The luncheon meeting was held at the Powel Crosley, Jr. YMCA, 9601 Winton Road beginning at 11:30 A.M. There were 15 people in attendance.

President Deborah Reynolds opened the meeting at 12:00 noon and asked everyone to introduce themselves. Deborah then announced that Vice President, Andy Boettcher, could not attend today.

Treasurer’s Report — Bob Will reported a balance of $2,987.26 as of the last meeting. Income: $245.17. Expenses: $410.64. Current balance: $2,831.79.

To date there are 50 paid members.

Melanie McNulty moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report as read. Karen Burton seconded and the motion was passed.

Township Update — Deanna Kuennen reported that a Vision and Land Use Plan is being developed for Springfield Township with the help of a committee made up of residents and business owners. It identifies areas of opportunity within the township for change and improvement. The Vision Plan will be reviewed by the Trustees and adopted.

The Trustees have hired a consulting team to develop a streetscape plan for the Winton Road corridor. This plan will address aesthetic issues along the corridor and develop a zoning overlay and architectural guidelines.

A new community brochure has just been completed and will be mailed to all residences and businesses throughout the township.

The Board of Trustees and Mike Hinnenkamp met again with New Plan Realty last week. There is still no decision by Biggs to locate at the old Big Lots. Family Dollar store has moved into the center.

Communications — No report.

Strategic Plan Committee — Deborah Reynolds reported that Bess Sprockett, Carr Tool Company, will no longer serve on the committee, as her days have been reduced at work. Someone else from Carr Toll will attend the STBA meetings in her place.

Programs — Denise Cagle asked if anyone would like to host the next general meeting on July 12. Kathy Koops offered to host the meeting at Sibcy Cline at 9250 Winton Road. The meeting will begin at 11:30 and is a luncheon meeting. Denise hopes to get a representative from New Plan Realty to speak.

A picnic is tentatively planned for all township business owners for the month of August. Denise asked for suggestions for a speaker at the September general meeting.

Business Expo — The Expo will be held in conjunction with the July 12 Groovin’ at the Grove. Karen Burton, on Winton Savings and Loan, and Deborah Reynolds will head up the Expo. It is open to all businesses in Springfield Township. The cost is $35 per table for non-members and free to members of the Business Association. The time for the Expo is 6:30 until 8:00 and is held in the Grove Hall.

Kathy Koops suggested holding a drawing for a free STBA membership to businesses that sign up to join the association while visiting the Expo.

Related to the Expo, Maggie Wesley is chairing the grilled food booth again at Groovin’ at the Grove and needs volunteers.

Membership — Maggie Wesley reported that she and Andy Boettcher have been trying to get together about membership. They plan to call or visit current members of the STBA to give them a personal invitation to attend the meetings and get involved. Some suggestions to help promote members of the STBA were:

• A promotional brochure with map to locate businesses (Mt. Healthy BA).
• Decals to members to display in windows each year (Sharonville BA).
• Promote a business of the month.
• A framed certificate to each member of the association.

Please email or call Maggie or Andy with any ideas to increase membership. Maggie would like to have the ideas in place by the Expo in July.

Other Items — President Reynolds announced a regional chamber of commerce meeting to be held on Thursday, May 16 at the Best Western Hotel on Route 4 in Springdale. The power luncheon begins with a meal from 11:30 until 12:15 followed by the program that starts at 12:30 and ends at 1:00. Several area business associations and chambers of commerce are joining together to become a regional chamber of commerce. A regional group has a louder voice in the business community.

Guest Speaker — Deborah Reynolds introduced Springfield Township Police Chief Dave Heimpold as the guest speaker. His topic was "Keeping Your Business Safe." Chief Heimpold thanked all businesses for their support for the recent Police and Fire Levies. The following are some of the suggestions Chief Heimpold had to help deter thieves from seeing your business as an easy target.

• The Police Department will perform a security check at your business and give suggestions on how to make your location a safer place. They look at lighting, how the doors are set up and check for a clear view into the building
• The PD is part of a county wide response plan.
• Patrol officers check businesses at night. All businesses are encouraged to keep emergency telephone numbers listed with the police up to date.
• There is now a program offered to businesses for $15 a year that allows bad checks received to go to mediation, as long as the bad check is under $500.
• Make your business less attractive to would be robbers.
• If robbed, try to get a description of the person/persons and write it down before forgetting.

Business Spotlight — Kathy Koops, Manager of the Sibcy Cline Northern Hills Office on Winton Road, gave a short presentation about her business. Sibcy Cline has twenty three locations throughout Dayton, Cincinnati, and Northern Kentucky with 1,000 agents on the sales force. Kathy is currently the President of the Cincinnati Board of Realtors. The Sibcy Cline website address is www.sibcycline.com.

President Reynolds adjourned the meeting at 1:00.

The next Board of Directors meeting is Thursday, June 13 at 8:00 A.M. with the place to be announced.

Respectfully submitted,

Melanie McNulty

Corresponding Secretary