07/09/2024 MinutesMINUTES OF THE MAIN STREET ADVISORY BOARD
PARIS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
107 E. KAUFMAN
PARIS, TEXAS 75460
TUESDAY, JULY 9, 2024
Present: Board Members: Greg Kee, Glee Ernmite, William Walker, Melissa
Jones, Becky Semple
City Representatives: Cheri Bedford, Main Street Manager;
Rob Vine, Deputy City Manager;
Citizens: Suzy Harper, Marvin Gorley
1. Citizen forum:
No one presented at citizens,lbruin.
2. Review minutes from the March meeting:
A motion was made to approve the .June meeting minutes by Walker. Motion was
seconded by Enunile. 6 ayes, 0 nays
3. Committee Reports:
a. Downtown Lighting - Suzy Harper reported that she and others have been working
on the downtown lighting project,lin-2years and months. Before and After
pictures of the Plaza were presented, as well as plansfi)r potential lighting projects,
including, but not limited to, lighting Byivater,s, Park-, outlining Paris Library,
uniformly outlining the tops of all buildings downtown, lighting Farmers Market, 1st
Street, Bonham St. and the north end oj'the courthouse parking lot. Funds, raised to
date is $385, 000. 00, with (mother $ 75, 000.00 on the way. These are all private
donations. More community support is needed. The City signed an contract
agreement, budgeting $ 10, 000.00 to help with maintenance for a year Harper
stated that "our approaches into town need desperate hell) and trees and some
lighting is (in easy fix. " Bedford stated "downtown has been more utilized since the
lights have been put up, which is part ref our plan.
b. VCC& Chamber - Becky Semple reported 903 SunSefs total concert attendance
averaged 16,500. Concert goers very much enjoyed being out under the lights.
Chamber is very bus), gearing up for the 40th Anniversary Tour de Paris, July 20.
Paris Tv will be hosting the Paris Games on August 3rd, in conjunction with the
2024 Olympic Games. Opening ceremonies will be at 8.-30ain with a torch and
flags, walking around the fountain. This will be an all day event with contests
happening all over town.
c. PDA - Emmite reported that PDA faithfully meets the 3rd Tuesday each month at
Rosewood Eatery. July Sunday Funday will be cancelled clue to the heal.
Preparation for 2024 Mannequin Night is underway. There has been a good PDA
representation at the City Council meetings to discuss downtown vandalism. Kudos
to Law Enforcement for responding quickly, when reports are made.
d. Historic Preservation - No report. Seth .Johnson was the liaison. Ile has moved out
of town.
4. Coordinators Report:
Two new board members were appointed to the Main Street Board.- Mary Hart
and Kim Kalina. They will, oin us next month. Thank you to Greg Kee for his
leadership and service, as your term has expired. Bedford presented copies of our
Strategic Plan and spoke about the updated "Board Purpose Document ". Board
Job Description Accountability Agreements from other cities, previously reviewed
by Chairman Kee, were discussed and are being considered examples as we
attempt to adopt a new board accountability standard. Bet#brd introduced Osei
Amo-Mensah, Director ol'Planning and Community Development, and Doug
Harris, Assistant City Manager, whom she works with and were present at the
meeting. Transforming strategies were discussed more in depth. A walking tour
of downtown will be set, for our August board meeting. We will evaluate
downtown, block by block. Vacancies, and construction downtown are becoming
(in issue, creating gaps between businesses. We need to move up the effort to
target marketingfromBroken Bow to downtown.
Upcoming Events.- Hatch Chile Fest.- Volunteers needed Saturday August 31st.
Someone will need to set up the Sign U
p Genius.16r volunteers. Salsa on the
Square in set for Sept 21st. Sponsors are already reaching out. Festival of'
Pumpkins in Oct 26 and its time to plan! Downtown Cameras: Police Chief is
working on this,! Trash: CARDS will bring dumpsters.161- businesses to use/share.
Director Amo-Mensah introduced himself and briefly spoke on the importance of
achieving the concept of "Main" in Main Street.
Future agenda items:
Nofuture agenda items discussed. Board adjourned at 5:24 p.m.
70 -
Chairman