Call this meeting to order. Uh the uh downtown development authority
Wednesday, August 26 meeting. >> Can we have a roll call?
» Yeah, please. >> Baback
» here. >> Crow here.
» Dawson >> here. Laxo. Martineic here. Miller
» Norris >> and Walker.
» Okay. >> Here.
» Thank you. >> Okay. Okay. Can we get a motion to
approve the agenda of 2020 August 26, 2026?
» I want to make an addition to the agenda.
» Let's make the motion in a second and then we can make the changes. Motion to
approve the agenda for August 20 26 26 20 minutes.
Seconded somewhere second. >> Okay. Now uh changes, additions,
deletions. I wanted Can I just talk?
» Sure. >> I wanted to see if we could add an item
to discuss the July 20th application submitted by Ardan Douglas for funding
for July, August, and September. It was not discussed at our meeting last
month, nor was it discussed or put on the agenda for this month's meeting.
Uh, we can add that to
» um, may I jump in on that? Sure. Yes, it came in late, Dave.
» No, it didn't. >> Yes, it did.
» It came in on the 20th of July. >> Yes. And the agenda went out on
» the Well, we have a meeting on the 22nd. Yes.
» We add items to the agenda all the time. >> The agenda goes out the Friday prior to
that. >> Yes. But we add items to the agenda all
the time. All I'm doing, all I'm doing is make a motion to add this to the
agenda. >> But then be truthful about what you're
saying that >> that's what I said. It was submitted on
the 20th of July and it was not discussed at July's meeting or this
meeting. It's not on the agenda here either.
» It wasn't on the agenda because it wasn't
» it was submitted on July 20. Are we just picking and choosing which applications
we're going to discuss or what? That's you know
that's my question. I I just wanted to have a discussion.
» We can add it to >> H because we're going to have a G.
» Yes. >> Uh so
discussion. Okay.
Can I also um make an amendment to add to new business um letter G discussion
of um distinctly Douglas video production
costs increase.
» Okay. Any
» I want to make sure we get to our other stuff first.
Uh any other uh changes for additions, deletions?
» Anybody want to get rid of anything? >> Okay.
All right, then. Can we take a roll call vote, please?
» Oh, we can do a voice vote, right? >> Yeah.
» All right. All in favor? >> I.
» Those opposed? Okay. Fabulous. So, approval of minutes.
Can I get a motion to approve the minutes from our last meeting?
Motion to approve the meetings uh the mo motion to approve the minutes of the
July 22nd, 2026 meeting.
» Second.
» Okay. Any discussion on that? >> Okay, then we'll take a voice vote. All
in favor? I. Any opposed? Thank you. Officer reports. Madam
Secretary, >> no report. Okay. Uh, treasurer.
» Uh, nothing other than what's in the packet.
» Vice chair. Uh, we'll have marketing meeting notes later.
» Or just a tad late at the same. >> Yes. Okay.
I have no comments. Uh [clears throat] any we don't have any public written
communication other than we did I did receive some of us I don't know who got
it an email from um Marsha from Lean Art Gallery and she was very complimentary
about your videos that you've been doing Jim. So, the rest of it um I addressed
was about errors and concerns about how it should be done, but um it's great.
» Thank you for Thank you for volunteering your time to do it.
Okay. Uh public communication, we have uh three minutes for anybody who
wishes to entertain us.
No tap juice. >> This is chair.
» I Hey, Mike Burmeister button gallery. Um I Yeah, I don't Um let's see. I was
really prepared to should have stood up if I was prepared to talk. Um all right.
So I guess the thing that I'm here for is just sort of clarification on
reimbursement of music for Art and Douglas. Um,
[sighs]
uh, in no way, shape, or form am I trying to submit an application at an
incorrect time or, um, to have music in front of a certain
business? I'll ask other businesses, do you want to have the music in front of
your space? So, I'll try to shift people around.
I'll say, do you want different types of music? So, do you want it to be jazz? Do
you want to have be big band or the nerves get going and the voice cracks or
life cross? Um, so it's not that there's any
thing that I'm trying to do. It's mostly just providing music for these events
and then I'm the point person for that. Um, that is literally it. So, I
apologize if I've gotten applications in at the wrong time or said the wrong
thing. I I know that my paperwork is a little off. There's been a lot going on.
I just got my kiddo off to Western Michigan for last semester. So, if
you're a parent, you know that there's a lot that happens at the end of August or
not. Just a lot in life. Um, but I'm loosely again. So, I know that there's
like a check for me somewhere that needs to be found. It's roughly $1,000 or
maybe $1,500, but right now I'm loosely at $2,700 that I'm in the red. So, I'm
not going to die. Uh getting reimbured would be fantastic. That's about it.
