April 1, 2019 Main Street Board meeting minutes

Greentown Main Street Association Minutes

Monday, April 1, 2019

The Greentown Main Street Association met on Monday April 1, 2019 in the Town Council meeting room at the City Building.

Those in attendance were:
Directors present: Jolene Rule, Lisa Stout, Katie Regan, Ron Simpson, Regina Poe. Mark Lantz and Garry Hill.
Directors Absent with regrets: Liesbet Patrick, Ronda Eldridge, Rachel Jenkins and Ed Hannah

Guests present : Jenny Cole

President Jolene Rule called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

The minutes of the March 2019 meeting were presented. One correction – Under facebook. Change the over 300 followers to almost 300 followers. Ron Simpson made a motion to approve the minutes as corrected and Mark Lantz seconded. The motion passed.

The Treasurer's report for March was read. The report was filed for audit.

The Treasurer reported that the entity report has been filed and the check to the Fire Department has been sent.

Organization

Membership – It was reported (45 paid, 3 exchange and 1 free. )

Fundraising – Is in need of a chairman.

Website – Lisa asked for those with events to send them to her so she can add them to the community calendar. She also said that the changes will be sent for the business directory and membership list on the website this next month. The membership banner for the post office has been ordered.

Facebook Page – Jolene reported that the facebook page is doing great. Keep sending her your event information. It is another way to promote the town.

Design - Katie Regan -Chairman

Committee Members: Jolene Rule, Rachel Jenkins

Revitalization Plan - Katie reported that she has received good reports on the Business owners meeting and thanked Mark Lantz for organizing that meeting. She said INDOT is working on stage II plans of our Main Street Construction and they are working on Maintenance of traffic plans. There still needs to be a meeting with INDOT and the Main Street Business owners which should be scheduled in May when they have more to report. There were two options for closing Main Street for construction . 1. Close all of Main Street 2. Close only sections of Main Street at one time. (4 sections).

A stoplight at Main and Harrison might still happen. (For school traffic. )

Jolene mentioned that she still would like to see the ugly wooden light poles off of Main Street and replaced with decorative light poles.

Mark suggested that INDOT might coordinate their meeting with the next Business Owners meeting in June.

Town Beautification – Jolene reported that she will order flowers from Heartland Market for the planters, and Adopt A Spots around town. Plans have been made for Saturday May 11 to plant and clean up the various areas around town. Some artificial plants have been placed in the stoplight planters by an anonymous donor.
Murals and Signage – The Wayfinding signs are completed. All that needs to be done to complete our grant obligations is to have a Recognition Ribbon Cutting. This could be in early May. All of the public is invited. Will invite the press and local dignitaries.

Everything is ready to paint a mural on the Main Occasions wall except for the money. We need $10,000 for this. We have an artist willing to do it in September if the funds are available. The design is an Interurban car 10' x 30'. There was discussion as to who would own the mural. Garry Hill reported that according to the town ordinances that any owner of any building owns everything on that building. If the building was sold the new owner would own it.

Christmas Lights – The Christmas lights have been taken down and stored for next year. A check has been sent to the Fire Department of doing this for us.

Economic Vitality - Mark Lantz - Chairman.

March 25^th was the business owners meeting. 16 people attended. There are new people attending each meeting. A lot of networking is going on. We all share a commonality the Greentown Business owners have an interest in their town.

Because Main Occasions has not charged us for the last several meetings, Mark made a motion that we pay for a half page ad in the new business directory that Regina is putting together. Garry seconded it and the motion passed.

Mark reported that Family Dollar is closing. He said there are people looking for commercial property and this would be a good building. There was discussion on Boutiques and how they are popular and drawing people in. We need to think more “outside the box “.

 

Business Directory – Regina Poe – chairman

The business directory needs 22 businesses @ $75.00 ad space to pay for it. Regina has secured a photographer to take pictures of Greentown to honor the theme “ A good place to work, live and play.

It was mentioned that Craig Trott might have some good pictures that could be used.

Promotion

Music At The Fountain – The 2019 schedule has been set. Dates are July 25-Sept 12.

MATF Scholorship – Jolene reported that scholorship(s) of $500.00 will be given to an Eastern High School senior who plans to pursue a career in the Arts.

Community Rummage sale – Robin Hainlen. May 18 & Sept 14 have been set for the Rummage Sales. A map will be made if there is enough interest in it.

 

Lt. Mike Andry Ride – July 20, 2019. 

Community Garden – Applications are available for plots in the garden for the 2019 season.

Art Show – Aug 10, 17 & 24 at the Meridian Street Christian Church.

Holiday Bazaar – Jodi Cecil -November

Farmers Market – June – Sept.

It was suggested an afternoon/evening day thru the week might work well for those that work on Saturdays.

Fall Festival – In need of a chairman.

Old Business – None

New Business – Discussion on the Greentown Glass Festival and starting it again. The problem has always been a chairman. The NGGA is planning something for their anniversary. Reed Kaiser's name was mentioned that he might be interested. It was suggested to contact Robin Hainlen. Garry Hill mentioned that he use to have canoe rides and races during that time.

Jolene adjorned the meeting 8:20 PM.

The next meeting will be May 6, 2019, 7 PM at the City Building