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Minutes
TOWN BUSINESS LIAISON COMMITTEE
MINUTES
October 11, 2007
The Vienna Town Business Liaison Committee (T/BLC) held a meeting at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at the Vienna Town Hall. Orlene Grant presided as Chair. Present were Mark Uhron, Kurt Frogale, and Carole Wolfand. Also present were Julie A. Morris, Planner, and Jennifer M. Murphy, Committee Clerk. Chairman William Harrison is absent.
Roll Call:
Ms. Murphy called roll. Mr. William Harrison is absent.
MINUTES:
Ms. Wolfand made a motion to approve the minutes from the September 13, 2007, meeting as drafted. Mr. Frogale seconded the motion.
Motion: Wolfand
Second: Frogale
Carried: 4-0
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Report on recruitment of new T/BLC members.
Chairwoman Grant asked for reports on recruiting activities. Mr. Frogale stated that he had spoken to a few people, inviting them to attend a meeting in order to observe but has had no commitments.
Chairwoman Grant stated that there is a citizen who may be interested. They are opening a retail business in Town and may be a potential candidate for joining the committee but are not ready as of yet. She asked that everyone continue their recruitment endeavors as new members are needed.
2. Schedule any upcoming ribbon cutting ceremonies.
Chairwoman Grant stated that currently there are no ceremonies scheduled. Ms. Wolfand explained that she had spoken to the owners of the Plaka Grill, located the Windover Square shopping center. She thought that they would be ready for a ribbon cutting ceremony early November. She would update them as she found out more information. Chairwoman Grant stated that they need approximately three to four weeks lead time for scheduling. She noted that they are still waiting to hear back from Prestige to let them know when they are ready. Mr. Frogale stated that he had tried to contact them but was still waiting to hear back from them.
Ms. Wolfand stated that when she discusses the option of the ceremony with business owners she advises them to be sure to take their time so they can get organized and figure out when they are ready. She stated that may be a way to approach new businesses. Additional discussion followed.
Mr. Uhron stated that he has been in contact with the owner of Silva’s and Son Patisserie, located at Glyndon shopping center. It so happened that the business had just held their own grand opening and invited the Mayor and a member of the Town Council to attend.
Chairwoman Grant asked staff if there are any new businesses to contact. Ms. Morris answered no. She will be sure to let the committee know when there is a list of new businesses.
3. Discuss timeline for the 2008 Community Service Award.
Chairwoman Grant stated that the Community Service Award is an opportunity for them to show to the Town some of the things that they do. According to the award timeline, it is now time that they should be submitting an article to the Public Information Office, Ms. Marie Kisner. She asked staff if they need to notify Ms. Kisner and what information is needed. Ms. Morris answered that they need to submit the exact wording that they would want published. On the third page of the timeline, under request for nominations, she asked if there are any changes required. Or, should they keep the same formatting as was used for the original award. Ms. Wolfand noted that the word “initiation” located on the first line should be changed to “annual.” Additional discussion followed.
There being no further discussion a motion was in order.
Ms. Wolfand made a motion to change the request for nomination’s first sentence to “annual” award and to accept the rest of the verbiage as fine and publishable. Mr. Uhron seconded the motion.
Motion: Wolfand
Second: Uhron
Carried: 4-0
Chairwoman Grant stated that they will have to be cognizant of their deadlines making sure that they get the announcement out continuing to follow the timeline. Ms. Wolfand asked staff if they have copies of the letters that were sent out to the nominees. Ms. Morris thought that there was only a letter sent to the recipient of the award, Safeway. Additional discussion followed and was determined that Ms. Wolfand would check her notes agreeing with staff that the committee may have only sent a letter to the recipient of the award.
Chairwoman Grant asked if they should consider adding to the list of procedures the submission of an article and picture of the businesses for the runners-up. Ms. Wolfand agreed that it would be good to do so as they proceed with granting the award. That way it is done for future awards. Chairwoman Grant asked if there should be a bit more detail added to the timeline. Ms. Wolfand agreed, stating that there could be a little more information with respect to what they did for the award and for each of the businesses that were nominated and how they were notified. Additional discussion followed. Chairwoman Grant asked if anyone wanted to “flesh out” the details. Ms. Wolfand stated that she would get with staff to compile some of the missing information and would make a project folder for the award.
Mr. Frogale asked how many nominations they previously received. Ms. Morris stated that there were about eight or nine nominations. Mr. Frogale asked who provided the nominations. Ms. Wolfand answered that they received nominations from everyone ranging from the citizens to the Mayor. Mr. Frogale asked if they should consider calling directly to solicit and/or to encourage nominations. Additional discussion followed. Ms. Morris read allowed into the record one of the nominations received for the original award. The nomination was for Commonwealth Housing Corporation and was provided by a citizen.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Ideas for inviting business participation.
Ms. Grant asked if any one had any ideas for inviting business participation. She asked about the previous coffees that were hosted by the committee. Ms. Wolfand stated that the first coffee hosting by the T/BLC had a great turn out of business owners but the second one did not and hardly anyone showed up. Mr. Frogale asked why she thought that was. Ms. Wolfand speculated that their timing could have been off stating that the invitations were sent out too early. It is difficult to get businesses to show for a Town Council meeting and even more so for a specific social event. She thought that it might be good to incorporate something at the Town Green for Viva Vienna. Additional discussion followed.
Ms. Grant wondered if there were any activities that they could do jointly with the VTRCC (Vienna Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce) that would be more enticing. Mr. Frogale agreed stating that the chamber is always concerned about membership. If there is anyway that the T/BLC were advertising it would serve both of their benefits. He would bring a list of chamber events for the committee to look over and decide if there is anything that they could work with. Chairwoman Grant agreed, asking if Mr. Frogale could bring the list to the next meeting in order to discuss. Mr. Frogale agreed.
Chairwoman Grant asked if they should consider re-exploring hosting a coffee for the business community. Mr. Frogale asked for the concept of the event. Ms. Wolfand explained that they used the event for a meet and greet for the business community and the Mayor and Town Council. The event was specifically held right before the holiday season in November. The first coffee was held to advertise the publication of the Dining & Lodging Guide. The second one was to advertise the publication of the Retail Guide. Additional discussion followed regarding the timeframe that both coffees were held and possible draws for future coffees.
Chairwoman Grant stated that at the next meeting they will consider the list of future VTRCC events as a possibility for future business participation.
There being no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jennifer M. Murphy
Committee Clerk