Again, I'm not pissed at anybody. I'm good. Um you know, it's just end of
summer and be nice to kind of like, you know, button it up.
» Yep. That was intended. >> Thanks, Michael.
» No. >> Anybody else?
Okay. >> But we are going to address this at G or
H. >> Yep.
» Yes. >> Uh we are moving on to unfinished
business which we have none of. And so we will move to new business. Did I say
new business? We didn't have any. I meant old business. He said
» he said >> did I say okay thank you. Okay so new
business. Uh first things first approval of the October Fest banner sign request
from community pride for the center and blueest star highway gateway sides.
Oh, >> I make a motion that we approve the
request for the October Fest banner at main. No, main center.
[clears throat]
» Seconded. Any discussions?
It looks good. I like it. >> Nice.
» All right, then.
Uh, can we continue voice votes if we're not voting on things? Okay, then all
those in favor? >> I I
» those opposed. >> Okay,
that'll be $5,000. >> Let me run a check. [laughter]
» City of village municipality of county of Douglas.
» [laughter] >> paid a cash
was close. [laughter]
Okay. Third coast paddling update and the request for proposal process.
Um
Jenny or who whomever? >> Yeah, I I think you guys had an updated
briefing that you wanted to give. Yeah,
» some of these numbers have been updated about how they did.
» This is just the past year, right? >> They have copies.
» Oh, okay. >> Yep.
» Do you want to um >> these are the ones that
» you know last night? >> Oh, that
that's pretty sim. Okay. >> Updated through yesterday.
» Oh, all right. Great. It's up to you. Yeah, of course. Yeah, sure.
» Did you want to say something quick before?
» Is that okay? >> Yeah. Introduce yourselves to those who
may not have met you yet. >> Yeah. Um Ryan and Aaron Gerard. We own
Third Coast Paddling. We um we've been in business for over 20 years. Um we
have eight um hold
can hear the speakers. >> Okay, sounds good.
We um we have eight locations in southwest Michigan. So we um we
specialize in outdoor recreation, getting people outside to have fun
basically. Um the other part of our business is kids summer beach camps
where we um take kids surfing and paddle boarding and building sand castles and
playing beach soccer and things like that. Um, so we we we we have a a pretty
um fun business and our whole goal is to to um show people a good time basically,
you know, to get people outside, get kids off screens
um and then with the mun municipalities that we work with the state as well um
to drive traffic [snorts] to drive uh you know people into the the
areas that we um we work within. We we were in retail for 20 years. So I know
uh we live in St. Joe. Our retail store was in St. Joe. We had one in New
Buffalo as well. Um we know what it's like to live in a you know seasonal um
you know Michigan beach town um like you guys have here in Douglas. So um we kind
of put this little brief together. Uh we're coming to the end of our
um 5-year uh contract. It was a three-year contract with two additional
one years um with the city. Um and we're essentially here because we want to be
here long term. Um the the the previous contract, like I said, it was a
three-year with the opt for two additional one-year options.
You know, we have we have seven-year um contracts with the state of Michigan.
Um, I know that's not what the city of Douglas has has done um, up until this
point and um, you know, obviously the city will do what it needs to do, but
we're here to just say we've really enjoyed the 5 years that we've been
here. You know, that the numbers that we put together here we're pretty proud of.
Um, over 9,000 guests, you know, that are coming to downtown Douglas. Um, and
I can tell you that the majority of those people are booking online in
advance. Um, we have a pretty robust online presence, uh, website. Um, over
$19,000 a year in in digital, um, marketing. Um, so we work with a
marketing company that that does does that does that stuff for us.
Um, we're really proud to to to, you know,
to have these numbers, frankly. Um, you know, so we're getting people to town.
Uh, we're getting people that are, you know, maybe staying in Saget to downtown
Douglas who may not have, um, come otherwise potentially. Um, and then
we're also, you know, driving some, um, you know, some revenue to the city. I
hope some of that's going to the DDA. um because I know that's what you guys
are here for [clears throat] to get people downtown. We met with the
building uh committee a couple weeks ago. Um and you know, we're we're
essentially just here to to state our intention that we would like to partner
with the city for as as long as the city is willing to partner with us. And I I
know there are going going to be limitations in terms of the contracts,
but um you know, the vibe we're looking for is a long-term relationship with
with the city because we we've really enjoyed our time here.
» Any questions for Ryan? >> Yeah. Um what is it that the city can do
more for you or better you've done in the past? Do you have any suggestions?
