Garretson Commercial Club Monthly Meeting Minutes

Wednesday September 14, 2022 @ The Sports Cabin

            Present:  Garrick Moritz, Ron Luke, Luke Dreckman, Laurie Bennett, Guy Johnson, Carrie Moritz, Steve Carlson, Tim Mollett, Peyton Dreckman and John Brinkman.

Absent:  Kris Johnson, Rob Meyer and Megan Rollag

            The September Commercial Club meeting was called to order by Pres. Garrick Mortiz.  M/S by Laurie/Guy to approve the Secretary’s Report as presented.  Motion passed.

            The Treasurer’s Report was tabled at this time until next month’s meeting.

            The first item under Old Business was the main street sound system.  Luke and John found a web site with Rockville Pro Sound & Lighting.  The cost looks reasonable for this system which includes an Amp, remote control and twelve outdoor speakers for $1,031.  The speaker wire isn’t included.  Additional input was gathered from Steve Hintze.  There are still some questions that will be posed to this company.  Kristopher Hennings was contacted in SF and he is willing to come to Garretson soon to look over the light poles on Main Ave and see what he could recommend for a sound system.  He is more of a home sound system installer rather than a commercial installer.  A wireless sound system would still be preferred but they are hard to find on the internet.  The GCC does have $4,000 set aside towards any sound system purchase.  Luke and John will get more quotes and answers.  Other options may be 3D Security, Inc. and Mid States Audio, Inc.

            Next under Old Business was a proposed fund raiser idea for the GCC to raise money for Main Ave improvements and new Highway 11 signage.  The idea from previous meetings is raising money through a raffle drawing.  Garrick presented his research on E-bicycles, Ron talked about the recent raffle done by the Blue Dragon Boosters and Luke discussed his findings on two campers from two SF dealerships.  Discussion centered on the cost of the raffle drawing and the risk/reward for GCC.  The E-bicycle raffle will provide a low risk/reward versus a new camper from Schaap’s RV Traveland.  The timing of the raffle prize with the upcoming winter was discussed along with the cost of the raffle tickets and today’s economy.  Since this is the first raffle the GCC has done the consensus is to proceed cautiously and go with the E-bicycle raffle drawing.   M/S by Luke/Ron to purchase a Trek Verve +2 E-bicycle for $3,051.21 to raffle off.  The funds will go towards Main Ave business improvements to store fronts and new Highway 11 signage.  Motion passed with 4-1 vote.  Then there was a M/S by Luke/Guy to limit ticket sales at 150 for $50 apiece.  Motion passed.  Performance Press, Inc. agreed to provide the 150 raffle tickets at no cost.  The goal is to sell all the tickets and hold the drawing during Hometown Christmas weekend.  The net proceeds will be close to $4,448.  Luke Dreckman will spearhead the raffle drawing. Laurie suggested that we look at the camper raffle idea again in the spring of 2023.  This will go towards purchasing and replacing the existing sign at the Highway 11 and Dows intersection along with upgrading the software system.     

            Next there were no updates to the GCC By-Laws and Mission Statement.  Minor corrections are being reviewed as suggested at our last meeting for the Annual Meeting.  The general membership consensus would have to approve any recommended changes.  Garrick and Luke will work on this before January, 2023.

The last item under Old Business was Truck or Treat on October 31st.  The City of Garretson approved the usage of the Splitrock Park campsites from 4:30 pm to 6:15 pm.  Any overflow can be held at the High School parking lot along Main Ave.  All Main Ave businesses are encouraged to participate with involvement and specials for that night.  The local FFA Chapter will look at providing a Petting Zoo again this year.  M/S by Garrick/Laurie to purchase $150 candy from GFC to distribute and $200 for advertising the Trunk or Treat event.  Motion passed.  Garrick agreed to set up and hand out candy on behalf of the GCC at the park.

The only item under New Business was Hometown Christmas.  It will be held on Saturday, December 10th.  We will contact the Legion to see if they are willing to help with a French toast, sausage and juice breakfast.  Other activities kicked around are Kid’s Crafts, House Lighting Contest, Vendor Fair in conjunction with the breakfast and a Silent Auction.  Laurie agreed to head up the Vendor Fair at the Legion.   GCC drawings and E-bicycle raffle ticket winner will be drawn at the Legion.  The Kringen family and Fire Department will be contacted to provide free rides around town.  The Light Parade will be held later that evening on Main Ave.  The Lights in the Park will be foregone this year due to lack of volunteer help.

