Town Government / Town Services / Regulations & Ordinances / Town Information / Town Departments / Mailbox
Minutes
TOWN BUSINESS LIAISON COMMITTEE
MINUTES
March 13, 2008
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, Deborah Brehony, and Kurt Frogale. Also attending representing the staff were Julie A. Morris, Planner, and Jennifer M. Murphy, Committee Clerk. Orlene Grant is absent
Roll Call:
Ms. Murphy called roll. Ms. Grant is absent.
Approval of the Agenda:
There being no corrections and/or additions, the agenda was accepted as drafted.
MINUTES:
Ms. Brehony made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 10, 2008, meeting as drafted. Mr. Uhron seconded the motion.
Motion: Brehony
Second: Uhron
Carried: 4-0
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Report on recruitment of new T/BLC members
Chairman Harrison acknowledged two people sitting in the audience. He stated that they have been invited to watch a committee meeting as they have signed up to serve on the committee. He welcomed them and invited them to come up and introduce themselves.
Mr. Chris Brunjes stated that he has lived in Town since 2000 but has lived in the area since 1982. He works in sales for an IT consulting firm called USM Business Systems. As a result he deals with a lot of the local businesses. Over the last four years he has worked as the sponsorship chair and race director for the Vienna Elementary 5K run. It is an event that has increased significantly over the last four years.
Chairman Harrison thanked Mr. Brunjes for his comments and asked for the status of his application. Mr. Brunjes answered that he has turned it in to the Town Council and is waiting to hear back. Chairman Harrison stated that they hoped to hear back by the next meeting.
Ms. Bindy Lichtenfels stated that she works and lives in the Town. She explained that because she is an owner she has been involved in a lot of civic duties and charity work in Town. Last year she worked as Ms. Brehony’s campaign manager. It was Ms. Brehony who thought that she would be a good fit for the committee. Chairman Harrison thanked Ms. Lichtenfels for coming and asked if she too is waiting to hear back from the Town Council. Ms. Lichtenfels answered yes.
Chairman Harrison stated that if Mr. Brunjes and Ms. Lichtenfels are approved that will complete the quorum needed for the committee.
2. Report on Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies and new business contacts
Chairman Harrison stated that they have already held a couple of Ribbon Cutting ceremonies for the week. He has received very nice thank yous from the owners of both businesses. He asked Ms. Brehony to provide details for the next requested Ribbon Cutting ceremony.
Ms. Brehony stated that the owner, Mr. James Moon has asked for a ceremony for his business called Diamond Spa located on Church Street, NE, where Joy, the Christian Bookstore used to be located. She stated that they have already held a grand opening but would be interested in a Ribbon Cutting. She added that a ceremony is already scheduled for Rose Café, which she thought they could schedule on the same day. A brief discussion followed regarding scheduling of both events.
Chairman Harrison stated that the new business list shows three new businesses and thought that there are at least three more businesses to add to the list. He stated that they need to divide up the list and assign committee members to contact them. Additional discussion followed where the list was divvied up among the committee to contact. Ms. Morris will send an email of assigned businesses for each committee member.
3. Discuss plans for the May 15th East West Softball game and other Business Appreciation Week plans.
Ms. Brehony stated that she, Mr. Uhron, and Mr. Frogale met with Mr. Tom Hanton of the VTRCC (Vienna Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce) and Mayor Jane Seeman to discuss holding a softball tournament. She explained that it is to be the First Annual Softball Slam. It will take place on Thursday, May 15th beginning at 5:30 pm. Mr. Frogale has secured written confirmation to hold the event at Waters Field. It will celebrate Business Appreciation month in the State of Virginia declared by Governor Tim Kaine. Mr. Hanton is working to get sponsors for t-shirts. There will be two different teams. Mr. Hanton and Mr. Frogale will be team captains. They are currently seeking sponsorship for food items. Ms. Morris was going to find out about putting up information on the Town’s website and in the Town’s newsletter. Mr. Hanton was going to contact someone about placing information on the VTRCC website and newsletter.
Ms. Brehony explained that there will be ten people to a team. They will recruit both men and woman. They thought that they may want to recruit coaches and parents of little leaguers. She stated that she has asked Ms. Morris to draft-up a flyer to advertise for recruitment. A draft of the flyer was passed around for the members to review to make corrections/changes to it.
Ms. Brehony asked how they can go about securing a budget to cover miscellaneous expenses for the event as she is going to meet with representatives of some of the local newspapers for placing a public service announcement. She has been notified that they cannot have vendors or any food at the field. As a result she has spoken with Mr. Howard Springsteen of the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department. He has generously offered space at the Fire House. They would only need to cover expenses for clean-up. She noted that the room typically rents for $500 – $2,500.00 a night dependant upon the organization that is using it. Their cost would be $150.00 to $250.00. Ms. Morris noted that the current budget for T/BLC is $100.00. Ms. Brehony stated that she would be willing to volunteer any monies she receives for serving on the Committee. Additional discussion followed regarding requesting a budget and how committee members could donate their pay for serving on the committee. The committee will consider going before the Town Council to request additional funds to cover costs incurred for the event.
