05/12/2020 MinutesPresent,
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.
Glee Emmite — 1) HPC — No April meeting. Walt Reep was given a Certificate of Appropriateness for 37
Clarksville St. 2) PDA had a Zoom meeting earlier in the day. A promotion is planned for shoppers to submit 6
receipts from PDA merchants in order to be entered into a drawing for Downtown Dollars.
5. Coordinator's Report — Cheri Bedford reported the following. 1) Farmer's Market has been open for 2 weeks
with separation between vendors. 2) Cheri took the Destination Creation class with the goal of developing a unique
positioning statement for Paris. 3) Ideas are needed for Shop Local. 4) Work on the downtown map is continuing.
5) The downtown street view map was sent to Texas Main Street, and they developed a landscaping plan.
6. With no other business, William Walker made a motion to adjourn, second by John Brazile, motion carried.- The
meeting was adjourned at 5:12 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn Patterson
Secretary, Main Street Advisory Board
Approved this
day of
Glee Emmite, Board Chair