Tonasket Chamber of Commerce Meeting Minutes
January 8, 2019
Call to Order
Meeting was called to order by president Mary Lou Kriner at 12:05 followed by the flag salute.
Minutes
December 11 minutes accepted as written.
Treasurer’s Report
The budget will be presented in February.
Membership
Membership drive continues. 60 current 2018 members; 47 have been received so far for 2019.
Guest Speaker
Guest speakers gave a presentation on US 97 Reconstruction Project (formerly called the Magnificent Mile). They reported that a group had been formed and met in December 2018 to do capital improvements to Tonasket’s downtown core that would make it “a place which will entice travelers to stop and shop in the city and to create an inviting space which will spur private investment, create more business opportunities and result in a local economy diversified from its fading agricultural industry into a vibrant retail, commercial and hospitality industry.” This group will be meeting the 3rd Thursday of every month in the City Hall Chambers. The next meeting is January 17 and open to the public.
A representative from Green Okanogan then spoke to the group about the possibility of having recycling containers throughout town. Three possible locations for these would be by Beyers, The Junction and Triangle Park (History Park already has one). The group was told that as a volunteer driven non-profit, Green Okanogan doesn’t have a lot of infrastructure for picking up the recycling. In order for this program to work there would need to be volunteers willing to take the recycling back to GO. It was suggested if the Chamber wanted to move forward with this idea that a good place to start would be recycling aluminum as a pilot project.
TVBRC
Police department is currently inhabiting the TVBRC building through April 2019. TVBRC will re-open in May.
RV Park
Will re-open in April/May, weather permitting. Mary Lou stated that she and her husband have been volunteering to do the park upkeep and administration. She feels like it is a lot to ask of a volunteer and suggested that pay could be offered for these activities. Aaron Kester moved to pay Mary Lou’s husband $100 per month for the upkeep of the park. Motion was seconded and passed.
Old Business
The Chamber banquet is on January 26. Heather Brownlee volunteered to help gather items for the auctions. This is the Chamber’s only fundraiser that helps support activities like Winterfest, Founders Day and more.
New Business
January’s featured business is Hickman’s Body Shop for January. Stephanie Smiles will be February’s business of the month. March Lee Frank’s will be featured.
There will be a soap box derby added to the Founder’s Day festivities. It will run down State and 3rd streets.
A Founder’s Day committee was formed. Heather Brownlee will help with the run. Mary Lou Kriner, Aaron Kester, Tracy Vance and Sara McVay volunteered for the committee so far. Tracy will email group to arrange a time to get together.
Community Announcements
Lee Orr announced that he will be attended an aviation conference February 23-24. Business are encouraged to give Lee fliers for him to display at his booth there. The Tonasket city flier will be updated for this.
The CCC has a french bakery now on Tuesdays from 11-4 and Joyful Thai on Thursdays from 11-4.
OVOC will be holding their next concert called Who Dunnit on February 9 at the PAC.
Meeting Adjourned
1:00 pm. Next meeting will be at Whistlers on February 12 , 2019.