Guide book should check into getting into it – there is not much of a Saugatuck/Douglas presence in it at this time.  Make sure to visit WMTA.org to see what is happening – very big plus for our area. 

Advertising:  Talking summer and continuing to work with winter activities currently going on.  Going with “sweet deal” theme to promote Winterfest – have received a lot of positive response from merchants so far. 

Phone is continuing to ring and Fred and Janet are continuing to promote the area as a wonderful place to come and spend time any time of the year.

Worked with Julie Abel on the SABA website for Winterfest activities – put on a kiss to click on to lead you to Winterfest page. 

Sally Winthers designed Winterfest Weekend poster and it is being distributed.

Janet has met with Kristin Armstrong developing a concept for table cards at local restaurants and lodging –it would list all the events on a quarterly basis.  First one is due out April 1^st – prototype will be available to view very soon.

SABA Events list has been given to the CVB to be placed in the annual publication.   The events that were given to the CVB are strictly SABA sponsored events.  This same list was given to WMTA to be included in their guide.

Janet is also working with bluestarhighway.com – it is a new web site and is free for now.  Connecting with Blue Star Highway towns/events which starts in Chicago and hopefully will be going all the way to Muskegon. 

Met with Angela Holmes and discussed offering one ad quarterly to all SABA members in e-mail blasts being sent out – e-blast is sent out every third week. 

Janet is also exploring advertising with AAA in Michigan at no charge for certain areas.  (I.E. - AAA Guide)

Janet has also submitted list of activities to a numerous papers in the Indianapolis, Detroit, and Cleveland and Lake Erie areas.

There was a great response on the B&B tour prior to our Holiday Get Together at the Round Barn Winery – looking at doing another B&B tour in the spring.   Some of the lodging owners have asked for a cross visit where B&B owners can visit the merchants to see what they have to offer our visitors.

Janet will also pursue getting plaques at interstate exits which give directions on how to get to our towns and businesses within the communities.   Janet will meet with Kristen Armstrong and to pursue this, should hold meeting within the next 10 days.

John Thomas commented that SABA (Janet) has been doing a good job in marketing.  The current slogan that is being used "Things are great here" really bothers him and feels it comes across as almost being arrogant considering the economic times we are currently in.  He would prefer that we adopt a different slogan ‘thanks for choosing Saugatuck and Douglas’ letting how our customers how much we appreciate their business instead of going other places.  John understands the motivation for the slogan and why it was created but wondering if it’s appropriate in today’s economic climate to continue using it.  Is it the right slogan for this next year?  If we have to explain it to people is it doing the job? – Feels that it is worth discussing.  

John Jerome thanked John for conveying his ideas so well – maybe we should consider having a couple different slogans to use.  Angela Holmes – Maybe we could get some comments after the minutes have gone out from our membership – need to discuss this at our next workshop.  Not sure we can change gears within the next month but will discuss (Membership please send your comments to saba@wmol.com.  Keep or change slogan or other slogan suggestions) at next SABA board workshop. 

John Thomas – will be asking DDA and Douglas Downtown Merchants to adopt this slogan that thanks customers for choosing to come here.

OLD BUSINESS

MEMBERSHIP – 4 new members.  62 still have not renewed – board members need to work on contacting members on your list and to get dues and renewal forms in.

DRUG STORE WALL – Fred has just sent the invoices out – payment is due March 1^st.

EVENTS UPDATE – John Thomas - Why are we having Winterfest on Valentines weekend? Angela Holmes – it is also President’s Day on Monday, which is a holiday for a lot of people.  Hoping that we could keep people here longer since it will be a long weekend.  For Winterfest, it was decided that we would keep the two things that were successful at last year’s event, which was the Stew and Brew and Snow Sculpture contest.   Last year was the first year for the event and we struggled with it.   Janet Schmidt is working on a “Sweet Deal” concept to promote during the event.  Janet Schmidt stated that she has had positive feedback for six lodging establishments who said they had no bookings for that weekend, and two lodging establishments felt it wasn’t a good idea because they were already booked for the weekend.

Holiday Events – John Jerome stated that it was not as successful as we would have liked – there were several contributing factors – weather and economy.  Looking at revamping the holiday events for 2009.  Holiday Preview will be held for both towns on a Saturday for next year.    Would like more ideas on things to do and need to plan it earlier.  On Friday nights people are arriving too late to do anything.  Possibly will change nights to Saturday and have a trolley service between both towns.     Janice Gibson – There was a lot of foot traffic with Candy Cane Game but not a lot of purchases.  Angela Holmes – did get a lot of e-mail addresses from this game to add to our mailing list.  Had 9 winners which received SABA Bucks so they will have to come back to the area to spend them.  Also gets people into your shop that may not have been in your store before and may possibly come back.  There were numerous complaints from customers when we didn’t do the game a couple years ago. Also need to overcome the mind-set that is out there that our stores are too expensive to shop in.  There were 97 entry forms turned in this year – less than last year.  Bad weather and weak economy didn’t help.  Janet Schmidt – 85 addresses were collected and there were a lot of double punches (indicated a purchase).  Mike Tischleder – You have to consider that for some businesses it makes sense that they may not make sales from this event.  It does show considerable weight with the business community, that we are open, we are cohesive and offer places to go, and we need to encourage as many businesses as possible to participate.  If people come they will have something to do.   Don’t think of it as having to make a sale at the time, but possibly it will be a potential sale in the future.   The exposure that your business receives is very beneficial and we should welcome all suggestions.

