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

ABSENT: Bill Smith

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: George Waden – Homebodies – David Langley & John Spriggs – Serendipity – John Porzondek & Bryan Serman - Lake Street Commons Lodging – Jane VerPlank-Saugatuck City Council/Victorian Inn

SECRETARY’S MINUTES: Marilyn Starring – August minutes need to be amended, Lincoln Brackett was not at the August meeting – Fred Schmidt said he will take care of that before minutes are sent out. Julie Abel moved to approve. John Jerome second. Motion passed. Angela Holmes – SABA is still looking for someone to take minutes since Marilyn is resigning from the Recording Secretary’s position. Would like to see someone from the board, or possibly someone from the membership take over the position? If we do not find someone SABA will put an ad in the paper to try to find a person who can take minutes for meetings.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Jodi White – Still missing little information on profit for Sidewalk Sale (hasn’t been recorded yet). Janet Schmidt has designed a form that can used for each event - indicating what income/expenses are for event – will make it much easier to track and easier to pass on to another group of people to handle the event. VAN hasn’t submitted bill yet for Sidewalk Sale. We are looking at approximate $700 profit.

Angela Holmes – This next year’s budget is done every year by sitting board – next month we will do a workshop to plan next year’s budget. Julie Abel moved to approve treasurer’s report. Mike Carey second. Motion passed.

MARKETING COORDINATOR’S REPORT: Janet Schmidt: Current press we have received – in yesterday’s Grand Rapids Press Music in the Park was named the #1 thing to do today. Also receive #1 rating in Holland Sentinel as thing to do today. The VAN was very positive in getting the word out that Sidewalk Sale was on and happening. Both the free and paid advertising we get/receive is very important.

SABA Bucks – Still a constant re-education on how to use/redeem them.

Patrick Coyle won August photo contest.

Table tent cards have been printed. Tomorrow 1,000 will be folded then distributed. Mason Street decided to re-up and promoted some things for the upcoming season. Ken Carls has been graphic designer for this project – does a wonderful job, and does the work gratis for us.

Final Music in the Park tonight. We have received a lot of requests for consideration for next year’s entertainment.

Bill Smith said at the Events Meeting yesterday that Douglas would like to add some music events next year.

John Jerome stated he is putting together a thank you ad to be published in the local paper for sponsors, etc.

Sidewalk Sale/Taste of Douglas – was a great day after a rainy start. A lot of positive comments.

Went through 2½ cases of popcorn – Lisa Lungaro and staff did face painting. Collected 450 e-mail addresses which Janet is still entering into the data base.

One Big Fish – The segment on Saugatuck did make the final draw and will be showing in late October or early November. One of the persons from the show plans on coming back and offering a captains license course in November (at Saugatuck Brewery) Marilyn Starring – Is there a possibility that if this segment is well received they would re-air it again in the spring? Janet Schmidt - We will have a copy of the show and we can have someone else to run it for us if we like. Mike Carey – Janet did a fantastic job in making this a wonderfully successful project – thank you Janet for all your hard work. Mike also stated that the State of Michigan was in town earlier to look at different towns, he (Mike) contacted Janet and she dropped what she was doing and personally escorted these people around town and gave them personal tour. Angela Holmes – Yes, we are very lucky to have Janet. She does an exceptional job and gives the extra personal service that we need to help sell the area.

Question asked if WGVU could run the ‘One Big Fish’ segment. Janet Schmidt - When they (OBF) release film to us we retain all rights, so yes whomever we can get to air it can. Educational part that was filmed in Lake Kalamazoo will be turned over to schools for educational purposes.

OLD BUSINESS

LOCAL ROAD WORK: Jane VerPlank – going to another road work meeting after this meeting. Met with Mason Street business owners/residents in August - construction starts next Tuesday – tried to work out glitches that may come up. Allegan Street is about 2 weeks behind schedule because of the rains/water run-off problems. Francis Street ran into some storm sewer run off or sewer piping work that they weren’t expecting. Francis Street should be paved in the next week or so. Lucy Street – work will be done in the spring. Will be repaving 1 block of Culver – mill and overlay will only take a week – road will not be closed street but parking will not be available on that section of road when the work is being done. This construction will begin right after Labor Day – will be done during the week.

