by Kirby Lindsay, posted 3 August 2011
Sometimes the Fremont Chamber of Commerce runs ahead, planning mayhem and magic that attract visitors and activities. That was not the work of the July meeting of the Chamber Board of Directors.
Instead, the Board discussed what might be considered more mundane matters: the brick-and-mortar issues can help maintain the organization – and the business district it advocates on behalf of – healthy and strong into the future.
Reviews
Chamber Executive Director, Jessica Vets, led the meeting with a review of the five goals identified by the Board at their retreat last January. These were:
- Rebranding, and redoing, the website (Vets reported that the website committee has begun work with a WordPress website developer)
- Membership, as a responsibility of the Board as a whole
- A block captain program, identifying people and their duties
- Increase attendance and profitability of the monthly, programed meeting
- Support Chamber events (specifically the Fremont Fair & Fremont Oktoberfest)
Vets acknowledged that some of these goals have not pursued recently. She followed this up with a report that Chamber membership is up 5% from this time last year, and then read off a long list of recently renewed members.
The Chamber fiscal year starts in July, and a recap of the past year’s activity included a list of sponsorships, grants and gifts distributed by the Chamber. Recipients included the Fremont First Friday Art Walk, Trick-or-Treat In Fremont, Fremont Abbey Arts Center, Fremont Arts Council, graffiti abatement, B.F. Day School, Literacy Source, Rodman Miller (local art repair,) History House, Music In The Sculpture Garden, Seattle Police Foundation, and Solid Ground.
Requests
“Oktoberfest is well on its way to being another smashing success,” Phil Megenhardt reported. He also launched the annual ask for volunteers to pour beer at the Fremont Oktoberfest – the primary funding source of the Fremont Chamber operating budget and community grants program. This year, Megenhardt reported, Oktoberfest will feature 40 breweries, and each one requires two pourers. Alone, the Saturday, September 24th shift, from 7p – 11p, will need 80 volunteers.
On behalf of the Chamber, Bold Hat Productions (Megenhardt’s company) organizes Oktoberfest and depends upon approximately 900 volunteers to make the festival possible. Volunteers get swag and free beer tastes (after their shifts!) as benefits of their service, but Saturday night takes a dramatic dip in the number of willing souls. Megenhardt did acknowledge, however, that volunteers have flocked to fill out shifts for the other Bold Hat events this year.
Finally, Megenhardt reported on the Groundspeak geocaching block party planned for Saturday, August 20th, from 11a – 3p. This celebration, which Bold Hat has helped organize, includes a geocaching challenge that will send attendees into the community to find clues at five selected locations. While this party may not see the incredible turnout of Groundspeak’s 10th Anniversary party hosted on July 4th, 2010, Megenhardt did estimate that 3,000 people may come to search Fremont that day.
Motions
On matters of safety, Vets described an initiative to build a Flickr page, available by invitation-only (e-mail Vets for more details,) to display photos of aggressive panhandlers, physically abusive transients and shoplifters. This could help retailers and Seattle Police Department Community Police Officer Loren Street identify and address chronic criminal behavior. The Board voted to approve creation of the site, which will have language discouraging use of inflammatory or libelous descriptions.
The Board also voted to oppose a proposed City of Seattle ordinance on mandatory sick leave, and encouraged moving this discussion to the State level where departments already exist to administer and enforce this mandate. During discussion, Wall Street Journal figures were quoted, such as the U.S. Census Bureau findings that 80% of private-sector employees have sick leave and that 12% of workers in New York City lack sick pay. Most Chamber businesses already offer sick leave, but many Board members voiced fears that this ordinance may discourage hiring of seasonal workers and the growth of area small businesses.
The Board also revisited the topic of mobile food vendors. The City Council bill and resolution lightening regulations governing food vendors is described as fostering a lively climate, yet many agreed that Fremont hardly lacks liveliness. Concerns came up about litter, queues, noise from generators, and – most especially – enforcement. Current proposals also include use of potentially confusing new parking signs. One suggestion came up to encourage vendors to set up in front of empty storefronts. Vets reminded everyone that vendors must still have access to a restroom – and running water. Area businesses, and property owners, who do not want a vendor, do not need to allow this access.
The Chamber, particularly its Board, juggles many matters beyond these in their efforts to strengthen the business climate in Fremont. If you want to hear more – or get involved – attend an upcoming Chamber Board meeting, held on the last Wednesday of each month (next one – August 31st) at 8am at History House. Everyone is welcome!
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©2011 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.