1. Meeting Opening:

• Tammy Davis, President, opened the meeting of the Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce at 12:12 P.M. and welcomed guests, Tiffany Coleman and Julie Kunze from the Warren County Economic Development Corp.  There were 18 Chamber members present.

2. Approval of Minutes:

• Minutes from the last meeting were reviewed.  Motion by Ruth Randleman to approve the minutes as presented.  Seconded by Steve Curran.  Motion carried unanimously.

3. Treasurer’s Report:

• Ryan Meirerotto, Treasurer, presented the treasurer’s report as of July 31, 2007.  Motion by Bob Stuyvesant to approve as presented.  Seconded by Tom Wagenknecht.  Motion carried unanimously.

4. Executive Director report

Grants - Two grants have been applied for to help offset the cost of the new Downtown Carlisle sign and for repairs to the two Carlisle entrance signs.  One grant is from Hamburger Helper and one is from Prairie Meadows.

Revitalization Committee- This committee is working on brochure material that shares history of the older buildings downtown.  They continually try to find ways to fill the empty buildings that are downtown.Their next meeting will be held on Monday, August 27^th at 12:00 noon.

Beautification Committee-  We have received the check from MWA for the $2500 grant.   We have had a lot of good comments about the hanging planters.  The committee would like to do again next year.  The brackets will need to be replaced because they are not sturdy enough.    Have received only $25 from the article that was placed in the newspaper.  Proceeds from the Bike Ride have been designated to go towards this project for next year.

Carlisle Sizzling Saturdays - These were not as successful as had hoped, but the vendors and downtown businesses want to try it again next year.

Healthcare Seminar- Managing Your Company’s Health Care Costs Through an Employee Wellness Program is being held on August 30^th, from 7:30 – 10:30 am at Stoney Creek Inn, Johnston.  Cost is $10.

Jeff Gitomer- The Executive Board has designated $100 to help support the Gitomer Live seminar that is to be held on October 30^th in Des Moines.  Mr. Gitomer is a motivational speaker and is a business guru.  By supporting this seminar, our Chamber members are able to receive a 25% discount on general admission tickets.  Cost to attend will be $75 per individual.

5. Carlisle Betterment report: There was no report from the Carlisle Betterment.

6. Greater Des Moines Partnership: There was no report from the Greater Des Moines Partnership.

7. Other reports & updates: 

Legislative Meetings - Various upcoming Legislative meetings will be held in preparation for the next session.  Chamber members were encouraged to attend.Membership - There are four new businesses in Carlisle that have indicated their desire to join the Chamber.

Ribbon Cuttings:   

-A ribbon cutting is scheduled for Sunday, August 26^th, 3:00 p.m. at the new Middle School.

-There will be a ribbon cutting for The Commons directly before the next regular Chamber meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 11^th, at 6:00 p.m.

Program/Community Events:

- Carlisle/SDM/EDM Golf Outing:  Date is July 27th.  Tammy reported that the attendance for the golf outing seemed about the same, but the number of sponsorships was down from last year.

- Chamber night at Principal Park: Date is Aug 2nd.  Tom Wagenknecht reported that 1,000 hot dogs were served.  It was great night and a great ball game.

- Teacher Appreciation Breakfast:  Date is August 17^th – 8:00 a.m. – New Middle School. There are a total of 128 teachers this year.  Carroll Isley will pick up the donuts for this breakfast.  All Chamber members were encouraged to attend.

- Tractor Show:  Bud Schrier has organized a Tractor Show to be held at the Scotch Ridge Center this year on August 25^th, 9:00 a.m. -  5:00 p.m.

- Bike Ride:  The Second Annual Bike Ride sponsored by the Chamber will be held on Saturday, August 25^th at the Bike Trailhead.  A pancake & sausage breakfast will be served from 7-10:00 a.m.  A free-will donation will be taken for the breakfast with the proceeds to go towards next year’s hanging planters along First Street.  Orange t-shirts with the same design as last year will also be sold.  General Mills has graciously offered to donate the pancake mix and sausages.  Casey’s has donated $300 and seven cases of water.  Moe said she would donate the coffee.

- Concert in the Park:  The Second Annual Concert in the Park will be Sunday afternoon,  August 26^th    starting at 1:00 p.m.  Leonard Hudson, the Urbandale Jazz Band and the Hartford Trio will be performing.  Free popcorn will be furnished by Great Western Bank and the Garden Club will be serving bars/cookies.  A hat will be passed for donations to go towards the paths in the flower gardens at North Park.

- Community Pride Nigh:  Will be the first football game of the season with PV on Friday, September 7^th.  Craig Calhoun, Athletic Director, Kris Cooper,  AD Secretary and Ethel have started planning for this event.

- Light Up Carlisle: Two meetings have already be held for this year’s Light Up Carlisle Event that will be held on  Saturday, Dec. 1^st  -  5:00 – 8:00 p.m.  For any business that wishes to participate this year, please notify Ethel.

8. Old Business:  

- Nominating: Board members will be starting to find individuals willing to serve both as officers and Board of                Directors for next year.

- Fund-Raising: Nothing presently

- Finance: The Finance Committee will be meeting to prepare a proposed 2008 Budget.

9. New Business:  

Survey

-The Revitalization Committee has prepared a Business Survey to distribute to the community.  It will be available in both hard copy and on-line.  This Survey will be kicked off at the Community Pride night on Sept. 7^th.  Discussion was held on how to entice citizen participation.

-Motion by Neil Ruddy to appropriate $500 for promotional materials.  Seconded by Bob Stuyvesant.  The decision of what to purchase will be left up to Tammy Davis and Ethel.  Motion carried unanimously.

Presentations

-Mary Sue Van Rwysyk, President of the newly formed Carlisle Area Historical Society, gave a very informative update on the recent happenings and what she envisions for the future of this Historical Society.  She encouraged membership and support from the Chamber members.

- Dr. Tom Lane, Supt. shared information about the upcoming PPEL vote that will be held on             Tuesday, Sept. 11^th for the Carlisle Comm. School District. The $2.05 levy will be going off, but the        District is asking for $1.34 of that amount back for the next 10 years.  He explained that if this levy does             not pass, there will be no more money to continue upgrading the school facilities.

-Tiffany Coleman, WCDEC Director, presented a video of Warren Co. and shared their Quarterly Report.  She also explained that the WCDEC will be more involved with the Chamber in the future.

10. Next Meeting:

11.  Adjournment:  Meeting adjourned at 8:50 a.m.

Respectively submitted,

Ethel L. Lee
Executive Director