Town Crier – Jodi White said discussion that sponsorships are down.  There will be new routes for the race and the runners won’t be crossing Blue Star Hwy.  Race date is April 11^th.   Since sponsorships are down the donations will be down after the race donations back to the school programs.  Fred Schmidt – He needs a map of the race route so he can get to the merchants.  Jodi White – Information will be on SABA web site.

HARBOR PLANNING COMMITTEE – Marilyn Starring-Read that the township appointed their three members to the board. Hasn’t heard anything else yet about the committee.

WGVU – Jon Helmrich’s January show will talk about events at the SCA.  Jon said in February he will begin his third year doing View from the Dunes.   View from the Dunes airs on WGVU 88.5 FM, is a ½ hour show, talks about anything from the Saugatuck/Douglas and surrounding area, and is broadcast live on line wgvu.org.   Jon wanted to thank SABA for helping him over the last three years, and a special thank you to Fred and Janet Schmidt for their suggesting guests and events.  He has interviewed over 30 people from the area, and has covered over 110-120 events.  Jon offered an open invitation to anyone who would like to be on the show, don’t be shy – Jon would like to talk to everyone. Is your business having an anniversary, of if there is something special happening with your business contact Jon at jon@ibctvl.ifo  or contact Fred Schmidt.  The show airs the 4^th Friday of the month.  January’s show will be on the 23^rd at 9:30 am.  Angela Holmes - Are you going to talk about Winterfest in January?  Jon – send me an e-mail about Winterfest and he’ll include it.  Angela Holmes – We would like to put podcast on website – can you help?  Some of our member would like to listen to it at a later date.  Jon – At the present time they can are not able to do pod casts but will check into it.  John Jerome – Please remind audience that businesses are open  and to shop locally.  Ben Barton - “There are great things here”

BLOCK CAPTAINS – Angela Holmes – Need to take a look at block captain list to see who isn’t around in winter and need to put together a list with updated information.  Lisa Lungaro - Is there someone who heads up block captains? Angela Holmes – Janet Schmidt takes everything to the block captains that need to be distributed.

Spring Kick Off will be April 14^th.

COMMUNITY LEADERS LUNCH – No update – Next meeting will be January 14^th at SCA.

OFF BUTLER STREET SIGNAGE – There is a meeting scheduled for tomorrow with Jane VerPlank, Tony Vettori, Kirk Harrier, Lisa Lungaro, Angela Holmes, and Marilyn Starring.  Will report back at the board workshop.

NEW BUSINESS

BOARD WORKSHOP – Tuesday, January 20^th – 5:30 p.m. – Century 21 – Events committee meeting @ 4 p.m. the 20^th @ Century 21.

MEMBERSHIP SURVEY – Marilyn Starring – Had a meeting yesterday with Mike Tischleder, Fred Schmidt and myself.  After a lengthy discussion decided we need to ask why do we want to do a survey?  Is it just for the sake or doing one or do we have questions that need to be answered and direction given.  If the board feels that a survey is necessary then we need input from board/membership what questions they feel need to be asked.  The three of us felt that is would be more beneficial to do short surveys on when we have specific questions – i.e. Right after an event to get membership feedback.   When we did the comprehensive survey several years ago we were looking for direction from our membership and what they felt was important for us to accomplish.  Our membership told us brochure/directory, web site and marketing – and we have worked on and vastly improved these areas.  We are a stronger organization, and have accomplished many things over the last few years.   

Mike Tischleder – At the time when we did our last survey we were struggling as a whether to pursue becoming a Chamber of Commerce – DDA – DPSD (Downtown Principle Shopping District).   It may be better to survey on smaller, individual, focused ideas that SABA needs input on.  We received information from the last survey that we did that helped up prioritize things that needed to be done, and we accomplished everything on the list.  We could use Constant Contact and do small focused surveys. 

Brent Birkholz – Would like to see a survey on how bookings are going for this next year and post the results on the membership section on the web site.  Angela Holmes – It would be a way to take the temperature on what the membership feels.  We are getting a lot more feedback from membership now.  Possibly an annual generic survey?  

Marilyn Starring asked if board wants a survey and what questions they want to have asked on the survey.   

Mike Tischleder – There may be several questions that would be standardized information that SABA may wanted to collect every year.  Then you do an annual survey and keep track of this information for the membership to compare present with past years information. 

Lisa Lungaro – It is a good idea to touch base with the membership even if it on an every other year basis. 

Angela Holmes - Will discuss this at board workshop.  Could do it online and keep it simple.  

Jane VerPlank– Need a committee who wants to work on sidewalk situation with council – needs to be a pro-active group.  Will discuss at board workshop.

Meeting adjourned 10:45 a.m.