October 2009 Meeting Minutes

Westside Association Meeting Minutes

October 1, 2009

Kathy Hansen Secretary

Meeting called to order by President Connie Drexler @12:00

Approval of September minutes moved and 2^nd/passed

Treasurer’s Report

• Low activity this month
• Donation for Holiday parade

Chamber Report:

• Chamco/OAEDC- possible combination
• China trip
  • Early spring
• Nov 9- annual Meeting
• 2^nd phase of Vision Oshkosh- branding phrase- beginning the week of October 5

Director’s Meeting:

• Survey project
  • In light of the changes at City Hall possible hold on survey
  • Working on setting up a meeting with the city manager to see where his vision is going /future planes
• Insight magazine-
  • story on 41 corridor.- quoted Connie Drexler as President of Westside
• possible speakers/programs
  • Jan- networking
  • Feb- DOT update
  • March – annual meeting
  • April- ChamCo/OAEDC
  • May- Paul Essingler- Mayor
  • June- School superintendent

Guest Speakers: 

Joe Ferlo- Executive Director of The Grand Opera House

Jim Macy- President of the Opera House Foundation

• City owns the building
• Opera House Foundation handles the complete management of the facility
  • Receive some room tax dollars
  • Receive small amount of tax dollars
• Two years ago began with the renovation of 2^nd floor area into a Lounge/restrooms
  • Found out the area needs sprinkler system
  • Went to the city and received $250,000.00 for the project
• January 2009
  • Found structural problems in the building- all in the original 1883 building
  • Old water damage had caused trusses to have issues, then found attic floor juices
  • 1883 plaster ceiling also had problems
• February 2009
  • Closed the building to determine how to fix the problems
  • Relocated 25 programs at various venues into town
• July 2009
  • Found out cost to repair- $1.8 million
  • Began campaign “Stand with the Grand”
  • Had 53 speakers at the city council meeting
  • Helped cement what The Grand means to the community-tremendous support from the community all ages- children to senior citizens
  • Foundation Board pledged to raise $250,000
  • $500,000 from the State budget
• Continuing all programming at other areas in town
• Also using the lobby for small shows such as the Fantastiks as a 50 seat theater
• 10,000 kids go through  The Grand with school programs
• facility is used 260 days per year ( performances, company meetings)
• County Board voted $50,000 for the Grand Opera House
• Various sponsorships available (from $500.00 and up)
• Building an endowment fund
• Donations are coming in- $40,000 already raised

Motion to donate $5000.00 over 2 or 3 years to The Grand Opera House from the Westside Association (Dennis Schwab/2^nd Gary Eake) passed

Meeting adjourned at 1PM