Mts Promotion Committee

Minutes of the Promotions Committee meeting held on Tuesday, March 16th, 2010 pursuant to notice duly given.

1. Meeting called to order by Chairperson Nick at 9 a.m.
2. Roll call: Charles Nick, Ron Hayes, Beth Larson, Pete Stark, Tammy Salzsieder, Suzie Cain, Ken Thompson, Terri Berth, Linda Belongia and Dale Mohr, Advisory Member. Excused: Krista Proksch. Mayor Nerenhausen and Kale Proksch also present.
3. Moved by Hayes seconded by Larson to approve of the agenda as presented.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 9 ayes
4. Moved by Hayes seconded by Stark to approve of the minutes as typed and place on file.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 9 ayes
5. Discussion/possible action on:
a. Update on Trolley Grant Application. Belongia stated to date two emails have been sent to follow up on our grant application for the trolley; applications still being reviewed; Hayes stated he followed up on comments about Marquette having a trolley that is no longer used…due to competition with local businesses, trolley is now used by the university for the students;
Belongia stated that Katie Scheffen would provide assistance on a planning grant;

b. Tourism visitor center. Salzsieder reported that the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors have not met so at this time she has nothing further to bring to this committee for discussion; Salzsieder suggested tabling this till after the Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Nick asked for discussion on what type of structure would this committee like to see the tourism center be; Stark referenced the old center, was an A-framed structure that is now used by the City of Peshtigo; Stark stated used to sit in Allouez Park, across from Reporter office, don’t know why it was moved; Mayor stated he designed that structure for the Jaycee’s who were very active back then; Berth questioned if there would be any records still available from the Jaycee’s such as costs to operate the center, staffing, etc; Nick suggested this center might have multi-uses to help cover costs of operating it; ideas for design of the structure suggested as a log cabin or hull of a ship; let it be a statement of our heritage; Cain suggested considering multi-uses for this center have canoe rental’s; Hayes agreed making it multi-useful will help with staffing…could also consider calling it the “Pickle Center” something unique and maybe then we could get donations to help with financing; center could rent out moped’s, bicycles and canoes; wouldn’t have to buy this equipment could be leased on a “use” basis; Proksch stated he is in favor of suggested ideas thus far;

c. Additional ideas for promoting Oconto; Berth brought committee up to date on ATV Club working to get a trail out of Oconto that could meet up with Gillett trail; public informational meeting will be held 3/22 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at the Stiles Town Hall; outcome will be decided at the 4/7 Forestry meeting and they will make a recommendation to the County Board; Berth stated the ATV group is looking at the dollars this will bring to Oconto; club working on getting permission to maintain the landscaping areas of the roundabouts…good way for promoting themselves…get their name out their…similar to ways groups adopt areas along highways; Stark suggested consideration be given to having the trailhead be combined with a visitor center; Berth stated there wouldn’t be enough room…end of Van Hecke is ideal place for ATV’s…can have access from trailhead to tourism center, can make the two accessible; Stark stated some trailheads are used year round; Berth discussed proposed route ATV Club would like to have through, encouraged letters or emails of support sent to the county forester;

Nick thanked Berth and asked members to think about something this promotions committee that could be the “splash”…”do now”…to get our name out their; Nick stated the trolley will take time; ATV trail will also take time…tourism center; Berth suggested getting signage on tourism center; Stark stated we should have an alternate site to the current one…could be city hall; Berth stated or the campground or Copper Culture; Stark stated the museum at Copper Culture is only weekends; Berth questioned the former Taco Bell Building; Hayes stated the “splash” could be let’s clean up Oconto; discussion on conditions of some of the properties in Oconto; Mayor referenced letter Belongia as Administrator gave to Ron Banach as code enforcement officer; discussion; Berth referenced former position as an alderperson…had problems back then, still do; Nick stated having a city wide clean-up…routine maintenance…temps are warming up…get something in the paper that the promotions committee is behind the clean-up; Berth questioned the Paint-Fix-up program the city had quite a few years ago; Nick stated another idea could be in exchange for free garbage bags, could ask for a donation to Food on the Bay or Newcap; Hayes referenced the ordinances…responsibility of property owner…ordinances are in place…should be enforced; city should police our community; discussion on promotions committee supporting clean-up;

6. Nick stated we will table this issue and have on next agenda; also how to coordinate community activities; Stark questioned DNR meeting; Proksch stated proposed extension of hiking trail through Copper Culture; Also on next agenda: Duck preserve; Request from Rod Barta regarding Copper Culture; Salzsieder requested copy of tourism budget…how much is for marketing Oconto…have this on next agenda; also discussion on future meeting schedule and time.
7. Moved by Hayes seconded by Cain to adjourn. M/C
Meeting adjourned at 10:17 a.m.

Minutes submitted by
Linda M. Belongia, Administrator