November 2023 Minutes

Baker Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture General Meeting

Thursday November 2nd, 2023 at Thee Garage and Steakhouse at 12:00p.m.

Members Present: Karol Zachmann (Treasurer), Tammy O’Donnell (Secretary), Jamie Updike, Josey Madler, Dean Wang, Steve Baldwin, Karen Wang, Steve Zachmann, Jennefer Wheeler

Staff Present: Mariah Miller (Executive Director/Rec Director)

Karol called the meeting to order at 12:02

Jennefer made a motion to approve minutes from October meeting, Tammy seconded, all in favor, motion carried

Executive Director Report: 

 Thank you to all the businesses who participated in the Downtown Trick or Treating was a very busy event for downtown! Christmas in the Park November 25th from 3-5:30p.m. at the park by the hospital. Decorating will be November 11th and 18th from 1-4, help is appreciated. Parade of lights and Christmas stroll will be on December 6th. 

Rec Department Update:

Rec Department Basketball is going really well. Both classes are full, I have two volunteers Alivia Schultz and Brittany O’Connor. Preschool Arts and Crafts is also  full. November 16th I need a new location as the Library was booked out that day. I am thinking about have a Frozen Bun Run this year. AAU Banquet was October 30th, thank you Jen for letting us use the Fairgrounds. A little over 100 people showed up.

Old Business

Christmas in the Park:

Christmas in the park will be November 25th 3-5:30p.m. Decorating the park will be November 11th and 18th 1-4p.m. Businesses can decorate a tree in the park if they are interested in doing so, Concert and dance after Christmas in the Park at Thee Garage and Steakhouse starting at 7:00p.m

Parade of Lights/Christmas Stroll:

Date is set for December 6th, Santa will be at the Firehall from 4-6pm. Businesses will be open until 7:00pm. for Christmas Stroll. The Parade of Lights will start at 7:00p.m. The Chamber will be doing Christmas Cards again.

Other Old Business

New Business:

Ag Banquet:

Ag Banquet will be set in January. The Committee  will meet Thursday November 9th at 12:00p.m. 

Baker Jam

Date to be set for April 6th and 7th if Baker Schools agree, Mariah is looking for a Baker Jam Committee

New Board Member:

Tammy O’Donnell will fulfill her term as a board member in January and would like to step down. If anyone is interested in joining the Chamber Board, you can call the Chamber Office at 406-778-2266 or Email Mariah at Chamberbaker@gmail.com

Next General Meeting:

The Meeting will be at Old School Brewery starting at 5:30pm. After the meeting we will be doing dinner, games, and white elephant.

Report from members:

Jamie for the Newell Media- The Radio Station launched a KFLN app, take the stations and live streams anywhere with you!

Steve Baldwin with the County- 5th year with Tom Parker of Geum Environmental, EPA will hopefully be released this year.

Jennefer with Fallon County Fairgrounds: Badlands Bull Riding Finals will take place December 29th and 30th, still working on details at this time, they will have another meeting on November 13th. Game Feed is Saturday November 10th, will be selling water and pop and eat some fresh game, proceeds go to nonprofit organizations.

Josey with Classy Cactus Floral- getting ready for a busy Christmas

Steve Zachmann with the City- SID project is all packed up, there is a punch list for hard drives, will get to potholes this Fall or in the Spring. Diamond J rebuilt 6th street, they are almost done with the project. The City is pleased with the products used on the streets, gravel streets have been improved but will not be chip sealed because of the structure of those streets. The City to get more done with the streets by Spiffys. The City is cataloging areas with potholes, if anyone has any concerns with the streets please call the City office, the city did not use all of SID money. The City is looking to replace the restrooms at the Hospital Park, hoping to separate the restrooms and the dump site. The insurance money will pay for the brick building and the City will redo the sewer lines. The City has an open board member position for the Planning board and the Zoning board. If interested in joining these boards please send in a letter of interest. Randy Morris to be hired for Ward 1 Counselor.

Karol Zachmann with FMC- During Christmas in the Park FMC will be serving two soups, they will also be selling soup at the Bizarre located at Baker High School. They are looking for a group to work the concessions at the Bizarre. The Festival of Trees will be November 22nd, setting up trees, wreaths, and cookie jars proceeds go towards equipment. There will be a Murder Mystery February 10th at the Fallon County Fairgrounds

Adjournment:  Tammy motioned to adjourn the meeting at 12:30pm. Josey seconded, all in favor, motion carried

**Next Meeting Thursday December 14th,2023 at 5:30p.m. at the Old School Brewery**