12/13/2022 MinutesMAIN STREET ADVISORY BOARD MONTHLY MEETING
PRESENT
Chad Lindsey
William Walker
Greg Kee
Tracy Dougherty
Glee Emmite
Cheri Bedford, Main Street Coordinator
Paula Portugal, Paris Mayor
Mihir Pankaj, Council Liaison
Paris City Council Chambers
107 E. Kaufman
Paris, Texas 75460
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
ABSENT
Kari Daniel
Tyrone Hayden
Becky Semple, Visitors and Convention Council Liaison
Andrew Mack, Director of Planning and Community Development
Shatara Moore, Council Liaison
Meeting Opened by Chairman, Greg Kee 4:32pm
1. Citizen Forum : none
2. November 8,2022 Minutes — Greg Kee motion to approve, seconded by Glee Emmite, motion carried.
3. Activity Reports :
PDA: Glee Emmite - Wassail Fest had 42 ballots submitted. The trophy was awarded to Downtown Coffee. The
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony was a success. The live music was a great addition. Small Business Saturday
was also a success.
HPC: Glee Emmite — Committee elected Matt Coyle for Vice- Chairman
Councilman, Mihir Pankaj shared that a citizen was underwhelmed by the Christmas tree on the Plaza.
Discussion about the challenges of the fake tree with limited Parks and Recreation staff. The live tree used this
year was generously donated by Bratcher's Nursery and will be planted on city property next year. Need to
communicate to the community the challenges of a fake tree and benefits of the live tree.
4. Review workplan and discuss goals for 2023 :Cheri Bedford
Went over 2022 Workplan :
Transformation Strategy 1— Goal 1- Created a Practical Guide for Business Owners in Downtown Paris. The
guide has been very well received. Printed an additional 50 copies at a cost of $16.50 per copy. Goal 2 — HPC
Maintenance Goal 3 — Social Media — not much has been done on Goal 2 & 3.
Transformation Strategy 2 — Downtown Lighting — Lead by Suzy Harper, the lighting project has been a huge
success with more lighting for the downtown planned.
Transformation Strategy 3 — Develop Cultural Arts — some work has been done towards this effort.
Transformation Strategy 4 — Landscaping —A grant has provided University level ideas for landscaping.
The Main Street America Evaluation Framework Community Self -Assessment Tool - Went over evaluation and
baseline requirements. Asked board to please read before next meeting. Paris is an accredited community.
Please return your assessment to Cheri NLT December 28, 2022.
5. Coordinators Report: Cheri Bedford —Have had 2 predevelopment meetings with people who bought buildings
with the community development department. There is a Public Hearing 27th December at 5:30 in the City
Council Chambers to look at grants for the community.
Meeting in January with the PDA Leadership to discuss using the event planning document.
Went over the upcoming calendar.
Wants to schedule a walking tour with Council Liaison, Mayor, Council Members and Main Street Board
members to visit downtown businesses, possibly on a Saturday morning. Capture it for social media.
Cheri received an email from a new resident of Paris with great ideas from her previous hometown.
Would like to develop a dynamic Main Street website.
There is a Promotions Meeting, December 19th 9:00am in Cheri's office.
6. Future Agenda Items : none
7. Adjourn: Glee Emmite made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Chad Lindsey seconded, motion carried.
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Signed this _ ,, . day of 2023
I
Chairman