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1998Minutes Main Street Advisory Board A meeting of the Paris Main Street Advisory Board, held on April 1, 1998, at 3:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Present: Dr. William Hayden Linda Suarez Bill Payne Ann Wyche Karen Wilkerson Dwight Chaney Terry Townsend David House Pat Taylor Suzy Harper Scott McDowell Absent: The meeting was called to order by Terry Townsend. Terry Townsend began discussion about the Paris Main Street Project proposed Mission Statement and city designation. The Advisory Board decided some time should pass before any stategic planning was developed. The explanation was given by Bill Payne, "the board should have time to experience this project and develop their own ideas before developing overall goals of the group." Terry Townsend described potential funding available for this project through the City, County and State. This funding would include low interest loans, historical grants and donations. Terry also explained the relationship between the Main Street Manager and the Advisory Board. Defining the direct responsibilities of each position. Advisory Board By -laws were proposed, however the decision to delay approval was made by the board. Discussion concerning the project Time Line was delayed until the next meeting. We adjourned the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Minutes Main Street Advisory Board A meeting of the Paris Main Street Advisory Board, held on May 6, 1998, at 3:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Present: Linda Suarez Dwight Chaney David House Terry Townsend Absent: Ann Wyche Pat Taylor Also present: Hugh Jones Terry Townsend called the meeting to order. William Hayden Suzy Harper Karen Wilkerson Bill Payne Scott McDowell Tom Conrad Terry Townsend initiated discussion to select promotional committee members, beginning the process of Main Streets first promotional events. Board members believed the work load this involves should determine the individuals who participate. Therefore, a blue grass festival in downtown Paris was suggested. The Paris Main Street Project and the Paris Downtown Development Association would cosponsor the blue grass festival. We discussed logistics of this event such as funding, location, ticket sales and vending. We also recommended scheduling a big name entertainer for a one day event in September or October. Discussion followed that we would attempt to schedule two events of this nature annually. Dr. William Hayden suggested the committee create a realistic budget for this event so the committee, the PDDA and Main Street Board would have some idea and goal of funds needed. Dr. William Hayden made the motion to sponsor this event, second by David House with a vote of 6 -0, for the blue grass festival project. Several names were mentioned by Suzy Harper for appointment to the promotions committee, however no decision was made at this time. Terry Townsend reported that we scheduled Terry Colley from the Texas Main Street office in Austin to be in Paris the last week of May for development of the low interest loan program. We adjourned the meeting at 4:33 p.m. Minutes Main Street Advisory Board A meeting of the Paris Main Street Advisory Board, held on June 11, 1998, at 4:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Present: David House William Hayden Suzy Harper Ann Wyche Karen Wilkerson Scott Mcdowell Terry Townsend Pat Taylor Absent: Bill Payne Linda Suarez Dwight Chaney Terry Townsend called the meeting to order. Terry Townsend began by requesting a motion for President of the Main Street Advisory Board. Suzy Harper made a motion for Karen Wilkerson, Scott McDowell seconded the motion and the board approved 7 -0. Karen Wilkerson made a motion for Ann Wyche as Vice President, David House seconded the motion and the board approved 7 -0. Karen Wilkerson initiated discussion to select sub - committee members that report to the Main Street Advisory Board. These sub - committees included design, development, promotions, memberships, and economic development. Main Street Board members were assigned to each committee as chair persons. The assignments are as follows- (Design) Dr. William Hayden, Bill Payne and Ann Wyche, (Development) Karen Wilkerson, (Promotions) Suzy Harper and Linda Suarez, (Memberships) Pat Taylor and David House, (Economic Development) Scott McDowell and Dwight Chaney. These committee members have agreed to contact other interested residents and property owners that may be interested in serving on these sub committees and reporting those to Terry Townsend. Discussion about the low interest loan program was initiated by Terry Townsend. The board requested research on using our economic development sales tax to buy down percentage rates for property owners, offering 0% loans to property owners while the city gives rebates or reductions to the financial institutions on their taxes, or taxing downtown property owners specifically for revitalization. We adjourned the meeting at 5:30 p.m. Minutes Main Street Advisory Board A meeting of the Paris Main Street Advisory Board, held on July 