» That's a good question. you know, we met with the building committee, like I just
said, we we there were a couple ideas there. Um, better signage.
Um, something as simple as as getting a new
chair for our our staff member to sit up a little higher in inside the shed
[laughter] >> that you were gonna do. I think Dave's
asking, is there anything that we >> Okay, sure.
» Um, well, >> if there isn't anything, that's great.
» Yeah. No, I I honestly I can't think of any off the top of my head. Um, can you,
Erin? I I to be honest, it's it's usually the
opposite. It's more kind of like what we feel like we can do for the municipality
that we're working with. Um, and you know, we
support, you know, [snorts] is obviously something that we're looking for. Um,
and you know, the support that that we've gotten from the city has been
really good so far. you know, it's a bit of a challenge being at the end of the
street right below the hill. Um, so, you know, if if we can find ways to
get people that are up in town down two ways by you, you know, I we'd have to
think about that a little bit more. Um, but I think the long answer, Dave, is
that I can't think of any that are like obvious off the top of my head.
» Yeah. Thanks.
» Yes. >> Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. And we um we we
we do try to get involved with um you know the the the partners that we have.
Um I know we have Jim lined up for a a a video shoot uh early next summer. Um,
and I know we've been involved in other DDA events. Erin handles most of that
stuff. So, I um, but yeah, thank you. That's essentially it. At least I I
don't know if if it goes uh much further than that here at least because I know
it has to go in front of the council that it's out for bid. Yeah.
» So, this contract is up. I have to issue another request for proposal. that um
feedback from them was that the three year with the two additional one years
was kind of hard because they just get going and then it's like okay
» it is our typical term though for the root barrel for other so I'm just
seeking guidance on we keep it three years with two one year extension or do
you want to go to five years with two one year extensions or
» if I if I can just speak to that point real real quickly. Um,
as we uh mentioned here in in the brief, our total investment so far is $40 plus
thousand. Um,
and you know, it's hard. I I I I committed to that coming in
because I I was confident that we would be here for the five years that we've
been here. Um but you know the truth is that when you
don't have a commitment um it become it it becomes harder to to make that
investment you know um if we were you know guaranteed another
five years then as you know we also mentioned it here you know we're looking
at another you know probably 25 to 30 grand because we do refresh our
equipment um it's and it's all you know top of the line uh stuff that we use. So
that that's essentially um you know what we're looking for is is a a as much of a
commitment as as the city is is willing to to give essentially.
» Yeah.
by the building committee which was Cassie and I and Lisa and Jenny met with
them a couple of weeks ago at a month >> something like that [laughter]
little way to go. Um and we talked about all these things. We talked about a
couple of suggestions if they could um perhaps with the signage, just kind of
being a little bit more aware, elevating their chair for the workers so we can
see that there's bodies there. Sometimes it's you don't necessarily know that
there are people there and so they're obviously very committed to um doing all
of that. I think the one thing that I I mentioned was that as a business owner
in town, I can't imagine like investing in the business that I have invested in
with five with like it's it's a threeyear um currently it's a three-year
uh contract with the option to renew for two giving them five. So, they've done
the five. That's great. Can you imagine do own businesses investing all the
money and the time and the energy and with no um guarantees that that's going
to continue and I I feel like and I'm in year seven in my business. I'm just
starting I'm just starting now to think about a lot of things that you know it
takes a while. So especially if you come from a different profession, right? Um,
so I think what Jenny is asking is how how does this board feel about
the process of the five years versus like we're not making decision but
perhaps we're making a recommendation or >> should we say if you want to keep the
others in the three and the one and the one once a company has completed that
piece then the next renewal would be five years or seven years.
» Well, that's not it's not a renewal. This is a request for proposal. So, I
could get five minutes. It could be one. Okay.
» It could go to somebody else. >> But you said though, if you were a
business that successfully had your three years and your one year and your
one year, if you are granted another opportunity, it will be five
» because then you can base it on what their three years and their one and the
one was like. You know what I'm saying? If you're a new vendor coming, you go
back to the three and one because it always gives you how and out.
» But if you feel confident in what they've done in the three and the one
and the one, then you say as a returning vendor, you if you're given this
contract, you're going to have a fiveyear commitment on your second.