Mike Carey –With Allegan Street running behind schedule will that effect the completion of Mason Street? Jane VerPlank - No – they have several different crews working the project(s) in town. Angela Holmes – Is there an engineering report coming out soon about some of the other streets? Jane VerPlank - Pleasant Street – will begin shortly. Engineering for State Street? Not yet done.

Brush pick up schedule seems to be working well. Grass clippings – seem to have that resolved.

Angela Holmes – Would like to see SABA, Jane VerPlank (liaison) and Kirk Harrier to form a committee and talk a little more about the parking lot this fall. Mike Carey – when you discuss it there are a couple of things I would like to see addressed. Angela Holmes – This is why we want to have a workshop. Jane VerPlank – Yes, the parking lot is going to be up for discussion.

MEMBERSHIP – 1 new member - Fifth Season Ristorante Italiano – they would like to do our Fall Get Together.

DRUG STORE WALL – All 48 spaces sold – 5 on waiting list.

BROCHURE – About 10% left. (Printed 70,000 brochures with 54,000 coming to SABA – balance went to Welcome Centers)

EVENTS UPDATE: John Jerome – Events meeting was yesterday – recapped Sidewalk Sales. Lincoln Brackett – Douglas is going to get together and have a merchant meeting – didn’t experience good sales though. There are several businesses leaving Douglas. Angela Holmes – One of the main purposes of this event is to get exposure – even if they don’t buy anything they may come back again. Lincoln Brackett - Restaurants barely broke even with extra food and staff. John Jerome – possibly looking at another event/time that would work better for Douglas merchants and promote it under the SABA. Bill Smith – Suggested possibly doing Douglas Days and a Taste of Douglas at that time.

Sidewalk Sales- Julie one merchant complained because band was too loud and was difficult for him to conduct business – he was next to the band. Janet Schmidt – band only played 3 hours out of 8.

Angela Holmes – Do we have any numbers of how many people rode the trolley? 271 rode the trolley between Saugatuck and Douglas. Julie Abel - Trolley driver said bus that went between high school and downtown – numbers were low – thinking it was because of road construction.

Angela Holmes – Has been asked why can’t we do trolley between Saugatuck and Douglas more? Cost is the biggest reason. SABA will consider looking at operating it for some of the other “event” weekends. Julie Abel – We need to get money from both cities to make this viable.

Mike Carey – Is Taylor Rental a member – No. Mike stated that we do have a member who is a rental company. Everyone who used Taylor was charged a $60 drop off/pick up charge. John Jerome – Holland Rental is a SABA member. Angela Holmes – Holland Rental has very accommodating. Janet Schmidt - Both companies were listed in the merchant letter that went out for Sidewalk Sale. Angela asked Mike Carey to call Taylor Rental and ask them about joining SABA.

Music In The Park –John Jerome - Last night is tonight– Delilah DeWylde & the Lost Boys – good way to end the season. Only rained out once and other time had to stop concert ½ way through – sponsorship good. Mike Carey – John has done an excellent job arranging Music in the Park – thank you very much. Last year we did 15 weeks – this year we did 11 – want to provide music thru the core season – will review to determine how many weeks we will do it next year, but it will be back.

OKTOBERFEST & Fall Funfest – Going to do on 17 October – 3rd is Oktoberfest in Douglas – 4th is Fire Dept. annual BBQ – 31st – Halloween parade and festival. Angela Holmes will talk to Felicia Fairchild about doing joint advertising with CVB and SABA. Always need volunteers for this event. Chair person is Mike Carey. Possibly Kevin Tringali could help co-chair? Kevin - Will think about it.

