Monthly Minutes

February 2007 Minutes

2007-02-13

Washburn County Tourism Meeting, February 13, 2007 – 11:30 a.m.  

Washburn County Highway Shop 

Attendees:  Dan Frase, Storme Nelson, Charlie Swanson, Greg Vreeland, Gary Sutherland, Ann Miller, Rob Fletcher,  Greg Krantz, and Mike Bobin.

Others Present:   Margie Quinn, and Ruth Skie.

Absent:  Dick Fankhauser, Chuck Jenkins, Kathy Mitchell, Betty Jo Brown, Deb Meier, Bruce Miller, and Margaret Miller. 

Dan Frase called meeting to order at 11:30 am.   

Minutes of the meeting December 12th, 2006 were circulated.  Motion made by Charlie Swanson to approve the minutes of the December meeting, second by Storme - Motion carried.   

Treasurer’s Report:  

Treasurer report and the Profit and Loss Statement were circulated for review.  President Dan Frase asked Marge if the Rodeo will be sharing the cost of copy paper with Tourism, ED, and the Chamber.  Marge Q. stated that Dick Fankhauser did not want to share the expense as he felt as though they do not use enough paper.  Motion made by Storme Nelson, second by Gary Sutherland to approve the Treasurer Report and pay the monthly bills.  Motion carried. 

Old Business 

Update on Sport Shows: 

President Dan Frase thanked Greg Vreeland and Rob Fletcher for volunteering to attend the Indianapolis show.   DF stated that we still need someone to attend the Milwaukee Show.  Charlie Swanson indicated Janet Rivard showed some interest in going to the Milwaukee Show.  DF asked Marge to please have Karen get a hold of her and find out if she would attend the Milwaukee Show.  Greg Vreeland indicated he has created a power point presentation with approximately 300 photos and a slide show to view of Washburn County at the Indianapolis Show.  Greg Vreeland indicated it would be nice to purchase a pull behind trailer to haul things to sport shows.  Ann Miller stated the LaCrosse Show went very good.  Ann stated that Saturday night was slow, but overall there was a lot of interest and went very good.  Ann indicated they were the only booth from Northern WI.  Mike Bobin asked how we can track to see if which Sport Shows are cost effective.  Dan Frase indicated there really is not a good way to track this.  The Resorts, Motels, Information Center, and Chamber in Washburn County seem to get an increase of inquires and calls from the area the Sport Show was just held.   Dan Frase thanked Ann Miller for attending the LaCrosse Show. 

WEB SITE UPDATE 

Storme Nelson gave the update on the Web Site.  Storme stated there was growth on the Website in the last couple of months.  Storme circulated the graph of hits we have had on the web site and how many   more hits we are getting than we did 3 months ago.  Storme indicated everyone that has registered is now on.  Storme stated they are now working on a layer mapping concept.  Web Site Committee is doing an excellent job.  Mike Bobin asked Storme if there was income coming in off the Web Site.  Storme indicated there was. 

Marketing Committee

Update on the Washburn County Visitor Guide- Greg Vreeland stated we have now received our new 2007 visitor guide.  There are approximately 20 boxes at the Information Center to mail or distribute to visitors.  Dan F. indicated Lou Schneider set up the arrangement with Washburn County Highway Shop to store pallets there and the WC Maintenance will bring to the Information Center as needed. Greg Vreeland indicated the Tourism Board needs to create a new agreement for changes on the Visitor Guide. There needs to be a deadline, with penalties if not completed on the deadline, and a need of really firming up the agreement for 2008. 

New Business 

Discussion of WCTA Executive Director Position – Dan Frase stated he received a letter from the Corporate Counsel regarding Tourism meeting without a Quorum that were being held.  Dan F. stated he was not aware of any meeting they had without a quorum.  WC Chairman – Mike Bobin stated the Tourism Board needs to comply with the State Guidelines on the posting Agenda, and Minutes.  Mike B. strongly encouraged the WCTA Board and personally stated that Tourism Board needs to do everything they can to operate openly with WC taxpayer’s money.  Mike B. stated WCTA Board members can make a three day advance public announcement of meetings and diligently follow the meeting requirements for quorums and conducting business.  WCTA Board should post in three different locations of any Committee Meeting Agenda along with any Minutes of Committee Meetings to follow the Wisconsin Open Meetings law.  Dan Frase stated from his understanding with Economic Development and Tourism Executive Meeting they had come to agreement with Lou S. 20% wages and benefits to hire a Director for Tourism.  Dan F stated he also had the understanding that Economic Development agreed to pick up Marge Quinn’s 40 % of wages and benefits.  WC Chairman Mike Bobin stated he did not recall that being said at the Executive meeting.  Chairman Mike Bobin asked Dan Frase for a copy of the job description for the Executive Director Position to be discussed.  Dan Frase indicated at this time, there was not a definite job description until the Personnel Committee could meet and make decisions.  Ann Miller made a motion to table the discussion of WCTA Executive Director Position and move forward to comply with State and County Guidelines for the next month Personnel Meeting.   Gary Sutherland 2nd the motion.  Motion carried.  The Agenda needs to be posted in 3 places and the minimum of 3 days prior to any committee meeting, with the exception of amended agenda can be posted 3 hours prior to meeting to comply with State  and County Guidelines. 

Other: 

President Dan Frase stated he is moving North Dakota in August, 2007 and the Board should start the process of election on a new President at the Annual meeting. 

Adjourned at 1:30 p.m.  Motion made by Greg Vreeland, second by Rob Fletcher - Motion carried. 

Next meeting – March 13th, 2007 at 11:30 a.m.  (County Highway Shop)