Foristell Chamber of Commerce Minutes
Regular Meeting December 4, 2007

PRESENT: Paula Bates, Chris Daleo, Wanda Donnelly, Nancy Hance, Tim Hooton, Harry Kishpaugh, Frank Klass, Dave Monahan, Tim Nash, Mike O’Connell, Ken Orf, Marvin Rodenbaugh, Jack Sanford, Sandy Stokes, Pat Wenom, Peggy Alexander, Ray Alexander

GUESTS: Steve Etcher-Director of the Booneslick Regional Planning Commission, David Frazier-Frazier Land Surveying Services, Nathan Gentry, Costco, Jan O’Learnick-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce, Jill Smoot-Wright City School District

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

LUNCH

Minutes: November 6, 2007 – Approved.

Treasurer’s Report: Chris Daleo reported that there is $2,513.98 in the treasury at the present time that includes $300.00 for 2008 Membership Dues..

Program: Steve Etcher, Director of the Booneslick Regional Planning Commission was our guest speaker. He gave an excellent talk on the work of the Commission. They work in an advisory capacity to local Government Officials in Lincoln, Montgomery and Warren County Counties making them aware of what they should be doing to make their counties competitive. The right type of businesses are needed to move into their areas, and furnish the type of jobs and salaries that are incentives for prospective residents to live and work in their respective counties instead of being bedroom communities to St. Charles and St. Louis Counties. Steve focused on Warren County. He said that Warren County is the 3rd fastest growing county in the State. St. Charles County is now the 4th fastest growing County. It’s population grew by 54,000 residents between 2000 and 2006.
Infra structure development and waste treatment facilities are two of the areas that control the quality of growth. As the population ages and retires it will be necessary to keep the retirees content. The retiree market will continue to grow with the aging of the “Baby Boomers”. There will be a need for public transportation for all of the population, however seniors will reach a point when they are no longer be able to drive themselves. They will also need access to health care facilities and free time activities. Affordable housing is another need. If these needs are not met, seniors will move to an area where they are available.
Community and economic development are very important for Warren County. There needs be an increase in the average wage. Currently it is $12.19 per hour in Warren County as compared to $16.00 per hour in St. Charles County. There is 55% of the work force employed outside of Warren County at the present time. Job growth in the county has been 3.4% each year. It should be 6%. The types of businesses needed for the future are not the manufacturing type. They should be in the technology field. There have been 3 million jobs lost in recent years in the U.S.A. The sizes of businesses are changing from large to small. Approximately 99% of all businesses now employ 50 or fewer people. The concentration should be on entrepreneurship and innovation. Business owners need to look at the qualities of the communities in which they plan to locate. More effective transportation is a major factor. Another is technology (sciences, research, and development). Warren County is located between two major metropolitan areas that are driven by education, and technology. Those two are St. Louis and Columbia. Talent is another major factor. We need to grow talented people in our area, and keep them. We need to know how to be creative and solve problems. Business people need to pair up with students. Steve thinks that Foristell needs waste treatment facilities and improved transportation if we are going to be a target area for residential and commercial development. Sandy Stokes suggested to Steve that the Regional Planning Organization take a look at what St. Charles County cities have done with planning their transportation systems, and consult the cities in Warren County to get their input. Steve said that the Regional Planning Organization is not funded by the E.D.C. through the State and is only an Advisory Council. He said that Warren County residents have been paying a ½ cent tax for Capital Improvement of the County Court House that is now completed. He said that there are plans to put the continuance of the ½ cent on the ballot this coming year. The monies will be split between 70% for roads, and 30% for Capital Improvements. Hopefully Foristell will receive some of the money for road improvement. Currently there is no Property Tax in Foristell and road improvement has to come from Sales Tax.

City Update: Sandy Stokes reported that plans are going well for the Holiday Open House to be held at City Hall on Thursday December 13th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and asked us if we would let her know as soon as possible what we are bringing, either refreshments, or an item for the drawing. It will help her determine what items still need to be purchased. Don’t forget to bring a toy for the Salvation Army Toy Drive, or non-perishable food items for the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry. The contractor is setting roof trusses today on The Missouri Bank There is a Sales Tax Initiative of ½ % being set on next year’s ballot for roads and parks since there currently is no Property Tax in Foristell.

School District Update: Jack Sanford reported that the ground breaking for the new Wright City School on Cotton Road was well attended. The excavating is completed and the building pad sites are poured. Scheduled date for completion of construction of the school is January 2009. The extension of Meyer Road is being surfaced at the present time. Dr. Porter is retiring and the School Board is looking for a replacement. There are three seats available on the School Board. Filing for these seats is between December 18, 2007 and January 22, 2008. School District enrollment this year is 1468 students. The count in 2008 will be slightly higher. An outside firm has been hired to work on re-districting. Mike O’Connell from the Wentzville School District said that their Bond Issue to raise $60,000,000 would be on the ballot in November of 2008.

New Business: We voted to move our January 1, 2008 meeting to the second Tuesday January 8th since the 1st is New Years Day. We will meet at 12:00 noon at Porlier Outdoor Advertising.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Ray Alexander, Secretary