Foristell Chamber of Commerce Minutes
Regular Meeting September 4, 2007

PRESENT: Bob Barclay, Chris Daleo, Wanda Donnelly, Linda Ellis, Nancy Hance, Harry Kishpaugh, Frank Klaas, Mike O’Connell, Ken Orf, Chris McAmis, Dave Monahan, Tim Nash, Mark Porter, Jack Sanford, Larry Shroth, Brad Schuster, Michelle Smith, Sandy Stokes, Mark Van Dillen, Pat Wenom, Peggy Alexander, Ray Alexander.

GUESTS: Beverly Smith-Met Life

President Tim opened the meeting at 12:10 p.m., and welcomed the members, and guests.
Introductions around the table

Minutes: August 7, 2007 – Approved as printed.

Treasurer’s Report: Chris Daleo reported that there is $3,017.83 in the treasury at the present time. She is still having a problem getting tax exempt status for the Chamber from the State. We will discuss the problem at the Board meeting.

Program: Dr. Mark Porter, District Superintendent of the Wright City School District, gave us an update on the progress of the District. They are operating under a ten year Master Plan. The old Administration Building has been sold, and the funds were applied to the new Administration building that is now completed on Bell Road next to the Middle School. An Open House was held recently. It is a 5,200 square foot building which houses 11 offices and an Executive Room that can be used for conferences. It is a high tech center with state of the art equipment. Video conferencing is also available. The public is invited to come by for a tour. The District has the latest in security systems. There are web-based cameras that can pull up all views in all of the buildings in the District. There is an emergency beacon for the Fire Alarm System. Lock Down procedures are in place and have been tested. There are Security Walls at both the Elementary and High School. A person has to prove identity and be buzzed in. There are emergency supplies in every classroom consisting of water, food and flashlights.

They are going ahead with the building project for the new Elementary School that will be located on Cotton Road about nine-tenths of a mile north of the North Service Road on Highway 70. It will be a 5,900 Square foot building that will have a capacity to hold 500 students. Building bid notice is going out soon. Planned completion date is early 2009. There will be a groundbreaking ceremony after the excavating package is completed which will involve both the Foristell and Wright City Chambers.

The High School is not totally air conditioned at the present time. The cost to air condition it is 1.2 million dollars that is not available at the present time. The District watches the heat index carefully. When it reaches 105 degrees, they send the kids home. There will be 5.5 million dollars needed for future improvements to the High School. It will become a Middle School when the new High School is built as the District expands. They are currently looking for land. Potential growth is projected to be 1% to 2% per year. They are waiting to reorganize the District borders until it is known if the housing market is slowing down, and the how much the growth will be.

Dr. Porter said that he has excellent employees and the teaching staff is doing a great job. The Elementary School is on the Gold Star Honor list of the top 1000 Elementary Schools. He said that almost all the current staff, can be used in the new Elementary School. They will need about 20% additional personnel to handle the load.

Mike O’Connell, Chief Finance Officer for the Wentzville School District, gave a brief update on their progress. They have been involved with five major construction projects this year that include one new Elementary School, and additions to four other schools. The District continues to grow. There have been 800 to 1,000 students in the past. This year there are 10,500. Next year’s projection is 11,100 to 11,200 students.

Old Business: Nancy Hance, Chairperson of the Ribbon Cutting Committee, reported that she has ordered a crimper at Office-Max for making seals for our Ribbon Cutting ceremonial ribbons. We still need labels and a roll of ribbon, that she was authorized to purchase. We need to set up Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies for several new businesses that have opened over the last year or so in Foristell, once we have all the necessary supplies.

City Update: Sandy Stokes reported that there are several organizations that have donated items for the upcoming Safety Fair on October 6th. The Chamber has volunteered to have hot dogs, hamburgers, and soda for the Fair. Water has been donated by Westbound Realty. There will be an exhibit by the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital on home safety. The Community Emergency Response Team will have a CERT trailer and display. The Wentzville Fire Department will have an equipment display, safety brochures, child safety registration, and “Sparky” the remote control Fire Dog in his fire truck. Ameren UE will have “Louie the Lightning Bug”. Princess the Clown will offer face painting and balloon sculpture. Shiloh United Methodist Church has volunteered a couple of tents and some tables and chairs to be used at the event. Sandy suggested that organizations could donate money to purchase mums for decorating the area, and Safety Kits could be donated. The estimated cost of putting on the Fair is $1,000.00. Sandy asked if the Chamber would be willing to make a monetary donation to help defray the expenses? This will be discussed at the Board Meeting.

Sandy announced that the groundbreaking for the new Wentzville Firehouse #3 was held on August 9th, and groundbreaking for The Missouri Bank Building was held on August 28th. Several of our Chamber members were present at each of them. Sandy said that the outlook for new construction, and new businesses is very positive.

Other Business: President Tim asked about volunteers to work at the Chamber’s Bar-B-Q booth. Secretary Ray said that several members have volunteered to help. He read the names. Several others volunteered at the meeting to give a hand. Ray will make up a work schedule for all the members so they can see what times they have agreed to work, and where help is still needed.

Larry Shroth reported on several items. He said that the St. Charles Vision Program is under way. They held their retreat last weekend. Larry is our representative on the Vision Program Board. He is also the President of the St. Charles County League of Chambers. He invited our members to attend the Leagues’ Government Education Committee Meeting on September 26th. It will be held at the Rendezvous Restaurant on Highway M (Main Street) in O’Fallon from 12:00 noon until 1:00p.m. Another item that Larry talked about is the Quest Program. It is the new visioning program that Warren County has started that is similar to the St. Charles Vision Program. There are 19 participants signed up for the first year. Both of these programs are very educational and helpful to those in business. Progress Bank is sponsoring the Quest Banquet that will be held on Wednesday evening September 5th. The Speaker is Dr. Tom Hill who is an internationally known motivational speaker and author. Progress Bank in Warrenton is holding a mini session by Dr. Hill at the Bank on September 5th from 3:45-5:00 p.m. Our Chamber members are invited to attend. The League of Chambers will hold it’s Annual Fall Luncheon at the Columns Banquet Center in St. Charles on November 13th. It affords a good place to network with other Chamber’s members. The food is good, and they usually have excellent speakers. This year’s speaker has not been announced as yet. The last two years, Julie Neumann the financial expert, has done the honors. Secretary Ray will forward information on to our members as far as time, reservations, etc. as soon as he knows what they are, so that we can plan to attend.

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

Our next regular meeting will be held on October 2, 2007 at 12:00 noon at Porlier Outdoor Advertising Co.

Respectfully submitted,

Ray Alexander, Secretary