Agenda and Minutes

Current Agenda

P.O.W.E.R. Hour Agenda

Providing Opportunities to Workforce Employers and Residents

Date & Time: October 9th, 2025, 11:30 to 1:00 PM

Location: Lichia’s Mexican Diner

Host: John Sullivan, Health Markets

Lunch & Learn Presenter(s):  John Sullivan, Health Markets

11:30   Meet ‘n’ Greet over lunch

Discussion Topic:

12:00   Call to Order

  1. Pledge of Allegiance, introductions (quorum set), and host recognition.
  2. Agenda Review
  3. Approval of Minutes and Filing of Financial Statement
  4. Board Reports
  1. Chamber Board Members terms. 2026 Election 4 vacant seats
  2. Copy machine is going to be purchased by Town of Limon, Lincoln County Bookmobile, and Limon Chamber of Commerce. 
  3. Limon Chamber Reboot committee has met and has discussed. We will meet again sometime this month. To name just a few topics;
    • Advertising more for chamber members ie; utilizing billboards to promote local business’s
    • Monthly spotlights for businesses
    • Meet with business and conduct survey of what the chamber can do better for the local businesses
  • Events in Chronological Order (BOLD are Chamber Events)
  • December 6th – “Hometown Christmas” partnering with Downtown Limon

Learning Presenter(s): Health Markets

Round Table (3 Minute Limit per person)

Meeting adjournment

Date………………………………………………………….. Location………………………………………………………….. Host

November 13th……………………………………  Limon Heritage Museum……………………… Limon Heritage Museum

December 11th ……………………………………. Metcalf’s School House………………………….. Rural American Realty

General Meeting Minutes

Limon Chamber of Commerce

General Power Hour Meeting

September 11, 2025

Called to order at 12:03 pm.

Board Members Present: Jake Herrera, Joy Johnson, Alison Arnold, Penny Pearce

  1. Pledge of Allegiance, host recognition and thank you.
  • Jake announced that the meeting is being recorded.
  • Approval of Minutes: Joy announced a revision that came from James Martin. James Martin made a motion “to assemble a committee of business owners to brainstorm ideas to bring back to next month’s meeting for the rebrand, reboot or strategic plan.” Alison Arnold made a motion to accept the August 14, 2025 minutes with this revision, James Martin seconded, motion approved by vote.
  • Filing of Financial Reports: Teresa has determined that we will have enough money to make it through 2025. Raejean Palko asked how the number of members in 2025 compared to 2024. It was later reported that there are approximately 58 members this year; 76 members in 2024. James Martin made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report, Troy McCue seconded, motion approved by vote.
  • Board Reports
  • Suspension of Chamber
    • After hearing the feedback during the August 14, 2025 general meeting, a vote will not be brought forward.
    • Jake Herrera acknowledged the motion that James Martin made at the end of the August 14, 2025 general meeting and announced that a committee has been formed consisting of Jake Herrera, Alison Arnold, Donna Metcalf, Trey Ford, Lem Scarborough and Cindy Tacha.
    • James Martin found someone who will conduct a workshop at a cost of $1,500. The Chamber doesn’t have the money for that.
    • Raejean Palko emailed a video to Jake Herrera that shows how the Trinidad Chamber of Commerce did a reboot. He encouraged all board members to watch it; Jake Herrera will email it out.
    • The committee will need to determine what businesses get for being a Chamber member.
    • Jake Herrera is hoping that the committee will hold two meetings before the October meetings.
    • James Martin asked how many phone calls are being received at the Chamber phone. The answer wasn’t known. James suggested that that phone can be eliminated and calls would go to the library.
    • James Martin asked about putting business advertising on the billboards.
  • Board Vacancies
    • Joy Johnson and Teresa Bauman have resigned effective December 31, 2025.
    • Raejean Palko asked about term limits. Jake Herrera answered that it is unknown at this time. He added that that needs to improve and that Katie Zipperer is researching minutes to find the answer.
    • Raejean Palko asked if the committee will address the election issues and will establish a term limit/election system.
  • Car Show
    • Joy Johnson reported that there were fewer vendors and less foot traffic.
    • Raejean Palko reported that feedback she heard regarded having the cars separate from the vendors and that food vendors didn’t stay for the concert.
  • Christmas
    • The date is December 6th and the Chamber is partnering with Downtown Limon for the event.
  • Round Table
  • Cindy Tacha reported that the Work Force had an open house at Morgan Community College where virtual career exploration was available. They have a new staff person.
  • Morgan Community College reported that they had held summer camps with a decent turnout.
  • Donna Metcalf announced that Tri-Town Arts had gotten grants and are doing free art workshops on September 26th and 27th in Limon, Hugo and Genoa.  
  • Donna Metcalf shared that for Elizabeth’s Christmas event everyone works together and booths are manned by different organizations. She wants good foot traffic for our Christmas event adding that streets will be barricaded.
  • Raejean Palko stressed that communication is extremely important for events. She is using 150/250 to publicize events. Organizations can send events to her. She has a goal to put events on tourism’s calendar.
  • Troy McCue reports that there have been lots of changes in business ownership in Limon and Hugo. He asked that members let he and Raejean Palko know of anyone who is interested in coming into Lincoln County. Their services are free. There is a new restaurant going into former Alex Traverna’s. Alison Arnold asked about the status of the Chinese restaurant. Troy McCue answered that it is on hold.
  • James Martin reported that there may be an increase in lodging tax on the ballot in November for Lincoln County.
  • Events in Chronological Order (BOLD are Chamber Events). Let us know about events not listed – Sara Mae Lancaster, 828-243-7681, saramaesacco@yahoo.com
  • October—Strut Your Mutt!, 7:30 am in Hugo
  • October 4—Wine Walk, Whiskey Flight and Beer Flight plus Back Alley in Hugo
  • December 6–Christmas event in Limon