Mr. Frogale made a motion to request that two hundred dollars be put towards a budget for the Softball Slam for Business Appreciation to be held on May 15th, 2008, hosted by both the Town Business Liaison Committee and the VTRCC.
Motion: Frogale
Second: Brehony
Carried: 4-0
Chairman Harrison stated that they should prepare an itemized budget to show who would pay for what. Additional discussion followed. Chairman Harrison recommended that they attend the Town Council meeting when they are able to get an agenda item.
Chairman Harrison asked what they plan on doing for the flyers. Ms. Brehony thought that they would distribute them at the ball fields and could leaves some at the community center. She stated that they could also distribute some through the PTA (Parent Teacher Association) at the Vienna Elementary and place some at the Vienna Inn.
Chairman Harrison asked for someone to handle distribution of the flyers. Mr. Frogale stated that he would handle the flyers.
Chairman Harrison asked how they should handle clean-up. Ms. Brehony answered that they will have to sign a contract with the Volunteer Fire Department who has a regular crew who cleans-up. She asked who would sign off on the contract. Additional discussion followed as to who should sign off on a contract for the committee.
Ms. Morris asked who is to serve on the subcommittee and prospective dates for work sessions. Chairman Harrison asked how many work sessions they will need. Ms. Brehony thought that it could be handled in three meetings. Additional discussion followed regarding holding work sessions and was determined that Mr. Hanton would be included in the next meeting. A work session will be held via conference call.
Mr. Uhron made a motion that a subcommittee is to be formed to work on the Softball Slam. Members will include Ms. Brehony, Mr. Uhron, and Mr. Frogale.
Motion: Uhron
Second: Frogale
Carried: 4-0
Mr. Brunjes approached to speak. He recommended that since it will be an annual event that they may want to get a trophy to award to the winning team. Ms. Brehony stated that they could try to get donations for trophies so that they would only have to change out the name plates. Additional discussion followed and was determined that they would try to collect old trophies for the event.
Chairman Harrison asked staff if they need to act on the proclamation drafted up. Ms. Morris explained that it has been approved by the Mayor’s office and will be adopted at the next Town Council meeting. She stated that she could take suggestions for corrections and/or changes. Chairman Harrison asked for suggestions or revisions. Hearing none a motion was in order.
Mr. Uhron made a motion to adopt the proclamation announcing Business Appreciation for the week of May 11 through May 17, 2008.
Motion: Uhron
Second: Brehony
Carried: 4-0
Ms. Brehony stated that she has ordered items from the State of Virginia website to be given out during Business Appreciation week. She ordered ten large posters, one hundred fifty small four color posters that they can ask businesses to display in their window. Two-hundred table tents to be put out at businesses like Commerce Bank, the Post Office or a Town restaurant. Thirty-five copies of a framable letter drafted by Governor Kaine. She explained that it is a letter of thanks for participating in Business Appreciation week. Five-hundred stickers, two-hundred fifty are to be given to the VTRCC and two-hundred fifty are to be given to the Town to be placed on envelopes. She thought that they may be able to print or attach information about the Softball Slam to the table tents. Chairman Harrison asked that Ms. Brehony be sure to let them know when the materials are delivered so that they can pitch in to help distribute the items.
4. Report on plans to honor Carole Wolfand
Chairman Harrison stated that he will have the certificate matted and framed so that it will be ready to be presented at the April 8th Mayor’s Advisory Committee Volunteer Reception. He noted that they have not made definite plans for the evening and recommended that everyone try to attend that evening. Additional discussion followed regarding a possible outing after the event.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Hold a closed session for the selection of the recipient of the Community Service Award
A closed session was held at the end of the scheduled meeting. Discussions were held off the record.
The meeting reconvened and was determined that the 2008 Community Service Award will be awarded to Mr. Billy Thompson owner of All Star Movers.
Chairman Harrison offered to take care of getting the award framed and the name plaque made. He stated that the award will also be given out at the Mayors Advisor ceremony. He reiterated that it would be good for everyone to attend if they can.
Mr. Uhron asked about the name of the award if they were going to change the name of the award. Additional discussion followed and was determined that they would review the minutes to determined that Mr. Harrison would be sure that the plaque reflect the new name of the award.
2. Schedule a work sessions to discuss the East West Softball game
Chairman Harrison stated that they have already discussed prospective dates for work sessions in item 3 of Old Business.
3. Discuss any issues from the business community
Mr. Uhron asked how one would go about addressing business tax issues without appealing to the Mayor and Town Council. Ms. Morris answered that the most direct person would be Ms. Elisabeth King who works with Business Licensing or someone out of the Department of Finance.
Chairman Harrison stated that the T/BLC does not have jurisdiction over business tax but could take it up as an issue for discussion. Mr. Uhron stated that he has an LLC that owns the office space and a separate business who rents back to the LLC. Both the LLC and acting business are in the same location and require a business license. The result is that he is taxed twice. Because it is a financial business they fall at the higher end of the tax bracket. He was told that he should direct his concerns to the Mayor and Town Council and wondered if there was another option. Additional discussion followed and was determined that Mr. Uhron would look into the matter to determine if he wants to pursue the matter further.
There being no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jennifer M. Murphy
Committee Clerk