2023, December 5th - Brad Sondahl
Dec. 5, 2023 Spirit Lake Chamber of Commerce
Present: Carol Ferguson, Brad Sondahl, Marc Kroetch, Elisika Arango, Lana Young, Stephanie from SL Police, Charlene Phipps, Bonnie Morse, Mona Stafford…
Community news:
Carol Ferguson, SL Library: Santa and crafts in the afternoon this Saturday Dec. 9—Santa at 4 pm, and Christmas parade at 6
Brad Sondahl: Pottery is doing fine—some glaze materials have doubled in expense in the last year, and one major ingredient in clay and glazes has been discontinued after over 50 years… It will take experimenting to find good alternatives…
Marc Kroetch His building—the Merc– is full of tenants, including ,hair nails, cigar, eyelashes, massage, and bar and restaurant. He’s also the liason for Inland Paper.
Elisika Arango, Encore medical Insurance She is glad to be finishing open enrollment for Medicare…
Lana Young Mountain Country Healthcare (behind Cup of Grace on 4th Ave. She currently has 540 patients, and also has an aesthetition doing lashes and facials, and a massage therapist. She is practiced in using Bioidentical hormones especially for for perimenopause. In the spring she may do herbal education from local plants.
Stephanie with SL Police. Currently 1 officer is on administrative leave, but signed on a new female officer yesterday. The department should be able to provide coverage till midnight now..
Charlene Phipps Our new SL councilwoman came to listen and learn about our local chamber.
Bonnie Morse from Brickel Creek Coffee. They are learning about how to function in small towns. They got put through some hoops setting up the farmer’s market to benefit Cup of Grace…
Mona Stafford, Comm. Center: The auction for meals on wheels was just completed. Community cornhole is wedneday evenings, also library chess meets there monthly. Retrofit Fitness class is meeting, and Fit and Fall proof should start at the end of January Friday
Motion to accept minutes from last meeting. Mona moved, Bonnie seconded passed
Holiday Parade:
Dec. 9 at 6 pm parade lineup starting at 5:30 3rd to Maine to 4th back to Washington once or twice depending on length of parade.
They discussed how the city wants money for shutting down roads for events. It was suggested that Chief Mike Morland would like to use reserve cadets for things like that…
They also discussed city Parks and Rec cosponsoring events.
North Idaho Tourism Association (NITA) We are locked in for 2024, with funds provided to us for distributing our brochures and attending the Spokane Outdoor Show Feb. 25-6. We will need members to help be at the booth, setup and take down. We may partner with John Bowman of Mountain View Bicycles, in appreciation for his work and support of the Empire Trails., as has been done previously. Marc volunteered to talk to John, and to Derrick Knowles who runs the Outdoor Show.
Mona Stafford: Treasurer’s report
November deposits $2200 Mountain View Cyclery +$1000 from trail fund=$3200
Paid:
Cykel Works $3735 trail blazing and maintenance
Ace Septic final bill 73.55
NITA 563.86
Paper fee from bank $2
December deposits from membership $1210
Current balance $1807.63
Trail Fund $1802.59
Only transaction was the $2 paper fee.
1210 deposit
1800.63 Owe trail fund
1802.59 in trail fund.
Beautification of our entry areas in town was brought up by Mona.
Carol: The Lights are in the bank, Need volunteers to put them up in the Little Park, since the Baptists decided not to participate this year. Contact Carol if interested
Spirit Event Committee: wants to team with Chamber to have members decorate a Christmas tree, adopting a nonprofit for the sale of the tree to go to. There was some positive response but not enough to move on…
Charlene Phipps: Several people have talked about a sign to honor vets in town. It was suggested it could be added below the Baptist/VFW sign.
Spirit Lake Community Coalition gave out 120 boxes around Thanksgiving. The coalition includes Cup of Grace, two local food banks, the Senior Center. They are also building a database for helpers.
Lana Young suggested building social media connections for Chamber activities through coffee shops.
Meeting Adjourned 9 am
