Chamber of Commerce Minutes
March 4, 2008
Members present: Darrin Deen, Laneha Everitt, Shelia Adams, Cheryl Peters, Gloria Jean, Renee Grigat, Jerry Loflin, Mari Lee Freiberger, Merna McGinnis, Jay D. Suhler, Mike Page, Eldonna House, Dale Brown, Billy and Laura Raybon Monte Barham, County Commissioners, Spike Ausmus, Troy Crane, Peter L. Dawson.
Guest were: Janice Duncan, Jef Shettron, Christy Loflin, , Deborah Lester, Vladimir Kukuc, Joe Grigat
Meeting called to order by President Monte Barham at 12:05 p.m.
Minutes of February 12 were presented. Corrections were to change the Indoor Event Center to only the Event Center, and that the Hospital’s insurance will cover the Benefit that will be held on the 15th at the School. Troy made the motion to accept the minutes as corrected. Seconded by Darrin. All voted AYE!
Treasurer’s report was presented. Jodi made the motion to accept the Treasurer’s report as presented. Seconded by Renee. All voted AYE!
Jodi gave events report. She stated that the committee is checking on the insurance policy to make sure that when the Baca County Fair property is used that each one of the events is covered. No other changes as this time. Confusion is still an issue concerning the car show. Again President Monte Barham stated that the Chamber will not be in charge or co-running the annual Car Show, but would be willing to help. This is the Moon Man’s event.
Survey was only completed by 7 businesses. A copy of the results was present and passed around for all to see.
Darrin Deen & Fae Suhler are getting things going for the Downtown Beautification plan. The block that will be first will be 9th street. Some of the ideas are to clean sidewalks, gutters, wash windows, make repairs needed. Volunteers are needed for the work. One suggestion was to get FFA, 4-H clubs (Deborah Lester has offered help) and any other organizations to help with this worthwhile work. Donations are needed to purchase repair items to get this done with.
Their goal is to get inside of the empty buildings and put in displays, clean windows and whatever to make the buildings appearance look better. Concrete containers, for flowers, trees are still in the plan. It was stated that SECED & DOLA maybe have funds to help with this project.
Golf course report by Mike Page. He stated that he still needs to meet with the golf cub, and check with the city about getting water there.
Event Center: Deborah Lester stated that Lyndell Bryan is putting together a 90 x 200 foot building plan in motion. It will have a 30-foot side bleacher, restroom on one side. There will be some public meetings to gather community and county input on this endeavor. She stated that she could possibly piggyback some grants so help get new bleachers at the fairground and other projects in the county. Christy Loflin suggested that a group travel to Scotts City, Castle Rock to view their buildings. GOCO has a 70 - 30 grant with a $200,000. Maximum, which she will be applying for. A management team will need to be approved to oversee all the transactions and the running of the facility.
Darrell Mackey was not present for the advertising proposals.
Some new ideas for the Baca County Fair from Billy Gourley are Iron Man or Woman event, barrel races, roping, team pinning, dog birding contest, working cow dog, mini car events. A Calcutta with a big dinner was also suggested, business booths that would have carnival type games. Create a new atmosphere at the Fair is the goal this year.
Jerry Loflin has only found wooden plaques; she has not found the metal ones that have been used in the past.
Monte Barham gave lodging Tax proposal. This would be a 3% tax for all Springfield hotels, and motels to charge all who rent from them. The taxes will be due each month to the City Clerks office, and then turned over to the BCEDE.
All the attending motel, hotel owners present voiced their objections to the tax. More information will be coming to show how the tax will be spent.
Motion made by Spike to adjourn the meeting at 1:00 p.m. Seconded by Jodi.
Next meeting will be Tuesday, April 8th at noon at Chubby’s.
Equinox Booths at Festival