» I think as long as the city has an out, no matter what,
» anything is doable. um not necessarily for these guys, but it could be, you
know, you never know who's coming in on any of these things. So, as long as we
have a the city and or the vendor has an opportunity
» to say, "Okay, yeah, you got your five, you're great, but the amount of
explorer, you know, pickle,
» right?" Yeah. >> Um, you know, like we may have like our,
you know, our master plan could change and the scope of W's value could change
or whatever. We still need to happen. And so I'm sorry, in my experience, it's
typical in these contracts for that to be standard process for both parties,
like you said, because frankly, if it's not working for one or the other, then
it's not working for either, and what's the point,
» right? >> Other thoughts? Um,
do you agree with this?
» I agree with
Jenny, what else do you need from us? I mean, it sounds like
» what we want to do if it's a returning one years.
» That would be It sounds like this. >> But that go
» the award will go to council like if I have five vendors, you will have awarded
at council. But I'm putting the terms in the RFP as if they're returning, they
have that option, should I say? >> Yes.
» Right. This is this is no guarantee with we're clear that this is no guarantee
for third coast paddling to be the the the winning bidder in this process. We
hope to be
» maybe not. But is there an assumption then
that the rupe barrel is this going to be in the same this this impacts us because
it's in the downtown but will we'll then consider the RFP changing that process
for the RF otherwise >> returning
a quick clarification on that let's say they get outbid by somebody else one
year do they have to start that three year one year oneear process all over
again or are they going to be grandfathered in at five years moving
forward if they win the bid the next time?
» Good question.
» As long as they're good standing and you know previous
they've worked at one point in time. It's the same leadership same we have to
open up because we did extend that year and need the additional two years.
I think it makes total sense and I think Brand has a great point like if they
want to continue to reinvest they should have some
I won't say guarantee but >> some
it's also worth noting that um our contracts with the state of Michigan and
this is standard um with all of their concession areas across the state are
seven-year contracts and and they can essentially just extend
it another seven years. They they don't put it out for bid. And I'm not
suggesting at all that that's what the city of Douglas should do, but it's
interesting. I would say that um it does vary quite a bit.
» The current contract time frame there's either one of
the 90day. >> That's right. Yeah. Yeah.
Thanks and thanks for coming. >> Okay,
» turn this off. >> You guys,
» thank you. Thanks so much. >> Thanks for coming again.
» Thanks. Appreciate it. Yes. >> All right, we're moving along to
Michigan Downtown Association info packet that we included. Um, just a two
quick things. One is the annual conference is in Kalamazoo, you guys.
It's usually like in the middle of the state up north or on the east side. So,
if anybody can go, um, we'd love to have representation
there. again. Um I it says on here that the deadline is September 8th. I think
that deadline is for the next thing that we're going to talk about, the award
submission, but I I feel like we might have a little bit longer.
Um but probably by the next meeting in September, we want to have
uh have uh narrow down if anybody wants to
go. And
» is there a limit to how many ranges? >> No, we have a training budget. So, this
would be included in that and that includes uh hotel stay and um the actual
conference cost because we're members, we pay a pretty low rate. So,
» I'm not suggesting you get a hotel to stay in.
» I don't know. I know it's November. If it's snowing,
» you know, you might want to stay. It depends if you stay.
» We all kind of did this >> for the two days. Um, you know, if you
have to be there at 8 a.m. I'm not driving anywhere, but so it's, you know,
No, you don't have to. >> Is there an option for one day? I would
fly home on this. >> I'm sure usually uh I can't remember. I
don't want to lie to you, but I feel like in the past day one is sometimes
like a legislative update kind of similar to the one
» Yes. that we went to. >> I'd have to read it. It's all here. And
you can also go on the MDA's website for um they don't have a flyer out for this
yet. This is all that they have. >> Um
but you can also call Dana Walker at the MDA. She actually picks up the phone and
can answer your questions. She very helpful, very nice. So, think about it
if anybody can go. um especially if we win an award which um Lisa did you
get the stuff I dropped off? >> Yep I did too. Yeah. So,
» we were looking at this and we thought, hey,
there's a call for award, a call for nominations and at our officers meeting,
we talked about it a little bit and Lisa's gonna submit a
» nomination >> nomination for us on our placemaking
of wayfinding signage suite. uh has to have concluded in 2025, which it
basically did, but we started this in 202
or three. Um we got our last gateway sign in
2025. So, um they might throw us a nice little bone just to kind of keep us
engaged. They were, you know, they as the those of us that went to the last uh
meeting, they were very pleased to have so many of our members there. We're
getting our face out there. Next year, I think we should consider a sponsorship
table at um this event. five or $800 or something. But then you've got people
who are invested in their downtowns who are attending this event who can come
visit our downtown and maybe someday we'll be on the list to host a a you
know what I mean uh one of these conventions or conferences or whatever.
