Prior to Today’s Meeting there was a Ribbon Cutting held for Magical Adventures Learning Center in Foristell. The Chamber was well represented. Thanks to Nancy Hance for making all the arrangements.

PRESENT: Jim Booth, David Buck, Wanda Donnelly, Nancy Hance, Tim Hooton, Jackie King,
Dave Monahan, Kari Monsees, Tim Nash, Sarah Nielsen, Ken Orf, John Pickering,
Carol Powelson, Phil Reid, Allen Rone, Shelley Rowe, Jack Sanford, Michelle Smith,
Sandy Stokes, Charlene Twiehaus, Mark Van Dillen, Peggy Alexander, Ray Alexander.

GUESTS: Tanya Baker and Donna-Magical Adventures, Randy Bornhop-Wentzville Fire Chief, Mary Lou Coleman-Kiddie Corral, Paul Cruz-Westplex Church, Mindy Schoenmaker-Westbound Realty, Wanda Schrader-Grand Oaks Heating and Cooling.

President Tim opened the meeting at 12:10 p.m. and welcomed the attendees. Each introduced themselves, and told who they represent and what their businesses have to offer.

Lunch:

Program: Today’s speaker was Randy Bornhop who is the Wentzville Fire Chief. He gave a very informative presentation on the Fire District and how it has grown with the economic development of the area. Randy started as a volunteer firefighter in 1986 and became a professional firefighter in 1991. He was promoted to Fire Chief in 2002. The District covers 88 square miles and is the second largest District in the area. It covers Wentzville including Foristell, and goes to the Lincoln County line on the north, Highway 40 to Winghaven, east to Weldon Springs Road, and half way to New Melle on the south. The District serves 3,700 people from four Fire Houses with 28 full time professional firefighters and 31 volunteers, all of which are State certified. They have a Fire Investigation Bureau to examine fires causes. They do periodic inspections at local businesses. The District makes fire calls, E.M.S. calls for emergency situations such as heart attacks , and work accidents in conjunction with local Ambulance Districts. They teach C.P.R. classes to schools and other organizations. They have an agreement with the Warren County Fire District to jointly cover fires through the Wentzville Dispatcher.
The District supplies firefighters to the Missouri Task Force that sends them to emergencies across the U.S.A. The District, in trying to keep up with firefighting requirements, has ordered a Seventy-five foot Arial Ladder Truck which will arrive later this year. We may be able to have them bring the new truck to one of our meetings in the spring for a demonstration.

Minutes: September 2, 2008 – Approved.

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Nancy Hance presented the Treasurer’s Report. The current balance in the treasury is $2,564.68. We have received funds for dues, and monetary donations at the Fall Festival, but have spent money for food for the Fall Festival and our Chamber After Hours Gathering, our Web Site Hosting and Post Office Box Rental which have depleted our treasury below $3,000.00. Nancy proposed that we hold a 50/50 drawing at each meeting for any members that would like to participate beginning with the November 4th 2008 meeting. The members agreed that it might be a good idea.

City Update: Foristell Mayor Wanda Donnelly reported on the Fall Festival. It was considered a success. There were approximately 150 attendees. She and Sandy Stokes expressed their appreciation to the Chamber for our assistance by furnishing food and lending a hand in set up and tear down of tents. They were pleased at the quality of the other booths that represented crafters, businesses and other organizations
President Tim asked if any action had been taken on the Foristell Ad Campaign. Sandy Said that they are waiting until the City Offices get moved into the New City Hall, which will be located in the old R&K Development Building at 121 Mulberry Street in Foristell, about a block east of the current City Hall. It is an 8,524 square foot building with 5,184 square feet of office space. This will allow for a larger Board Room and Court space, along with storage space. They hope to be in by early November. Once they are in the new facility, there will be a Board Planning Workshop held to do some brain storming, and come up with some ideas for the Ad Campaign.
Sandy expressed concern over a recent broadcast on Radio Station KFAV. It was a derogatory report on the City of Foristell listing things such as having a Speed Trap, a Rent a Cop Police Force and poor Court accommodations. She defended the Police Force as being professional with a very competent Chief, seven Full Time Officers and one Part Time Officer. They derive income from traffic tickets, but do not give tickets for speeds that are less than ten miles per hour over the 70 mile per hour speed limit on Highway 70. Traffic ticketing is only part of their job. They have made 106 alcohol related stops, 56 drug busts, 415 driving without license stops, and 82 motor accident calls. The Court facilities should improve in the new larger City Hall. Sandy said to let her know if we are unhappy with Foristell.

