St John Town Economic Development Committee elects officers, plans summer small-business promotion

The St John Town Economic Development Committee elected Joe Berry president and Chuck Bullen vice president and approved its December meeting minutes during a brief meeting on Jan. 7, 2025. Members also discussed a proposed summer small-business promotion and agreed to place a detailed proposal on the next meeting agenda for a vote.

The meeting was called to order at 5:01 p.m. by the presiding member, who led the pledge of allegiance and asked for roll call. Roll call established a quorum: members Schlichting, Pullman, Joe Berry, Chuck Bullen and Bill Clark were present; members Schultz and Stojanovich and the town manager were absent.

In officer elections, Joe Berry was nominated and approved as committee president. Chuck Bullen was nominated and approved as vice president. The committee then voted to approve the electronically signed minutes of its December meeting. All actions were taken by voice vote with members present answering “aye.”

Members spent the largest portion of discussion on an informal proposal for a summer promotion to introduce residents to new and existing local businesses. Committee members described the idea as a downtown or townwide activity such as a scavenger hunt or punch-card program, with incentives or gifts for participants who visit multiple businesses. The committee agreed to develop a more detailed plan and to present that proposal for discussion and a formal vote at the next meeting.

There were no public comments and no formal agenda items requiring staff reports at this meeting. After the items above were completed, a motion to adjourn was made and seconded and the committee voted to adjourn.

The committee did not set a date for the next meeting during the recorded discussion; members said the summer promotion proposal would be presented at the next meeting.