01/27 - Board Meeting Minutes: December 5, 2007

I. Call to order
President Bob Honkala called to order the regular meeting of the Somonauk Business Organization at 7:12 a.m. on December 5, 2007 at The Country Kitchen Restaurant.


II. Roll call
Bob Honkala conducted a roll call. The following persons were present: President Bob Honkala (Bud’s Citgo), Director Pam Aloisio (Design Color Studio), Cheryl Berry (The Baker’s Basket), Amber Fay (Acorn Cabinetry), Pam Frich (Acorn Cabinetry), Cori Mander (Citizen’s First National Bank), Adam Arriaga (Country Kitchen), Bob Geuhler (Lake Realty), Eric Honkala (DeKalb Street Floral), Debby Honkala (DeKalb Street Floral) and Police Chief Rich Smith (Somonauk Police Department).


III. Approval of minutes from last meeting
Debby Honkala motioned to approve the minutes as mailed with the addition of Cori Mander’s name entered into the Roll Call. Seconded by Cori Mander. The minutes were approved as corrected.


IV. Treasurer’s Report
There was no treasurer’s report to present at this time.


V. Open issues
a) The 2007 Holiday Festival was discussed and was deemed a great success. Much discussion was held about ways to improve the event for 2008. Ideas and suggestions will be gathered and will be discussed about in a future meeting. Bob Honkala reported that the Somonauk Business Organization gift certificates should be collected and exchanged just like cash. Any business that receives these gift certificates should treat them as cash and give change for the remaining balance of the gift certificate. All gift certificates should be saved and turned in for full cash redemption at the January 9th board meeting. Honkala stated that all business owners and managers should make this known to their employees.
b) The 2007 Holiday Ornaments, that feature the Somonauk water tower, are proving to be selling well. Cori Mander mentioned that Citizen’s Bank was out of ornaments. Ornaments will be gathered from businesses and will be redistributed around to other businesses. All money was collected at the meeting totaling $2,100.00. Cori Mander made a deposit into the SBO checking account. More ornaments are still being sold and it looks like they will sell out.


VI. New business
a) Somonauk Police Chief Rich Smith gave the Organization a brief presentation on Public Act 095-0017, cited as the Smoke Free Illinois Act. He stated that beginning January 1, 2008 there will be a smoking ban in the state of Illinois and he offered ways to make sure local businesses are in compliance with these new changes. He reported that local police departments “shall” enforce these laws as determined by the state of Illinois. Chief Rich Smith distributed a packet of information that can be viewed at http://www.ilga.gov under the Public Acts icon. Smith reminded the members that no smoking can take place in a public building, no smoker can smoke within 15 feet of a public entrance or window to that building and businesses must have a No Smoking sign at every entrance and must remove all ash trays. Smith said he would be available for questions if there is any confusion about this new law.
b) The meeting members briefly discussed hosting a chartered bus trip into the United Center to watch the Chicago Bulls play. This was discussed as a possible fund raiser event. Adam Arriga, Debby Honkala, and Craig Johnson will head the committee.
c) Bob Honkala reported that annual dues will start to be collected this month. It was determined that the dues cost will remain the same as last year. The dues are set at $50.00 for memberships and $25.00 for an associate memberships ( ex: Churches and Civic Organizations). Associate members have no voting rights. Dues collected after January 31st, will include a late fee of $25.00 (this has been the policy of past years). Membership dues can be sent to S.B.O., P.O. Box 914, Somonauk, IL, 60552.
d) Next Regular Board Meeting will be January 9, 2007 and will be held at the Country Kitchen Restaurant at 7:00am. It will be the 2nd Wednesday this month due to the New Year Holiday. No Special Meeting times were reported.


VII. Adjournment
Eric Honkala motioned for adjournment. Seconded by Bob Guehler. Motion was approved. Bob Honkala adjourned the meeting at 7:53 a.m.


Minutes submitted by: Bob Honkala
Minutes approved by: