August 2023 Minutes
Baker Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture General Meeting
Thursday August 3rd, 2023, at Compass Coffee at NOON.
Members present: Shyla Hadley (Vice-President), Karol Zachmann (Treasurer), Tammy O’Donnell (Secretary), Jennefer Wheeler, James Parks, Dean Wang, Vaughn Zenko, Melissa Rost, Roy Rost, Emily Medearis, Steve Zachmann, and Lizzy Robertson.
Staff Present: Melissa Higbee, Executive Director
Shyla called a meeting to order at 12:05pm.
James made a motion to approve the minutes from last month and Jen seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
Executive Director Report:
Melissa stated she wanted to let everyone know if you know of any new people who have moved to Baker recently, I have free oil change to newcomers from Rolling Rubber. I gave out my first newcomer free oil change to the new radio sports broadcaster. If you know of new people, please send them my way to get a free oil change for moving into Baker.
Rec Department Committee Update: Melissa reported that the Soccer Camp was moved to next week August 8th, 9th, and 10th. This is the last camp of the summer. We are starting on Fall Programs and will be getting the forms out soon to sign up for Fall Programs.
Old Business:
Crazy Dayz and Crazy Nightz/ 3 on 3 Tournament: 3 on 3 Tournament went well. Dean asked how many less teams we had this year than last. Melissa said she did not have the numbers, but she will get those numbers. The Baker Chamber raised $293 for Scholarships, I believe Crazy Days went well the Bike parade had some rain at the end, but they were all good troopers and finished it out in the rain. Looked like there were some awesome sidewalk sales. I have seen lots of people downtown and have heard positive feedback from a few retailers. Crazy Nights turned out to be a fun family filled event lots of kiddos enjoyed the bouncy houses and the cotton candy and ice cream vendors. The kids loved the glow and the dark items the Chamber sold for a buck. Hamburgers and Hotdogs were a huge hit. I sold all that was cooked. I think I ran out about 730 or 8. We started serving at 4 and we were steadily selling stuff the whole time all the way until 10 I was selling glow items and chips and pop/water. Our beer sales went good without any major issues. The Rock Jocks and Ty and Jerilyn on Mendenhall Crossing really was a huge hit. They both did great at keeping our crowd alive. I saw couples dancing and just having a great time. I think we will do this again.
Other Old Business:
New Business:
· Moonlight Madness: Melissa will be reaching out to retail businesses to nail down a date for this. The Chamber will not be doing a Customer Appreciation on the night of Moonlight Madness since we will not have left over food from Calcutta this year.
· Glow Run at Lakeview Country Club: Melissa reported we are going to try to do a Glow Run in October at the golf course details to come later.
· Community Investment Grant Program: Melissa updated the members that the Baker Chamber Rec Department received a grant from Grind United for $29,770 to go towards equipment and storage for the Rec Department.
Other New Business:
Fall Festival: Dean asked if we would like to have a band for Fall Festival like we did for Crazy Nightz. All the members thought it would be a good idea. Shyla stated the committee will be meeting soon on Fall Festival planning and we will see what we can do. Shyla stated if anyone knows of some good fundraiser ideas, please let us know we are not having the Calcutta this year, so we need something to replace it. Jen said horse races with stick horses would be fun at the fair this year. Vaughn said the Baker Arts and Cultural Council would probably partner with the Chamber and do a talent show.
Reports from Members:
Melissa Rost reported the museum partnered with the Baker Chamber Rec Department with 3 camps this year. Art camp and 2 STEM Camps. After the Art Camp, the museum held an Art Show. The museum is gearing up for School Programs now. Karol reported for FMC. FMC will be doing a 5K the morning of Fall Festival on September 30th. Lights of Life will still be happening just not sure when at this time. Steve reported for the City of Baker. The city is working on a water main project. SID 36 will start on August 14th on the SW part. 6th Street SW will be the biggest disruption but should be finished around the end of September or October. Steve encouraged that if people have issues, please call the city office to report them do not use Facebook. Vaughn reported for SMART and EMEDA. SMART-Vaughn reported the Visitor Center is beginning to get renovated and the Pocket Park is getting ready to be started as well. SMART finally received a grant of $160,000 to start work on the BSB roof project. September 23rd SMART is doing a fundraiser at the OS Brew Pub. Looking for teams of 4 to enter. The object of the game is 4 people must finish 4 adult beverages and a whole pizza and a puzzle in the fastest time. The puzzles are Baker Montana landscapes. The event is called Pizza and Puzzles. Instead of a haunted house, SMART will be doing an Escape Room location to be determined. Vaughn stated if you or someone you know has a community minded project, please get in touch with him. SMART can help by being a passthrough to apply for the Grind United grant. The deadline is November 1st for this cycle. EMEDA- EMEDA offers an event marketing grant and a façade improvement grant. Roy reported for Fallon County. County Road Department is helping City Road Crew with chip seal. Steer Montana’s birthday is coming up. 100th birthday. The plan is to take Steer Montana from the museum to the exhibit hall for the day. A table will be in the exhibit hall on how to join the historical society. The County is finishing up with the budget. Jenn reported for the Fallon County Fairgrounds. Fair is upon us. Really busy with the fair. It is the 100th anniversary of the fair this year. We have lots of vendors and food trucks at the fair this year. Movie night was not a huge success, but a few people showed up and had fun. Emily reported for Baker Area Hardware. Customer Appreciation will be this Spring coming up. We are Do It Best now not Ace anymore. We get more delivery trucks now that we are Do It Best. Dean updated the members on Billie Joe and let people know to ask him for her address to send cards and stuff. James with First Baptist had nothing to report. Tammy reported for the Fallon County Times. The paper is busy with school coming up and fair. Tammy updated the members Darlene Hornung passed away. Lizzy Robertson reported for EPEDC. She let everyone know she can help with the Grid United grant too. Just get in touch with her. They are in the Baker office on Wednesday or Thursday for the most part at least once a week. EPEDC is hiring if anyone knows of someone who needs a job and likes food and ag send them their way.
Adjournment: Vaughn made the motion to adjourn at 12:47pm. Tammy seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
**Next Meeting Thursday September 7th, 2023, at NOON at Lakeview Country Club**