South Central Reporter

City of Salem Tourism Board met Jan. 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Call to Order

The Salem Tourism Board met Monday, January 8, 2024 at Salem City Hall.

Chairman Jacob Hockett called the meeting to order at 5:01 PM. Present were board members Janelle Smith, Brooke Frederick, Leon Chapman, Sherry Morton, Chairman Jacob Hockett, and recording secretary Suetta Oulrey.

Election of Chairman/Vice Chairman

Leon Chapman made a motion to elect Jacob Hockett as Chairman. Sherry Morton seconded the motion.

Roll call vote: AYES: Janelle Smith, Leon Chapman, Brooke Frederick, and Sherry Morton.

Sherry Morton made a motion to elect Janelle Smith as Vice Chairman. Brooke Frederick seconded the motion.

Roll call vote: AYES: Leon Chapman, Sherry Morton, Brooke Frederick, and Chairman Jacob Hockett.

Minutes

The minutes of the November 13, 2023 meeting were presented for action.

Leon Chapman made a motion to approve the minutes. Janelle Smith seconded the motion. Roll call vote: AYES: Brooke Frederick, Sherry Morton, Leon Chapman, and Janelle Smith. Chairman Jacob Hockett abstained. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report

The November and December, 2023 Treasurer’s Reports were presented for action.

Leon Chapman made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Reports. Brooke Frederick seconded the motion. Roll call vote: AYES: Leon Chapman, Sherry Morton, Janelle Smith, Brooke Frederick, and Chairman Jacob Hockett. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

Presentation of Petitions/Public Comments

72nd edition of the Salem Invitational Tournament. This event is put on by the Salem High School Athletic Department in conjunction with the Salem High School District 600 Administration and School Board. We provide the following for all participants, coaches, administrators of competing schools, and media attending our event: Unlimited visits to our Hospitality Room, Tournament T-Shirts, purchased / printed through Minor League, Tournament Hoodies to Coaches and tournament workers.

The $2,000 grant money needed 1/17/2024 will be used to help defray the overall costs of the tournament. Examples would be, but are not limited to: helping teams pay for hotel rooms, providing meals for teams traveling far distances, tournament gear (clothing) to promote our tournament, programs with advertising from many Salem Businesses, use of multiple restaurants to provide meals for those teams.

Leon Chapman made a motion to approve the $2,000 for the Salem Invitational Tournament. Sherry Morton seconded the motion.

Roll call vote: AYES: Janelle Smith, Brooke Frederick, Sherry Morton, Leon Chapman, and Chairman Jacob Hockett. NAYS: none. Motion carried.

Jim Koehler was present asking for $2,000 William Jennings Bryan home improvement money. Jim stated that the money would be used to paint the kitchen, move some electrical, lights (Tom Paulson at TOP), and do some other carpentry work. He stated that the kitchen has never had anything done to it. He has a bid from Henson’s Painting for $1,450.00 to paint the kitchen. The other bid from Don Blanks was at $2,800. Some of the monies would be used to purchase kitchen appliances, $400.00 for a sign out front that is easier to read. Myron Lloyd is looking for furniture from that era. Koehler would like to have this all done by William Jennings Bryan’s birthday (2025 Festival in the park with rides to the home) to be able to have the home open for schools, visitors, and etc. Koehler stated that there is a floor problem from a leak at one time, but thinks it can wait until later to address. Koehler said that you are not able to go upstairs at all because it is in such bad shape. Leon Chapman asked Jim Koehler what other income they have to support the home. Koehler said there is no other income. Sherry Morton asked if the home is handicap accessible. Koehler said no. Everyone was in agreement that it would open up a lot of more issues if they tried to make it handicapped accessible.

Leon Chapman made a motion to approve the $2,000 grant money for William Jennings Bryan home improvements. Sherry Morton seconded the motion.

Roll call vote: AYES: Sherry Morton, Janelle Smith, Brooke Frederick, Leon Chapman, and Chairman Jacob Hockett. NAYS: none. Motion carried.

Money to pay Serpentine invoice for the Annual Hosting of Salem Tourism Website and SSL Certificate secure encryption (HTTPS) for $237.00.

Janelle Smith made a motion to approve $237.00 Serpentine invoice for Annual Hosting of Salem Tourism Website. Brooke Frederick seconded the motion.

Roll call vote: AYES: Leon Chapman, Sherry Morton, Janelle Smith, Brooke Frederick, and Chairman Jacob Hockett.

Grant Reports

None.

Board Members Reports

Leon Chapman wants put on the Agenda for next time. Marion County Fair $2,000 grant money for the entertainer this year.

Leon Chapman also brought up that Tourism in the past has two people on the board from hotels.

Adjournment

With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 5:50 PM.

Motion made by Sherry Morton and seconded by Leon Chapman to adjourn the meeting. Roll call vote: AYES: Brooke Frederick, Sherry Morton, Leon Chpaman, Janelle Smith and Chairman Jacob Hockett. NAYS: None. Motion carried.

The next regular Tourism Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 12, 2024.

https://www.salemil.us/node/795/minutes/2024