AUBURN’S HISTORIC & CULTURAL SITES COMMISSION
Meeting minutes from September 13, 2005
Present: K. Walker, S. Tucker, B. M. Lewis, M. Vanek, M. Alberici, Joe DeBottis (guest), J. Bryant, E. McHugh,
S. Craner and J. Kline
Excused/Absent:
P. Copes Johnson, T. Bridenbecker, D. Lamb, D. Dempsey, T. Hussey, J. McCormick, P. Wisbey
and Rev. Carter
Joe DeBottis, Executive Director of Upstate Streamlining TV (USTV) of NY, gave a presentation about his Internet TV products and media services. He works with regional college students to create niche programs (travel, history, cooking, etc.) on the Finger Lakes on his own media network. Any funds that are generated from advertising, above the production costs, would be donated back to the sites. There is no charge to the sites for participating in these programs.
I. Approval of the Minutes
M. Alberici asked for approval of the July 11, 2005 minutes. E. McHugh made a motion accept the minutes as submitted, seconded by M. Vanek. All were in favor and the motion carried.
Committee Reports
II. Planning & Development Committee
E. McHugh said the Site Directors had not met, so there was nothing new to report.
III. Marketing Committee
M. Vanek said, as for leads from ads, in August 571 inquiries were fulfilled, with 15,620 inquiries year-to-date. Things are slowing down a bit, but there will be an ad running in the September Country Home issue that will produce a significant number of leads. The Commission website had 43,000 unique visits to date, with 280 visits logged for this month.
M. Vanek said there is a problem with the Tourism Office’s contract with the City. The last one ended July 31st, and we have been working ever since in good faith. The contract has not changed, and at the June meeting with the City Manager, we got a verbal confirmation that everything was OK, and moving forward. The Tourism Office has been fronting postage money for fulfillment, and other ads will need to be fulfilled soon. We also need to get working on updates to the Commission brochure, as we are down to our last boxes. J. Bryant said she didn’t understand why, if the money for the Commission budget has been approved, that we need the City’s sign off on the contract? M. Alberici said she would talk with D. Dempsey and see what the problem is.
IV. Community Outreach Committee
E. McHugh said the timing was off for her to present her summary of the Passport to History program to City Council. But, the program was a success, participation numbers were good, and the parents and teachers loved it. There is still two years worth of passports left. Casey Park and Genesee schools were most appreciative of the program, as in year’s past. Expenses included the cost of 4 bikes- Wal-Mart now requires three months advance notice on donations. Yet, there is still $660 left for next year’s program.
T. Bridenbecker was excused from the meeting. In her absence, those present discussed participating in the Cayuga County Chamber Member Trade Show at the Holiday Inn, next Thursday. The cost is $30. After brief discussion, M. Vanek made a motion not to participate in the show this year, seconded by E. McHugh. All were in favor and the motion carried.
V. Other Business
M. Alberici said L. Leary, from the Auburn Enlarged School District, will be joining the Commission. She couldn’t make today’s meeting because they are wrapping up their fundraising initiatives. J. Kline will add her to the mailing list. That still leaves two openings on the Commission. M. Alberici said she prefers to submit all of the recommended names to the Mayor at one time to eliminate confusion. E. McHugh suggested looking to past or present Board members from the sites as potential candidates.
D. Lamb wasn’t there to report on Common Threads. E. McHugh said the brochure is done and it looks really nice. M. Alberici said, she, M. Vanek, J. Kline, the City Manager, D. Dempsey, Lisa Green (City Comptroller) and Steve Lynch (City Planning) had a productive meeting regarding the Commission’s increase in fulfillment and how to streamline the process for paying invoices.
Everyone there was in favor of participating in the PrePrint Publishing ad again, which produced over 5,000 leads, for a $750 cost. The Commission would need more money to do this; even the cost of the ad is not included in this year’s budget. It was suggested that Commission members come to a Council work session in December, when they have a better idea bout the budget.
M. Alberici said another item that was discussed at the meeting was that the Commission needs to investigate other options for fulfillment, for comparison purposes, and she and J. Kline will be working up specifications for the job. J. Kline said during the meeting she proposed to send all Commission invoices to the Comptroller directly, and not through the Planning Department.
This system has caused timing issues, since we have no control over when they pay things, and in what order. Everyone present thought that was fine and J. Kline went over the forms with L. Green after the meeting.
M. Vanek said please see J. Kline monthly reports of what was done on the Commission’s behalf, since the last meeting. J. Kline passed out the Treasurer’s Report and went over expenses incurred since the last meeting. She will invoice D. Dempsey for half the cost of the fans that were produced for Tourism Night at the ballpark. (The Chapel will receive the check on the Commission’s behalf.)
M. Vanek said the I Love NY Matching Funds Workshop will happen November 16th at 3:30PM at the Schweinfurth Art Center. Anyone planning on applying for funds does need to attend, and a final report from the Commission also needs to be submitted.
K. Walker said they are hosting a fall fashion show at the Chapel on September 25th from noon – 5PM. There will be a show at 1PM and at 3PM, and the cost is $10. There are four different designers participating and J. Peter Brooks will be doing hair and make-up. K. Walker continued, they are hosting an October Fest at Springside Inn on October 14th. The cost for dinner and entertainment is $50.
S. Craner said they were awarded $200,000 from the NY Main Street Grant Program to match interior and exterior improvement projects for BID businesses. This money will be used to do between 9-10 façade renovations and 4 interiors. Thirty four applications were received. The BID will help coordinate other downtown projects including the purchase of new garbage cans, benches and signage over the next two years.
S. Craner said the Downtowner Shuttle’s season ended a few weeks ago. It was vandalized on the first day of the season, and rider numbers weren’t as good as last year (450 in ’04, 350 in ’05). They aren’t sure if they will be doing it again next year, but if they do, they will be using another company and will be looking for additional financial support.
With no other business to discuss, the Commission adjourned at 5PM. The Commission’s next meeting will held November 7th at 3:30PM, 3rd Floor City Hall. The site directors should plan to meet prior to the meeting.
Recorded by Jesse Kline
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