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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_MSTAB_02.14.2014L:\Global\Boards and Commissions\Minutes\MSTAB\2014\Minutes_MSTAB_02.14.2014.doc MAIN STREET ADVISORY BOARD MTG. MINUTES 8:30 A.M. – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2014 WILLIAMSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 710 S. MAIN ST. 2ND FLOOR NORTH CONFERENCE ROOM, GEORGETOWN, TEXAS Board Members Present: Cindy Harrington, Julie Laderach, Linda McCalla, Amanda Parr, Jim Wilson, Marcy Urban and David Kellerman City Staff Present: Shelly Hargrove, Main Street Manager; Jack Daly, Exec. Assistant; Matt Synatschk, Historic Planner 1. The meeting was called to order at 8:36 a.m. by Board Chair David Kellerman. 2. Julie moved to approve the January 10th board meeting minutes, Jim seconded. All board members present approved (7-0). 3. Matt Synatschk gave a report on the 2013 Downtown Master Plan Update. The most significant changes to the update are the development of a municipal center west of downtown by consolidating city offices and expanding the overlay district. Matt asked that the Main Street Advisory Board pass a motion of support of the update prior to City Council adoption in March. He explained that the update is part of the 2030 comprehensive plan and must be adopted by ordinance. Marcy asked that the City consider not knocking down the old library and Linda emphasized the importance and key to the of downtown in the past and in the future was due to the city’s support and keeping offices downtown. Linda moved to approve authorizing the board chair to sign a letter in support of the Downtown Master Plan Update to City Council, Amanda seconded. All board members present approved (7-0). 4. Matt also gave the monthly HARC report. The February agenda will be short. Books on Tap is asking for an amendment to their CDC which will redo the doors and signage. Matt also suggested that the board approach the owners of the former Tribal Impressions building to cover their windows during construction for Swirl. Amanda asked about the Chisholm Trail Inn. Matt explained that it has HARC approval and is going to a planning pre-application meeting next week. 5. Committee Reports: a. Promotion: Cindy reported that Lucas Adams was the most recent Main Street Star Award recipient and Swirl is just a little over two weeks away. She emphasized the need for wine donations to be done as quickly as possible. On Saturday, March 1st, she asked that all board members arrive to set-up from 9 am – 11 am at the L:\Global\Boards and Commissions\Minutes\MSTAB\2014\Minutes_MSTAB_02.14.2014.doc Courthouse. From 10 am – 12 pm they will set-up around the Square. Cindy still needs volunteers to direct traffic off the Square to places such as The Screen Door and Gatherings. Justin Bohls is in charge of volunteers and is specifically looking for people to cover the second shift (7:30 pm – 9:30 pm). Shelly also asked for volunteers at noon on Sunday to help pick up tables. After Swirl the board can discuss cooperative advertising. Approximately 450 tickets were sold and The Focus and the Reporter had done articles on the Swirl with ads in Community Impact. b. Design: Amanda reported that the Main Street Mural is preparing a news release for the call to artists, but that the call is already open to applicants. She will pass the information along to Diane Gaume and Amanda Still. The proposals are due on April 1. The unveiling will be in May. David said there have been discussions with the Georgetown Heritage Society to do a cultural fair around Grace Heritage Center and Founders Park and tying the unveiling to that event. Linda likes the idea of the unveiling being tied to the art center so the mural is the main focus. There will be a Don Snell exhibit and reception in May at the art center. The board then questioned doing the unveiling on a First Friday or during Preservation Month. If a Friday does not work it appears Thursdays will work well for booking the art center. Cindy asked what kind of screening could go around the utility boxes. Amanda then reported that several ornament options have been discussed – the historic county jail building, the Dimmitt Building, and the old post office/city hall. Several board members liked the idea of the county jail. Amanda also wants to begin focusing on the Alleyway Park. There are potential legal and egress issues. She will be meeting with Mike Haggerty and Don Jansen to discuss potential pitfalls. David reminded the board that he will be going to council on April 22 to see if they can fully fund the holiday lights so the Main Street Advisory Board can focus on other fundraising initiatives. Linda emphasized the need to business owner testimonials. She will also be putting together a notebook to help capture what she learned over the past 3 years and will pass along some ideas to help improve and expand the holiday lighting. c. Economic Restructuring: Marcy reported that it has been difficult to get a speaker confirmed for Breakfast Bites on the X-Games. The committee has pushed the February Breakfast Bites to March. The board also has funding for updated business packets. They will be able to update the tri-fold with new contacts, websites and information about the sign and façade grants. Jim reported that the committee has looked at a new contact management database, Downtown Diva. This will allow easier access to mailing lists. The Granbury trip has been rescheduled to March 21st. The van will leave at 7:30 am and arrive at 10 am. The Board will tour the opera house and have lunch then tour the square . The College Town Committee will be meeting on February 27. February 28 – March 1 is Spring Family Day. Dr. Burger’s inauguration is on March 25 with Scott Simon. The L:\Global\Boards and Commissions\Minutes\MSTAB\2014\Minutes_MSTAB_02.14.2014.doc water tower is currently getting the SU logo applied. And SU no longer owns to equipment for Pirate Buc$ and is unsure of what rates will be for the program in the future. d. Organization: David reported that Karen Sheldon is the new president of the Georgetown Chamber. Wildfire won the Small Business of the Year award at the Chamber’s banquet. The art center is in transition currently, and working on developing a calendar for March classes. DGA is also in transition. Stephanie is currently doing her own market days on Highway 29. The Main Street Advisory Board will be updating projects for the upcoming year at the board retreat in April. Ideas include: screening of electrical equipment, an ice skating rink for the holidays, uplighting for the courthouse trees, cooperative advertising, changing the façade application process (and tying it to operating hours or staggering payments), developing a television commercial with Chet, additional billboards, movies and music on the Square, a farmers market or a festival. Finally, Shelly was interviewed in the Involving All People portion of the Preservation Advisory Council on Historic Preservation publication. 6. Staff Report: Shelly reported that board members need to take wine to the museum (15 bottles each). There will also be a Texas Downtown Associate Roundtable on February 27 from 8:30 am – 2:00 pm. Shelly will be out of the office from March 3 – March 7 at the Community Development Institute. Vicki Jackimiec is the newest Main Street Advisory Board member. The board retreat will be April 11 from 8:30 am – 2:00 pm. Prior to the retreat, subcommittees need to develop budget requests for the upcoming fiscal year. Finally, Shelly reminded everyone to support David when he speaks to council on April 22. 7. David adjourned the meeting at 9:44. Respectfully submitted: ____________________________ ____________________ Marcy Urban, Board Secretary Date ____________________________ ____________________ David Kellerman, Board Chair Date