Zoom Online Meeting at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, April 8,2020
Due to complicated Health conditions & City regulations, the meeting was basically attended by Board members: Pres. John Brinkman, Vice Pres. Garrick Moritz, Sec. Margie Martens, Laurie Bennett, Guy Johnson, Anna Uhl, Rob Meyer, Mary Carlson, Carrie Moritz, and Luke Dreckman.
Anna Uhl made a motion to approve Secretary's Report from March 12; seconded by Laurie Bennett.
Full Treasurer's Report not presented; Gift Certificate Account reported balanced.
Membership dues, Phone Book ads, and Toddler Train ads are paid up to date.
Valley Springs rest area Kiosk with City cost sharing $1000 will be on City's next budget agenda this Fall.
New Business:
Planning for Jesse James Days in 2020 was discussed, along with postponement possibilities; many suggested to wait till August. Motion was made by Anna to have Jesse James Days on August 14-16; seconded by Garrick; all approved. Brinkman will contact Gary Lyngen about availability of having the American Legion for Model Train display. Other activities originally planned for Jesse Days in June, will also be checked to see if available in August. Silver Creek Mavericks will check its members to see if they would be willing to perform in August. Inflatables - Dakota Entertainment was contacted about postponement of Jesse James Days to August 14-16. Laurie Bennett made motion to pay $1200 down payment on the inflatables agreement, seconded by Garrick. Approved.
Discussion of special themes on Christmas Lanes brought up idea of having someone in each area or street have a 'Neighborhood Chairperson.' They could promote people in their particular area to get involved in joining neighbors in decorating with same theme, and possibly share new ideas for Christmas in Garretson. Garrick suggested to put an ad in the Gazette looking for anyone interested in helping their neighbors get involved with their particular Christmas theme. They could also be a 'spokesperson' to present more ideas promoting our town.
With new businesses in town, members were encouraged to ask the 'newcomers' if they wished to join the Commercial Club. Ribbon Cutting has been delayed with the urgency to not gather together until this virus declines. Ribbon Cutting for new businesses is on the agenda for Ness Tax Service, Pinman Lock and Key, H2O Hose Car Wash & Storage, and Dakota Stained Glass. Due to urgency to not gather together; no dates have been set yet for Ribbon Cutting.
Discussion on future advertising near Palisade Park: possible advertising usage at Palisades Park by Commercial Club. Anything on State Park property would need approval and would have to be from the Commercial Club exclusively as a representative body of Garretson and area businesses. They also discussed the possibility of putting signs on a nearby county road, or advertise on nearby land not state-owned.
Barrels/Planters on Main Street were briefly talked about; No decisions made depending on the 'street project' which may happen this year.
Carrie Moritz suggested the possibility of having City Wide Rummage Sales during the first two weeks of September. No action, but can be brought up later.
Next meeting of Commercial Club will include looking at idea of having a 'Grow Garretson' project to generate "Garretson Bucks Benefit" for helping businesses and people who may be needing aid with expenses (on a referral basis), after less income has affected local businesses and local wage earners. Carrie said to look at an article in this week's Gazette (April 9 issue) explaining more about the idea, plus states an anonymous donor will match the first $500 of donations raised in the program. This idea was started by Richelle Hofer, who is a member of City Council (already having approached Council about help), and also is Vice President of Grow Garretson.
Next regular meeting of the Commercial Club Membership Board Meeting will be 11:30 meal and 12:00 meeting; the date and place to be announced later. Other members are encouraged to attend these meetings, if possible.
Meeting closed by consensus of those present.
- Margie Martens, Secretary
