Lavaca Chamber of Commerce June Meeting Minutes

President Jack James called the meeting to order. Present were the following members Sara McCormick, Drake Smith, LeAnn Ellison, Mary Rollins, Zach Johnson, Dorothy Lawrence, Holly Creel, Jack James and Angela Gillooley.
Jack James presented last month’s minutes, there was a mistake made on the May minutes. Lavaca Cruise night will be August 25th not July 30th as previously posted. Drake Smith motioned to accept from last month and Mary Rollins seconded. All approved.
Holly Creel presented a letter from Lavaca Middle School Principal Kenny Holland thanking the chamber for the donation made towards the Middle School Carnival. It was a huge success.
Holly Creel presented the Financial Report: 
$150 for membership dues was collected. Farmers Bank has donated $500 towards the kids Area during the Cruise Night this money will be used for bounce arounds and slides during the event. Holly mentioned needing to pay the June bill for The New Sentry.
Holly and Jack James presented the new window clings for Lavaca Chamber Businesses. Holly asked the chamber for reimbursement for her paying for the window clings $124 dollars will be paid back to Holly Creel for the purchase.
Holly received a vendor check for the Lavaca Berry Festival which will be October 27th. Dorothy Lawrence moved to approve the financials and Mary Rollins seconded. All approved.
Holly Creel with Creel Outdoors had two winners for the May Crappie Contest; Brody Koch and Gary Barker tied to win last month, Congratulations winners!!!
Angela Gillooley presented the Lavaca Movies in the Park Report: 
June 29th, July 13th and August 4th will be this summer’s dates. Also coinciding with the August 4th event will be this years Back to School bash. Angela is contacting Lavaca Superintendent Steve Rose for the use of a bus for a Fill the Bus event for our community children during the event. Also Kona Ice and other vendors to make this year’s event even better than last year.
LeAnn Ellison presented the Cruise Night Report: 
Zach Johnson and LeAnn discussed a map for the event. LeAnn has several groups setting up to sale different things during the event including Funnel Cakes, Kettle Corn etc. We are still trying to find a cotton candy vendor at this time. We discussed colors for this year’s cruise night t-shirts. We also discussed the number of shirts to order. It was decided that we will order the same number as last year. Jack James suggested getting a banner for the event to stretch across highway 96 in down town Lavaca. LeAnn Ellison and Drake Smith mentioned needing to contact the highway department for information on doing this. Mary Rollins offered to make the call.
New Business: 
LeAnn Ellison contacted local electrician Matt Douglas for a quote on fixing and adding more electricity to Lavaca City Hall Park. He quoted her $2,100 for this project. It would include 12 receptacles and all new conduit. Dorothy Lawrence suggested getting a second local bid. Drake Smith moves that the chamber provide the money to rewire the park. This will greatly benefit the citizens of Lavaca. Zach Johnson seconded the motion all approved. It was also discussed that there is a big need for restrooms in the parks in our community.
Jack James presented Lavaca Berry Festival update:
The Lavaca Arts and Crafts festival was voted to be changed to the Lavaca Berry Festival by the chamber members. The event will be held on October 27th at the ESCYO county ball fields. Drake Smith mentioned our putting the flyer and directions on our Lavaca Chamber of Commerce Page. Angela Gillooley proposed to let the chamber businesses set up for free during the event. Holly Creel motioned to approve and Drake smith seconded all approved.
Burger Barn has gone out of business and R and A’s will be taking over the drive in on that location beginning July 5th.
New Dollar General will be opening in July as well. The old Dollar General building has been leased but we are unsure of what business will be opening there.
Drake Smith attended the Regional Chamber Meeting in Van Buren. Van Buren City planner Joe Hurst spoke. Drake said he learned a lot about small communities and how they can potentially grow.
Jack James mentioned that the Chamber needed to purchase tickets for the Regional Mayor’s Breakfast for our two representatives Drake Smith and Zach Johnson. Approval was received for the $40 to be paid by the Chamber. Jack motioned to approve and Dorothy Lawrence seconded. All approved.
Jack James presented a card from Arkansas Business Hall of Fame. They invited our chamber to nominate a business in our town. Angela Gillooley nominated Steffey’s Pizza. Drake Smith seconded and all approved.
All business was concluded and Drake Smith moved to adjourn. Dorothy Lawrence seconded and all approved.
Next Lavaca Chamber of commerce meeting will be July 2nd 6pm at Lavaca City Hall.
Respectfully Submitted, 
Angela Gillooley