02/11/2025 MinutesMINUTES OF THE MAIN STREET ADVISORY BOARD
PARIS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 107 E. KAUFMAN PARIS, TEXAS 75460
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2025
Present: Board Members: Glee Emmite, Will Walker, Mary
Hart, Tyrone Hayden, Becky Semple (current Chamber
representative), Karen Doughtery (new Chamber representative)
Alix Putnam (city council)
City Representatives: Cheri Bedford, Main Street Manager
Osei Amo-Mensah, Director of Plan and Comm. Dev.
Rob Vine Assistant City Manager, Rose Beverly, City
Manager
Citizens Misti & Anwar Scott, Rosewood Eatery/PDA President,
Absent: Melissa Jones, Kim Kalina, Kevin Moore,
Chairman Emmite called the meeting to order at 4:00prn by reading the board's vision and mission
statements.
1. Citizen forum -Open to public
a. No one present spoke at to board during citizen forum.
2. Review minutes from January 14, 2025,
a. Walker made a motion to approve the minutes, Hayden seconded, motion carried 4 -0
3. Committee Reports
a. Workplan updates
a. Hart gave an update on the TS I Arts and Entertainment progress. She submitted a
written report to Bedford that will be sent to the board. The "arts movement"
initiative, led by Main Street Advisory, had its first meeting on January 24 at the
Plaza Artist Guild. Forty (40) artists attended, introducing themselves and sharing
what their talents were. A pre -event survey was created prior to the meeting by
Bedford and distributed to those who responded to the event. A list of takeaways
were developed from the survey and reviewed by the Main Street Arts Movement
committee on Wednesday, February 5"' at Melissa Jones studio. The first project
planned is 3-8x8 murals being painted, installed on the side of a property in
conjunction with the Wine Fest.
Other items for Paris Texas Wine Fest: Hart is planning the inclusion of artist
exhibits to some stops. Kalina is working on social media, and Jones is organizing
musicians for entertainment.
b. Hayden has confirmed 9 local food vendors for wine festival. Emmite secured 9
wineries. Still looking for one more participant, Emmite is also looking for host of
the VIP event. Paris Coffee has sponsored our VIP event by donating event space.
Bedford gave an update on additional sponsors and activities. Posters, ticket sales,
websites, Facebook event and volunteer form are all active. Tickets sales are starting.
c. PDA- Galentines Bingo with PDA on February 15 at participating stores. Main
Street invited SBDC to speak to PDA.
d. VCG Semple shared events hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and VCC. The
past weekend (February 8) was the Mt bike event TIMBRA at Barber Hills trails.
Chamber is also looking forward to the 903 Concert series. No announcement yet as
to who will be performing. This was Ms Semple's last meeting in her official
capacity. Karen Daugherty will be our new liaison from the chamber.
4. Coordinators Report
The National Main Street Accreditation report was submitted on time. This will be used to give a
report to the City Council in the next few months. Bedford went over how to make purchases as a
board member with the Main Street budget. She covered the work plan review and listed projects
such as potentially reimagining the building improvement grant to support arts and revisiting the
City's comprehensive plan as it relates to the Downtown and Toole Plan. Plans for I st Street and
updates were given on the past months' progress.
Vacant property registration forms were sent to all property owners in historic districts. Bedford is
planning to do an assessment of the cost and missed opportunities of the vacant property, to see what
the future potential is of the downtown.
The new workplan template was distributed and Bedford asked the board to record their volunteer
hours monthly by using the board activity report and include the additional volunteers who are
serving on event committees, as to recognize our partners and volunteers in revitalization.
Rose Beverly, the new city manager, introduced herself to the board.
5. Future Agenda Items
Revisit the Downtown and Toole Plan.
6. Adjourn regular meeting
Emmite made the motion to adjourn at 5:17 p.m. Motion was seconded by Walker. Motion carried.
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Chairman