8, 1998, at 3:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Present: Dr. William Hayden Linda Suarez Ann Wyche Karen Wilkerson Terry Townsend Absent: Bill Payne Suzy Harper Pat Taylor Dwight Chaney David House Scott McDowell The meeting was called to order by Terry Townsend. Discussion was then held regarding the review and approval of bylaws for the Main Street Advisory Board. Since the advisory board is selected by the city council, the decision was made to follow the councils own bylaws or recommendations for such boards. However, bylaws were discussed and approved for sub - committees selected by the Main Street Advisory Board. These bylaws were few but included the fact that each committee must meet on a quarterly bases. The low interest loan criteria was discussed. Terry Townsend agreed to do research on other such programs and how they introduced it to the potential property owners. The financial institutions in Paris have agreed to offer a $350,000 loan pool. Terry will put an advertisement package together for this loan pool, as well as a pre - application packet that goes to interested owners. Continuous publicity for the program was brought to the table by Linda Suarez. Suggesting a regular column in the Paris News. This column could include reinvestment figures, loan criteria, committee contacts, a map of the historical district and upcoming projects. Linda Suarez also suggested strategic planning for the Main Street Project Board and sub committee. She suggested the City Manager and Mayor should participate in this planning since it would influence the long range plan for the city. Terry Townsend explained to the board that the City of Paris was already involved in the development of a new Master Plan. We adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m. Minutes Main Street Advisory Board A meeting of the Paris Main Street Advisory Board, held on July 8, 1998, at 3:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Present: Absent: Dr. William Hayden Linda Suarez Ann Wyche Terry Townsend Bill Payne Dwight Chaney Karen Wilkerson Suzy Harper Pat Taylor David House Scott McDowell The meeting was called to order by Terry Townsend Discussion was then held regarding the review and approval of bylaws for the Main Street Advisory Board. Since the advisory board is selected by the city council, the decision was made to follow the councils own bylaws or recommendations for such boards. However, bylaws were discussed and approved for sub - committees selected by the Main Street Advisory Board. These bylaws were few but included the fact that each committee must meet on a quarterly bases. The low interest loan criteria was discussed. Terry Townsend agreed to do research on other such programs and how they introduced it to the potential property owners. The financial institutions in Paris have agreed to offer a $350,000 loan pool. Terry will put an advertisement package together for this loan pool, as well as a pre- application packet that goes to interested owners. Continuous publicity for the program was brought to the table by Linda Suarez. Suggesting a regular column in the Paris News. This column could include reinvestment figures, loan criteria, committee contacts, a map of the historical district and upcoming projects. Linda Suarez also suggested strategic planning for the Main Street Project Board and sub committee. She suggested the City Manager and Mayor should participate in this planning since it would influence the long range plan for the city. Terry Townsend explained to the board that the City of Paris was already involved in the development of a new Master Plan. We adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m. Minutes Main Street Advisory Board A meeting of the Paris Main Street Advisory Board, held on August 5, 1998, at 3:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Present: Dr. William Hayden Linda Suarez Bill Payne Ann Wyche Karen Wilkerson Dwight Chaney Terry Townsend David House Pat Taylor Suzy Harper Absent: Scott McDowell The meeting was called to order by Terry Townsend. Discussion was then held regarding historical ordinances in the Paris Historical District. Terry Townsend agreed to locate other Main Street cities with preservation and maintenance ordinances and report those to the Advisory Board at the next meeting. A decision to create a proposal to the Paris City Council was made in regards to these ordinances. The low interest loan program was discussed. The Advisory board unanimously agreed that the financial institutions offer on the low interest loan program was unacceptable. Terry Townsend was asked to meet again with this group of institutions and express the boards feelings. The financial institutions in Paris have agreed to offer a $350,000 loan pool, at 6.5 %. However the Advisory Board feels that 3.5 to 4% is more appropriate for our success. Advertisement for this program will be postponed until this meeting takes place. Linda Suarez shared with the board a letter and advertisement for the Main Street Project and Red River Valley Blue Grass Club. Terry Townsend began the discussion of a Main Street