Kimball County Visitors Committee
MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 12, 2013
The Kimball County Visitors Committee met at 5:30 PM on Thursday, September 12, 2013, at the High Point Welcome Center of Western Nebraska conference room in Kimball, Nebraska.
Notice of the meeting was given in advance by publication in the Western Nebraska Observer. Notice of the meeting was given to the members and a copy of the agenda is on record at the office of the Kimball County Visitors Committee. All proceedings hereafter shown were taken while the convened meeting was open to the public.
Tourism Director Caskey called the meeting to order at 5:37 PM. Caskey called the roll call with Bev Atkins, Wilson Bowling, Jamie Carpenter, Marilyn Patterson, and Jennifer Provance answering. Chris McNail and Wesley Mietus were absent. The public was not represented.
Tourism Director Caskey announced the Open Meetings Act Poster is posted on the south wall of the conference room and stated copies of the Open Meetings Act is available upon request.
Tourism Director Caskey asked if any Committee member had a conflict of interest regarding any agenda item. None were stated.
Moved by Atkins, seconded by Carpenter to authorize the agenda as prepared, the minutes of the August 13, 2013 regular meeting, and the claims as presented and reviewed. Motion carried.
TREASURERS REPORT - CLAIMS
EXPENDITURES:
Checkbook:
1. Active – Petty Cash: $69.45
2. Cash - $.06
SUBMITTED CLAIMS:
Visitors Promotion Fund - 990:
1. Jo Caskey: $54.24 (Mileage – 2-1704)
2. Jo Caskey: $582.00 (Food for Open House – 3-0104)
3. Hometown Hardware: $22.99 (Carpet shampoo – 3-0104)
4. The Right Impression: $1,190.00 (Signage – 2-6060)
5. Verizon Wireless: $112.92 (Phone and 2nd line for internet 2-0200)
6. Source Gas: $201.11 (Service and part deposit – 2-0500)
7. Western Nebraska Observer: $4.00 (Legal notice – 2-6030)
Visitors Improvement Fund - 995:
1. Presto-X: $144.94 (Set up and service for pest control – 3-0104)
2. David Finley: $750.00 (Lease Rent - September 2013, 4-0501)
3. Anthony Finley: $750.00 (Lease Rent - September 2013, 4-0501)
4. Verizon Wireless: $112.92 (Phone and 2nd line for internet 2-0200)
5. DISH: $50.78 (Wifi and cable – 2-0200)
6. Jo Caskey: $21.39 (RF modulator – 3-0104)
7. Larsen’s: $77.04 (4 clocks and plaques – 3-0104)
Director’s Report: Caskey reported on projects she’s working on and meetings attended. She also updated the committee on the status of the county’s 2012 tourism revenue stats and a pre-proposal that has been submitted for Spring 2015.
Following discussion, it was moved by Bowling, seconded by Atkins to spend $60 to join NACVB. Motion carried.
Following discussion, it was moved by Carpenter, seconded by Patterson to authorize the Director to travel to Hemingford, Sept. 19 for the WNTC meeting. Motion carried.
Following discussion, it was moved by Atkins, seconded by Carpenter to recommend to the Commissioners the needed correction to the By Laws regarding quorum numbers. Motion carried.
Following discussion, it was moved by Patterson, seconded by Provance to order the additional property signage and a new skin for the I-80 sign located west of Kimball. Motion carried. A large sign has been donated to the Welcome Center, as well as several picnic tables. The Director will check with the County to see about getting help moving the items.
Following discussion, the committee decided to look at the Plan of Action and consider revising sub-committees into task forces. Most of the Plan of Action is complete. New tasks/projects need to be identified and task forces formed for 2014.
Following discussion, the committee decided there were not enough funds left in the signage line item to participate in the billboard project this year.
The “Tourism Begins at Home” promotional campaign was explained. The campaign would launch after the start of 2014. The Director was instructed to check on various costs that would be involved in the campaign and report back.
Sub-Committee Members Reports:
Community Relations: Left to complete: trade show display and visitor map. Online advertising will be included in the website development grant application.
Signage: Left to complete: directional signage and interpretative signage components.
Website: The facebook page is doing well. Information is constantly updated. Applications for the Tourism Marketing Grants will become available Oct. 18.
High Point Welcome Center: All items in the current Plan of Action will be completed by Nov. 1.
Agri Tourism: We have 1 ag tour, 2 eco tours (birding and wildflowers/gardens), and 2 heritage tours (Tri-state/High Point Markers and historic walking) prepared. Eco tours are online, others need final solidification and added to the website.
There being no further business to come before the Kimball County Visitors Committee the 12th day of September, 2013, Tourism Director Caskey adjourned the meeting at 6:32 PM. Next meeting is 5:30 PM on Tuesday, October 8, 2013, in the High Point Welcome Center of Western Nebraska conference room.
Submitted by Jo Caskey
September 12, 2013 Minutes Page 2