SMART Board of Directors Meeting – Meeting Minutes – April 3rd 2025
Board of Directors Special Meeting Minutes
April 3, 2025
5:30pm -Thee Garage Bar & Steakhouse
Members Present: Krista Nemitz (President),Jodi Varner (Vice President), Stacey Teter
(Treasurer), Kendyl Polatas, Karol Zachmann, Deborah Walraven-Wenger
Members Absent: Mindi Murnion, Shannon Johnson, Alyson lineback (Executive Assistant) Staff
Present: Kass Maierhofer-Davis (Interim Executive Director)
Public Present:Brenda Uecker
Meeting called to order at 5:31pm by President Krista Nemitz
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes:The minutes from the March 18, 2025 quarterly meeting were
reviewed.
- MOTION (Karol Zachmann): To approve the minutes as presented.
- SECOND: Kendyl Polatas.
- VOTE: Four in favor, none opposed, one abstained, two absent. Minutes from the March 18,
2025 quarterly meeting are approved, as presented. Public Comment: None
Financial Report: No report presented.
Committee Reports and Decisions as Needed: No reports presented.
Director’s Report: Interim Executive Director Kass Maierhofer-Davis presented the board with an
update of past, current, and future SMART events and projects. Maierhofer-Davis reported that the
“State of Mind” event that was presented by SMART, Baker High School, Fallon County Public Health,
EMCMHC, and the University of Montana’s Co-Lab for Civic Imagination, was a success. Several
community members were in attendance and the event provided the community with the opportunity to
showcase the new community health worker.
Maierhofer-Davis reported the current activities of SMART including that several individuals have
reached out to SMART to help search for grants and the planning of the Plevna Jamboree scheduled
for July 19th. It was also reported that the desk was removed from the Executive Director’s office
in the Visitor Center by previous Executive Director Vaughn Zenko- as it was a personal purchase.
Additionally, the iPad was removed from the Visitor Center by Executive Assistant, Alyson
Lineback,as this was personally purchased by her for the Community Theater. It was also reported
that there were two
Caroline Heaps books in the office that have gone unaccounted for. These books are for sale- but
money was not collected for the sale of two missing from the inventory.
It was also brought to the board that Maierhofer-Davis spoke with previous director, Zenko
regarding the Marmarth Depot project. It was decided that there was not the bandwidth to work on
this project at the time.
Old Business:
Present the Local Business Impact Award: Due to the presence of a public guest,Brenda
Uecker, the board changed the order of line items listed on the agenda to best fit the time and
schedule of Mrs. Uecker. The Local Business Impact Award was presented to Brenda Uecker along with
a plaque and floral arrangement. The award was written into a previously passed Resolution 1262025.
Lease Review: Discussion took place regarding the lease corrections and suggestions from Batterman
Law Offices for the Simply Chic salon. On page 1, paragraph 1a renewal option will be added into
the lease within a 90 day window. On page 1, paragraph 2,the sentence II However, upon the Tenant’s
request,the Landlord agrees to provide monthly, quarterly, or annual invoices for rent/’ will be
removed, an escalator clause will be added to reach up to 5% at the time of the renewat and a
discussion was had regarding the security deposits. SMART has security deposits listed on
statements, but are unsure of which leases these deposits are tied to. It was decided that old
leases need to be looked over to determine who these deposits belong to. It was also decided that a
clause for any new security deposits needs to be added in per Batterman’s suggestions.
On page 1, paragraph 4,it was decided to replace the current verbiage with the suggestions from
Batterman’s. In the second paragraph of suggestions, the first and second
sentences will be removed due to the Landlord, SMART, not owning parking. The first 11Snow
removal” should also be removed as well.
On page 1, paragraph 5, discussion regarding improvements/additions to the building and the removal
of certain components of the building was brought forth. It was determined that we will need
clarification from Batterman’s on this paragraph before moving forward. At this time, a question
arose of selling the old SMART building. Vice President, Jodi Varner, discussed the idea of
selling the building. It was then determined that SMART will need to obtain an inspection sheet
from Batterman’s.
