There was no board meeting in December 2019

There was no Board meeting in December 2019

November 4, 2019 board minutes

Greentown Main Street Association Minutes

Monday, November 4, 2019

The Greentown Main Street Association met on Monday November 4, 2019 at Main Occasions catering for the Annual Meeting.

Those in attendance were:

Directors present: Jolene Rule, Lisa Stout, Regina Poe, Ron Simpson, Ronda Eldridge, Rachel Jenkins Mark Lantz, Liesbet Patrick, Katie Regan and Ed Hannah.

Directors absent with regrets: Garry Hill

Members present: Jenny Cole, Joyce Yager, Mike Imbler, Mary Miller, Jeff Lanning, Jennifer Lanning and Renda Hurst.

Visitors present: Connie Hannah and Jean Simpson

At 7:00 PM President Jolene Rule asked everyone to introduce themselves. Then she invited everyone to partake in the buffet provided by Main Occasions Catering. At 8:00 PM Jolene Called the meeting to order.

The minutes of the October 2019 meeting were presented. The minutes were approved as sent.

The Treasurer's report for September was read. The report was filed for audit. The budget for 2020 was discussed Ron Simpson made a motion to accept the 2020 budget as presented, Katie Regan seconded and the motion passed.

Organization

Membership – It was reported as 50 paid, 3 exchange and 2 free to end 2019. The 2020 dues notices have been sent out. The question was asked” What are some of the incentives to join Main Street,” Rachel suggested that there be more discussion on what Main Street is all about and the purpose of our Main Street Association. Jolene reminded us that grant money can be obtained thru Main Street. Regina stated that the January meeting will focus to bring more incite into the purpose of Main Street.

Fundraising – Is in need of a chairman. Most programs raise their own money for their events, but there are some operating expenses that fundraising for the general fund is needed.

Website – Updates to the business directory will be made usually in February after most of the membership dues are in.

Facebook Page – Jolene reported that the facebook page has 498 followers. This is a good way to advertise any upcoming sales or events.

Design - Katie Regan -Chairman

Committee Members: Jolene Rule, Rachel Jenkins , Jenny Cole

Revitalization Plan - Since INDOT will be replacing our Main Street we have been resigned to doing smaller projects to keep the revilaization project alive.

Thank you to Rachel Jenkins for finalizing the Historic Designation for our commercial downtown district. This is on the Indiana National Registry of Historic Places.

Town Beautification – Thank you to the town for watering the flowers this year. Thank you to Jolene for chairing the Park Advisory Board and the Town Beautifications committee.
Murals and Signage – the Wayfinding signs and the new mural have been improvements made this year.
Christmas Lights – Mary Miller reported that the lights are ready to hang. Thank you to the Greentown Volunteer Fire Dept. for putting up and taking down the lights and also thank you to Brad Howell for the use of a storage unit at the Mini Storage on Payton St. This is a $420.00 donation and is greatly appreciated.

Economic Vitality - Mark Lantz - Chairman.

Mark reported that he sees Greentown as a fluid Community. One buisness goes out and a new business goes in. There are over 30,000 vehicles going thru town every day.

Mark has been in touch with a professor at IUK that speaks Chinese. They have drafted a letter to the owners of the King Chef building. Telling them that we want to partner with them to improve the outside of their building to make it more appealing to the eye.

He also wants to make Greentown known as a Veteran friendly community. He has talked to the Commander of the American Legion here in town and have discussed putting up signs at the ends of town and working with merchants to recognize their veteran customers. Other ideas are stickers for the business owners windows and banners to honor veterans.

Greentown need to make a good first impression to visitors and possible new home buyers. Jeff Lanning stated that Greentown could be a grand place. There is a lot of opportunity here. Mary Miller stated that flowers and plants make a big difference and that our excellent school system brings people here. Mark said that Eastern School system has a good reputation. Transfer kids make a difference and no teachers were lost this year.

Mark is working on a community calendar that will combine School activites, town and business events on one calendar.

Mark said in talking to people he has noticed that Kokomo people think that Greentown is far away, but Greentown people have no problem with going to Kokomo maybe several times a day and think nothing of it. Jenny Cole said that clean restrooms are where people will stop.

The fairgrounds have 200 campsites with water and electricity. This should be used more that just at fair week.

There are plans to but up a large Christmas tree where the fountain use to be.

Business Directory – Regina Poe – chairman

Regina reported that this was the first year for the business directory. She hopes to improve on it for next year. In January she will move ahead on a new one. She wants local businesses only.

There is a OCRA report that has to be filled out every year. This report includes the businesses that have opened or closed and how many employees each business has. This is a good thing to keep track of thruout the year.

Promotion

Music At The Fountain – Ed Hannah reported that they spent more that they took in this year but not by much. The committee met at Century Villa and they have a good start on next year. The season will run from July 25 – Sept 12. The location will depend on road construction on 22/35 ( Main Street) They will try to stay downtown if possible. Regina reminded us that MATF survives on sponsorships.

MATF Scholorship – Jolene reported that the committee has budgeted $500 for a scholorship to an Eastern High School Senior for 2020.

Community Rummage sale – May 16^th will be the Spring sale for 2020

 

Lt. Mike Andry Ride – This years event was successful. The 2020 ride will be the last one.

Community Garden – There were two gardeners this last year, There will be plots available for the 2020 growing season.

Art Show – This year there were 23 participants with 60 entries and we made a profit of $40. Special thanks to Ronda Eldridge, Meridian Street Christian Church and Winners Choice.

Holiday Bazaar – Jodi Cecil -November 9. 9 AM – 3 PM. at the fairgrounds

Farmers Market – Racheal Parker might not be able to chair this committee next year she will know more later. Just a reminder that Main Street members get a free space each Saturday.

Fall Festival – In need of a chairman.

Old Business – None

New Business – The nominating committee presented the names of Garry Hill, Mark Lantz, Lisbet Patrick , Renda Hurst and Alisha Wilhelm to serve on the Board for a three year term. They also presented the names of Regina Poe for President, Alisha Wilhelm Vice President, Renda Hurst Secretary and Lisa Stout Treasurer for a one year term. Jolene Rule asked for nominations from the floor. There being none, Mary Miller moved that the nominations be accepted as presented. Ronald Simpson Seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Jolene thanked all who have helped her the last 4 years that she has been president.

Regina made a presentation to Jolene to recognize her hard work and dedication to Main Street with a lantern and gift cards from local businesses.

The next meeting date and time was discussed. The meeting time will be moved up to 6:30 PM we will not meet in December and the next meeting will be at Century Villa in the Community Room on January 6, 2020.

Jolene adjorned the meeting 9:18 PM.