School Districts Update: Jack Sanford, Wright City School District Director of Facilities, reported that the construction on the new Elementary School is progressing. All of the concrete floors have been poured, 80% of the roof is complete, 90% of the brick has been laid, and the infrastructure is coming along very well. Bed rock is being applied to the parking lot. They still need to get water from Water District #2. Permits are needed. Jack complimented Cochran Engineering for doing such a great job on the project. David Buck, Assistant District Superintendent, passed out a flyer about a Finance Forum that is sponsored by the Warren County R-III and the Wright City R-II School Districts to be held at the Innsbrook Clubhouse on Tuesday October 14th from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. It is titled “Your Tax Dollars and Public Schools”.

Keri Monsees, Wentzville School District C.F.O. reported that the District has again been awarded the Distinction for Excellence for schools. They have increased student registration by 650 students since May of this year. He asked that we support the 52.6 million dollar Bond Issue on the November 4th Ballot to fund the construction of two new elementary schools, and renovation of existing schools and improve technology and infrastructure.

Other Business: Mindy Schoenmaker from Westbound Realty handed out a flyer and made an announcement from Habitat for Humanity in St. Charles County on their Annual Celebration of Trees to be held at the Ameristar Casino on Thursday November 13th at 6:00 p.m. which will provide funding for a five year, 60 home campaign in 2009 that will eventually extend the mission to include Warren County. Secretary Ray will send out an E-mail to the membership with additional information.

President Tim mentioned the flyer that was passed out about the St. Charles MTD Transportation Funding Summit to be held at the St. Charles Community College on October 23rd from
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A buffet luncheon will be served at 11:00 a.m. Reservations need to be in by October 17th. Those interested should let Secretary Ray know if they are going to attend, and he will contact Larry Shroth. Larry is our Chamber’s representative to the St. Charles League of Chambers that is a co-sponsor of this summit. He says that it is very important to attend and find out what needs to be done to prepare Missouri’s roads for future transportation requirements. Experts participating in the summit are representatives from the Missouri Department of Transportation, Missouri Senate Transportation Committee, and a Show Me Institute Policy Analyst. Steve Ehlmann will be present to welcome guests and open with remarks. There will be an opportunity for questions and answers.

Wanda Schrader from Grand Oaks Heating and Cooling passed out a flyer on their Grand Opening which will be held on Saturday October 18th from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Sunday October 19th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All members are invited to attend. Nancy Hance has been working with Wanda to set up a date for their Ribbon Cutting. A potential date for the activity is on November 4th prior to our Chamber meeting. Ray will let the membership know when they have decided on a date.

Tim asked Jim Booth from Wachovia about the financial problems that they are going through. Jim said that the Banking Division of Wachovia is in trouble, but is being purchased by Wells Fargo. The Investment Division that he works for is not part of the Banking Division. He is a Financial Advisor. He said that Wachovia, like other Investment Firms, are recommending that their investors not sell, but hold on to their investments for the long hall and wait for the market to recover.

Tim asked Phil Reid how he views the Real Estate Market. He said that sales have slowed down in his business, which is primarily land sales, to approximately one third of what they were in 2006 and 2007. The actual selling prices of land have not decreased to a great degree. He said that the current asking price of land in Montgomery County is $4,200 per acre, but is bringing $3,200 per acre.

Ray reported that our first After Hours Social Activity was well. We had 26 people present. He sent a thank you letter to Lynda Wood and her crew at the Best Western–West I-70 Inn for hosting our gathering. Our Resident Chef Ken Orf did a great job of cooking hot dogs and hamburgers. It was a beautiful evening and every one seemed attended to enjoy themselves.

Our next meeting will be held on November 4, 2008. Roger Cox will be our speaker. He was the first Mayor of Foristell and will give us some historical information on the city.

There was no other business. Meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Ray Alexander, Secretary