Foristell Chamber of Commerce Minutes
Regular Meeting September 7, 2005

PRESENT: Glenda Bolin, Paul Brockmeyer, Tom Byrnes, Tim Hooten, Joyce Johnston, Harry Kishpaugh, Don Kohlman, Rose Mack, Chris McAmis, Dave Monahan, Tim Nash, Keith Nelson, Ken Orf, Eldo Perry, Susan Marie Prouty, Rick Ritter, Marvin Rodenbaugh, Dave Schaper, Larry Shroth, Peggy Alexander, Ray Alexander

Guests: Mike Dooley - McBride & Son Homes, Reverend James Cain, Lana and Paul Cruz - West Plex Church, Dr.Mark Porter - Superintendent of the Wright City School District, Sarah Shroth and her mother Lillian Perkins

President Larry Shroth opened the meeting at 12:05 p.m.

Introductions around the table.

Minutes: August 3, 2005 - Approved with the following corrections: Water for the city of Foristell will be furnished by Water District #2, not Duckett Creek as printed. Marvin Rodenbaugh, not Norman as printed.

Treasurer's Report: Paul Brockmeyer - Approved as presented. Current balance is $3,417.42

There was a short presentation by Reverend Paul Cain of the West-Plex Church and Eldo Perry of the T/A Travel Centers who are co-sponsoring a Trucker Appreciation Day at the Travel Center in Foristell on Tuesday October 4th from 4:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. It is a community activity and open to everyone. There will be free barbecue, soft drinks and ice cream for all. Visitors will be able to climb into the cab of a new truck and see what it's like to sit behind the wheel. There will be gospel music and entertainment from local churches. Any business wanting to participate may furnish gift bags or donations. These should be given to Eldo Perry for distribution. This project is to show truckers how much they are appreciated in supplying us with the goods we need daily. Three hundred people attended last year. The West-Plex Church has ministered to 2000 truckers at the Truck Stop over the last couple of years.

City Report: Keith Nelson reported that C.J's Pizza will open soon in the old Post Office building. Fabick Tractor will be open in two weeks. There is a Chinese Restaurant planned for the new strip store building to be built next to the Car Wash. The Police Department will be moving to the former maintenance building behind City Hall that will give them needed room. The City is planning to move City Hall to a location which is undisclosed at the present time.

Program: Dr. Mark Porter, the new Superintendent of the Wright City School District gave a very informative presentation on what is happening in the schools. He has a good staff. There has been a change of six of the ten previous staff. There are currently approximately 1,450 students in the schools, which will double in size in the next five years. The District has hired the D.L.R. Group out of Kansas City to work on long range planning and demographics and to analyze the area. The report is due in January 2006. The goal of the District is to stay ahead of growth as to not penalize quality education for students. They plan to build on what they currently have. There is need for a new High School which could cost between $20 to $25 million dollars depending on the size of the facility. No location has been chosen as yet. Technology used in the Middle School will be extended to the High School. There are currently four schools in the District including the Central Office. There are twenty subdivisions under construction at the present time. There is a need for businesses to move into the area to help cover the tax base for future construction. Dr. Porter encourages tours of the facilities. They want to be friendly. They need public support. They are building a new web site. Dr. Porter can be reached at the Central Office at 636-745-7200 or on his direct line at 636-745-7204.

Current Business: Paul Brockmeyer asked if the $100.00 we donated this year to the Warren County Fine Arts Council is for dues. President Larry said that he is not sure. We gave them a donation last year to help defray the cost of concerts. Hopefully the money given this year will go for the same. There is an Acapella Choir concert to be held at the Wright City Middle School this Thursday. Adult tickets are $8.00. Call the Middle School for more information at 636-745-7200.

We talked a little about a formal opening for Fabick Tractor by the Chamber. We will nee to send a news release. No decision made at the present time as what to do and when.

The question came up about the relocation of Highway T. Keith Nelson is to meet MODOT people tomorrow and will ask about it. Keith also informed us that one of the Foristell Police Officers received a commendation for apprehending a bank robber who robbed the Hannibal National Bank in Wentzville.

Larry reported that the Greenway Network is sponsoring Operation Clean Stream on Saturday October 22nd from 8:30 a.m. till 11:30 a.m. Volunteers are to meet at Quail Ridge Park in Wentzville and disperse from there. Participants are to clean up creeks in Wentzville and other local communities. The City of Wentzville is to furnish lunch at noon. Contact Larry at 636-639-8211 if you are interested in helping.

Rick Ritter reported that he had talked to his wife who is in the Wentzville PTA and is helping to coordinate funds for children that need school supplies, but can't afford them and actually what is needed. She said there are 50 children from the Wentzville schools that are in need of help. There are an additional 6 students who are victims of Hurricane Katrina now living in Wentzville and attending school there. There are also 5 students attending the Wright City schools that are from New Orleans. Paul suggested developing a fund within the Chamber to supply both school districts. Rick has a drop off point. Ken Orf said we can use a storage shed at Foristell Storage also. Larry will check with Kim Henson at Office Max to see what they can do to help with funding. Secretary Ray is to e-mail members when the fund is set up so they will know how to donate. The Board of Directors will discuss this matter further at their meeting following the regular meeting.

Our next meeting will be held on October 5th at 12:00 noon at Ruggeri's Ristorante in Wentzville.

No further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Ray Alexander