June 2022 Minutes
Baker Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture General Meeting
Thursday June 2nd, 2022 at Heiser’s Bar at 12pm.
Members present: Alissa Miller (President), Shyla Hadley (Vice-President), Karol Zachmann (Treasurer), Steve Zachmann, Dean Wang, Jen Hawkinson (LIFTT), Pat Ehret, James Parks, Jodi Varner, Roy Rost, and Melissa Rost.
Staff Present: Melissa Higbee, Executive Director and Kassidee Kilsdonk, Rec Department Director
Guests: Beth Regan with Eastern Montana Community Mental Health Center
Alissa called meeting to order at 12:07pm.
James made a motion to approve the minutes from last month and Shyla 2nd the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
Executive Director Report:
Melissa tried to do a Community Cleanup Downtown and had to cancel due to the weather. We are going to try and get it going again tomorrow and Friday at 6pm to 7pm. Sweep up the sand and pick up garbage just in time for the car show. Melissa has implemented the Sweep your Sidewalk Wednesday. Today was the first day to have other businesses join in the Sweep your Sidewalk Wednesday EPEDC and Compass Coffee both joined in. I have been a part of the CGI video calls. The chamber will be highlighted along with the rec dept in the videos. I am not sure if you guys want us to speak or someone from the board speak on the videos on behalf of the chamber. The board agreed to let Melissa and Kassidee speak in the videos if we feel comfortable doing so. Melissa and Kassidee both agreed to speak in the videos on behalf of the Baker Chamber and Rec Department. Melissa checked out with the Chamber’s insurance if the chamber could possibly be a water floatation rental place or for free pick up. The insurance will not cover it. Xtreme Broncs went nicely the Chamber made $4,950 from the Calcutta. The Baker Chamber is now part of the Friends of Reynolds Reward Program starting July 1st will have more details how to sign up to help the Chamber later on.
Rec Director Report:
The Rec Department finished the track program with the track meet. Kassidee would like to thank everyone who came out, especially Jade, for taking on the Kinder/1st grade group. They are the largest group and the most squirrelly. Kassidee stated she has learned a lot in this program. Kassidee’s insights for next year are the hurdles we bought were amazing. However, I think we probably need more medium sized ones and a set of the smallest cones. We only had a few kids struggle with the medium, but the ones that did struggle-struggled mightily to the point that they did not want to participate. I worked with one parent and we came up with a quick fix for the meet. We used small cones and pool noodles that she had and made hurdles out of her supplies. We need to order more ribbons for next year. We need to create a snow day policy: because of baseball season we lost a lot of kids during track. Playtime at the Museum was a success. All the feedback I have had from parents has been positive. Extreme Broncs: 50/50 Rec Department brought in $803 to go to the Fireworks we sponsored.
We had our summer planning meeting these are the activities coming up in June:
June 4th, 8:30 Sing 2: movie in the park
June 6-8 Mission to the Moon Camp
June 9-11 Homewaters LifeStraw Camp
June 24 Nerf Battle: few volunteers to help me is needed
Kassidee stated she created a summer guide and all the registrations-that are up are on the Chamber Website.
We took advantage of the Fallon County Times ad special and ran a full-page ad that featured the summer guide and a registration form for the 3 on 3 AND a donation request form for our fall programs. This can also be mailed out to our businesses and it gives them the option to choose what programs they want to support.
Kassidee created a Rec Department calendar and it will show all the events we have going on each month.
Caviar Grant came through. Melissa sent everything off and we should receive the reimbursement for it this week sometime. Waiting to hear from Beth on the Greater Glendive Grant for the Safe Sitter materials.
Old Business:
· Rec Department Storage Building- Kassidee stated the donation of the shed for the Rec Department fell through. That is no longer an option. Steve spoke on by half of the city to let the Rec Department know that they are opened to us storing equipment in their Connex. Someone just needs to approach the city and then we can see what the details of cost and such would be Steve said.