Project Newsletter. Advisory Board members suggested articles such as the low interest loan process, updates on ongoing projects and upcoming projects, the hotel project, color palate, planning and zoning, economic development and special events. Karen Wilkerson updated the Advisory Board on the upcoming Salvation Army project. We adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m. Minutes Main Street Advisory Board A meeting of the Paris Main Street Advisory Board, held on September 2, 1998, at 3:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Present: Dr. William Hayden Linda Suarez Bill Payne Karen Wilkerson Dwight Chaney Terry Townsend David House Absent: Suzy Harper Scott McDowell Ann Wyche Pat Taylor The meeting was called to order by Terry Townsend. Discussion about building ordinances for the historical district was initiated by Terry Townsend. These ordinances would be developed by the Main Street Advisory Board and submitted to the City Council for approval. Terry submitted several examples from other cities for the boards review. These ordinances will be considered at the next board meeting. Approval of the first Main Street Newsletter and Low Interest Loan advertisement. Karen Wilkerson updated the board regarding the Gibralter Hotel project. We adjourned the meeting at 4:00 p.m. �l /7/ Minutes Main Street Advisory Board A meeting of the Paris Main Street Advisory Board, held on October 7, 1998, at 3:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Present: Linda Suarez Karen Wilkerson Scott McDowell Terry Townsend Suzy Harper Ann Wyche Pat Taylor Absent: Dr, William Hayden Bill Payne Dwight Chaney David House The meeting was called to order by Terry Townsend. Terry Townsend began discussion about downtown ordinances. Scott McDowell suggested that the board submit very simple and acceptable ordinances to begin our campaign. Suggesting our first ordinance would create a specific historical district. Scott McDowell agreed to prepare a draft ordinance for the board which would designate the specific area, and give the main street manager or board the capability of signing off on any project in that designated area. Scott also suggested that this ordinance grandfather any existing facility in the designated area. Scott felt we should host a public hearing in regards to this ordinance. Board members also suggested we pursue other low interest loans which allow residents to purchase existing facilities. Terry Townsend informed the advisory board that the Texas Main Street Program requires a recognition survey be completed each year to reapply for certification as a main street city. This survey is due on October 5, 1998. Terry informed the board that he has completed this survey and returned it to the Austin office. Terry also informed the board that the low interest loan advertisement and main street newsletter have been mailed. We adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE MASTER PLAN FOCUS GROUP PLANNING COMMITTEE OCTOBER 15, 1998 The Master Plan Focus Group Planning Committee met in special session, Thursday, October 15, 1998, 5:00 P. M. Chairman Eric S. Clifford called the meeting to order with Mary Ann Fisher being present. Also present was City Manager, Michael E. Malone, City Attorney, Scott P. Foster, City Engineer, Earl Smith, and City Clerk, Mattie Cunningham. Chairman Clifford announced that the purpose of the meeting was discussion, consideration of and action on naming citizens to participate in the Master Planning Focus Group sessions. Earl Smith, City Engineer, gave the committee two list of citizens containing 93 names, and discussed the list with the committee. Chairman Clifford and Councilwoman Fisher asked that David Glass, Clovis Graves, Bobby Walters, Leon Williams, Leroy Samuel, Eddie Barker, Reverend James Alexander, and Chuck Superville be placed on the list. Chairman Clifford suggest that past members of the City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission be place on the list to receive one of the mail out invitations to join the Focus Group, going back for six to seven years. It was also suggested that the members of the Paris Economic Development Corporation and Administrators of both hospitals be invited. City Manager Malone suggested that citizens from the Lamar County Leadership group be chosen. Chairman Clifford directed City Manager Malone to pick young people from the Lamar County Leadership group. Mr. Smith told the committee that the focus session is a kick -off and the consultants will tell the people what the objectives are, and then break -up into small groups. Mr. Smith also suggested having a leader for each group. Mr. Smith said that the object for each group is to come up with a prioritize list as Master Plan Committee Oct 15, 1998 Page 2 to what the problems are and what it will take to solve the problems. Chairman Clifford directed Mr. Smith to work -up a list, get with Reaves Hayter for any additional names, and send it to him and Councilwoman Fisher to sign off on it. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. ERIC S. CLIFFORD, CHAIRMAN ATTEST: MATTIE CUNNINGHAM, CITY CLERK