05/12/2020 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Present, Glee Emmite, Chair Carolyn Patterson John Brazile Laurie Redus Kari Daniel William Walker Becky Semple MINUTES MAIN STREET ADVISORY BOARD Tuesday. Mav 12, 2020 41930 PM Absent: Kaydee Tate Paula Portugal, Council Liaison Cheri Bedford, Main Street Manager AGENDA 1. Glee Emmite called the meeting to order at 4:31 PM, May 12, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting was conducted through www.zoom.us, an Internet meeting platform. 2. Approve minutes — A motion to approve the March and April 2020 minutes was made by Laurie Redus, second by William Walker, motion carried. 3. Review and possible action on the Main Street Work Plan — Glee Emmite reviewed the four categories of the work plan from a revised format created by Cheri Bedford. The new format is more concise and easier to read. Current and/or future plans are printed in red. The following points were mentioned. Economic Development. 1) The website downtowntx.org lists historic buildings or properties for sale or lease in the downtown area. Cheri can create a password/login for board members to add new information. 2) Money is still available in both commercial and residential fagade grants. 3) No money is currently available in Building Improvement Grants since all fundraising events were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 4) Predevelopment meetings can be requested by new tenants. 5) Several board members have taken the webinar classes for downtown improvement with others to take the training in the future. 6) Pamphlets with critic information about new business startups and building restorations are needed. Design— 1) Plant the Plaza project is progressing. 2) New logo has been selected. 3) Window workshop is to be rescheduled. 4) New ideas and changes for civic spaces such as furniture, donated items with plaque, etc. are requested. 5) Education regarding historic preservation is needed in order to develop appreciation of historic sites. 6) Development of a rehabbers club was suggested. Promotions — 1) Wine Fest, Putt Putt Golf and C ffico de Mayo were cancelled due to COVID- 19. Imagine the Possibilities tour is usually held in May. This year is questionable. 2) All other events need to planned as the pandemic allows. 3) John Brazile suggested Movies on the Plaza for the future. Organization — 1) Sign Up Genius and a social media committee are in place. 2) Updates on the Historic Resource Survey, usually conducted by HPC, is needed. Any building at least 50 years old is eligible for tax credit which is an important factor for development downtown. 3) Possible development of a newsletter for owners in the historic district i s another idea. 4. Updates from members Becky Semple from the Chamber of Commerce — A red ribbon project has been implemented for Chamber members. A red ribbon is tied around their doors, and all ribbons will be reconnected when the pandemic is over. The Chamber is beginning to brand Paris as a romantic wedding destination. Current Chamber ads focus on Paris as a 44good idea" instead of community events due to the pandemic.