April 2023 Minutes
Baker Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture General Meeting
Thursday April 6th, 2023 at the Tavern at NOON.
Members present: Alissa Miller (President), Shyla Hadley (Vice-President), Karol Zachmann (Treasurer), Tammy O’Donnell (Secretary), Jennefer Wheeler, Dean Wang, JoDee Pratt, James Parks, Jodi Varner, Casey Dolph, Jane O’Connor, Vaughn Zenko, Steve Zachmann, Josey Madler, Marty Asay, Staci Knuths, Brett Christopherson, Rolph Tunby and Linda Howard.
Staff Present: Melissa Higbee, Executive Director and Mariah Miller, Chamber Assistant
Alissa called meeting to order at 12:01pm.
Josey made a motion to approve the minutes from last month and Marty seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
Executive Director Report: Melissa stated she doesn’t have anything to report everything is on the agenda she needs to report on.
Rec Department Committee Update:
Mariah reported Baker Jam went well. We had 46 teams and it ran smoothly. Thank you to all who volunteered and helped throughout the day. Also, thank you to all who baked goodies for the refs. The Martial Arts, Dance and Preschool Music and Dance Showcase went well will only a few minor technical difficulties. Next sessions start next week with Track and Preschool Playtime at the Museum. I am still looking for volunteers to help with track. Jay Hoversland will be teaching a summer football camp. The Rec Department will be taking registrations. We do not have a set date yet. He was thinking July 10th and 11th.
Old Business:
· Career Fair Update: Melissa reported the Career Fair was a success this year. There were 34 businesses that attended.
· SNIP Vendor Show: Melissa reported that the Chamber will be at the SNIP Vendor Show this weekend. Comedown to check it out.
Other Old Business: None
New Business:
· Easter Egg Hunt: Melissa explained the Easter Egg Hunt and let everyone know to shop local and find eggs with raffle tickets in them for a chance at a really nice basket of stuff donated by local businesses. The drawing will be this Saturday at noon at the SNIP Vendor Show.
· Concert Bouncy Houses, Face Painting, Hair Tinsel, Summer Event or Another Event to Replace the Calcutta Alissa stated we are trying to do an event with the Crazy Days and have Crazy Days and Crazy Nights. The Chamber would sell beer at the event for a fundraiser. Live music and bouncy houses are in the plan with this event.
· A Panoramic View of Fallon County: Tammy stated that the Fallon County Time will be printing these books again. If you are in the book and want to make changes or want to be in the book contact Tammy at the Fallon County Times.
Other New Business: None
Reports from Members: Jennefer Wheeler reported for the Fairgrounds that they are having a Circus come May 18th Showtimes 4:30pm and 7:30pm. Staci Knuths reported for Mid-Rivers that May 23rd will be there annual meeting at the Richland Event Center at 11am Free Lunch provided with a food truck. Brett Christopherson represented Grasslands Federal Credit Union and reported that Grasslands now has financial counseling in each branch contact Jamie Travis for more information at the Baker Branch. Casey Dolph reported for T.A.R.A. they will be having a bump-n-run June 17th at 1pm. 10am-12pm will be registration. This is at the Fallon County Track. Also, the Scout group will be cleaning up the Hwy on April 22nd. What are the processes we need to take? It was mentioned that contacting MDT before doing your clean up would be the best idea. Karol Zachmann reported for FMC. They will be holding the Health Fair on April 26th at the Highschool Gymnasium. Blood draws start at 6am to 11am. The Health Fair will be from 6am-1pm. Free will offer for food will be from 6am-11am. Mayor Steve Zachmann reported for the City of Baker. Todd and Lisa Passmore have been hired to take care of Steve McClain Park, Coldwell Field, JC Park, and Centennial Park. Their bid was $71,000 to maintain all the parks from summer thru winter. Fireworks needs an organization that is willing to raise money and organize the fireworks. Dale Burtori orders the fireworks and they need to be ordered by April 29th. The cost is 8 to 9 thousand dollars to order them. Clean up week starts April 29th through May 6th. Senior Banners cost $1250 to put them up every year. Pot holes are creeping up please do not remove cones we are setting in the holes to try to keep your cars from hitting the actual pot hole. Tammy asked Steve is there free camping in the City Park. Steve stated it is not an official campground. Linda reported for KFLN Radio that she will be getting a hold of Tom Bruha to do an interview. Vaughn Zenko reported he has had a change in employment at the radio station and is only doing the talk around town and sports now. Rolph Tunby reported for the Baker Lions Club that Bingo will not be happening for there club anymore because the fees to play are $600 a year. Nite at the Races is giving $1,000 to the Baker Lions Club for scholarships. Vaughn Zenko reported for SMART that the play Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be performing on June 9th and 10th and July 16th and 18th. SMART received a tourism grant to make a Visitor Center and the World’s Best Pocket Park. EMEDA is working on a smaller daycare that would hold 40 kids and Head Start would be in the building as well. Dean Wang for Bank of Baker reported that the storage container he was trying to get for the Baker Chamber Rec Department is not going to happen due to rules and regs for putting a storage building on an empty lot. James Parks reported for the First Baptist Church that VBS is coming up in June. Easter services will be at 11am. Marty Asay reported for the Lakeview Country Club that the golf course will be good this year. Josey Madler reported for Classy Cactus that she is busy with Easter and Mother’s Day coming up. JoDee Pratt reported for Junction 39 that their business has been open for 6 months and loving it. Looking for more vendors. Taking donations.
Other Announcements: Jane O’Connor announced that she has storage if the Baker Chamber Rec Department needs some storage. Jodi Varner wanted to say Thank You to all who helped with the Plevna After Prom Party. Josie announced if anyone can help set up for the SNIP Vendor Show we will be out at the Fairgrounds at 4pm setting up. Alissa Miller and Vaughn announced a grant opportunity is available to Fallon County through the Montana Community Foundation. They were given money for grants from the United Grid Western Power Supply. $85,000 yearly in grant money will be given to applicants for the next 3 years. There are 2 grant cycles per year. June 1st is first deadline and November 1st is seconded deadline.
Adjournment: Jennefer made the motion to adjourn at 12:49pm. Linda seconded the motion.
**Next Meeting Thursday May 4th, 2023 at NOON at The Corner**