09/12/2023 MinutesMINUTES OF THE MAIN STREET BOARD MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
September 12, 2023
The Main Street Board of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September
12, 2023 at the Paris City Hall, Paris City Council Chambers, 107 E. Kaufman Paris, Texas 75460.
Present: Board Members: Greg Kee, Glee Emmite, Tyrone Hayden, William
Walker, Kari Daniel
City Representatives: Andrew Mack, Director of Planning & Community Development;
Cheri Bedford, Main Street Manager
Rob Vine, Assistant City Manager
Council Liaison: Mayor Reginald Hughes
Absent: Katrina Mitchell, Seth Johnson
Call to order:
Greg Kee called the meeting to order at 4:0 7 p. m.
Citizen forum
No one came forward to speak at citizen forum
Review minutes from the August 8, 2023
Glee Emmite made a motion to approve the minutes from August 8, 2023, seconded by Tyrone Hayden
motion carried S ayes, 0 nays
Board Member Activity Reports
a. Board members
Tyrone Hayden gave a report that the Salsa on the Square event was a success, and everyone
seemed to be having a good time. Cheri Bedford also reported the same, but that next year the
event should be on a different day, but continue during Spanish Heritage month in September. The
event itself had around 300 people attend, and is expected to grow. Latin Band and dance
instructors were a huge hit. Expecting to get sponsors for next year will be easier. Glee Emmite
reported that she had visited with a couple who drove from Mt. Vernon to come to the event.
Greg Kee and Will Walker both attended and worked the Hatch Chile Fest. They reported that it
was a successful day and everyone had a great time. Cheri reported that it was a success as well,
but next year would need to appoint a separate volunteer coordinator from the board due to a few
shortages of volunteers who signed up. Chairman Kee thanked Mayor Reginald Hughes for coming
and cooking the 300 burgers sliders. This was a huge help. The suggestion was made that next year
500 sliders be served.
b. VCC- Becky
Becky Semple shared that the Square Dancers coming to Paris was a huge success, and many of
them shopped in downtown and loved downtown. They visited the Farmers Market and some
attended the Salsa on the Square as well.
e. PDA -Glee
Mannequin night planning is going well. There are 20 stores signed up to participate. Paris
Downtown Association ordered 5000 glasses and has 3500 that are available to downtown
businesses to sell.
Coordinators Report: Cheri Bedford
a. Work plan meeting
The board reviewed the proposal from Sarah Main Street O'Brien and thought it would be a great
idea to have her come and help the workplan development. Dates were reviewed and it was
decided that the dates November 16th and December 5th would be the best dates for the workplan
development. The times for the sessions are to be determined, but the meetings will be in lieu of the
Main Street Advisory Board meetings. Dinner is provided. The board agreed to devote $3000 of
the Main Street Advisory Board funds to the workplan cost.
b. Christmas Tree
Cheri Bedford shared with the board the types of Christmas trees that the City was looking at for
the City Christmas Tree. She presented the two ideas. First is a panel tree that can be assembled by
pieces, and should take only a day with staff help. This would be much easier that the former tree
that took weeks to assemble. This tree is designed in a way that it can be added to annually to gain
extra height. The cost of a panel tree averages out to $IKper foot in height. Cheri has reached out
to a few businesses about financially supporting the new tree for downtown since this is not
budgeted, and has $4K in commitments. The other option is a light string tree similar to the 150 ft
tall tree in Zilker Park in Austin. The city has the 30 ft pole from the former tree and this could help
defray some of the cost of a string tree. The board input was unanimous on the idea of a string light
tree, noting that it could make a great photo opportunity as well. Cheri is going to reach out to Art
Stutsman who did the downtown lightingproject on what it could potentially take to make a lighted
string Christmas tree and get back with cost to city staff.
e. Pumpkin Fest Volunteers
Cheri will be getting a list together for volunteer needs for the board at the Festival of Pumpkins on
October 28, 2023 and asking the board to sign up for that day.
d. Other items
Eclipse preparation meeting Sept 19, 2023, 6:30 p.m. Love Civic Center
Downtown Maps are printed and distributed to hotels- special thank you to Marvin Gorley for
graphic design, Glee Emmite for research and development and Becky Semple for distribution.
1St Street Open Jam every Thursday
Paul Ray Spencer is organizing a Blues Jam for Thursday October 19, 2023 on the Plaza. This will be
a free event.
Hearing no future agenda items the board adjourned at 5:07
Greg Kee`__