| Springport Area Growth Association The meeting was called to order by President Lisa Mitchell at 7:05 pm. Members and guests present included: Rosi Terpening, Marci Sabados, Emily Sabados, Linda Griffith, Megan Burgess, Edward Merrill, Jackie Merritt, Dan Merritt, Brenda Heisler, Sherry Binkowski, Bill Russell, and Janet Beilfuss. The March SAGA meeting began with an award of recognition to those who have recently contributed to SAGA. The first golden brick award was given to The Springport Telephone Company and the second to John Hammond. The golden brick award was created to award contributions of $250.00 or more to SAGA. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. An update about MDOT was given by Rosi and they have decided to give us the $50,000 matching grant due to our efforts in fundraising. The village and SAGA were able to contribute the matching $30,000 to the $80,000 goal. Under old business, the 501c3 status is progressing as the budget and necessary paperwork is currently being submitted to the accountant for processing. The Fundraising and Membership Committee reported that the SAGA Beach Party was a success, raising $316.00. Approximately 45 people attended and everyone had a great time. A special thank you to the committee for organizing the event and to the VFW, Felpausch, and Bennie and Karen Harrison. A suggested theme for next time was mardi gras. The committee also reported that honey sales were continuing and can be purchased at Merritt’s, Country Town Golf Course, and the Springport Village Office. CJ Halsey has suggested doing an Avon Mother’s Day Campaign, more information will be posted after the April 3rd committee meeting. Tim Schmidt and the Boy Scouts have volunteered to do a car wash, more information will be posted at a later date. Lastly, the Denny Hoag Concert is still tentative and more information will be posted at a later time. The Media and Public Relations Committee reported from their March 1st meeting, that Tim Schmidt is looking for community projects for Eagle Scouts that will have a 20 year or more lasting effect. The committee is also looking for help in getting the web site address out more, any suggestions are useful. Jeff has also done extensive work surveying and organizing a way to get Homestead Bank to Springport. There have been a number of positive responses and work is being done to establish availability. The committee also reported that they are looking into creating a SAGA banner and a new residents contact sheet to welcome newcomers to the community. The committee also suggested that the next project after the streetscape be the restoration of the Depot and possibly a park project. This is a project of interest amongst many people and efforts are being organized to begin planning. The committee also reported that a new business has moved into where the police department was; Twirlz Dance Studio and they are planning an Open House on March 25th from 10 am – 4 pm with classes starting in April. The youth outreach committee reported that they are still working on the letter campaign. The treasurer’s report was delayed until the end of the meeting, in which Dan reported a balance as of March 15, 2006 of $17,723.70, which did not include the SAGA Beach Party money. He also presented a budget that will be submitted for 501c3 status. SAGA is also taking all lists of in-kind donations of time, since the information can be used for grants ($17.54 per hour is the value of in-kind time donated, as well as $0.35 per mile for SAGA events). A donation from Frank Hans was made for $4.00, which was all the money he earned from a Dance Dance Revolution Competition he held. Under the open forum, Rosi reported that the village is working on establishing a Downtown Development Authority (DDA) as a separate group so that earnings may stay captured within the village for projects such as the streetscape. More information will be reported at a later time. A SAGA Events Committee has scheduled a meeting on Tuesday April 4th at 7:00 am at the Centennial House to begin planning for 8-80 Days. The 8-80 Days Celebration will be on July 14-16, 2006, the location and events will be determined at the committee meeting; suggestions included cup-stacking, fire dept. water ball tournament, FFA cow plop, and fireworks. Then next SAGA meeting will be on Wednesday April 19, 2006 at 7:00 pm at the village office. Meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm. Respectfully Submitted,
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