Adjourned at 1:07 pm.

Future Meeting Details

October 9th – Hosted by John Sullivan at the Lichia’s Mexican Diner

November, date TBD – Board Meeting

November 13th – Hosted by Limon Heritage Museum at the museum

December, date TBD – Board Meeting

December 11th – Rural American Realty at the Metcalf School House

Past General Meeting Minutes

September 11, 2025, August 14, 2025, July 10, 2025, June 12, 2025, May 8, 2025, April 10, 2025, March 13, 2025, February 13, 2025, January 26, 2025; 2024

Board Meeting Minutes

Limon Chamber of Commerce

Board Meeting

September 8, 2025

Called to order at 6:01 pm.

Present: Jake Herrera, Alison Arnold, Teresa Bauman, Joy Johnson, Penny Pearce plus Chamber Administrator Katie Zipperer and guests Donna Metcalf and Julie Coonts.

  1. Teresa and Joy are resigning from the board as of December 31, 2025.
  • Jake reported that the Chamber has enough funds to get through the end of the year.
  • A reboot committee has not been established yet. Joy will text Jake contact info for someone who said she’s interested.
  • Raejean Palko has been doing research on Chamber issues. She emailed a YouTube video from a similar-sized chamber reboot. Jake reached out to one of resources that James sent.
  • Alison made a motion to approve Katie’s August time of 20 hours, Teresa seconded, motion approved by vote. Katie reported that she doesn’t have much to do except for the membership directory.
  • From the information that Sara collected on elections and terms are as follows.
    • 2022—Jess, Penny and Sara were elected
    • 2023—Joy was elected, Sara became Vice President
    • 2024—Alison, Teresa and Jake were elected
    • 2025—Jake became President

Re-elections have not been happening but should have been. When terms are up, board members should be re-elected in January. Katie is going to research minutes to find out when terms were up.

  • Donna Metcalf and Julie Coonts, representing Downtown Limon, spoke of working with the Chamber to put on a Christmas event on December 6th. Downtown Limon will have a live nativity, are renting a tent(s) and want activities in a two-block area. Barricading streets was discussed and agreed on. Last year Downtown Limon had a chili supper, selfie station, pet photos, photos w/ the Grinch, carolers, cookie decorating, a hot chocolate station, tattoos, a story teller, coffee, a brass band, flag twirlers, Gnome on the Shelf, a few vendors, cookies were given out and an ugly sweater contest. Their 2024 event was challenging because it was Thanksgiving weekend. The Chamber’s 2024 event had very low participation because it was too late. Donna proposed that Santa be located at town hall and that both sides of community building be used for vendors. Julie Coonts spoke of Elizabeth’s Christmas event which was four blocks, had tents lining Main Street manned by different organizations which did different activities. Jake will ask if any school group would be willing to help in some way. Donna stated that more directional signage is needed. Donna shared what the event at Prairie Ridge Buffalo Ranch entails; their event will be December 7, 2025. Donna wants to come up with a theme. Jake wants to boost the Parade of Lights and open it up to all types of groups.
  • Car Show
    • Joy reported that foot traffic was down from last year. There were fewer vendors with a couple no shows.
    • Katie reported that there were 54 cars with lots of no shows.
    • Everyone was very appreciative of the Genoa-Hugo Cheerleaders.
    • Katie and Teresa sent out thank you cards to both 2024 and 2025 businesses who participated.
  • Nothing has been received from Marlin on the copier purchase. Jake asked Katie to check on the status.
  1. Jake reported that there will be no vote on disbanding the Chamber due to the response from those attending the August general membership meeting not supporting it.

Adjourned at 7:40 pm.

Past Board Meeting Minutes

September 8, 2025, August 5, 2025, July 2, 2025, June 3, 2025, May 7, 2025, April 1, 2025, March 4, 2025, February 4, 2025, January 7, 2025; 2024