Foristell Chamber of Commerce Minutes
Regular Meeting October 6, 2009

Present: Robert Barclay, James Booth, Kevin Daniels, Nancy Hance, Tim Hooton,
Harry Kishpaugh, Barbara Mauer, Laura McLane, Sarah Nielsen, Ken Orf, Richard Paton, John Pickering, Carol Powelson, Marvin Rodenbaugh, Allen Rone, Jack Sanford, Larry Shroth, Sandy Stokes, Charlene Twiehaus, Mark Van Dillen, Matt Vehige, Peggy Alexander, Ray Alexander

Guest: Heather Dawson – United Way

Lunch: President Larry Shroth opened the meeting at 12:10 p.m. and welcomed members. Each introduced them self and told who they represent.

Minutes: September 1, 2009 – Approved.

Treasurer’s Report:
Treasurer Nancy Hance presented the Treasurer’s Report. The current balance in the treasury is $3,888.00. Our 50/50 drawing today was won by Tim Hooton. He split a pot of $34.00 with the Chamber. The members, with Tim’s approval, voted to donate the $34.00 total to the United Way. Marvin Rodenbaugh with Costco won the 50/50 drawing for Business of the Month to be featured on the Chamber web site for November.

City Report:
Sandy Stokes reported that there is quite a bit of activity taking place in the City. There is a group taking over the Old Cheap Cigarettes Building. They are going to open under the name of Cheap and Cheap Sandwiches and Booze. This should be taking place fairly quickly. Another business will be opening after the first of the year. They are taking over the Old Hoods Building.The Company is MFR of St. Louis, and is a tire recapping business that had opened a satellite operation in Wentzville about a year ago. They primarily do recapping of tires for commercial vehicles. They have far exceeded the amount of their projected business and have run out of space. It appears that Foristell may not be completely out of the running for the New Harley Davidson Plant. They are still looking. The O’Brien Tract is now for sale. Roy Yost, who was formerly in partnership with Tom Johnson in the Development on Cotton Road, has applied on his own for permits to start a hundred plus homes in two phases of Providence Estates which is on the Cotton Road property adjoining the Wright City East Elementary School.

Program:
We were privileged to have Heather Dawson, Vice President of the Tri-County Division of the United Way, with us today as our speaker. The Tri-County Division is made up of Lincoln, St. Charles and Warren Counties. She has her office in the Economic Development Center in St. Peters. She asked the members to raise our hands if any of our family members or us has been helped by the United Way. There were only a few people that raised their hands. She had a list of the various agencies that are affiliated with the United Way, which she passed out to us. There are nearly 200 local agencies that are funded through the United Way. After showing us the list of these agencies, we realized that the United Way helps more people than we were aware of. She told us that 634 people in the Foristell area have been helped in one way or another by the United Way. Foristell City has a population of only 350 people. One out of every three people in the Tri-County Area has been helped. All the money raised here stays here. There have been seventy-five years of volunteers helping in the United Way Programs. Businesses and individuals can help through financial donations and by sharing their time as volunteers. There are 1,300 United Ways across the Country. Ninety cents of every dollar donated goes into the Fund. One million plus dollars is invested into the various agencies each week. There is a 211 phone number that people can use to find, or give help. It is a toll free number connecting people with community resources and volunteer opportunities. We thank Heather for a very informative program.

School Report:
Jack Sanford, Director of Plant Operations for the Wright City School District, reported that they are very busy. They are trying to complete the punch list for the New East Elementary School. Jack said the District is very grateful to Bob Barclay and the City for all the help they gave them with the hold up in construction of the new school. Jack said that they hope the weather cooperates because the District has selected PCE as the contractor for the remodeling of the Athletic Complex which involves moving a lot of dirt to make the track an all weather track. Plans to air condition the High School are also on the schedule. They are having some absenteeism with a prospective of some H1N1 Virus.

Kari Monsees, CFO of the Wentzville School District reported that they have 500 new students enrolled this year making a total of 12,500 District wide. SAT scores are very good. They are planning to start a Transportation Facility to house their School Busses and be a Distribution Center for them. The Timberland Addition is on schedule. There are two new Elementary Schools on Sommers Road planned. They are experiencing a twenty five per cent absenteeism, some of which may be H1N1.

Current Business:
Larry reported that the Business After Hours Event held at American Furniture was well attended. Several of our members were there. It was a great opportunity to network with members from other Chambers in the St. Charles area. More of us should try to attend these events in the future.

New Business:
Larry reported that the Board of Directors is in the process of reviewing the Chamber Bi-Laws which includes the Chain of Leadership, Term Limits of Officers and Directors and the number of Directors. There will be a nomination of Officers and Directors at our November 3rd meeting, and the Election at our December 1st meeting. If any one has a desire to serve in one these positions, please let President Larry, Secretary Ray, or any other Officer or Board member know so that your name can be added to the list of Nominees.

Announcements:
Reverend Rich Paton announced that the Foristell Christian Church will hold the Grand Opening of The Good Shepherd Food Pantry on Saturday October 24th from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. All Chamber Members are invited to attend. The Chamber is trying to organize a Ribbon Cutting for them at 1:00 p.m. Please attend if you can to help kick off this very worthy and necessary Mission Project. There will be hot dogs, chili, chips, cole slaw, soft drinks and cookies to eat. There will be activities for kids and give aways.
Marvin Rodenbaugh passed out flyers and announced that Costco will be holding their Annual Multi Chamber Dock Party on Wednesday November 4th at Costco Wholesale, 200 Costco Way in St. Peters from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Please RSVP by October 30th 636-970-4040.

There was no other business. Meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.

Our next meeting will be held on November 3, 2009.

Respectfully submitted,

Ray Alexander, Secretary