Foristell Chamber of Commerce Minutes
Regular Meeting August 7, 2007

PRESENT: Bob Barclay, Paula Bates, Chris Daleo, Wanda Donnelly, Janice Frei, Nancy Hance, Frank Klaas, Mike O’Connell, Ken Orf, Dave Monahan, Tim Nash, Marvin Rodenbaugh, Larry Shroth, Sara Shroth, Brad Schuster, Michelle Smith, John Spears, Sandy Stokes, Pat Wenom, Peggy Alexander, Ray Alexander.

GUESTS: Amy Davidson-Porlier Outdoor Advertising, Mark Van Dillen-A.B. Signs, Linda Ellis-Assured Title Co., Tim Quinn-TNT Promotional Products.

President Tim opened the meeting at 12:05 p.m., and welcomed the members, and guests.

Introductions around the table.

Minutes: June 5, 2007 – Approved as printed.

Treasurer’s Report:
Chris Daleo reported that she received checks for two new memberships. There is $3026.67 in the treasury at the present time. She is still having a problem getting tax exempt status for the Chamber from the State.

Old Business:
Nancy Hance reported that she has been getting prices for a crimper and labels for making our logo seals. She has prices from Office Depot. It was suggested that she get prices from Office Max also since they have been a member of the Chamber in the past. We voted to give her approval to spend up to $70.00 on the needed supplies.
Ray Alexander reviewed the new policy on meal reservations that the Chamber approved at our June 5th. meeting for those members that were not present at that meeting. The policy is as follows: If a member commits to attending a meeting, but does not attend, the member is responsible to pay for the cost of the lunch and be billed for it.

City Update: Sandy Stokes and Wanda Donnelly reported that they have been working on plans for a Safety Fair for the residents of Foristell, “especially the children,” to be held on October 6th. They asked if the Chamber would be willing to make it a joint venture with the City? We voted to support the project. They had a sample flyer made up listing the various activities and what the costs will be to put on the Fair. Our members will have the opportunity to sponsor the activities. (See Attached Information) Possibly, the Chamber could cook hot dogs and have soda like we have done in the past at our Safety Breaks.

New Business
Tim Nash asked for approval to purchase a shovel for the Chamber to use for groundbreaking activities. The purchase was approved. The fist upcoming ground breaking will be held on Thursday August 9th. for the Wentzville Fire District Station #3 to be built at 3123 North Service Road in Foristell. All Chamber members are invited to attend. Tim Nash and Ken Orf said that they would attend to represent the Chamber.
The Missouri Bank should be holding it’s groundbreaking later in August at it’s new location at the corner of the South Service Road and Highway T in Foristell.

Program:
Our speaker today was Austin Worcester, the Assistant Chief of the Wentzville Fire District. He gave a very informative and interesting program on the variety of services that the District performs in addition to fighting fires. They perform emergency planning and emergency services, including rescuing cats from trees. They do building plan reviews and explosive and building inspections, burning code control, fire safety seminars, and bring a fire truck and “Sparky": the fire dog and equipment display to community functions such as our upcoming Safety Fair. The District is the second largest district in St. Charles County. It covers 88 square miles. It goes north to Lincoln County, covers the City of Wentzville, half of Lake Saint Louis, half of Foristell, a fifth of O’Fallon, and all of Flint Hill and Josephville. There is a population between 44,000 and 52,000 in the Fire District. The District currently operates four Fire Stations, which they have done for 20 years. They are going to build an additional Station on the North Service Road in Foristell. They employ 40 full time career firefighters, and have 35 volunteers. There has been a 342% increase in the size of the coverage area from 1998 to 2007, and the District is operating with the same number of firefighters. The new Station #3 will be manned by career firefighters. This will help to lower the ISO rating for the insurance of the District. Chief Worcester emphasized the value of having career fighters, but said that the volunteers do an exceptional job as well, and that the District cannot get by without them. They volunteer their services and take extensive training just as the career guys do. The Chief is very proud of the job that all of his people perform, and the residents in the District are fortunate to have them service our communities.

There was no other business. Meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.

Our next regular meeting will be held on September 4, 2007 at 12:00 noon at Porlier Outdoor Advertising Co.

Respectfully submitted,
Ray Alexander, Secretary