08/09/2022 MinutesMAIN STREET ADVISORY BOARD MONTHLY MEETING
Paris City Council Chambers
107 E. Kaufman
Paris, Texas 75460
Tuesday, August 9, 2022
PRESENT
Greg Kee
Chad Lindsey
William Walker
Glee Emmite
Tyrone Hayden
Cheri Bedford, Main Street Manager
Ron Vine, Assistant City Manager
Becky Semple, Visitors and Convention Council Liaison
ABSENT
Paula Portugal, Mayor
Tracy Dougherty
Kari Daniel
G U ESTS
Jill Audrey
Meeting opened by Chairman, Greg Kee 4:30
1. Citizen's Forum : no one presented during citizen's forum.
2. July 12, 2022 minutes — Tyrone Hayden motion to approve, seconded by Chad Lindsey, motion carried
3. Board Member Activity
A. Greg Kee : Downtown Business Guide is 99% complete. Deadcat Media put it together.
Almost ready to print.
B. Chamber of Commerce : Becky Semple gave a report on up and coming events.
C. PDA: Glee Emmite — Jill Awtrey is organizing Mannequin Night. Needs 20 — 24 businesses to
participate. There will be a contest with a prize. Lighting on the Plaza — lights have been ordered
to complete the fountain. They are working on squirrel and ant prevention. Still fundraising.
D: HPC: Glee Emmite — Karol Lyn Moore, owner of the building at the corner of Lamar and 2nd
St. Main Street grant approved last month to move A/C units from front to rear of building.
Cody Kelly completed the renovation on his home on Church Street. He requested and was
granted a tax abatement and fagade grant. The owner of the former Kress 7 E Plaza presented a
proposal and draft to make the front of the Lamar avenue entrance of the building look nicer.
Proposal was approved. Postponed mini -golf to March.
4. Building Improvement Grant Application Review: (BIG) — Approximately $5,000 in fund. All money is
from Wine Fest proceeds. Grant is managed by Main Street Board. Cheri Bedford provided a list of
previous grants approved. There are additional funds for grants from the Vacant Property Registry
(VPR). All vacant buildings in the historic district must register. The VPR requires insurance, information
and a fee. These fees are used for downtown improvements, collected in a separate fund. The
residential historical area is included. Assume residential VPR money will be used for residential
improvements. Currently funds in VPR are used for fagade grants approved by the HPC.
Roof repair is the most common grant. Currently applications are accepted quarterly. Discussed
changing to monthly acceptance of applications. Decided to no longer accept applications for roof
repair, only roof replacement.
5. Coordinators Report : Cheri Bedford
A. Hatch Chili Fest, Sept 3. Researched doing Salsa on the Square on Saturday but the cost for
musicians was above budget. Also, a short time line. Would like to do at next year's Fest. Need
volunteers. In the past has raised as much as $7,000 for improvements to the Farmer's Market.
Considering electrical outlets along back side of market for food trucks. Already in the budget is
money for a restroom at the Farmer's Market but it hasn't been approved.
B. The Texas Downtown Association has Presidents Awards. Chris Dux was nominated for Best
Rehabilitation of a Downtown Building. Also nominated First Federal Bank, celebrating 100
years, for the Texas Treasure Business Award. Winners are recognized by the Texas Historical
Commission and the Texas Governor.
C. Cheri travelled to Cincinnati and returned with great ideas about historic preservation. She
would like to meet with William Walker, Ryan O'Carroll (summer intern), and Carolyn Patterson,
from Paris Area Arts Alliance to discuss murals. The building across from Texas Furniture has
new owners. Paris art alliance is working on art for planned barricade wall.
D. Pumpkin Festival — Seeking sponsors. Main Street Board member participation is expected.
E. Real Places Conference hosted by Texas Preservation in Austin. Cheri is on a panel about
Farmer's Markets.
F. Promotions Meeting — Friday mornings at 8:30
G. Special Guest : Jill Awtrey — coordinator of Mannequin Night, October 16th. Theme:
Comics/Cartoons/Storybooks. David Lawrence organizing band(s). Brittney Drake in charge of
Zombie Walk. Businesses will coordinate with volunteers. Street closed 5:00 — 9:OOpm. 5:30 —
Zombie Walk; 6:00 — 8:00 Mannequins. Food trucks MUST stop serving by 8:30 for pedestrian
safety!! Street will reopen at 9:00. Band may stay later. Need someone in charge of food trucks.
Special event permit needs to be submitted. Ghost tour will be organized by William Walker in
conjunction with the Maxey House. Jill has an inventory of costumes. Jill will provide a form for
the businesses.
6. Future agenda items— BIG application window
7. Adjourn —A motion was made by Glee to adjourn, seconded by William Walker, motion carried.
Signed this day of , 2022
W
= .:;: Chairman