So um thank you Lisa for the award. If we win I'll go. I'm excited to hear
that, but [clears throat] I don't need to go. Uh, so if anyone has
any questions, um, you know, take a look at the either the
packet or the website and, uh, let us know what to think.
Hopefully, somebody can go. Wednesday. >> Exactly.
» Uh I think one of those days is not the I wouldn't go to all of those days per
person. >> I'll send everybody the link
» right now in an email with all the information.
» Okay. So, I try to send out the stuff as it comes. And um again, it's likely that
next season both of the two conventions that they have are not going to be
anywhere near us, which makes traveling a lot harder for us. And we still have
the training dollars, I'm sure, but it just for ease. Um
it might be it's I just think it's a cool opportunity to have it in South.
So, okay, moving on to the wrap-up of the DDA downtown survey at the end of
August. >> Let me ask, did
everybody here fill out the survey?
» I thought it did. >> I did it for you, dude.
» Bruce did 12 of them. Um, okay. So, my thought was that we need to
wrap this up. It's been out there for a while. We have 199 responses, which is
way more than what people told me we were going to get, but I still would
like more. So, I'm hoping I'll um try to share it today on our DA page and then
if everybody can share it again, you know, if there's people who don't do
social media, but you know, have things to say and you have an email address for
them, feel free to send it to them. Um, you know, it can be you know, if
everybody in the family in the household can fill one out, let's get as close as
possible to that 300 as possible. Um, >> is there a deadline?
» I think we're going to go through the 30th of this month, which is um
» Yeah, there's urgency. Maybe we'll get >> Yeah. I mean, we probably won't make
this 300. That's fine. But if we can make a push, it's very It's very short.
It's, you know, it's easy. So, um, if you could just help with the sharing of
it, that would be we'll get what we'll get and then we'll add it to our
September meeting for, uh, review and discussion.
What I can read of it on computer cuts off is there's a lot of consistency it
seems like in some of the things that people are requesting. So, I think it'll
be really good information to give back to the business owners in the downtown
because it's directly addressing,
you know, what's open, how often year round kinds of businesses they want.
Remember, that was the total reason that we started to do this was because we
have potentially, I think, four, eight, nine, 10, 11, maybe 12 potential new re
retail shops available coming to being developed in the next year or two. So,
it would be nice to uh work with those developers and
tell them this is what our community is looking for in these spaces. So,
thank any questions on the survey. Any more questions?
And similarly, the bucket list, I have not forgotten about that. just trying
not to put out too many reminders and emails at once. So, if we can do this, I
do a big push the next couple of days getting through the 30th for the survey,
then September one or right around there, uh we can start a big push for
the bucket list. Um
uh you're looking at me like I have 10
heads. You know what I'm talking about? The one that Lauren made. bucket list
thing. Okay, that goes through September 30th.
» Got it. >> Um
» I thought I thought that's why I was >> Yeah, there it is. There. Yes. I only
have received one completed one. Two total. [clears throat]
» Got two. >> Jim gave me one and you gave me one.
Okay. Now, I don't know if there's any at the businesses. I know that they're
taking them. >> It's not yet. That's why I have some
here because I ran out. >> Well, next week at market that could be.
So, I'm happy to do that if we can also get another second Saturday.
» Whoever >> I have a bunch my store that people
aren't taking that one from my store as well.
» Saturday. >> Yeah,
» but just specific for um for a few
years. >> Said second Saturdays.
» Well, that's a great one. >> No, not that one. There's a one that's
just second Saturday by itself. If we can get one that is just for September,
that would be great. So, next week at farmers market, I can do year list.
Second Saturday to September bucket up. >> We got music for second Saturday.
Can't do a flyer unless we know what's actually going to be flying on that day.
» Well, there will still be music should be Like there's not. Is
there still being spilled? >> Like what?
» Chopped rope. >> Maybe.
» Jim, did you like that one >> or not?
» That's the one I had that I was talking. >> Yeah,
» that's the one we That's the one I had quickly put together for you and
» Yeah. I was just wondering if we could just get it with the date on it for se
purchase. >> You want to do one each? Yeah, we can do
that. >> Yeah, I mean, as long as it's
» Yeah, sure. >> It's It's um valid.
I don't want to see. >> Can I see it?
» Yeah, you sure can. That's when we just kind of put together such a sit at the
market. Well, live music that is a question mark. Um,
as long as you're not listing anything specific because we had maybe 60%
businesses open. So, it wasn't 100%. Everyone's open.
It won't be. >> Oh, can I Does this have a time rather?
» 12 to 9. >> Yeah.
» Deceiving. >> It's kind of late.
» Deceiving if we don't have people actually staying open.
