by Kirby Lindsay, posted 27 June 2014
The Fremont Chamber of Commerce June Board Meeting went long – a rare occurrence in recent years. Yet, the Board – most of them business owners with work to get to – stuck around well into a second hour, determined to get updates on a wide variety of agenda items.
Budget Review
At its May meeting the Board learned that the Chamber had exhausted its funds, with cash reserves slipping below pre-established levels. Still, the desire to give more to community projects remained strong.
In the last month the Chamber Executive Committee met to discuss what went wrong, and they established new controls to avoid this in the future. Also, more systems will be considered to provide time for careful consideration of giving to community projects. Unfortunately, for now, the annual Community Grant distribution for July must be cancelled. According to Chamber Executive Director Jessica Vets, three projects depend upon funding at this time of the year – MLK Day of Service, the Seattle Police Foundation Picnics-At-The-Precinct, and the Wallingford Boys & Girls Club Halloween Hoopla. The Chamber will promote those events, and try to help them find other donors this year.
Further Expense & Income Issues
Even in its cash poor position, the Executive Committee decided to continue forward on previously approved plans to hire a bookkeeper – to help monitor this problem.
The Executive Committee also briefly discussed a potential membership fee rate increase. The last raise happened six years ago, and this would be a small increase done in three phases. The Board will review and discuss this, and any potential loss of members, at a future meeting.
Funds For FAC
The Board approved a motion to distribute a press release to its members, and all others, strongly encouraging donations to the Fremont Arts Council (FAC) and its Solstice Parade, through its fundraising, on-line Green Hat. No information was available on how funding for this year’s Parade has gone, but donations from spectators during the Parade were down $10,000. Discussion suggested two reasons: our increasingly cash-less society, and its use of credit cards (which the real Green Hat can’t accept,) and the giant puppet heads worn by donor collectors which may have made potential donors uneasy. It was observed that FAC members Jon Hegeman and Sonia Telesco both went out in advance of the Parade, to drum up awareness of the Green Hat among spectators.
A letter received from the FAC before the Parade (and Fremont Fair) was not discussed at this meeting due to the absence of Marko Tubic, who has acted as liaison between the FAC and the Chamber. The letter will be discussed, and revealed, at the July Chamber Board meeting, although rumors have circulated that the FAC has demanded a large monetary settlement due to the use of the word ‘Solstice’ in Fair marketing materials.
Mobile Food Rodeo Dates in 2015
Due to miscommunication, and a crowded community calendar, the 2014 Fremont Mobile Food Rodeo had to be suddenly shrunk back down to a single day. Organizer Ryan Reiter-Hegeman would like to work with the Chamber, and the community at large, to find a weekend in 2015 when the Rodeo could return to its glorious two day tradition. Reiter-Hegeman also observed that, if done in advance, a way could be found to make this event a fundraiser for the Chamber or the Arts Council. The Rodeo is free to enter, but a fundraiser component could found. The Rodeo draws a foodie audience to Fremont, and yet it has increased foot traffic to Fremont eateries and drinking establishments. The Executive Committee will do further review and discussion in July.
Fremont Fair Recap
Megenhardt, of Bold Hat Productions, gave a very brief report on the 2014 Fremont Fair, while many speculated that this may have been the best attended ever. The new concert series was deemed successful, by some standards. It brought a larger and more diverse audience to the Fair and, anecdotally at least, increased foot traffic to area bars and restaurants. However, financially it broke even, and Fair beer gardens sold less suds this year. Fair vendors reported better sales, both Saturday and Sunday. Overall, the Fair made $10,661 this year – even with great weather – up only $88 from 2013.
The Sixgill held a fundraising beer garden for the FAC Solstice Parade, although it led to a clash with Megenhardt and the Fair over the footprints of each. Megenhardt acknowledged a need for better communication and negotiations next year.
Residential Parking Alarm
The Chamber briefly discussed residential concerns over parking raised at the last two Fremont Neighborhood Council meetings. A new development has submitted for a permit, and no on-site parking, and this seems to be a trend – that the Board acknowledged could negatively impact the Fremont business district. The Board approved a joint letter to request pressure, or encouragement, be put on developers to include parking. Board Member Raymond Glandon, who previously managed the Fremont PCC, noted that his new store is in the Green Lake Village development. This building has 275 residential units and parking for 400 vehicles. The parking is not free, but PCC can validate for customers, making it more likely they will use this rather than taking surface street spaces.
$15 Minimum Wage Ordinance
Reportedly, four petitions have been circulating on the ordinance for a phased in for a $15 minimum wage, as approved by the Seattle City Council and Mayor Ed Murray. One effort, by Forward Seattle, demands voters be given a chance to approve this ordinance, or not, in November. However, all petitions must gather enough signatures by June 30th to qualify.
The $15 minimum wage is expected to impact Fremont small businesses. Our business district has, historically, depended upon new small businesses constantly starting up here. It was also reported that the City Council also has under review a new employee head tax and rent control, both of which would affect small business here.
To find out more about these issues, and all the concerns of the Fremont Chamber, consider attending the next Board Meeting – on the last Wednesday of the month (July 30th,) at 8a at History House. The meetings are open-to-the-public, and usually last a decorous hour-and-a-half, provided that no new bits of business demand attention…
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©2014 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.