November 2020 minutes

Baker Chamber of Commerce Minutes - November 5, 2020, Thee Garage

Members present: Jade Boggs, Tammy O’Donnell, Merri Beck, Alissa Miller, Karol Zachmann, Steve Zachmann, Melissa Rost, Dean Wang, Christina Gaub, Jane O’Connor, Jerri Breitbach, Marge Losing

President Jade Boggs called the meeting to order.

Merri moved to approve November 4 board minutes taken by Dean. Alissa seconded. All in favor.

Dean moved to approve October chamber minutes with corrections. Alissa seconded. All in favor.

Financial: Tammy moved to tip $750 for the calcutta meals. Dean seconded. All in favor.  Karol reported that the Chamber got a second grant for $2350.

OLD BUSINESS:

Laptop and software are ordered from Clint Townsend.

Calcutta: Turnout was smaller than normal because of COVID

Moonlight Madness/Customer Appreciation Dinner: Wed., Oct. 14 at Thee Garage. Served approximately 150 people. Commissioner candidates helped serve.

NEW BUSINESS:

Discussed Christmas events and advertising. Be a winner - shop in Baker weekly drawings will be held for 3 weeks. $25 in Baker bucks each week will be awarded. Tammy will collect the entries each week and draw the winners. Chamber businesses will begin registering people Nov. 27. Christmas lighting contest will be judged Dec. 7. Winners will receive Baker Bucks - 1st Place $50; 2nd place $25; 3rd place $15. Christmas Stroll will be held Friday, Dec. 11. Tammy O’Donnell presented an advertising budget for the Fallon County Times. Alissa made a motion to approve $1000 advertising in the Fallon County Times, Merri seconded. All in favor.

2021 Budget committee: Will set up a committee at the next board meeting.

2020 Audit: Rachel’s Accounting did our 990 report, so may have her look at our 2020 numbers.

Christmas in the Park: Nov. 29 at city park. EPEDC applied for the advertising grant for the event.

Alissa Miller reported that Leslie Bohle of Bohle Images is interested in teaming up with the Chamber for a promotion to donate proceeds to charity.

REPORTS: 

Karol Zachmann reported that Beth Epley got a TC Energy grant for banners for the streets. They are working on a community branding project. They want to get a new brand and logo for the city.

Christina Gaub reported that Spartan license plates will be available in January with proceeds going to the Baker Baseball Assn.

Melissa Rost, O’Fallon Museum: They are encouraging people to participate in the Lights of Home. It also includes a form for stores to fill out about what 2020 was like for them.

Karol Zachmann, Friends of FMC: Festival of Trees will start Monday, Nov. 23 at Thee Garage. The Murder Mystery has been changed to February 13 with a theme of the 80s.

Steve Zachmann, Mayor, City of Baker: Public Works Dept. – Kyle Rogge promoted to Foreman

The City and the County are finalizing the agreement to supply City water to the Shooting Range buildings with an exclusion of irrigating uses.

A review of surplus equipment and vehicles will be completed and those items to be liquidated will be offered for sale to the public.  This will likely be done through a sealed bid.  A timeline has not been set.

The City Council had on the agenda a review of the medical marijuana business ordinance and establishing an application fee through Resolution #716.  Due to the recent vote to allow recreational marijuana sales in the State of Montana, a more in-depth review is needed so the matter was tabled for further investigation.  Please bear in mind that marijuana is still a controlled substance according to Federal Law and the passed Initiative 190 allows the qualified electors of counties and municipalities to vote to prohibit adult-use dispensaries from being located within the respective jurisdictions.  

The City Public Works Department has been affected by Covid-19 quarantines which somewhat changes the George Ave Drainage project.  Progress is continuing on it by contracting the concrete drainage on the Lincoln School property and are in discussion with excavation companies to pick up parts of the trenching and drainage pipe placement.  Every effort is being made to complete the City’s end of the project so that the school can proceed with theirs.

The City will have a list of the vacant properties affected by the new water and sewer fees to present for review at the next City Council meeting Nov. 18.  These will be assessed monthly beginning January 1, The Fallon County Parkview Drainage project is scheduled for  this month.

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

Next meeting will be December 3 at noon.