FEBRUARY 2004 MINUTES

Word Doc

Minutes of February 5, 2004 meeting – held at the Mt. Airy Fire Hall

President Tim Barkley called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.

Introductions followed with the following in attendance:

Tim Barkley, Barkley Law Office

Kevin O’Neill, Kevin & Co. – REMAX Realty Group

Kaye Kolb, Rohrbaugh’s

Jim Gill, JMG

Audrey Stapf, Stapf Crafters

Donnis Klein, Weekenders

Timothy M. Slane, Sr., Tim’s Lawn & Landscape

Ken Matthews, Freedom Carpet Cleaning

Joanna Casson, BDG – Payroll Accounting

Irene Thompson, Daily Kneads Massage

Denny Ahalt, NWSB

Ray Miller, New Horizon Van Lines

Pamela Avis, Hypnotherapist

Carol Blackburn, The Gazette

Ross Levin, New York Life

Billie Wilkerson, F&M Bank

Jackie Bingham, Patches Quilting

Keir Knight, Plain English

Archie Roger, Rogers Engraving

Carol Cahall, Main Event

Paul Clay, Long & Foster Realtors

Mike Zimmer, Attorney at Law

Robert Brill, Legg Mason

Todd Frager, MAES PTA

Ann Donovan, Inspired Relocations

Robbie Smith, Inspired Relocations

Ellie Bonde, Blossom & Basket Boutique

Dennis Regulinski, Mid-Atlantic Accounting

John Medve, Town of Mt. Airy

Paula Wilhelm, Lorien Mt. Airy Assisted Living

John Medve and Carol Blackburn expressed appreciation to the Executive Committee for their hard work, which has resulted in a significant increase in Chamber of Commerce membership.

Mt. Airy Elementary School Computers – PTA:

Todd Frager introduced the Mt. Airy Elementary School fundraising plan for a new computer lab. There will be a fun run with sponsors donating funds. Other events include percentage of sales donations by local restaurants (Domino’s Pizza and J&P Pizza) and Joe Corbi Pizza. Todd requested the Chamber’s support. Tim Barkley added that the Executive Committee was unanimously supportive of contributing in some way. Suggestion was made to donate a portion of the proceeds from the Business Fair to the MAES Computer Lab. Todd was directed to run all advertising through Tim Barkley.

Minutes:

Tim Barkley announced that in the future, the minutes will be posted on the Web Site for corrections. Both the Minutes and the Agenda for the upcoming Chamber meeting will appear on the web on the Tuesday (2 days) prior to the monthly Chamber meeting. All New Business Agenda items must be submitted to Tim Barkley 2 days prior to the Chamber meeting as well.

Dennis Ahalt moved to accept the minutes of the January meeting and Donnis Klein seconded. The minutes were unanimously accepted by voice vote.

Treasurer’s Report: Dennis Ahalt

The Treasurer’s Report for 02/04/2004 was accepted, as was the 2004 Budget.

General Account: 4,471.96

Scholarship Account: 2,174.34

TOTAL FUNDS 6,646.30

Committee Reports:

Social: Andrea Williamson, Donnis Klein

The next business card exchange will be held Wednesday, February 11, 2004 from 4-7 pm, sponsored by Billie Wilkerson and the F&M Bank. Ken Matthews of Freedom Carpet Cleaning will supply the door prize: Complimentary Cleaning of 1 sofa and 1 chair.

There will be a joint Business Card Exchange with the South Carroll Business Association on Tuesday, March 23, 2004, from 4-7 pm at the Brick Ridge Restaurant.

The May Business Card Exchange will be at Lorien Mt. Airy, co-sponsored by several businesses. Date to be announced.

Another Business Card Exchange will be scheduled for the fall.

Membership: Audrey Stapf

Our goal for Membership was 80, and we currently have 83! Tim Barkley encouraged our new goal to be 100 members.

The new brochure is out, the "Business Fair Edition", listing current, paid-up members, advertising the Business Fair (and sponsors) on March 27, 2004, and including application for membership. This brochure can be downloaded from the web, as well.

Audrey mentioned that anyone not wishing to use the web for communication can contact her, and she will send hard copies of the Chamber meetings and publications as requested.

Government Relations: Michael Zimmer

There is an open invitation to all Mt. Airy Chamber of Commerce members to attend the South Carroll Business Association meetings, which are monthly on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. The speaker at the next meeting will be Roscoe Bartlett. The SCBA member fee is extended to MACC members attending this luncheon - $10.

The Carroll County Central Committee Legislative Breakfast will be held February 21, 2004 at the Wakefield Valley Country Club in Westminster.

