2025, January 1st - Brad Sondahl
Spirit Lake Chamber of Commerce meeting Jan. 7, 2025
Present: Brad Sondahl, Carol Ferguson, Colin and Mandy Conway Hal Monheim Tammy Jones, Max and Christy Liese, Marc Kroetch, Shynne Price, Dave and Liz Krise, Mona Stafford, Tammy Jones (manager of Brickel Creek Coffee), Lisa Arnold, Mitzi Michaud, Becky DeMers, Pat Aitro, Emily Reginball.
Called to order 8:00
Minutes were approved: Carol moved, Mitzi seconded. Passed.
Member News:
Lisa Arnold Lakeland SD Superintendent: Discussions continue about the failed levy, there will be a meeting on Jan. 15 to either deal with major cuts or try rerunning the levy. Budgets must be ready for either circumstance. The levy pays for armed guards, and their equipment and training, also althletics and interschool competitions, state travel and many other things that will have to be cut. May 20th is the date set for the levy vote. A 4 day school week is a possibility –Post Falls, Priest River, and Kellogg are already moving to that.
Carol Ferguson The library is still on Mondays, no change so far with the new administration. Story time is Tuesday at 10:30 am, and adult programming is mostly on Saturday afternoons.
Mitzi Michaud: Youth Volleyball has just started. Winterfest is getting organized, human bowling now has the pins ordered. There will be the Chili contest –how about also a fudge contest? There will be a schedule of the activities through the day. 11-2 Feb.1st. Register at city parks and rec site to participate.
Dave Krise: He is working on a new design for the visitor guide, and working on an update on membership, using the brochure as an aid to get new members.
Liz Krise The Spirit Lake Community Coalition (SLCC) meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month. Currently there are 60 volunteers involved.
Emily Reginball (Comm. Center director) Thanks to the Sedlmayer fundraiser currently there are sufficient funds for their program. There are 4 new board members also.
Karen Carpenter (Carpenter Insurance)—She is moving forward helping people find the insurance they need.
Mandy Conway: It is always slow time this time of year, so they are looking for more local support… The next pairing meal will be the French wine pairing meal on the first Wednesday in February. They are premiering a Comedy night with a musical comedian Wed. Jan 22nd suggested rating PG15
Marc Kroetch– He just came to introduce: Pat Aitro (and his wife Cathy not present) has purchased the Salt and Pepper building which they offered and closed on in 5 days. . They plan to open Dark Horse Pizza on Jan. 15, with pizzas, multiple salads, sandwiches ,wings, and mozzerela sticks. They are still limping with their reopening the Whitehorse, but they plan to to add a beer garden, and use the former restaurant for a game room. They also want to have Seahawk events.
Becky DeMers: The UrbanRenewal District has new officers. The Historical Commission is halfway done on the historic survey. Foxadoodle is quiet in the winter. The SLCC is taking on the farmer’s market—contact Mona if interested. Gritty Land Development is very busy.
Hal Monheim—owns Backwoods and NI Tire building. He got uninvolved because nothing was going on in the Chamber. He wants to see a serious membership drive. He encourages us to do business in town…
Shynne Price SL Elementary After the bond defeat, the biggest thing is keeping up morale up, trying to educate the public on the important issues with the levy. The kids are doing great.
Tammy Jones manages Brickel Creek, She pointed out the back room is generally available for meetings.
Max and Christy Liese Presbyterian Church and SLCC The Christmas concert by Free Spiritz was a success In May Out of the Box theater will do a production at the church..
Mona Stafford Innovia Grant Organization has reached out to the SLCC to apply for a grant following their recent $1000 donation. The North Idaho group will try to get Doug Griffith here in March, author of the book “13 ways to kill your Town” may present at a school here… details worked out with Innovia. To get him as a coach it would cost $30,000 for him (which might be a way the Innovia grant could be used), Marc volunteered to pay for the city council for them to attend.
Max and Mona are meeting with a state person in charge of giving grants for parks and rec.
Sondahl Pottery: Brad is busy arranging programs at the SL Pres. Church: Shiloh Mountain Bluegrass Band Feb. 28 at SL Presbyterian Church at 7 pm (Link is to youtube video of them) Shaun Deller Primitive arts and history lecture at SL Presb. Church at 2 pm on March 15. Both are free with donations welcome. Link to his webpage.
Treasurer’s Report Currently there is 687.90 in the checking, and 252.29 in the trail fund
The Board will meet to Thursday at 3:30 at the Conway’s house todiscuss membership details and to discuss NITA for 2026, as well as the Spokane Outdoor and Bike show. adjourned 8:35
