11/12/2024 MinutesMINUTES OF THE MAIN STREET ADVISORY BOARD
PARIS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
107 E. KAUFMAN
PARIS, TEXAS 75460
TUESDAY, November 12 2024
Present: Board Members: Glee Emmite, Melissa Jones, Kim Kalina, Mary Hart, Kevin
Moore, Tyrone Hayden, Becky Semple (Chamber), Alix Putnam
(City Council District 6)
City Representatives: Cheri Bedford, Main Street Manager
Citizens: Megan Glasscock
Not present: Board Member: Will Walker
Chairman Emmite called the meeting to order at 4:30pm by reading the board's vision and mission
statements.
I. Citizen forum: none.
2. Review minutes from the October meeting:
A motion was made to approve the October meeting minutes by Hart. Motion was, seconded by
Kalina. 7 ayes, 0 nays. Motion passes.
3. Committee Reports - Transforming Strategies
a. Design
C",
i. Emmite stated the Historic Preservation Commission met to sign a certificate of
appropriateness for renovation for a house on 1st SW and for Amy Hill, who just moved
her business to I st ST NE, approving her signage for the front and side of the building.
A facade grant was reviewed and acted upon for Linda Knox for $2000. Discussion was
had over a house that had been taken off 623 SE 6th. Still under review and waiting for
vote.
ii. Emmite introduced Megan Glasscock, who she is working with to create a survey to find
out what the residents of Paris Would like to see changed or added downtown. Megan
has created a diverse target group to answer survey questions as a test.. Overall the
feedback was positive, with primary concerns of parking and the lack of activities of
children. Cheri asked Megan to begin creating a Downtown survey to be submitted to
the community. Once completed, the SBDC will present the survey and run the
analytics.
b. Organization
Hart reported that she is working on creating a Paris Art Movement. An Art Fair, with the
goal of bringing local artists, art teachers and lovers of art and culture together. Plans to
hold an Ail Mixer at the Art Gallery in January are underway. An artist survey will be
submitted, followed by a community- wide art survey, in hopes of generating a Business -
Hosted Art Walk. Moore suggested that the first strategy (Photo Op Art Installation) be
included in the discussion, which Hart was already considering.
Putnam, needing to excuse herself to attend a city council meeting, stood and introduced herself. She
expressed that the board feel encouraged to bring ideas and concepts to the city council to be put on the
agenda. "Hearing the voices in this room is the most impactful way to get things done and goals met."
c. Promotion
i. Kalina spoke with Evan G. at The Paris news. The grant program article, which she has
written, should run in the paper Thursday, November 14. Emmite and Bedford thanked
Kalina very much for hard work on the article.
ii. Moore shared about the lack of a "one-stop" calendar for all local events. He has made
contact with an app developer, to explore the options of creating such a calendar that
organizations, businesses, schools, churches, etc. could feed into and Could be user -
control led/fiI tered to meet their interests. Glasscock suggested adding a feature for
personal networking and "meet ups".
d. Economic Vitality:
i. Moore and Bedford did a survey of vacant downtown buildings. The city defines
it as a vacant structure for at least 30 days, not a vacant lot. A map showing many vacant
structures / lots was shared. If the structure is not being worked on or is not for sale at
fair market value, it will be on listed on the vacant registry and pay a fine of $500,
accruing additional $500 each year. More discussion will be had on this topic next month.
4. PDA Report:
a. Emmite reported that applications are coming for the Downtown Christmas Parade on December 7
at fpm. Three judges are needed. The Judges sight will be in front of Fine & Dandy. The Grand
Marshall this year is Becky Semple.
5. Chamber Report: Semple reported this year's BBQ Blowout (Sanctioned BBQ competition and Peoples
Choice Division) is scheduled for December 7 at Love Civic Center. This year the public can purchase a
$20 entry to eat all the Peoples Choice BBQ. Proceeds benefit local school education foundations. 903
Sunset Concerts are scheduled for Thursdays in June. It is estimated that the Square Dance group who
came to Paris over Labor Day and in Mid -October to attend Mannequin Night, spent over $50,000.00
locally, with 400 room nights.
6. Coordinators Report - Coordinator Bedford explained how the Placer app, used by City, Chamber, and
EDC, can geo-fence an area for a certain amount of time, using cell phone data to determine how long
people stayed in one area, where they came from, what peak hours are, etc. It is reported that 9,800
people attended Pumpkin Fest. The average stay was about 55 minutes and the peak attendance was from
Ilam -fpm, during the costume contest. This year there were 85 vendors, 10 kids games and 150
volunteers throughout the day. This year we took in $21,000 from Festival of Pumpkins, towards the
Main Street fund. Next year will mark the 25th Anniversary. Suzy Harper with the non-profit, Light up
Paris, reached out to Bedford stating that the cost to prepare downtown for the Christmas Tree lighting is
$6000. Bedford recommended that the board donate $1500 towards this. Moore made a motion to give
$1500 to Light up Paris. Hart seconded. Motion passed. Christmas Tree Lighting will be November 23.
Shannon Jones with Lamar National Bank is coordinating the entertainment, choirs and dancers. There
will be wagon rides, live reindeer, popcorn and hot chocolate 1'or a donation. Moore asked about
advertising the Christmas Tree Lighting at Christmas in Paris earlier that day, to encourage visitors to stay
in town all day. Bedford will put out a press release and advertising on social media. We, will ask Paul to
look LIP on the Placer app how many out of town visitors attend Christmas in Paris. Bedford suggested a
vinyl banner (from Forrest Signs) at the civic center In the future we might consider posting signage
downtown (similar to festival of pumpkins), putting info at the local hotels, and at the PJC comer.
Bedford is in contact with Porter Lawn Maintenance about starting a maintenance contract for the grass on
the interior plaza, to alleviate the Parks Dept. Bedford is having a meeting with the Texas Main Street
design staff regarding I st Street. We should see action on I st Street soon. On November 19, at 2pm,
Moore and Ernmite will join the city staff to discuss the Downtown Plan. Bedford will send invitation to
inform them of meeting location. Boards and Commissions were looked at. Bedford recommended that
our board include a member of PDA, 7 members and 2 alternates. The Farmers Market Shed is here and
work will begin on that soon. Next meeting will be December 10th at 4:30.
7. Moore made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Hart seconded, Motion passed, Board adjourned at 5:56
Future agenda items:
*Revisit Survey
Chairman