Coon Valley Area Business Association
Minutes for the February 4th meeting held at the Skybox.
The meeting was called to order at 5:15pm by President Carol Olson.
Mark Hillman of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. was our speaker for the meeting. He spoke about the ways his organization could help our town. There are many resources available. Our first step is to write down some goals for our association and our town. Events and fund raisers that we would like to organize community projects and so on. Once we have these goals and the steps to go forward, we could apply for grants, ask for help with marketing and support for getting these goals accomplished.
He also suggested joining the La Crosse Area Convention and Visitors Bureau which is area wide, not just La Crosse. He also suggested joining the Connect Communities Program. It is another resource for help and support. If we have an idea, we can pose it to this group and see what other communities have had success or failure with and how to proceed. It is an annual fee of $200.
He suggested going to area businesses, in person, and asking if they are happy with their business in the community and what changes they would like to see happen. This promotes business retention.
We have county level person also, her name is Christina Dollhausen. She spoke about a program she is rolling out today, Fe. 5th, called Vernon Co. Community Grant Program. Deadline for application is March 15th. This could help us with Trout Fest or any other project we would like to apply for.
Mark finished by saying that he will gladly come back to help us, whether it’s setting goals, how to make them happen, marketing or whatever we need. But we need to show that we are making progress. He also said to engage State agencies. There are resources there for the asking.
The minutes for the last meeting were read and approved. A motion to accept was made by Geoff Lenser and seconded by Nancy Wedwick. The motion carried.
Treasurer’s report was read, Bingo checking has $5063.76, and General fund checking has $1698.46 and a savings of $823.54.
A motion to accept the treasurer’s report was made by Paul Lewison and seconded by Jill Gettelman. The motion carried.
We tabled the soup supper event. The Fire Dept. is planning one for March. But the Village President said they would like to have some kind of event for the community celebrating the recovery (so far) from the flood. So we agreed to assist them with this. Possibly to be held in April or May. Geoff Lenser made a motion that we assist the village in this project, it was seconded by Beth Hanson. The motion carried.
Geoff Lenser reported that there is to be meeting February 18th with the Legion and Conservation Club to discuss bringing back the canoe races. Possible name for the event is Bull’s Run in honor of the bull stranded on the bridge during the flood. It would start in Timber Coulee and end in the park. The tentative date is sometime during Labor Day weekend.
Geoff Lenser also suggested contacting the local paper to let them know what we have been doing like donating money to the park clean-up.
Jill Gettelman reported on vendors for Trout Fest Craft and Vendor show. We will advertise for vendors on Facebook.
She also talked to Karen of the Youth group. They will again have games for the kids during Trout Fest but will not do the duck race this year.
We had election of officers.
President-nominees were Carol Olson and Geoff Lenser. A motion to close nominations was made by Frank Mathison and seconded by Paul Lewison. Geoff Lenser was elected new president.
Vice President-nominees were Carol Olson and Linda Schulte. A motion to close nominations was made by Paul Lewison and seconded by Frank Mathison. Carol Olson was elected as new vice president.
Secretary-nominee was Karla Lewison. Motion to unanimously elect was made by Frank Mathison. The motion carried.
Treasurer-nominee was Beth Hanson. Motion to unanimously elect was made by Pauline. The motion carried.
The next meeting is March 4th at the Skybox at 5:15.
A motion to adjourn was made by Geoff Lenser and seconded by Nancy Wedwick. The motion carried.
Karla Lewison
Secretary