Pateros Chamber of Commerce Meeting Minutes
January 16, 2008
Meeting held at Pateros City Hall, and called to order by President, Judy Asmussen.
Rivers Restaurant at the Pateros Super Stop provided lunch for a $7 donation.
Motion made, seconded and passed to approve minutes of last meeting as presented.
Chamber Treasurer, Joey Bruno, reported a beginning balance of $869.49 and an ending balance of $3203.45. This balance reflects deposits from TAB Board and Dues, donations taken at "Christmas at the Confluence" and Chamber dues for 2008. Expenses amounted to $762.54. Motion made, seconded and passed to approve Treasurer's Report at presented.
Everyone present introduced themselves to today's guests.
Mayor's Briefing Report –
Mayor Gail Howe reported that the City is doing a good job with snow clearing, especially during the break in the weather. The City is now into the new budget year and everything balances. The Five-Year Plan has been sent in and Pateros is taking action to appeal due to economic development concerns regarding the Douglas County PUD’s Land Use Policy limiting the placement of boat docks and piers on the Well’s Reservoir. No alternatives for recreation concerns have been dealt with. Mayor Howe was thanked by the Chamber for her great work at the TAB meeting. She presented photocopies of the message board advertisements for 2007 and various other advertising done via brochures and billboard.
School Briefing Report –
Principal Laura Christian presented a flier of Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Pateros Maintenance and Operations Levy. The FAQ explain what the levy entails, why they are important and how they are funded. Ballots will be mailed out later this month for voting on this levy. If anyone has any other questions, Laura Christian said they can contact her at the school. Chamber President, Judy Asmussen, thanked her for the new school sign on the highway. Laura also reports that the school now has all new windows on the elementary wing and the roof has been repaired. She invited everyone to come by to hear the Pep Band, which will be performing Friday night at 6:00 pm during the girls varsity game. The school has a new Band Director and he is doing a terrific job.
Recap: “Christmas at the Confluence” –
Joey Bruno reports that she and Linda Marsh made up 100 bags of candy for the event, with approximately 60 bags given out during Santa’s visit in the park. The remaining bags were distributed around town afterwards. The event went really well and having three fire pits certainly made a difference. Chamber Vice-President, Rebecca Meadows, reported that Toni Roberson said she liked the time frame much better, but suggests that Santa arrive on the fire truck immediately following the Live Nativity. Joey Bruno suggested that next year she would like to make up fliers announcing the event and have them sent out in students’ backpacks after school. Linda Marsh said that the City crew said they will try to have a “Santa Chair” built for next year for Santa to sit and greet the children.
Upcoming Events –
(1.) Dragon Boat Races – Joni Parks of the Quad City Herald reported that the Dragon Boat races are set for this year on July 19th during the Apple Pie Jamboree. Washington Dragon Boat Association and Tacoma Dragon Boat Association will provide three boats, all equipment and training for the event. There will be a maximum of 21 teams and registration is $500.00 per team or $25.00 per person. The races will begin after the parade. She stated that many businesses in Brewster have sign-up lists for teams, including Okanogan Douglas Hospital, Harmony House, City Hall, Health Beat, and Chief Joseph Dam. Sweet River Bakery in Pateros also has a sign-up list. Joni also reported that if participants get their money in by May 31, they will be included in NCW Media’s advertisements in all five newspapers and internet. If any additional information is needed, Joni asked that people call her at (509) 670-8185.
(2.) Apple Pie Jamboree – Scheduled for July 18 – 20. Tracy Miller said that there is not much happening yet with the Jamboree. A family member, Danny Miller, says he might come and sky dive during the event.
(3.) Annual Banquet – Scheduled for Monday, April 28th. Linda Marsh and Joey Bruno will again head up the event. Ballots will go out in the utility bills at the end of March and results will be due back in by April 15. Mayor Howe stated that the banquet is quite a lot of work and Linda and Joey could probably use some help. Joey stated that help cleaning up afterwards was sorely needed.
2008 Schedule of Events –
The dates of this year’s events are as scheduled: Annual Banquet – April 28; Appreciation Day – May 3; Apple Pie Jamboree – July 18, 19 and 20 with Dragon Boat races on July 19; Hydro Races and City-Wide Garage Sales – August 22, 23 and 24; “Christmas at the Confluence” – December 1 through 31, with Town Christmas tree lighting and Santa visit on December 17.
Summer Recreation Guides –
Joni Parks of Quad City Herald reported that Lake Chelan is doing their own summer recreation guide that will be distributed all over the state of Washington and she will be selling ads in “Recreation Land”, which is a summer guide that covers Okanogan County with distribution of 25,000 – 35,000 copies. She states she wants to put the Quad City area “on the map”. Cheryl Schweizer of the QCH will be writing an article about our community for this guide and there will be a lot of photos. There is no charge for the article or photos. Deadline is March 7 and distribution is in April.
Guest: Alex Hymer of Sweet River Bakery –
Alex just wanted everyone to know that the Bakery went under a remodel and has now reopened. He said they have a lot of great new ideas and he plans to be here for many years. They have five employees, including himself, and hopes it creates a friendly atmosphere.
Guest: Jay Witherbee –
Mr. Witherbee, owner of the former Pateros Grocery store, reported that their first tenant, AgriMac, has moved into the building. Mr. Witherbee said that they plan to add three stories of two-bedroom, two-bath condos. He stated he is “happy to be here” and not at all worried that these commercial and residential will fill up.
Next meeting will be February 20, 2008.
Lunch will be available.
Meeting adjourned.
Mary Pearson
Secretary