03/17 - Board Meeting Minutes: February 6, 2008

I. Call to order
President Bob Honkala called to order the regular board meeting of the Somonauk Business Organization at 7:10 A.M. on February 6, 2008 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 Stacy Shim (Miller’s Foods), Craig Johnson (Somonauk Insurance), Bob Guehler (Lake Reality), Eric Honkala (Dekalb Street Floral), Debby Honkala (Dekalb Street Floral), Cori Mander (Citizens First National Bank), Cheryl Berry (Baker’s Basket).

III. Approval of minutes from last meeting
Debby Honkala motioned to accept the minutes as mailed from the last regular board meeting. Seconded by Stacy Shim. Motion Carried.

IV. Treasurers Report
Bob Honkala presented the Treasurers Report in the absence of Ken Poris. The General operating account currently has $4,948.28. The Political Activities Fund currently has $529.00. It was reported that this account has been without activity for over a year.

V. Approval of New Members
Bob Honkala requested approval of three new members. By a show of hands, Wilkinson Excavating, LPL Financial, and St. John the Baptist Church were all welcomed as new members of the Somonauk Business Organization with much applause.

VI. Open issues

a.) Committee Chairman Bob Honkala presented the newsletter committee’s information. Price quotes were discussed from FedEx Kinko’s. The price for a bulk mailing of 6 to 8 pages front and back is estimated to be between $400 and $500 dollars for 1000 copies of each. It was decided that all Somonauk addresses would receive this Bi-annual newsletter. Organization members are encouraged to write “rough draft” articles that can be presented at the coming March meeting. They should be sent to PO Box 914 or emailed to bhonkala@yahoo.com, or brought to the March meeting. Advertising spaces will be made available in the newsletter for businesses that choose to purchase advertising. The target date of this first mailing is June 1, 2008.
b.) Committee Chairman Adam Arriaga presented the Chicago baseball trip committee’s information. Ticket prices and bus fares were presented. He reported that he would have to send our request on February 11, 2008 to try to get the best tickets available. Target dates were set as June 25, July 8, or July 9. Members also decided that two charter buses would be reserved for this event. Adam Arriaga and Craig Johnson will continue forward planning of the event.
c.) Debby Honkala reported her findings about the Business Organization plaques. The plaques cost $8.50 per plaque with a minimum order of 10. The yearly strips cost $1.00. Discussion was held. The plaques at this point will continue to be used and new plaques and year strips will be ordered and distributed.

VII. New Business
A.) Bob Honkala held discussion about whether or not to help update the Village’s records about businesses. He discussed that the Village’s attempt to adopt a “Business Operation Permit” was so that the Village had current information about each local business. Much discussion was held and it was decided that the Village could obtain their information through the Police Department as they have done in the past.
B.) The Somonauk Summer Fest was briefly discussed. The business organization is still unsure what role it will play in this event. It was discussed that maybe Summer Fest Chairman Scott Merrill should be invited to the March meeting.
C.) Bob Honkala reported that Term Limits for elected officers were motioned back at the May 2007 meeting by Wayne Duerkes as “one year terms.” Bob Honkala said in order to change our current bylaws we would need a motion changing the term limits to one year. Stacy Shim motioned to change all terms of Elected officers and Directors of the Somonauk Business Organization to one-year terms. Bob Guehler seconded. Motion carried.
D.) The Somonauk Business Organization is in search of a Website Editor to post current information, minutes, news, and make updates to the online calendar. Amber Fay was appointed to the position pending her acceptance. Stacy Shim will take the roll if Amber Fay is not interested.

VIII. Other Business
A.) Discussion was held about the Village’s snowplowing in the business district. A few different members expressed that their businesses were not getting properly plowed. Other related issues were briefly discussed.

IX. Adjournment
Craig Johnson motioned to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Adam Arriaga. Meeting adjourned at 8:06 A.M.


Minutes submitted by: Bob Honkala
Next Meeting Dates:
REGULAR BOARD MEETING: March 5, 2008. Time: 7:00am. Location: The Country Kitchen.