» Yeah, I'm not saying >> Well, we should probably talk about
that. >> Yeah, we'll talk about that in the
marketing piece. >> Do you want to just let me know and I
can Whatever you need from me, I can >> some shopping. How about if we say that
some shopping >> starts at maybe
At least I'll take a look at it.
» That's fine. >> I don't need it until Tuesday. So,
» yeah, >> that's a good idea, too.
» And thanks, Jim, for all your work at the farmers market.
» I'm sorry. >> No, it's okay. There was it's it's se
September is going to be um there's the young students are going back to
college. Sue is already finding that some like of those of the vendors can't
commit to every yeah >> thing that they originally could and to
because they don't have the staff to replace them both in their location. The
thing that we're getting a lot of I think it's level three is the other like
the monthly few states like >> Oh yeah thing we're getting a lot of
people >> that's in our
» between that and the um passports I've got over I think it's only like over 300
emails now yeah >> to start promoting
» events every time I get a stack I add them just keep adding them into
» that'll be the fourth thing and if anybody wants to come hang
with me so >> nice fun. Get to hear it.
» The recorder. >> Yes.
» The um although I'm sure everybody knows this,
but I had to be reminded that the social media is great. It works really well for
all of us and the businesses and the events and stuff, but as the groups that
I belong to remind us that social media we do not own. And so um building these
email lists just not only for the DDA but for our own businesses is really
important. If you recall couple years ago Facebook and Instagram went out for
a day and I mean people had event not necessarily here but in the bigger
» we have a backup >> thing like there was no backup. People
didn't have a way to communicate. So, it's really really important that we
keep developing those. >> Um,
okay. Thanks. Uh, strategic planning update
dates for fall session. So, we were supposed to do this back in June, I
believe, and then we threw it by the wayside because we had we didn't throw
it because we had a lot going on. We still do. And so this uh we're talking
about just kind of a recap of the the strategic plan that
Christine did for us. Uh and the the you know associated dates and a kind of
moving forward and I think we've already done quite a few of those things on
there. I don't we we didn't necessarily put in the budget to
um
re-engage her to do a followup with us, but I feel like it's something that we
could do on our own. It might have to be a special meeting. Um but maybe if we
could toss out some possible time well a time frame. I don't know that needs to
be in the fall. The winter is kind of more boring. So maybe even
January is organizational meeting, but we might I think it should be a special
meeting, not in this meeting because, >> right,
» you know, we probably need two hours, I would say, dedicated to just reviewing
and making sure that we're staying on we're we're entering the end of year one
of our threeyear strategic plan. So, I'm just wondering
how people feel about January, February.
I don't really like those ones, but I'm willing to be.
» You don't like the weather. You don't need it to me.
» We'll provide.
» So, I mean, it's early January, Feb or like the early
» late January. >> Januaryish.
» January to February. >> Okay, perfect. Okay, we nail it down.
» Yes. Great. [laughter]
May 2017.
» So we're going to do it January, February. Is that
» like Yeah, like mid to mid either mid January to midFebruary or late January
to late February or January. >> Late February missed the GDA meeting in
February. >> Okay. So it probably be mid Feb. We
don't want to do it right at our meeting time anyway. So probably February is
stupid boring month. Yes. >> But happy birthday to all.
» It'd be nice to do that around that time because you're going to start working on
the budget >> and Yeah. And we're we don't want to
talk about one year in at the >> we have some things that we can
accomplish maybe before that year. >> Yeah. So we can start pushing those.
» So let's shoot for February. >> Mid Februaryish.
» Mid early to mid. >> Right.
» Yeah. >> All right.
» Okay. Great. Okay. The G G distinctly Douglas
» G. What is a G? >> G is discussion of uh the distinctly
Douglas video >> series.
» I can't even read my own writing. I don't know what that was.
» Uh Jim, do you want to kick that off? >> Yeah. So, um, we've completed three so
far. Um, the last one got more than 20,000 years somewhere around
» our first the first one that you did for Angela.
Um, let's see.
2,29 views. No, I'm sorry. First video you did at all starting to work with EDA
got 2,29 views. Angela's got 15,000 views and then
» happy
20,000 >> up to yes over 20,000 um 21,197
with 521 interactions. Um
we are our audience is um 18,890 nonf followers of our DBA page. um to
almost that are. So, every time anybody interacts with or likes it or comments,
I invite them to like or follow our page. Um we've increased our page
followers um by probably about 120 since that one.
Trying to see where we are. Anyway, so we're we're doing
very well in that area. We currently have 1,598 followers. When we first
started doing this, we had under 1,400ish.
