10/08/2024 MinutesMINUTES OF THE MAIN STREET ADVISORY BOARD
PARIS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
107 E. KAUFMAN
PARIS, TEXAS 75460
TUESDAY, October 8 202
Present: Board Members: Glee Emmite, Melissa Jones,Will Walker, Becky Semple, Kim
Kalina, Mary Hart, Kevin Moore
City Representatives: Cheri Bedford, Main Street Manager;
Osei Amo-Mensah , Director of Planning and
Community Development
Citizens: Mitchell Scott, SBDC
Martin Orrostieta, SBDC
Trinity Davis, SBDC
Not present: Board member: Tyrone Hayden
Chairman Emmite called the meeting to order at 4:30pm by reading the board's vision statement.
1. Citizen forum:
Mitchell Scott, Small Business Development Center, presented an overview of what their
nationwide organization provides for small businesses at no cost. Bedford suggested that SBDC make a
presentation for the PDA in the near future, possibly November.
2. Review minutes from the September meeting:
A motion was made to approve the &,J)tember meeting minutes by Hart. Motion was seconded by
Moore. 7 ayes, 0 nays
3. Committee Reports - Transfon-ning Strategies
a. Design: Emmite stated the Historic Preservation Commission met to discuss downtown building
proposals.
b. Organization: Hart stated they worked together organizing and acquiring the volunteers for Festival
of Pumpkins and received training re: Games from Bedford. Kalina reached out to PHS cheer and
dance teams to be part of a experimental flash mob to fill time between the final two bands. Kalina
is also working on a story regarding the grants that were given.
c. Promotion: Ernmite stated the Bedford will give report on Salsa on the Square. Any other report
will be when Hayden is present.
d. Econornic Vitality: Emrnite shared the importance of keeping a running list of property owners,
business owners and residents. Moore and Bedford will meet after the 26th (Festival of Pumpkins)
to update the working spreadsheet.
4. PDA Report: Moore reported about PDA hosting Mannequin Night, October 19, bpm-9pm. Theme is TV
Land. Prizes will be given. October 12, 6pm-9pin is Witches and Wine. Downtown Dollars will be given
away.
5. Chamber Report: Scruple reported the Square Dance group is coming to Paris again. During their Labor
Day stay, their retail tickets showed $17, 462, not counting hotels. They love to attend Mannequin Night
each year, stating Paris has the most beautiful square.
6. Coordinators Report - Coordinator Bedford reported that during Salsa on the Square, the Placer app
totaled approx. 3,200 people downtown, with approx. 1,800 people actually on the square for an average
visiting tune of 55 minutes. The 3 hour event was a big success and accomplished the goal of offering
something to a new community demographic. Thanks to Victor Guzman at TaMolly's for providing chips
and helping put together a salsa tasting competition for seven restaurants. LaBella Rosa won and was
presented a certificate by board members. Bedford also has been working with community service
workers on a downtown clean-up. Big shout -out the Streets Dept for sending out a street sweeper on a
Saturday to help with this effort. A Trash/Sanitation Survey has been sent to businesses in an effort to
find out what downtown businesses are doing with their trash and figure out the best way to deal with
dumpsters and poly carts. A T -Mobile grant circulates every quarter and it currently up for grabs, possibly
could boost our First Street Project. She asked that someone look into that. Be thinking about a brick
paver project as a great fundraiser idea. Big improvernents have been made at the Farmers Market, in the
way connecting the Fanners Market to the new restroorns. Additionally, be looking for a smaller pavilion
with speakers to be added to the middle of the market for music and announcements. Current efforts have
been focused primarily on Festival of Pumpkins. Board members are encouraged to be at the tent to help
With Costume contest, selling t -shirts, etc. Next event will be Christmas Tree Lighting, November 23.
7. Hart made a motion to aqjoum the meeting. Walker seconded. Motion passed. Board adjourned at 5.-15
p.m.
Future agenda items:
*Doing a Survey with the SBD(.'.
*Committee to meet with the City Staff
Chairman