09/15/2020 MinutesMINUTES
MAIN STREET ADVISORY BOARD
Tuesdav, Se tember 15 2020
4:30 PM
Present: Absent:
Glee Emmite, Chair Becky Semple — Chamber representative
Carolyn Patterson
William Walker
Kari Daniel
Emily Temple
Tanner Dobrovolsky
Tyrone Hayden
Paula Portugal, Council Liaison
Cheri Bedford, Main Street Manager
AGENDA
1. Glee Emmite called the meeting to order at 4:31 PM, September 15, 2020, in the City Council chambers.
2. Citizens Forum - No one present to speak.
3. Review and approve minutes — A motion to approve the August 2020 minutes was made by William Walker,
second by Tanner Dobrovolsky, motion carried.
4. Board member activity reports -
- Emily Temple — With COVID-19 still an issue, it is difficult to come up with new ideas especially
Halloween Trick or Treating. PDA may have ideas. A "drive through" trick or trick was mentioned.
• Kari Daniel — The lighting project for the Plaza was approved by the city council. Cheri Bedford will
share specifics in her report.
• William Walker — The Distrx.com app is up and running. Several businesses still need to claim their
spaces. It is suggested that they post a discount on merchandise that can remain on the app for several months to
conserve time for the merchants. A Walking Tour design is in progress. New groups on the app will be created for
1) Murals & Attractions and 2) Attorneys. Emily Temple recommended a help session for merchants so they can
post info on the app to increase downtown shoppers.
• Tanner Dobrovolsky — Watering of plants around the Plaza has not been needed due to recent rains. He
has been contacting businesses to claim their space on the Distrx.com app and post relevant information. The idea
of posting maps on the poles downtown was mentioned but this is likely a TXDOT subject.
• Glee Emmite — A draft of a new printed downtown map/brochure was presented. The downtown coupon
page could be added as well. The map was well received by the board.
5. Updates from Community Partners -
• Becky Semple, Tourism Director from the Chamber of Commerce & VCC — No report in her absence.
• Glee Emmite — HPC meets tomorrow, Wednesday, September 16, 2020.
6. Coordinator's Report — Cheri Bedford discussed the following. 1) Money for the Plaza lighting project was
funded from the Community Development budget. A distributor will demonstrate the lighting plan with the
proposed lights at 7:50 PM, Wednesday, September 16, 2020. Everyone is invited. 2) Tanner, Cheri and Julia
Trigg Crawford will develop a plan to organize the landscape care downtown. Volunteer groups and local clubs will
be included. Paris High School will grow plants for the Plaza. Most plants will be permanent plantings.
3) October 24, 2020 will be the Festival of Pumpkins on the Plaza. This year's event will be planned around
COVID-19 guidelines to ensure a healthy environment for everyone attending. 4) DowntownTX.org is our
economic development tool for the downtown area. Rather than having actual walking tours of buildings for sale
this year, Matt Coyle helped with making a video for a virtual tour of available properties. 5) The new trees that
have been planted in the downtown area over the past few years need pruning. Cheri is arranging a Zoom training
session with the Texas Tree Foundation on the proper method for paining. As a follow up to the training, a man
from the Texas Tree Foundation will come to Paris and supervise the volunteers while at work on the trees. 6)
Mannequin Night has been canceled due to COVID-19. 7) My Culinary Adventures is asocial media program
hosted by a couple who travel around cities and towns to create a photographic history of their adventures. This
couple is coming to Paris for a weekend later in September.
7. Election of Board Officers — nominees and votes follow
Board Chair —William Walker — 4 Tanner Dobrovolsky — 3
Vice Chair — Tanner Dobrovolskv, Nominated by Emily Temple, elected by acclamation
Secretary — Carolyit Patterson, Nominated by Glee Emmite, elected by acclamation
8. With no other business, William Walker made a motion to adjourn, second by Emily Temple, motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:16 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn Patterson
Secretary, Main Street Advisory Board
Approved this 16, day of _,/ , 2020.
Signature of Board Chair