On page 1, paragraph 6, Batterman’s changes were accepted and will be updated. On page 1, paragraph
7, the board decided to keep as is. Page 1, paragraph 8, a uno insurance” clause will be added as
well as editing the last sentence to contain the word 11must” and not
11may.” On page 1, paragraph 9, there will be a clause added in to give 24 hour notice for any
inspection except in the case of emergency. On page 1, paragraph 10, Batterman’s suggestions will
be added in. It was determined that the current Simply Chic lease needs to be reviewed to
determine if there is more than one individual currently listed on the lease.
On Page 2, paragraph 11and 12 all suggestions from Batterman’s will be implemented. On page 3,
paragraph 13, the word 11aloe” will be removed. Page 2, paragraph 14, the portion “sale by the
landlord” will be added. Page 2, paragraph 16 and 17 all of Batterman’s suggestions will be
implemented. Additionally, all other suggestions will be added.
Clarification will be made with Batterman’s on paragraph 5, the lease will be typed up with
revisions, sent back to Batterman’s for a review, and then sent out to the board.
It was noted that on the front page of the lease, previous executive director Vaughn
Zenko’s name will need to be removed.
- MOTION (Jodi Varner): To accept the revisions of the Simply Chic lease as discussed.
- SECOND: Deborah Walraven-Wenger.
- VOTE: Five in favor, none opposed, two absent. The revisions will be made to the Simply Chic
lease as presented.The lease will be reviewed by Batterman’s and then presented to the board.
The board took a brief break to order meals at 6:22pm. Meeting resumed at 6:28pm.
Continued Review of Project List (Tabled on March 18,2025): The remainder of the project list was
brought up for discussion. It was decided that the Cards of Christmas Cheer would be kept on the
list, the Valentine Cookie Fundraiser would be kept on the list, but the worth was brought into
question. Under the section of “Projects that need work” it was decided to add in windows for the
SMART Building and to keep the windows for the Baker State Bank Building on the list.
Discussion regarding the Housing Co-op with MCDC took place. It was decided that this project
would be left on the list but would be bumped down in importance. The Food Forest would also
remain on the list, but be bumped down in importance. The Connection Stations will remain on the
list and work can be done to explore options to place in the pocket park. Regarding the Frontier
Road Trip- it was discussed to speak with previous director, Vaughn Zenko, regarding his vision for
this project. It was decided to remove the mercantile, paddle boat rentals, and mosaic house from
the project list.
- MOTION (Stacey Teter): To approve all revisions to the project list as stated.
- SECOND: Karol Zachmann.
- VOTE: Five in favor, none opposed, two absent. The Project List will be revised as stated above.
Community Theater: Interim Executive Director, Kass Maierhofer-Davis reminded the board that the
separation of the Community Theater will need to be added on to the agenda of the next meeting as a
budget amendment. A discussion then ensued about separation between SMART and the Community
Theater. It was discussed that SMART would need to
reach out to Vaughn Zenko and ask for receipts from January to present. It was also mentioned
SMART is still unaware if they will receive the $5,000 from Midrivers. However, it was decided that
if they do receive the funding from Midrivers, both that and the profit from the Baker Jam
concession stands will be passed along to the community theater.
Additional Old Business:Stacey Teter reported that she has a contact number for JJ O’Connor, but
did not reach out for a quote regarding the wiring of the sign on the Visitor Center. President
Nemitz will contact him to get the quote.
New Business:
Next Meeting:The next meeting will be held on June lOth at 5:30pm at the Visitor
Center. However,we are prepared to call a special meeting if need be.
President Nemitz entertained a motion to adjourn. Karol Zachmann motioned to adjourn,seconded by
Jodi Varner. All present in favor. Meeting adjourned at 7:09pm.
The next SMART meeting is a quarterly meeting scheduled for June 10,2025 at 5:30pm at The
Visitor Center.
Respectfully submitted:
