Pecatonica Improvement Association

"The purpose of this association is to promote the betterment of the Pecatonica area"

Meeting Minutes for meeting held on February

President: Mary Ann Newton Vice President: Donald Sandell

Member at large: Ed Smith

Treasurer: Joy Seaton Secretary: Janet Fuenty

Members in attendance: Don Sandell, Joy Seaton, George Anderson, Jackie Moyer, Joan Cunningham, Tara Theisen, Ed Smith, Mary Ann Newton and Janet Fuenty.

Meeting called to order by Mary Ann Newton at 8:07 a.m.

Welcome to new members and guests.

President’s Message: Mary Ann Newton would like all our members become active members of committees, not necessarily come to meetings, but be able to be called upon to act when necessary.

Treasurer’s Report was distributed and summarized by Joy Seaton. Discussion was initiated by Donald Sandell regarding the payment of the liability insurance premium. The cost is approximately $650.00 for a $1,000,000.00 liability policy. A general consensus was reached to pay the premium. A motion to approve the treasurer’s report was made by Tara Theisen, seconded by Jackie Moyer, and passed unanimously.

Minutes of the last meeting were distributed. Minutes are e-mailed to members for which we have addresses. Minutes are also available on-line at pecweb.com. Donald Sandell moved that the minutes of the last meeting be approved, George Anderson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

New members and businesses are always encouraged.

Agenda additions: None

Committee Reports

Finance and Administration Committee: No report was made. Joy Seaton volunteered to chair the committee.

Membership Committee: Tara Theisen and Janet Fuenty will make up the committee. Janet Fuenty reported that membership recruitment letters and information forms were mailed out a couple of weeks ago. Joy Seaton reported that only a few have been returned. It was pointed out that the Main Tap should receive a golden hammer award when its renovations are complete. It was generally discussed and agreed that the membership list should be published on pecweb.com. Current members are still encouraged to recruit new members. Everyone’s input is welcome and appreciated.

Welcome Center Committee: Joan Cunningham reported that the Village Hall is now serving as the Welcome Center. She also reported that she was having difficulty getting volunteers for the center at the museum and had all but given up entirely. It was generally discussed and agreed to eliminate the committee. Joan Cunningham moved to transfer the funds allocated to the Welcome Center to the Membership Committee, Donald Sandell seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Streetscape Committee: Tara Theisen volunteered to chair the committee. George Anderson stated that a banner was missing from the street display. Anyone locating the missing banner should call George at 239-1900. Joan Cunningham reported that the PIA items being stored in the basement of the Village Hall were moved to the other side of the divided basement and are now located by the furnace.

Advertising and Business Promotion: No report was made.

Crooked River Days: No report was made. A general discussion was had regarding employing a professional organizer for the event.

Memorial Day Parade: No report was made.

Old Business

Valentine Promotion: Mary Ann Newton has made some lovely valentine hearts for businesses to sell for $1.00 each. People purchasing the valentines will write the name of their sweetheart on the heart and the business will put up the hearts in their windows. 50% of the proceeds will go to the business selling the valentine and 50% will go to PIA. Mary Ann will send out a letter describing the promotion. Interested businesses should contact Mary Ann at 540-8770.

Removal of Christmas Wreaths: Thank you to Rex Lender for removing the Christmas wreaths. PIA would like to especially recognize Rex for all the work he has done for PIA. Rex has spent innumerable hours helping PIA and his dedication to service to our community in general is well known and is greatly appreciated.

New Business

Lights Outlining Businesses: According to Rex Lender, the lights on the buildings should be replaced or repaired to avoid some safety concerns. Joan Cunningham revealed that over the past twelve (12) years replacements have been done a little at a time. Ed Smith pointed out that new wiring would have to be up to code. Joan Cunningham estimated the cost to repair the lights at $2,000.00 to $3,000.00. When installed, the cost of the lights and installation was shared by the downtown businesses and each businesses share was based upon the linear feet of the building outlined. George Anderson volunteered to speak with electricians to give them the details of the current wiring and obtain estimates on the cost.

Spring Sidewalk Sale: Mary Ann Newton suggested that the sale take place in May during the Pec Thing. Discussion was had on methods of promotion and encouraging more outside sidewalk participation by downtown businesses.

New Committees: Mary Ann Newton proposed the organization of two (2) new committees – Public Relations and Events committees.

Officer’s meeting will be Thursday, February 12, 2004 at 12:00 noon at the Stonewall Café. A budget will be drafted at this meeting.

Next meeting will be Wednesday, March 3, 2004 at 8:00 a.m. at the Stonewall Café.