» This is these are Facebook. >> This is Facebook. Yeah. I don't have
Insta stats. So the the thing the gist of the reason it's on the agenda today
is that so Antonio's been doing a fantastic beautiful job of capturing the
footage for these videos and because
we are trying to make them um kind of art pieces in terms of really some
beautiful B-roll and showing shots and all this. It requires a lot of edit and
probably underestimated the amount of editing that need to be done. So Antonio
approached me to see if we could get additional funding for each video
because it's taking him longer. Period. >> Can you remind us please?
» Um DDA is paying $125 per video, $250 per month because we've
commissioned two videos. >> And the as the business we're also
giving 1.500. >> So it's He's split like if he does the
L1 he that's the next one coming out >> Antonio will get $250125
from business125 from DBA so I kind of threw threw this information
out to the marketing team just to make them aware and we immediately thought
this discussion here you know there's a lot of different things that we can do
there's different scenarios um
we can pass the additional cost on to the TDA
and to the business. We can pass the pass the additional cost on to DDA if
that is something that we do budget or we can also shorten the videos to a
minute and require Antonio to do less uh editing. That's another option. Um so we
wanted to throw it out today just to see what people were thinking in terms of um
either addressing that increase or determining a way to cut the cost. Am I
how much during that? >> How much is he looking for per video?
» He Well, what the additional I think he would like is $100 per video. And so
that's $200 a month. So it would either be a $200 increase for DDA. If we split
it, it's a hundred. If we shorten it, we could probably keep it as is. I think if
we're keeping it to a minute or so, we shave about 45 seconds off the video.
Um, >> so there's all sorts of different
per video cost would be >> the per video cost going forward would
be >> 3 350 total.
Excuse me. >> One second before we because we'll go
around and let people talk, but can you tell us how much we've we didn't I don't
think allocate specifically for the videos
» marketing. Can you tell us some things we didn't have that we wanted
» marketing?
I remember 4.2 million. It's
» close, >> but I mean I could be off.
» You might be a couple zeros.
» We have 22,155 budgeted marketing.
» 22,000 >> um for that specific area. We kind of
have social media boosts, publication ads. We have about a thousand in each of
those. So >> and then the other so that 2000
» was >> that includes the rebranding.
Well, that's wonder for that. >> I don't have the breakdown by specific
items, >> Christmas decorations, social media uh
boosts and ads, publication ads, seasonal decorations, website
investments, dedicated website for the DVA, logo design and brand redefinement,
social social district decals, which we've we've got, um Canva membership,
MDA renewal, directional signage for events,
» and that that's the 22,150. Yeah.
» So, I feel like we need to break that down.
» And then what about um most of that is the chips decorations and the um logo
design marketing.
» What's that? >> It's community. It's we we just have it
under there. I mean, that's where we've had it for a while. And then didn't we
have where was the $8,000 for the wasn't there marketing person or
» that is that is under
um staff training and support for the DBA and that's $8,000.
» Can we use that? >> No.
We do want to think of eventually hiring somebody to manage our social media and
do this kind of coordinating for us, but we weren't ready quite yet to pull the
trigger on them. Um, but this is something he's Antonio is doing peace
meal for us. And really the average cost for someone doing these videos is
anywhere between 500 to 3,000 or $5,000 each video, right? Which we wouldn't do.
» So we're but we're getting we're getting really something
awesome for not a lot of money is my point.
» I mean we're getting high quality. >> We're getting high quality.
» Let's go back. We're do a go around. We'll start with Kathy since she
» My my question is and Cindy we don't know yet but from adorn and from happy
stance have we got any feedback about um possible uptake or uptick there
» I think qualitative feedback from both Katie and Angela are people are walking
in mention however I don't have quantitative data
on that like this has lifted their business or this has increased their
sales >> I can add that um before we roll mine
out, I can add that on my one of my forms and the intake form if it's your
first time here and I can put that as the Douglas DK video and see if anybody
clicks on that. So, we can get some actual
» I would expect that there is something because I think they're very good and
very >> well I think with 20,000 20,000 views
that's a lot for a video. >> Yeah. So,
» I think it's a good Oh, absolutely. 20,000 views is a lot. I
mean, and I think it's just going to continue to grow as it has been growing
with each each one. >> And we're trying to design them
so that they're timeless. Like like if you think of Kate, you know, we're not
talking about sitting on the patio having social, you know, district drinks
and all that. We filmed it so that it's kind of a timeless look at her business.
