HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-30-2020
Members - Present Members - Absent Staff - Present
Laura Oswald
Jennifer Frazier
Jeff Canter
Josh Linville
Lucas Bremer
Craig Beavers
David Godfrey
JT Crawford
Jill Poimboeuf
Katie Axt – Main Street Director
Melanie Reason - Staff
Minutes from October 26th, 2020: approved.
Director Report Out:
Welcome New Mayoral Appointments: Mayoral appointments include David Godfrey, Lucas
Bremer, and JT Crawford. We have a fully appointed board.
Board training for new members: Katie has issued an email requesting best times for the
training to be scheduled in December. The Kentucky Main Street guidebook will be sent again
electronically to board members to review ahead of training. Chair suggested updating board
bios to include new members and it was decided that updated Main Street binders should be
issued to the new board.
Monthly Reinvestment Stats: Update expected in Q1 2021.
City Block Update: Public listening session on 11/9/20 was well attended. The board agreed that
it was a positive experience. Staff reports that design suggestions include multi-use areas that
can function as gathering places that includes shade, public art. There will be another round of
listening sessions as the design progresses.
TIF Update: The city applied for the TIF program with the state in July 2019, received approval in
August 2019. City is working with the state to finalize the agreement and work toward final
approval by end of the year. No new update.
Accreditation status: there will be no change in accreditation status for the Main Street
program due to Covid-19. We will still be required to submit reports on our work as a group to
the state without being scored.
Budget Report Out: See attached. Disbursements totaled $3, 650, leaving $18, 150. This accounts for
approximately 50% of the allocation for holiday promotions. The rest of the holiday allocation will be
disbursed in November.
Board of Directors
November 30th, 2020
3:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting
Minutes
Committee Report Outs:
Organization/ Promotions: Report from Katie Axt. Small Business Saturday was a success.
Merchants reported being able to serve and manage customers positively and safely. They
reported good sales and that the No Place Like Local Campaign resonated well. Board suggested
surveying the merchants for feedback after the event, or using merchants to survey the public
to understand more about how they receive information.
o Small Business Advocate: the idea of a small business advocate network was discussed,
including board member awareness campaign and a social media campaign to champion
small businesses. Craig suggested a campaign based on the interests of the board, ie
restaurants banding together to provide messaging on how to eat heart healthy for a
month.
o Looking ahead: Board suggested that there may need to be a strategy in place for 2021
that includes communicating parking and expectations after groundbreaking at City
Block.
Design: Report from Jeff Canter. Committee viewed a final draft of design guidelines for the
designated historic district. Reviewed also implementation of guidelines and approval processes
that includes HARC and the Main Street design committee. The final draft must be approved by
HARC and the board of commission before adoption. Public engagement on this is forthcoming.
Economic Vitality: Report from Katie Axt. No new updates. Economic vitality committee will
meet to refresh work plan/strategy in light of Covid-19 in December.
Looking ahead to 2021: Ideas to think about include expanded programming for 2021 (i.e. bringing back
outdoor dining at Market House Square) and updating policies in response to Covid-19 disruptions. Main
Street will continue to provide business resources. Board members are asked to check in with local
businesses as they frequent them to ask them how they may be helped.
Meeting Adjourned at 4:15 pm. Next meeting will be 01/25/20 at 3:00 pm.