There is a joint trip being planned for our Chamber and the South Carroll Business Association to visit the General Assembly while it is in session on Thursday, February 25, 2004. Members can meet in the New Windsor State Bank parking lot at 7:30am to travel together. All members are encouraged to attend.

John Medve, President of the Mt. Airy Town Council, spoke regarding his membership on the Legislative Committee of the Maryland Municipal League. The committee meets every Wednesday in Annapolis to review bills. Mr. Medve informed the Chamber of current discussions in the legislature to fund the 66 major sewer plants in the state that need upgrades. He addressed how this could impact the Town of Mt. Airy and its businesses and homeowners.

Carroll County Chamber Report: Carol Cahall

The monthly newsletter was circulated, with the following events highlighted:

• Member’s luncheon on February 12 at Wilhelm’s in Westminster.

• "Connection After Hours" at Centure High School (Free networking event).

• Networking Breakfast at the Best Western on February 24.

• The Annual Business Fair "Spring Fest" will be held on Saturday, March 13 at the Towne Mall of Westminster from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Ambassadors: Ellie Bonde

Ellie issued a call for new committee members.

Advertising/Marketing: Keir Knight

The Mt. Airy Chamber of Commerce web site was displayed on a laptop for everyone to see. Members list and Application Brochure are also available.

The next advertising push is for the Business Fair.

"DISCOVER MT. AIRY BUSINESS FAIR": Carol Cahall, Donnis Klein & Keir Knight

Applications for the fair and guidelines are posted on the website.

Donnis Klein is in charge of Registration. Audrey Stapf issued a request for all participating businesses to contribute at least one door prize, so prizes could be given continuously throughout the day. Sponsors are urged to turn in their money as soon as possible, as there are ongoing front-end costs. Large businesses in town are not yet on board for the Business Fair, and the addition of a "Platinum Level" Sponsorship was discussed. Current Gold Sponsors are: The Tim Barkley Companies, Chiropractic First, New Horizon Van Lines, Lorien Mt. Airy. Silver Sponsors are: The Gazette, Donnis Klein of Weekenders, USA, and Robert Brill, Financial Advisor with Legg Mason.

Professional Development: Tim Barkley

Billie Wilkerson accepted the position of chairperson for this committee.

Special Speakers: John Medve, President of Mt. Airy Town Council

Mr. Medve and Ms. Jenkins discussed the Mt. Airy Master Plan, stating it is reviewed every 5-6 years, and projects out 20 years. Copies were made available, and the plan is also on the town website. The entire Mt. Airy Code is also on the website. The Planning and Zoning Commission spent two years preparing the plan, the plan was discussed at a public hearing on November 10, 2003 and was given to the Town Council at the end of January. Another community hearing is scheduled for March 11 at 7:00pm.

The goal of the plan is for the town to be more commercial than industrial. Mr. Medve wants encourage the Community Guidelines to preserve the flavor of the town and its historicity. There was some discussion of the Heritage Tax Credit vs. government grants.

There are 626 new house construction projects in the pipeline.

Ms. Jenkins announced that the town is making application for the Main Street Program, a public charity.

The next Revitalization Meeting will be on February 17.

Old Business:

INCORPORATION: Tim Barkley reported the Chamber is now incorporated. All that is required is that the Membership Chair certify who the current members are. Current Officers are the Directors, and this changes when there is a change in the Office holder.

The Charitable Chamber is still in the process of incorporation.

BUDGET: The Planning Committee decided that the Budget should be in compliance. We are working to reduce the "Telephone" line item significantly. The Scholarship Fund will move to the Charitable Chamber. There will be no vote on the Budget today. Members are encouraged to get in touch with Denny Ahalt with questions and suggestions.

DONATION TO THE FIRE COMPANY: Carol Blackburn moved that the Chamber present $250 to the Mt. Airy Fire Company at its Annual Banquet as a donation to express the Chamber’s appreciation for the use of the meeting room for 2003. Audrey Stapf seconded, and the motion was accepted by unanimous voice vote.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY COMMITTEE: Paul Clay accepted the position of Chair to the Joint Committee on this project with the Kiwanis Club. Keir Knight, Audrey Stapf and Jackie Bingham volunteered to work on this committee as well.

DEBATE FOR CANDIDATES FOR TOWN COUNCIL: Audrey Stapf announced that as a service to the community, there will be debate forum for the candidates for the Mt. Airy Town Council to discuss their views. Local issues and questions may be submitted for debate by way of Carol Blackburn at the Gazette Newspapers.

The Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 a.m. Denny Ahalt moved for adjournment, and Carol Blackburn seconded.

The following is a list of Committees: Please volunteer for a committee and get involved for 2004!

Membership Government Relations

Professional Development Ambassadors

Finance Business Fair

Public Relations Nominating

Social Charitable Chamber