· 4th of July Chamber- Melissa will be hosting a Light Up the Lake Boat Parade on July 3rd, at 9pm. All boats accepted manual or motorized. Please spread the word on this event. Only two registrations have been picked up so far. It is a $20 registration fee to enter. 7 different categories to win in. Voting will be put out on Facebook to the public for interest in being on the committee to vote on boats. This will be a Chamber fundraiser.
· 4th of July Rec Department- 5k on July 2nd at 7am volunteers needed. Sand Castle Contest on July 4th at 10am on the Triangle Park side. All proceeds raised from these events will go back in the Rec Department budget to replace the sponsorship of the Fireworks.
New Business:
· Fall Festival Committee- If any member is interested on being on a committee for this let Melissa know. Will have first meeting in June.
· Calcutta Committee- If any member is interested on being on a committee for this let Melissa know. Will have first meeting in June.
· Golf Tournament Committee- If any member is interested on being on a committee for this let Melissa know. Will have first meeting in June.
Guests: LIFFT gave up brochure and cards to better get acquainted with their organization. Jen Hawkins spoke to give us details of how they can help this community. LIFTT helps people with disability of any kinds to find resources. They have programs for teaching adult skills like registering to vote or how to fill out different paper work forms like applications or a restraining order. Other programs involve helping with basic everyday care in the program that fits you whether young and on Medicaid or older adults no income limits just have to be 60 and older. Jen would like the members to spread the word about their organization here in Baker.
Beth Regan spoke on behalf of Eastern Montana Community Mental Health Center as a Prevention Specialist. She helps youth with tobacco and alcohol abuse. She is also helps with youths’ mental health. She is also getting her organizations name out there. She serves Fallon and Carter counties. Her organization would like to partner with the schools, museum, and any other organizations that would like to partner with her. EMCMH donated to the After Prom Party this year.
Reports From Members: James Parks, Pastor for First Baptist announced the VBS his church is having starting June 13th. Melissa offered to put the flyer for VBS on the Chamber Facebook site. Roy Rost, County Commissioner stated the water fall is complete over by Iron Horse Park. Melissa Rost stated that Heritage Fest is this weekend. The wagon rides will be canceled due to sickness. If anyone know anyone willing to step that has a team of horses that would be great, Steve Zachmann, Mayor of Baker announced the city has job opening right now, CGI is doing a promotional video for the city and will be working to get that done, and water well project bid was awarded to Diamond J, wait scale for temp employees has been updated, and the water leak north of St. John’s Cemetery has been fixed, Karol Zachmann, FMC 4th of July is coming right along nicely. The Chamber helped pay for the Fireworks this year and will be doing fundraiser to replace that money. We probably would not be having fireworks if it wasn’t for the Chamber paying a huge percent of the fireworks cost this year. So Friday night for the 4th of July weekend there will be a Fishing Night for Kids grades 2nd to 5th grade, Saturday the 5K will be at 7am, Mud Softball tba, Bump and Run 2pm, Kids Cornhole 7pm, Band at the Tavern, Sunday All City Church, Potluck before hand at 9am, Poker run 11-4, Cornhole 1pm, 12pm Sand Volleyball, 9pm Light Up the Lake Boat Parade. Monday 9am Golf Tournament, saw dust corn hunt sponsored by the Bank of Baker, Sand Volley Ball 12pm, Horse Shoes 12pm, Tug of War with Rise Fitness, Air Drop Balls, Hotdog Eating Contest Lame Jones 5pm, Elvis Concert 7pm. Shyla Hadley, Fairgrounds weed crew positions open, Alissa Miller, EPEDC just got back from MEDA conference. Infrastructure Workshop in Glendive June 23 info on the new Infrastructure Bill. Cows and Carbon Workshop June 29th in Wolf Point 1-4pm. Melissa Higbee, SMART work on the façade of the Baker State Bank building should be underway soon. SMART applied for a grant through the WeCan Community Bootcamp this month for $500. SMART will use this to help with the Baker Art Walk on July 16th, 2022 for 3-8pm. Dean Wang reminder everyone of the Classic Cruisers Car Show this weekend.
Other Announcements: None
Adjournment: Jodi made the motion to adjourn at 12:56pm. James 2nd the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
**Next Meeting Thursday July 7th, 2022 at 12pm at The Tavern**