2024, November 5th - Brad Sondahl
Nov 5 Chamber meeting (at Fire Hall)
Present: Colin and Mandi Conway, Brad Sondahl Debbie Carpenter, Carol Ferguson, Mona Stafford, Marc Kroetch, Dave and Liz Krise, Lana Young, Charlene Phipps, Kristi and Max Liese, Stephanie from SLPD Mitzi from Parks and Rec.
Meeting started at 8 am
October minutes were approved: Carol moved, Liz seconded, approved.
Treasurer’s Report
$264 spent in October for portapotties
Received a check from NITA for $1000 repaying Keokee deposit
Balance in bank: 1220.20
Trail fund 782.59
NITA update. We are always operating in the future with NITA—we will have to plan 2026 expenditures by March. (Our dues and first admin payment for 2024 arrived today 2024/25 NITA Membership Dues $200.00
2024/25 NITA Admin Fee $927.78
Total Due: Due upon receipt * $1,127.78
*Total due can be split – pay half in November 2024 and half in January 2025 – please contact
the Executive Director for payment arrangements.) This happens every year at a time when our budget is low)
Carol Ferguson on the Christmas parade Scheduled for Dec. 7 at 6 pm. SLCC is teaming with SL Police for kids to visit PD with a Santa lined up. Line up starts at 5:30 on Washington Street and Park Ave.
The SLCC talked about adding singers, possible vendors. Also hot cocoa or cider is possible.
Charlene Phipps for the Community Center: To Mandi and Colin, thanks for the auction, also thanks to Ginger Mullan (?), $12,021 collected this year, compared to $1900 last year. A dozen yellow roses was presented to the Conways…
Mitzi from Park and Rec Basketball starts this week, volley ball, soccer , and 5th grade basket ball… They are trying to accommodate kids who don’t make the team. The Fall Festival went well, vendors were a bit slow but felt okay about it. Mitzi had to deal with cleaning up wet hay the next day…
Karen Carpenter Insurance: Currently she’s talking about customers about winter fire hazardss, like chimney fires, and safety with holiday lights.
Kristi and Max Liese: for the Presbyterian Church. The church can be a good venue for speeches, music, other special events—it seats 100. Also the blessing room is open 2-4 Wednesday afternoon—household items given out on a donation basis.
Charlene mentioned there are needs for people aging out of the foster system.
Mandi Conway: the 7 course pairing meal on Wed. Nov 6 theme is Day of the Dead with tequila. Those meals are First Wednesdays except December and January.
Thanksgiving dinner always fills– there are two settings, and some are still available for after four o’clock..
Meals on wheels fundraiser was a fun event. They need local support to keep the staff through the winter… Their major source for advertising are Social media or their email list… Christmas parties can be held there, available Mon-Wed. Local galas would be a good idea…
Liz Krise Spirit Lake Community Coalition met last night with the Maine Street and special events subcommittees. The are working with projects for the holidays on Maine. The dead trees on Maine were replaced by the city last month. They’re encouraging businesses or individuals to adopt a tree to decorate. Also they are having a Christmas tree swag sale Swag and swig. $30 make two swags give one to sell plus a free drink. Kids allowed on other side Nov. 16 4 pm. This will be at the Linger Longer. Their humanitarian group is working on holiday boxes. The Seahawkers are bringing food every week to their games. There are already 130 applications for Thanksgiving… The SLCC is helping Geneva Stubbs with Trees of Sharing located at Linger Longer, Brats and Brew, City Hall, and Millers Millers. Nov 30 is set for tree decoration on Maine. The committee is excited about the lighted parade. Carol got out the lights for he little park, and SLCC will put them up.. Nov. 23 the Thanksgiving boxes will be distributed. Forms are due Dec. 12 for Christmas baskets. Have a good setup for distribution at the Church on the Solid Rock at the bottom of the hill.
Carol Ferguson, Library: They plan to have an activity before the Holiday Festival at 4:30 at the library. They hope they can negotiate better hours for the after school children in December…
Lana Young: is doing sports physicals lately, also she is nationally certified for DOT exams, and the police. Functional medicine training is proceeding. She is still having trouble with signage… She is open Wed-Thurs 8-4 and Friday 8-1.
Stephanie with SL Police Dept: The department is working with the coalitionand will have Santa on Dec. 7th, Holiday and Heroes is Dec. 15th this year, they need nominations for a local family in need. They are getting events going after getting up to full staff.
Dave Krise Frogspit—He appreciates SLCC providing the volunteer help needed for events. He thinks we need to do more for businesses… Will discuss visitor guide with interested parties after the meeting…
Marc Kroetch Bike shop is now closed for winter. The building is full of renters. The Cigar shop is getting foot traffic and people traveling just to shop there.
Mona Stafford: Businesses can contribute for a raffle at Seahawkers. Mona is no longer with the Seniors, but Fit and Fall Proof happens for 16-20 people Tuesday and Thursday mornings—room for more, men and women. The Market will happen again next summer, but may relocate.
Brad Sondahl I am experimenting with using a tv screen to promote upcoming events, currently at the front window of the pottery. Large old tvs are easy to come by with the shift to smart tvs. The old ones are smart enough to run a slide show off an USB stick.
Mandi Conway: She was appointed to Spirit Lake Historical Preservation Commission– they need one more person on the commission—like a Maine Street business person since much of the historical buildings of note are downtown.
Mona reported that the board of SLCC is studying a book called 13 Ways to Kill your Community. (Book is to help make small communities successful). Mona wants to share the book with the mayor and City Council… Marc suggests getting the author as a motivational speaker.
Debbie Carpenter (SL Fire) outside fire season is now over but then the inside fire season starts. They host a Food Drive next week at the Elementary school, based on weight per kid, winner gets a pizza party with FD. Second prize is a ride on the fire truck. They are also involved withHoliday for Heroes with a fire truck ride… The are always happy to help with community events… Vote for the Levy…
Update on the Trailer for a visitor center next summer– flyers are needed from local businesses. VFW or Becky DeMers property likely for the location.
Meeting adjourned at 8:54
