Pateros Chamber of Commerce Meeting Minutes
January 17, 2007
Meeting held at Pateros City Hall, and called to order by President, Judy Asmussen.
Sweet River Bakery provided lunch for a $7 donation.
Martin Nolan, past President, was granted the floor. He said he was honored to have been able to serve as President in the past years and appreciates the Chamber and all their help. He said Judy Asmussen will make a great President.
The need for a correction in the minutes of last meeting was noted by Brenda White. The word “January” was omitted in the date for the next meeting.
Motion made, seconded and passed to approve minutes of last meeting as corrected.
Motion made, seconded and passed to approve Treasurer Report with an ending balance of $4906.54.
Introduction of Coleen Couch, the new Manager of Sterling Savings Bank, was made. She spoke of how she has been in the banking business for almost 35 years. She retired from a larger bank and her agenda in life is to help people. She stated that Sterling Bank is part of the community and here to help it grow.
Debbie Evans of North Cascades National Bank introduced Scott Anderson, CEO of NCNB. Scott told the Chamber that NCNB is headquartered in Chelan and has eight branches. He reported that the Pateros Branch will be relocating to Brewster, possibly in later summer or early fall in order to better care for all customers in Okanogan County. He said that the Pateros Branch building is now for sale and anyone interested should contact Windermere Real Estate. President Judy Asmussen asked if NCNB could contact the Chamber when the building was sold and Scott said they would. He stated that they would not be selling to any other bank.
Kit Arbuckle of Wenatchee Valley College was introduced. He discussed a 5-year plan at the college and passed out a “Regional Survey of Educational Needs for Businesses”. Mr. Arbuckle teaches Math and Technology Training and said that WVC enjoys partnering with Okanogan School District. He reported that the college has recently acquired some new property and will possibly build more training facilities. He is also a Professor on the Tech Advisory Board and they could use a representative from this area.
Tourism Advisory Board --
Rebecca Meadows reported that the Chamber received $1500 in 2% monies last year. Mayor Gail Howe was asked to make the presentation again this year on Monday, January 29th at 6 p.m. and Mayor Howe agreed. Martin Nolan has put together an application. He and Mayor Howe agreed to get together to go over everything beforehand.
2007 Schedule of Events –
The annual Business of the Year Banquet will be held on April 23rd at 6:30 p.m. Motion made, seconded and passed to make the theme this year “Just Hors d'oeuvres and Dessert”. Motion made, seconded and passed to budget $500.00 for Annual Banquet. Ballots will go out in the March 1, 2007 billing and will be due by March 20. Nominations can be left at City Hall. Tickets for the Banquet will be $10.00 each;
Pateros Business Appreciation Day will be on May 5th;
The City-wide Garage Sale will be held on Friday and Saturday, June 8th and 9th. There will be no Engine Show, as it has moved to Brewster;
The Apple Pie Jamboree will be July 20th, 21st, and 22nd. Tracy Miller reports there will be a meeting on this before February 1st;
The dates for the Hydro Races were changed from August 18th and 19th to August 25th and 26th by the parent organization for reasons unknown to the Chamber;
Christmas at the Confluence will be December 2nd through 31st, with Town Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa Clause Visit on December 19th.
Pateros School –
Lawrence Keller, Superintendent, reported on the wrestling program this year. The wrestling districts will be here and that should help Pateros businesses. School Board meets on Thursday, January 25th at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Keller relayed that the school wants all their kids to succeed and pointed out that Tracy Miller’s 16 year-old son has been accepted to Harvard.
Miscellaneous –
President Judy Asmussen reported that if anyone’s business needs health cards, there is a class held outside the area. Anyone interested can contact the Health Department or call Judy; Mayor Howe extended her appreciation to all who organized and participated in the 2006 Christmas on the Confluence. She pointed out that the City was not mentioned in the newspaper article, although they did all the ornaments due to snow keeping the kids from doing so. Mayor Howe also complimented the Christmas banner placed on the COC website for the holidays.
Next meeting will be February 21, 2007.
Lunch will be available.
Meeting adjourned.
Mary Pearson
Secretary