The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce annual luncheon Jan. 25 shared the new members of the Board of Directors and gave Executive Director Lynn Dennis a chance to review past achievements and new Board Chair Pete Spalding to state future goals.

The new Executive Committee for the Chamber is comprised of:

• Pete Spalding- Chair

• Lauren Bergen - Vice Chair

• Mary Jean Stevens- Recording Secretary

• Hamilton Gardiner- Treasurer

• Paul Prentice- Past Chair

Spalding said the luncheon itself would help the chamber set goals for the chamber by getting input in breakout sessions of those attending. But he has some in mind already including:

• The City Council's possible implementation of a head tax, which failed in a vote last November. It proposed businesses with over $5 million in taxable gross receipts would be taxed $100 per full-time employee. What would the Chamber's position be on that?
• Members Business and Operations taxes.
• ST3 planning for light rail to West Seattle. The Chamber has one of two seats on the advisory committee that was just established. Hamilton Gardiner will represent the Chamber.
• The Fauntleroy Boulevard Project which is likely going to begin construction in the next 90 days. 

The Chamber listed the following accomplishments for 2017

 Business Advocacy and Political Action 

 ST3 discussion with Chris Arkills from King County and the Government Advocacy Committee 

 Mayoral Candidate Forum focused on business and transportation issues 

 Round Table Discussion with Councilmember Herbold and community stakeholders in South Park 

 Expert Hour on Seattle & State laws covering employees 

 Luncheon on crime in WS included an update from Captain Davis and open discussion on how businesses are impacted and actions to be taken by the businesses 

 Luncheon on status of Viaduct and potential future impact on WS and business community impact 

 Luncheon on status of Fauntleroy Project and discussion on impact on busniesses; also WSCC Board member attended Fauntleroy community discussion on the project. 

o Hot issues discussed, debated, presented or commented upon: ST3 Construction Impact, Homelessness, Infrastructure on Fauntleroy 

 Forward information on Head Tax to membership and continue to watch closely. 

 Partner with WS Transportation Coalition for a Seattle Seattle Council & Mayoral Forum 

 Partner with DNDA on grant to access needs of businesses on Delridge Way through a survey. 

 Business Community Round Table Discussions at Oct After Hours to discuss findings from WS Stakeholder interviews conducted as part of WSCC & WS Junction Assn Grant to identify issues in different business nodes on the WS peninsula 

 Events: 

 Expert Hour added to program of work giving members venue for demonstrating their expertise; topics included Building Referrals, Social Media, Tax Deductions, How to Promote Your Business 

 Nucor Steel Seattle Special Tour for WSCC members 

Community Projects: 

 Adopt-A-Street Program from Charleston to Alaska along California Avenue – Four cleanups in 2017. 

 Partner with WS Junction Assn & WS Blog – Job Fair at American Diner 

 Partner with WS Junction Assn & Waste Management – Recycle & Reuse Event 

Annual Awards Breakfast: Speaker: King County Chair, Joe McDermott 

 Business of the Year- Eldercare Consulting LLC 

 Emerging Business of the Year- Peel & Press 

 Non-Profit of the Year- Southwest Youth & Family Services 

 Westsider of the Year- Maria Groen, WS & Fauntleroy Y Capital Campaign, Other WS NP Work