Foristell Chamber of Commerce Minutes
Regular Meeting May 6, 2008

PRESENT: Robert Barclay, Paula Bates, Chris Daleo, Chris Goatley, Nancy Hance,
Tim Hooton, Jeff Chasten, Harry Kishpaugh, Dave Monahan, Tim Nash, Ken Orf,
Trevor Rees, Phil Reid, Marvin Rodenbaugh, Jack Sanford, Michelle Smith,
Sandy Stokes, Chris Sullivan, Mark Van Dillen, Charlene Twiehaus, Pat Wenom,
Peggy Alexander, Ray Alexander

GUESTS: Allen Rone-Ultimate Fire Safety, Patrick Sullivan-Executive Vice President-HBA, Lynda Wood-General Manager Best Western 70 Inn

President Tim opened the meeting at 12:00 noon and welcomed the members, and guests. Tim asked for each of us to introduce ourselves, tell who we represent and tell what our business has to offer.

LUNCH

Minutes: April 1, 2008 – Approved.

Treasurer’s Report: Chris Daleo reported that the current balance in the treasury is $3,398.00.

Program: We thank Patrick Sullivan, the Executive Vice President of the Home Builders Association of St. Louis and Eastern Missouri for a very informative program on the disposition of the housing market and what we can expect in the future. Pat was asked when he thinks that there will be an upturn in building market? He thinks that we may see a change by August of this year or early 2009. Attached to these minutes is a copy of his presentation

City Update: Sandy Stokes reported that McDonalds will open for business at 7:00 a.m. and the Fast Lane will open at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow. McDonalds will hold their Grand Opening on Saturday morning. Ronald McDonald will be on hand and there will be give a ways. The Missouri Bank should open in three to four weeks. Sandy is very pleased with the growth that is going on in Foristell. Last month the Chamber held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for A-B Signs, and today before our meeting we held Ribbon Cuttings for Main Street Antiques and Ferguson Land Surveying. Sandy said that Foristell is a good place to locate. The City has restrictions, but they are not as rigid as in other more dense areas like O’Fallon and Wentzville. The ½% sales tax passed which will furnish money for road repairs and a Park System. These are improvements that should make Foristell a desirable place to live.
Sandy was asked when the waste treatment facility will be constructed on the south side of Highway 70. Duckett Creek is waiting for someone to put in a facility that will need the system. Mike Plackemeier and partner are trying to sell a piece of land on the west end of Foristell. Whoever buys it needs to know that there will be water and sewage treatment available. Water District #2 has almost completed there facility on the north of Highway 70. They will be charging a $2,000 assessment fee per house to hook onto the system.
Ray Alexander asked Sandy if the City is planning some kind of activity with the Chamber similar to the Safety Fair which was held last year. She said that she and
Mayor Donnelly have been discussing doing something, but do not have anything definite as yet.


School District Update: Member Jack Sanford, Director of Plant Facilities for the Wright City School District, reported that construction of the new Elementary School on Cotton Road has progressed considerably. There are now walls in place. Jack said that the school is trying to do business with local contractors and construction suppliers in our Chamber and the Wright City Chamber when ever possible. He said that the Blue and Gold Banquet was a success.

Jack said that there was an emergency situation that developed recently at the school on Bell Road. There was a natural gas leak. Ameren was called, and they arrived in five minutes. They could not find the leak, and called the Fire Department that used the most sensitive detection device that they had. It is capable of sensing particles of 100th of 1%. The school was evacuated while the testing was going on, and the children were bussed to other schools in the District that fed them lunch while the Fire Department went about their job. The leak was finally detected in a roof top unit. The evacuation went very smoothly despite the fact that neither Jack or District Superintendent Dr. Mark Porter were in the District at the time. Both were gone. Jack said that it is a real tribute to
Mark Porter for putting the plans into place and picking the right Administrative Personnel that were capable of handling the emergency. Dr. Porter is retiring from the District on May 30th. He is taking a job with R.P. Demographic Company. Good luck Mark on your new venture.

There was no other business. Meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ray Alexander, Secretary