M/S to adjourn

Garretson Commercial  Club Minutes

Wednesday October 12, 2022 at The Gulch

            Present:  Megan Rollag, Laurie Bennett, Luke Dreckman, Rob Meyer, Kris Johnson, Garrick Moritz

            Guests:  Paetyn Dreckman, Carrie Moritz, Sam Williamson, John Brinkman

            Absent:  Guy Johnson and Ron Luke

            The October Garretson Commercial Club meeting was called to order by Vice President Megan Rollag.

            M/S by Laurie/Rob to approve the Secretary’s Report as presented.  Motion passed.

            M/S by Luke/Laurie to approve the Treasurer’s Report.  Kris answered a few questions.  Motion passed.

            The first item under Old Business was the main street sound system.  John met with Jeff from Mid States Audio in SF.  He looked over main street and will contact Cole at Sayre Associates and Jason at Midwest Boring, LLC for any maps of the buried conduit pipe.  Luke talked with Tyler from Verum Technology who recommended the Meyer Sound System brand.  Both companies said the hard wire is the best way to go for our project.  They will get quotes back to us soon.  Possible that both may be in the mid $20,000 range.

            Luke gave an update on the Trek e-bike raffle ticket sales.  The raffle tickets are being sold at eight different locations.  He will keep track of the ticket sales and gross receipts by spreadsheet.  He feels that around half the tickets have been sold for the first two weeks.  We will set up a table and sell more raffle tickets at the upcoming Trunk or Treat in Splitrock Park on October 31st. 

            There were no updates to the GCC by-laws and mission statement.   Luke and Garrick will meet and review for possible recommendations and changes prior to the annual meeting in January, 2023.

            The last Old Business item was discussion regarding Trunk or Treat on October 31st from 4:30 to 6:15 pm at Splitrock Park.  GCC will have a table there to sell e-bike raffle tickets.  The Trek e-bike will be displayed, weather permitting.  Alysha Kientopf e-mailed that the Garretson FFA Chapter is willing to host a petting zoo with a few animals along with some fall carnival games.  Garrick put an advertisement in the Garretson Gazette.  Main street businesses are encouraged to participate by being open that night with food specials and/or Halloween activities/treats at their business location.

            The first thing under New Business is Hometown Christmas on December 10th at the Legion.  Gary Lyngen will ask the Legion members to help run the kitchen.  The local Boy Scout Troop and Ben Zimmer will help bus tables.   A free French toast breakfast with sausage is planned from 9:00 am to Noon.  Laurie Bennett will head up a Vendor’s Fair on the south side of the Legion during the same time frame.  She will ask each vendor for either a cash donation and/or canned food to benefit the Garretson Food Pantry in lieu of a table participation fee.  Megan Rollag is willing to head up the kid’s crafts at the Garretson School Commons from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.  She will check with Anna Uhl for crafts and games.  A local 4-H Club will be approached to help oversee each table.  There will still need to be a ticket and money table.  Garrick offered to read to the kids again this year.  A house lighting contest will take place this year with $100.00 GCC gift certificate as the prize.   The local Fire Department and the Kringen family will be contacted to offer rides around town throughout the day and early evening. 

            Luke will contact the Kringen family regarding the horse rides and possible sleigh rides, weather permitting.  Ron Luke will be contacted regarding the current supply of the Shop Garretson First punch cards.  These will be available at various local merchants.  Fully punched cards will go into a drawing for GCC gift certificates.  The Hometown Christmas light parade will begin at 6:30 pm with lineup starting along North 5th St.  by the Devil’s Gulch entrance.  The entire Garretson Community is encouraged to participate. 

            The second item under New Business is the GCC Annual meeting.  The planned date is Monday, January 16th, 2023.  The location is being discussed with several options available.  Garrick and John will research further.  Other things for the agenda include by-law and mission statement discussion and recommendations from Garrick and Luke, the newly formed Garretson Economic Development Organization review by Jessica Fueston, GCC guidance and club direction by our members.

            Other Business discussed included Kris Johnson saying she paid $1,806 for the upcoming Visitor’s Guide.  This advertisement expense was already budgeted for 2022.  Garrick proposed that GCC spend $200 from unused budget expenses to pay for an advertisement in The Brandon Journal.  All agreed and no vote was necessary.  Carrie is proposing that we need 500 new visitor’s guides in booklet form for 2023. This will include a Garretson business directory including phone numbers.  The GCC members could be highlighted in bold print.  Questions asked:  Would GCC spearhead this project?  The cost?  The last thing noted was the main street banners are getting weathered and should be considered taken down.  Luke mentioned the Trek e-bike raffle proceeds could be used for any main street improvements. 

            The next monthly Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 9th, 2022 at Palisades Oil Company.

            M/S to adjourn by Garrick/Rob