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Minutes
TOWN BUSINESS LIAISON COMMITTEE
MINUTES
November 8, 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. Present were Chairman William Harrison, Mark Uhron, Orlene Grant, and Kurt Frogale. Also present were Julie A. Morris, Planner, and Jennifer M. Murphy, Committee Clerk. Carole Wolfand is absent.
Roll Call:
Ms. Murphy called roll. Ms. Wolfand is absent.
Approval of the Agenda:
Chairman Harrison asked if anyone had any additions and/or corrections to make to the agenda. Hearing none he stated that he had one item to be added under New Business, which is a Discussion of Elections.
Motion to amend: Uhron
Second: Frogale
Amended: 4-0
MINUTES:
Mr. Uhron made a motion to approve the minutes from the October 11, 2007, meeting as drafted. Mr. Frogale seconded the motion.
Motion: Uhron
Second: Frogale
Carried: 3-0-1
Abstain: Harrison
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Report on recruitment of new T/BLC members.
Mr. Uhron stated that he had spoken with Ms. Deborah Brehony who has applied to be a member on the Committee. He was told that the Mayor and Town Council still needed to interview her at their next work session. She was planning on attending tonight’s meeting but was not feeling well and therefore could not make.
Chairman Harrison stated that there is one other person who has expressed interest who is also a new business member at the VTRCC (Vienna Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce.) They are going to be a business owner in the Town but do not have it set up as of yet. They are supposed to contact him. He will let the Committee know if he hears anything further.
Chairman Harrison asked if there were any additional suggestions regarding recruitment of new members. Hearing none, Chairman Harrison stated that they could put an announcement about the Committee in the Chambers newsletter. He asked if it would be helpful to run another add in the Town’s newsletter. Mr. Uhron agreed. Chairman Harrison asked how long it had been since they last ran an advertisement. Ms. Morris answered that it had been about five to six months. She noted that announcements are mailed out to the new businesses in their welcome packets. Additional discussion followed and was determined that Ms. Morris would find out if there is enough space to run an advertisement in the next Town newsletter. If not they will run one the following month.
2. Schedule of upcoming ribbon cutting ceremonies.
Chairman Harrison noted that Ms. Wolfand was to find out if Plaka Grille was interested in a Ribbon Cutting ceremony. He asked if anyone had heard anything back. Ms. Morris answered no. Chairman Harrison stated that he had been in contact with another new dentistry practice, Vienna Pediatric Dentistry who has expressed interest in a ceremony. They are willing to hold one at anytime. He sent an email to Mayor Seeman who has replied back that she would be able to participate Wednesday or Thursday the 14th or 15th of November or later. They are located in the same building as Mr. Uhron’s office. He stated that, unfortunately, he would not be able to attend as he will be out of Town. Additional discussion followed regarding a timeframe for holding a ceremony.
Chairman Harrison asked if Mr. Uhron and Mr. Frogale could come up with a schedule and to communicate that schedule with staff, the Mayor and Town Council.
3. Discuss potential joint venture with the Chamber of Commerce.
Chairman Harrison asked Ms. Grant if she had any additional thoughts on the subject. Ms. Grant stated that they had left it that Mr. Frogale was going to mention the idea at the next VTRCC meeting. Mr. Frogale stated that he did mention it and they were enthusiastic and excited. They were ready to move forward but that was as far as he got in the conversation.
Chairman Harrison stated that they could request that the Chamber help to publicize their Community Service Award. They could publish information in their newsletter and online at the website. Ms. Grant asked if the VTRCC sends out notices or invites the Town’s business community for their activities. Mr. Frogale thought that they did but was not certain.
Chairman Harrison thought that the VTRCC would be willing and interested in encouraging and promoting Business Appreciation Week. He stated that they can discuss it under New Business. He stated that other than making a presentation at one of the chamber meetings or luncheon, he did not know what else they could do. Mr. Frogale stated that as a Chamber representative he can highlight what the committee does at one of their events. He would be willing to put something together for the next event such as a “call to action” for potential membership. He asked if they could provide him with additional ideas.
Chairman Harrison stated that he would share the flyer with the Chamber president; it will give her most of the details.
