Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce

Membership Services

The regular meeting of the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce Membership Services Committee was held on Friday, December 5, 2008 at 8:15 a.m. at the Wilber Bank on Main Street, Cooperstown.

Present: Becky Davidson-Nielsen, Chair; Janice Eichler; Ken Meifert; Susan O’Handley; Mike Otis, Brigitte Priem; Elise Schiellack

The following was presented and discussed, and action items for the Board of Directors and/or Committee are

noted.

The Committee approved the following businesses as potential new Chamber members:

· Angela Clark – Rental Manager Property manager based in Oneonta. Angela Clark, contact.

· Cobblescote on the Lake Guest house on the west side of Otsego Lake, 6512 St. Hwy. 80. Peter Bissell, contact.

· CR Custom Publishing Designs publications such as House & Home realty magazine and the winter and summer dining guides. Based in Richfield Springs. Randy Christian, contact.

· The Committee approved the comment card for the Chamber Tourism Office with one addition: Reason for visit to the Chamber. The card will be presented to the full Board at the January Board meeting.

· Lake House update – Susan sent a letter to the Corrigans letting them know that their Chamber membership is suspended until the Lake House meets the Chamber’s inspection guidelines. The Corrigans have not as of yet responded to the letter.

· Review of Chamber’s accommodation inspection guidelines – Committee members will independently review current inspection guidelines and bring their recommendations to the January Membership Services meeting. Questions/suggestions that were presented include:

- When the Chamber inspects a property for the first time, the accommodation owner/manager will need to produce a certificate of inspection from the county, and possibly also the municipality and fire department.

- Should the Chamber require proof of yearly inspection when they renew their Chamber dues each year? Proof of bed tax payment also?

- It would be a good idea to obtain sample guidelines from one of the chain hotels to use as a reference.

- Is there a county Department of Health that inspects, or just the State DOH?

- New York State DOH comes to inspect if the accommodation rents more than 10 rooms.

- For new construction, everyone needs a certificate of occupancy, county and municipality inspections, and a fire inspection.

Next meeting date, time, and location:

• Friday, January 16, 2009, 8:30 a.m. at the Wilber National Bank on Main Street.

Minutes recorded by: Elise Schiellack