HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_MSTAB_09.08.2017Minutes of a Meeting of the
Main Street Advisory Board of the
City of Georgetown, Texas
Friday, September 08, 2017
The Main Street Advisory Board met on Friday, September 8, 2017 at 8:30 AM in the Classroom of the Georgetown
Public Library located at 402 West 8" St., Georgetown, Texas
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Taylor Kidd called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM. All board members were in attendance, V. Jackimiec joined the
meeting at 8:35 a.m.
Regular Session
(This Regular session may, at any time, be recessed to convene an Executive Session for any purpose authorized by
the Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code 551.)
A. Discussion and possible action regarding approval of the August 11, 2017 board meeting minutes— Taylor
Kidd, Board Chair
Motion by T. Tallman to approve meeting minutes, second by B. Nicholson.
Approved: 6-0
B. Discussion and possible action on an extension request for a Main Street Facade & Sign Grant application —
Bucking Bronco, LLC — Kim McAuliffe, Downtown Development Manager
Staff presented the background information for a facade grant for 704 S Austin Avenue approved on March
20, 2017. The applicant has been unable to start the work within the 90 days as required by the grant and also
believes that the project will take longer than the 1 year as required by the grant. Mr. Horak spoke about the
project, which includes extending the mezzanine in the building to increase occupancy, adding fire
suppression, and adding additional bathrooms. The Main Street grant was awarded for $20,000 specifically for
the fire suppression system that is required with the increased occupancy number. B. Nicholson made a
motion to extend the start date for the project to fall within the next 125 days and for the project to be
completed no later than August 1, 2018, second by K. Warren.
Approved: 7-0
C. Discussion and possible action regarding progress with project teams -
a. Shop Small Project Team
T. Tallman discussed the activities of the Shop Small group. The DGA, Chamber and Main Street are all
working together for the events this year. The theme is 'The art of shopping small... seek the unique!' and
the participating retailers are encouraged to showcase their art or artisan made products if they have them.
Lisa King from DGA is helping to drive this event, working on getting gift certificates from restaurants for the
gift basket, as well as retailers around downtown. Shop Small Sherpas will be on the 4 corners of the
downtown to help direct customers around to participating stores. There will be a bingo game card and map
distributed to customers. The chamber is supplying the ambassadors to help staff on the day of the event.
b. Swirl Project Team
T. Tallman and V. Jackimiec talked about the Swirl team, they have given artistic direction for this year's
"Swirl girl" who will be featured on all print advertisements. They have also talked about limiting the ticket
sales for this year and helping to cut down on some of the food costs, etc. The save the date card will be
shared and promoted on Facebook. There will be a Swirl event on the downtown page, advertisements will
be targeted through e-mails of past attendees, and also to wine enthusiasts. The volunteers will select what
team leads will take what responsibilities at the September 13 meeting. They are hoping for 10 wineries and
22 retail participants.
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c. Breakfast Bites Project Team
K. Curry discussed the upcoming Breakfast Bites event on September 20. The event will be at the Library
and the speaker will discuss the millennial generation. Positive feedback on the event when distributing the
flyers around to the businesses. The Downtown Lowdown will now be combined with Breakfast Bites to
make for a bigger event each quarter. Coffee and conversation starts at 8, the speaker is at 8:30 and the
Lowdown will be at 9. The businesses were very receptive of one event versus two as before.
D. Staff Report
K. McAuliffe discussed the Christmas ornament for 2017, the majority preferred the second version of the
ornament which included two 3-d pieces on the ornament. K. Warren brought up an idea to conclude the
ornament sales this year, since it is the 101h year and suggested next year we start a new concept of a "Main
Street Village" made of porcelain figures of the buildings. T. Tallman discussed wooden versions as another
alternative option for materials. This will be announced with this year's ornament to help promote sales and
the new concept for 2018. K. Warren will follow up with staff on a manufacturer to consider for creating this.
We will also contact BIG to see if they could create it for Main Street, creating another great partnership.
McAuliffe gave the names of everyone that responded to the e-mail for joining a project team so the board
members would know who was on each team. Each board member that attended a partner organization
meeting gave an update. T. Tallman attended the Arts & Culture meeting — she talked about Downtown
West and the art that they will be incorporating into the interior and exterior of City Hall. They are also
accepting grant applications for projects this year as well as a call for art. She will attend the next meeting in
September as well. McAuliffe also told the board that a part time Arts & Culture position was approved for
the next FY. B. Nicholson and K. Curry reported on the HARC meeting that they attended — Waggoner
Middle School was approved to make ADA improvements, add doors and windows and a glass awning over
the entry. The Watkins building was approved at the last meeting as well. There will be retail, restaurant and
office space in this property. The garage doors featured on the north and south sides of the building will
have roll up garage doors that open to public plaza space. The Lofts on Rock were also approved for
construction of a 4 -story structure on Rock Street. This will be a modern design with balconies on each
condo. The rooftop will have a shared gathering area with a party room for the residents to be able to use as
an amenity. The first floor will have a retail component and covered parking. T. Kidd reported on the
Downtown TIRZ meeting — Laurie Brewer gave an overview of the balance and what projects were selected
for this year's improvements. The funds are used for sidewalks, transportation, and other beautification
projects in downtown. Board Block Captains were discussed and maps distributed for members to consider.
The board members will each work with staff on setting up business retention visits with businesses in each
block. Staff will send out a map with everyone's choices. New business openings are Sip N Stain and Stellar
Bakes, they will have a grand opening on October 13. The Economic Development Department is hosting a
business appreciation event also on October 13 at Mel's Lone Star Lanes. Natural Gas Improvements were
approved and recommended to go before City Council by the GEDCO board. Downtown partner meetings
for September were announced for board members to consider attending.
E. Agenda Items for the October meeting — Update from CVB on Marketing for Georgetown and how they are
promoting the Square in their next campaign.
Adjourn
Motion by T. Tallman, second by V. Jackimiec to adjourn the meeting. Taylor Kidd adjourned the meeting at 9:53 AM.
Approved by the Main Street Advisory Board on 0 drot-(^ (3 , A D 1
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Kim McAuliffe, Do t wn Development Manager
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