Ignacio Chamber of Commerce
January 5, 2022 Meeting Minutes
Sky Ute Casino
Present: Heather Velasquez, Bruce Le Claire, Erik Beres, Alyson Hildner, Shalina Luna, Carol Thompson, Kasey Correia, Rebecca York, Marcia Vining, Chris deKay, Tony Harwig, Clark Craig, Sharon Craig, Mike Pachecco, Pastor Daniel Meyer, Andrea Taylor, Jeremy Shockley, Annette Gallegos, Amy Barry, Jessica Dunbar, Eva Lewis, Allison Leath, and Melanie Mazur.
Called to Order: 8:09am
Thanks to Andrea Taylor and Sky Ute Casino for hosting and breakfast.
December Minutes: Sharon moved to approve with edits. Marcia second. All approved.
Financials: $7089.31 checking + $656.31 savings
New Membership dues are due by March 1st. One paid membership per entity with 1 vote. Additional members do not include vote and additional member fees will go to the scholarship fund.
2 Board positions will be open in March. Taking nominations next meeting. Elections/Voting will be at March meeting for paid members only.
Old Business: The Light Parade + Taste of Christmas was successful. 28 entries total. Boys & Girls Club along with the Ignacio library crushed it. New Chamber banner was used on the Chamber float.
Chris deKay: School district is working on “Statistic Matrix” for June. Monthly meetings with parents, staff, and public are welcome. Will be discussing mission statement, academic achievement, technology, school systems, and facilities. First meeting is January 24, 2022 from 6-7pm. Community welcome.
Pastor Daniel Meyer: The Pine River Baptist Church started a bible study on Tuesday nights at 6pm in Arboles.
Amy Barry with SUIT: working on community communications – with vaccines and vaccinations. January 6-9 from 8am – 4pm Vaccine mobile bus at SUIT Tribe. January 11 at the ELHI community center.
Jeremy Shockley: 2022 SUIT Calendars will be distributed this Friday. Extras will available sometime next week for community. Look for “Bobcat Bulletin” for school district information in the Drum. Updated SUIT Tribal council photo is available.
Heather Velasquez: Business is good but inflation has increased pricing. For our business we pay an additional $5k a month for products.
Shalina Luna: We are moving to the ELHI February 1st with a larger kitchen, more local artists and hosting bigger events. We have a Cake Baking and Bob Ross Painting coming up as well as Valentines celebration with Secret Circus Society on Monday February 14th.
Eva Lewis: Helping with Creative District, ELHI and Shalina Luna with Events.
Bruce LeClaire: Boys & Girls Club opened doors in person on Monday Jan 3. Only have 50% staffing. With reduced staff, registration is capped and now on a waiting list. We are hiring staff (see website for information and applications). Bruce was also recruited by national B&G Club for “Game Changer” in Atlanta reviewing issues facing youth and revising a plan to support youth. Also working with Manna Soup Kitchen and filling backpacks for kids. Toy Drive in December was also successful. Thanking Farmers Fresh, Ignacio Library, SUIT and families who donated from Dec 3 – 21st. Los Pinos Fire and SUPD helped distribute the toys. Holiday sweater contest was also successful. Working with ROAR to identify needs and support teens.
Carol Thompson: in the middle of new tax laws and education the public on those changes. If you received and cashed your child tax credit, that will be reflected in your taxes.
Melanie Mazur: Happy to be back.
Allison Leath: Thank you to all who helped with the parade and welcome Crème de la Crème to ELHI.
Amos Lee: Business is good. Pricing has increased due to supply chain issues. Valentines flowers will be available thanks to Joel. Three Springs will hopefully be opening in the spring. No set date yet.
Annette Gallegos: Tomorrow is the SW Economic Forum in the Student Union at Fort Lewis College at 8pm for information on state, local and region.
Rebecca York: Business is great. Reminder for membership renewal due in February and must by turned in by March 1 to be in the Directory.
Tony Harwig: 947 emergencies in 2021. Recruiting for volunteers. Training begins in the next few weeks. Also hiring for Reserves. Reserves fill in for Full-Time Fire-Fighters while they are out or on holiday. Also Captain position is opened. Applied for a $550k grant for air packs.
Andrea Taylor: Officially started as GM 1-3-2022. Change of hours on Casino floor for slower times. Will be opened 11am-8pm Monday and Tuesdays. Willow will be opened 6am – 1am seven days a week. This Saturday we will be hosting a funeral and the Willow will be closed but will be available for take-out. Masks are still mandatory in Casino unless eating or drinking. Still holding parties and events but no concerts are scheduled yet.
Kasey Correia: Still looking for a permanent building for Dancing Spirit. Still working with USDA but the building on 500 Goddard Ave has increased in price. Adult pottery classes are still happening. Pottery is for sale in room 18. Black-Tie fundraising event at Sky Ute Casino on February 26th with Jazz band, Secret Circus Society, and auction. A private donation will match up to $50k in raised funds. RSVP to DancingSpiritGallery@gmail.com or 970.563.4600. Tickets are $70 for single and $120 couple. Shout out to B&G Club and Allison Leath at ELHI for a fabulous Light Parade this year.
Erik Beres: Moving from Bayfield to Durango. Alyson Hildner will be taking over my position and will be attending Ignacio Chamber meetings now.
Mike Pacheco: Business is going good, catching up from delayed materials. Appreciate the patience.
Marcia Vining: Library is good. Even with inflation and chain supply issues, books and videos are still free at the library. Programs are limited right now but have Escape room once a month (same escape plans are set for 2 months. IE Dec/Jan are the same. Feb/March will be the same). Book and Knitting Club still meeting. Looking at Summer Music Program. Also looking for Part Time employee. Digital marquee is available for non-profits or public service announcements.
Creative District was awarded a $10k grant from Colorado Creative Industries. We’ve been working on beautification and economic development for Ignacio through the Creative District since 2019.
Sharon Craig: Thank you Allison Leath and volunteers for the Light Parade. Requesting businesses for next years parade for businesses to have banners (floats or at business) mentioning being a part of Ignacio Chamber. UTAP (University Technical Assistance Program) will be touring Ignacio looking at what we can do to beautify and increase economic growth for Ignacio. Will be planning a community engagement to gather input from community. 3 Board of Trustee’s positions are opened. Sharon will be running for a position on Board of Trustee. Packets are available at Town Hall.
Marcia Vining: Please get involved with public and community meetings to share concerns, thoughts and opinions.
Clark Craig: Planning Commission public hearing next Wednesday January 12. La Plata County is updating code. Please look at Ignacio Code as well. Voice concerns or thoughts at public meetings. Shout out to Ignacio Library for being the first one to open after lockdown providing services to the community. Clark is running for Ignacio Mayor.
Adjourned 9:17am