Douglas/Saugatuck Preview will be Saturday, November 21st –Noon to 9 p.m. - Joint effort between Douglas and Saugatuck to promote the holidays in both towns. John Jerome, Lincoln Brackett and/or Bill Smith will sit down with John to coordinate event between towns.

SBAM Literature Update – Getting closer to getting this information. Package will go to all members and explaining what SBAM can do for us.

HARBOR PLANNING –No update. Marilyn Starring - Pier construction should begin this fall and be finished sometime next summer. Construction company is waiting for steel to come in – believe construction will begin after Labor Day. The piers will be open for boat traffic during the construction.

WGVU VIEW FROM THE DUNES – 2 hour show was broadcasted from SCA Green Market – Friday 24th of August. Program was all about summer in Saugatuck. Not sure what plans are for the September show. Fred said he would suggest that Jon talk about upcoming fall events.

COMMUNITY LEADERS LUNCH – No update. Angela Holmes went to the football game at the high school Friday night and was invited to be in the press box – it is a nice stadium. Mike Carey – We should look at positive side of having this great football field/baseball field – all the teams that travel here and expose to the area to parents and people attending games. Angela Holmes – Spoke to Rolfe Timmerman about adding information about the school facilities and the availability to general public (tennis courts/track) etc.

OFF BUTLER STREET BUSINESS SIGNS – No update summer it’s summer-will revisit in the fall.

NEW BUSINESS

NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Need to address by next meeting. Janet Schmidt has spoken with Toni Trudell from Park House; she may be interested in being on the board. Angela would really appreciate it if everyone would e-mail suggestions to her within the next week with person’s names that are or may be interested in serving on the board.

Workshop – We will set date via e-mail – Will try to set it between October 1st and 6th.

EVENTS MEETING – Will be scheduled soon.

SABA BUCKS – Fred Schmidt – (See table below on SABA Bucks) There are still some issues about redeeming the SABA Bucks, although it is better than it was. Communication needs to be better so merchants will accept SABA Bucks and then know how to redeem them. Angela Holmes – will do presentation at Fall Get Together on this issue. The numbers below are SABA Bucks given/redeemed early spring 2009 to present.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL: New businesses can join today and be a SABA member through this next year (November 1, 2009 to October 31, 2010). Fred Schmidt– will send membership renewal letter out the first week in October will have individual business info sheet attached. Dues will remain the same: $200 for profit businesses - $50 for non-profits and $0 for churches. If you joined after 1 July 2009 your membership is going to be good through 2010. Fred has given drafts of letter to Angela to review. Deadline for membership renewal is October 31st. Julie Abel – Letter should reflect deadline and letter should go out earlier. Angela Holmes – We definitely need membership dues to come in and not straggle through the winter so we can plan our budget for the year. Many people think they have until when brochure deadline is before they have to pay their dues – not so. SABA is much more than the brochure now. Mike Carey – Suggested as an incentive kiosk sign will be changed on November 1st, and if you wish to remain on the kiosk dues must be paid by October 31st. John Jerome -Change deadline for the brochure make it November 1st. Fred Schmidt – Have penalty for paying late. Julie Abel – tried that, and didn’t work because we would waive the penalty to get the members. Agreed brochure deadline will be changed to November 1st.

Janet Schmidt – We had a full page ad in Vindicator (northern Ohio paper) Ludington News is putting together a promotion and selling ads on a piece called ‘Road to Saugatuck/Douglas’ which will be published October 1st or 2nd – she has already sent info out on this to membership and Ludington News is now following up on sales leads.

Marilyn Starring had to leave but stated that she would continue to stay onboard until they found someone to replace her.

Mike Carey – Would like SABA to send a thank you to the SCA and Mason Street warehouse for opening their parking lot to create additional parking this summer.

Officer Bob also wanted to personally thank everyone for being able to come back this summer, but he had an accident and had to have surgery on his hand this morning.

Comments from public: None

Meeting Adjourned