1. Discuss Community Service Award Procedures
Chairman Harrison stated that Ms. Wolfand put together a notebook detailing the procedures for putting together the award, ceremony and so on. He stated that he was sorry that she was not able to attend as he was hoping that she would be able to present the schedule for it. He asked staff to explain where they are with respect to the timeline of procedures. Ms. Morris stated that in the November newsletter a “call for nominations” advertisement was run. She stated that they can run another one again for the December newsletter. Chairman Harrison asked if they had sent anything to any newspapers. Ms. Morris answered no. Chairman Harrison asked for the timeframe to give out the award. Ms. Morris answered that the nominations are due by January 30, 2008. The award ceremony will be held on the 2nd Tuesday in April unless the Committee wants to push it back to Business Appreciation Week in May. Chairman Harrison stated that they should put word out to some of the community newspapers to emphasize the January 31st deadline. There is enough time to extend the deadline if necessary but would prefer to hold to the original plan. Ms. Morris stated that it also states in the timeline that a call for nominations can be posted around Town at such places like the Community Center and the Library. Ms. Grant asked if that meant by flyer. Chairman Harrison answered yes.
Chairman Harrison stated that he would be willing to draft the news releases sending them to the newspapers and put together the flyers. He asked for volunteers in posting flyers around Town. A brief discussion followed and was determined that all members would be willing to pass around flyers in the Town.
Chairman Harrison asked if there are any other promotional activities that they could be doing. Ms. Grant asked if they should consider posting at such places like the Rotary Club, churches, and synagogues. Ms. Morris stated that they could look into it. Ms. Grant asked if they had done it before. Chairman Harrison answered no, agreeing that they would have to look into it. He asked if anyone was a member of any of the clubs in the Town. Ms. Frogale stated that he had attended a Rotary Club meeting last week. Chairman Harrison asked if anyone is a Lion’s Club member. Mr. Uhron answered that he had been invited to attend. Chairman Harrison stated that he can supply everyone with flyers that could be given out at any of the civic club meetings. He stated that it would be good to make an announcement or distribute them if they find that they end up attending a civic club meeting. He will send out the announcement by email.
Chairman Harrison asked for information regarding distributing the award itself. Ms. Morris stated that a photo montage that is framed and put together by the Enterprise School on Beulah Road was discussed in the minutes. They typically sell them as a fundraiser. A photo montage is six or seven photographs, creating a panoramic view of Maple Avenue. The cost is $40.00 and can be framed as it was before. There was a plaque placed at the bottom with the name of the recipient, the name of the award, and the year it was awarded. She stated that the Vienna Arts Society located on Dominion Road, NE, is another option as they have a print of the mural, which costs about $30.00 unframed. She noted that they sell other similar prints. She read aloud from the minutes stating that it is described as a 1x3 foot panoramic image, matted and framed put together by former T/BLC member Roy Baldwin. Chairman Harrison agreed that it was a nice award that was well received. He asked if someone could volunteer to talk with the Vienna Arts Society to find out cost for matting and framing of the award. Ms. Grant volunteered. Additional discussion followed.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Discuss any issue from the business community.
Chairman Harrison asked staff and Committee members if they have any new issues and/or discussions from the business community. Hearing none, chairman Harrison stated that staff has distributed some information from the Virginia Department of Business Assistance for their Business Appreciation Week, which takes place in May of each year. He stated that Mayor Jane Seeman had sent him an email asking if the T/BLC would like to put something together for that week. Originally he had thought that it might be a good time to issue the Community Service Award but upon thinking about it he thought that the exposure would better for the Committee to issue it during the Mayor’s Advisory. He asked for ideas or suggestions. Ms. Morris stated that the Mayor had some suggestions. She read off of a list of suggestions, which included; the best new business, business heritage award, best home business, and most innovative business.
Ms. Grant stated that she liked the idea of “best new business” as it ties in with the grand opening event that the T/BLC has been putting on. Additional discussion followed regarding coming up with another award procedure. Chairman Harrison stated that they could invite the recipient of the Community Service Award back to speak at an event relating to giving back to the business community. It would tie in with the business appreciation week. Additional discussion followed.
Mr. Uhron stated that they could introduce the “best new business” at one of the Town events such as Viva Vienna or the Stroll on Church Street. Chairman Harrison agreed, stating that they could add in the community service business recipient. Additional discussion followed and was determined that Mr. Uhron would look into the items that are available online for the business appreciation week information. The rest of the Committee members will think more about what they want to do with respect to presentation, event, or recognition that they should be involved in during 2008. Ms. Grant stated that they could contact the Town of Leesburg to find out about their business appreciation dessert reception. She agreed to look into it.
2. Discussion of election of officers for the committee.
Chairman Harrison stated that the committee holds an election of officers for two positions, a Committee Chair and a Vice-Chair. The term of office typically runs from January 1st to the end of the year. Originally he had agreed to serve as the Chair until the end of the year in hopes that there would be more members. Typically they would hold an election at the December meeting of each year. He stated that an election should be put on their agenda for the December meeting. Additional discussion followed and was determined that an election would be held at the December meeting.
There being no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 7:49 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jennifer M. Murphy
Committee Clerk