February 2022 Minutes
Baker Chamber of Commerce Board Minutes - February 3, 2022, Compass Coffee
Members present: Jade Boggs, Tammy O’Donnell, Karol Zachmann, Steve Zachmann, Alissa Miller, Jamie Bachelor, Vaughn Zenko, Dean Wang, Beth Epley, Shyla Hadley, Trish Barth, Jodi Varner.
President Alissa Miller called the meeting to order.
Vaughn moved and Jade seconded to approve January minutes. All in favor. Minutes approved
Executive Director Report: The Chamber board has hired Melissa Higbee as Executive Director. It is a joint position with SMART. They are having trouble accessing files in Quickbooks. The MOU has been signed with SMART.
OLD BUSINESS:
Rec Dept. update: The next programs will be Tai Kwan Do and preschool dance. There were 30 participants in the volleyball program and 31 in preschool tumbling.
Baker Jam: April 2-3, Registrations are coming in. Prizes are ordered and refs are secured.
Another board member is needed.
NEW BUSINESS:
Classic Cruisers Car Club: Board agreed to donate $50 to the car club for the car show.
Lucas Meschke Golf Tournament: Chamber will take on the tournament. It is September 17 and the proceeds will be used to help support the Rec. Dept.
Job Fair will be on March 23 in the high school gym from 8:45 until noon.
REPORTS:
Jodi Varner with SMART: They are working on getting the clock fixed that will go on the Baker State Bank building. They signed the MOU with the Chamber for the shared employee.
Shyla Hadley, Fair Manager: Dueling Pianos will be in the Exhibit Hall on Feb. 26. It will also be a dinner party. Fair is being planned and contracts are out.
Karol Zachmann, FMC: Health Fair won’t be held this year. Billings Clinic lost lab employees and collection tubes aren’t available. Wear red on Monday, Feb. 14 in the clinic for heart health awareness.
Steve Zachmann, Mayor, City of Baker: SID 36 committee has been meeting for street improvements. SID District has been formed. Looking for funding options and project a summer 2023 completion. They have reduced the costs from the original quotes. No changes can be made in the tributary channels through town. KLJ is doing zoning updates. No test results are back yet for CWD culled deer. The first deer found that was sick was tested and found positive for CWD was on the SE corner of town. They had to drain the water tanks to fix a water leak on Center Ave. & 4th St. since valves aren’t working. They might contract out the work for street maintenance this summer. They still need a mechanic.
Jade Boggs, Insurance Store: They recently hired Hayden Hadley as Randy Morris plans to retire at the end of the year.
Beth Epley, EPEDC: They helped the museum obtain an oral history grant and MDU Grant. They have assisted the City and County obtain grants. They recently held their annual meeting. They have helped in securing over 1 million dollars in grant funding in the 5 county area. They worked with 45 businesses in Fallon County. They are working on a food subscription box “Plains to Porch” containing Montana only products.
Jamie Bachelor, Newell Media: The radio is doing Super Bowl giveaways.
Vaughn Zenko, SMART/EMEDA: Three grants are out for the Baker State Bank building. They are still needing historical information on the building. Childcare Pilot Program is in progress. A childcare co-op is a bridge between now and the big child care center. Real estate co-op bylaws are ready. Now they are ready to identify potential properties.
Alissa Miller, EPEDC Ag specialist: Dept. of Ag is coming next week to do marketing tours. They have been assisting Barkley’s Home Grown Greenhouse. At the next general meeting of the Chamber, Alissa and Haley will do a presentation on farmer & rancher suicide.
Karol moved and Beth seconded to adjourn the meeting. All in favor.
Next meeting is Thursday, March 3 at noon at Baker Bowling Center.