July 2020 minutes

Baker Chamber of Commerce Minutes - July 2, 2020, Thee Garage

Members present: Jade Boggs, Karol Zachmann, Tammy O’Donnell, Shanny Spang Gion, Alissa Miller, Jamie Batchelor, Andrea Koenigsfeld, Merri Beck, Shyla Hadley, Gretchen Mahon, Aaron Skogen, Jerri Breitbach, Jane O’Conor, Christina Gaub, Emily Medearis, Mona Madler, Steve Zachmann

President Jade Boggs called the meeting to order.

Approval of Minutes: Merri moved to approve minutes, Christina seconded. All in favor.

OLD BUSINESS:

2020 budget: Shyla got dishes for fairground. Cost was $4300.00. Dishwasher will be around $8000 with installation. We will get our portion paid to Shyla. Budget committee needs to meet.

Bingo: Had 2 winners today

Membership: Currently 41 paid members. Discussed doing a survey or following up with unpaid businesses.

NEW BUSINESS:

Crazy Days and 3 on 3 basketball tournament July 31 & August 1. Registration ends July 29. Letters have been sent to area chambers. Alissa asked for volunteers and refs. Already have 13 teams registered. Grades 3-6 will be Friday and 7-12 Saturday. Emily asked about having bouncy houses there and maybe combining this event with the Fall Festival in the future.

Calcutta: October 3. Theme will be “Country Chic”. It will be held at the fairgrounds if we can get someone to cater there. The only members that cater are Thee Garage and the Tavern. Discussed sending bid letters to caterers and bar caterers. Kyle Shobe will do games and will ask Vaughn Zenko to emcee.

REPORTS:

Shanny Spang Gion, SMART and EMEDA: Shanny helped the Chamber apply for the Montana Covid Relief Fund grant to replace laptop and other expenses due to lost fund raising. The local Covid Relief Fund is helping local residents with rent and mortgage payments. SMART bought the Insurance Store building and plan to renovate it. They have received a grant to check for asbestos, etc. EMEDA has a $250 advertising grant for businesses. They are reopening the Facade Improvement Grant of $30,000. Have received 2 applications already.

Karol Zachmann, FMC: FMC is open and taking appointments. You will be screened and have to wear a mask. The murder mystery is scheduled for December 5. Friends of FMC is holding online bidding for wine glasses from past Fantasy Food Fairs.

Gretchen Mahon, Grasslands Federal Credit Union: They are hoping to be in their new building by the end of 2021.

Shyla Hadley, Fair manager: They are working on this year’s fair. It will be pretty much the same as usual, but will only sell 75% of seating in each section. Breaking Eight is the Saturday night show. Friday will have jousting, lumberjack competition and a lights and laser show. Saturday will have the rodeo and concert, Sunday will have a rodeo and demolition derby. Ticket sales will start July 15. Pat Ehret has resigned from the fair board, but won’t be replaced until her term is up in September.

Aaron Skogen, Baker Public Schools: The governor is speaking today about school reopening. They got guidance today from the state so will start making plans for scenarios for the new school year. The goal is to open as usual. MHSA is still working on scenarios for activities.

Steve Zachmann, City of Baker: They reviewed a request from TC Energy for additional 60,000 gallons of water on top of the 60,000 they have already contracted for. The decision was postponed until Tuesday. They are continuing call in broadcast for city meetings. There are no plans for development of tank hill. They are working on streets, but cold mix and oil are limited by budget. They are still looking in to water and sewer access on empty lots and charging owners. No further discussion was held on the Rec. Dept. at last night’s meeting. They need to figure it out soon what will be done about the after school program because school starts soon, bu they won’t know about any funding from the state until fall. Public works director, Luke Holestine, resigned yesterday. There has been some vandalism at city parks. A new firm did their audit and the auditor said City Clerk Kevin Dukart did an exceptionally clean audit.

Jane O’Connor and Alissa Miller, Lions Club: They have talked to the fairgrounds about doing free Bingo at the fair. The have made improvements to the park. They plan to hold a raffle for a gun, knife and sweatshirt as a fundraiser.

Karol moved to adjourn the meeting. Alissa seconded. All in favor

Next meeting will be August 6 at noon. Will check with Compass Coffee and see if we can meet there.