So when January and she's she doesn't have the
attendance that she or doesn't have the the business that she typically does. We
can throw it back out there because it's already a done. So, some of these are
not one done. Most of these are not designed and done. They're they're
designed to be kind of more timeless. So, I think that's something else to
throw out there that it's an investment and it's not just
» Could you consider the community sponsorship
because I mean even though it's community promotions, community
sponsorships, you probably could take some of that 25,000 and allocate a
little bit of that towards promotions, sponsorships because you are promoting
your business. >> Sure, why not?
» Yeah, because I don't think anybody is is um questioning the quality of the
video. uh the the feedback of the videos and the cost of what what it's costing
for uh the videos to be done. So let's be clear. I think we all agree that
Antonio's skill set is locally unmatched
» and we can make do with Jim I think. So that's
» he does share our video editor. It is a very timely process of huge quality
» and he's very particular and I tell you they came into our business and um it
was a whirlwind of the morning and they're so easy to work with and such a
pleasure to have and it was it was enjoyable to have them there and to be
doing this video was fun and it was it's a good collaboration and I do want to
point out Anton is a dream to work with and he's he's got amazing talents but on
the other side of that it is also working with the business, finding out
what their objectives are, writing a script, editing the script with Antonio.
So, it is truly two things that come together and I think the fact that we're
both >> Yes.
» Yeah. I don't get any but that's okay. I mean, I I wanted I
thought this would be a great thing >> and it is.
» It is. I don't think we need to go over how great it is. We all know that. We
all agree on that. >> I think we just need to decide. question
is how how do we want to financially support it? Where is it coming from and
what is the cut off? >> I would say that I would make the video
shorter because Antonio has suggested that they are too long for social media.
90 seconds is a really long chunk of time to ask somebody to sit at their
Instagram. Um, I would ask that the videos get shorter and this $100 extra
is seems like nothing. We're still only asking if we split it evenly, which Jim
doesn't want to do. He wants to absorb all the costs. But I think that we
should still split it evenly with the businesses. $175
for a business still seems like a bargain. 175 for the business and DDA
pays 175 for the video. So, he's getting 350 that way. videos $700 a month and uh
I feel still think it's it's really doable.
» Anybody else want >> $8500? Well, we're already
» I think that would keep the video the same length. Jim said one of the options
was just shorten the video and reduce the cost.
» But that was a suggestion from Antonio because of the length of the video
» for social media, right? They could be a little shorter. Wasn't just the money.
was maybe we could cut these down a little bit.
» Fine. Yeah, I have no problem with it either.
» Yeah. What do you think about that, Jim? >> Um I don't necessarily Well, it it
depends. We're trying to get a lot of information out there. We would just lob
me off with Jan and just use use me as that would probably
» because it's about the >> I think that's a great conversation for
you and Antonio want to touch that but that's my
» what that vision >> because my concern is that yes we're
going to lose something in those videos. I think I think it's really great how
the capture um like an introduction of what what it is, who they are, see the
place, you talk about services, and you kind of get that connection with with
the owner. And I would hate to lose some of that if it happened.
» Yeah. The the the thing that's on each end of the video is about Douglas. So,
the idea is, hi, we're here in Douglas. Here's another thing we get to do. And
at the end, this is what makes Douglas unique. Everything in between is about
the business. So, We would have to figure that out to to
make to to short them >> peanut gallery. No,
» you can click a video. >> Sorry, Michael. We have to We'll have to
wait till the end. Can't we got to stay here? Um,
anybody else? >> My only concern is if we match it, what
else will businesses expect us to match moving forward? Is this a special thing
because it's a video? are they gonna expect us to pay for all their other
marketing? And that's where I kind of have always had an issue is everybody
wants help with marketing support and now we're offering this service for you.
We're not a production company. We don't make commercials. This is a kind of like
a courtesy. And I think that we're already paying for half of what it is
for these businesses, which a lot of them don't even invest in their own
marketing is just a little like we're here to help you, not do it for you. And
that's just where my concern is. And like Jim said, I know they're timeless,
but how many times are we going to post it? Who's going to post it? Are the
business owners going to post it every single month? Are we going to Grand
Haven informed? How informed? like we're giving you this thing, but are the
business owners going to do that or is that our responsibility to keep posting
every single time? There's just a lot of layers to this. I just feel like we're
going to do a video, we post it, it gets 20,000 and then it disappears.
» And it's like I know it's not a lot of money, but it would be nice to see the
businesses >> continue to spend their own money to
promote their >> Yeah. Like when when the art galleries
had Antonio do videos of all the galleries. We paid for it ourselves.
» We paid $200 a video for per gallery. >> So, we didn't have any funding from the
EDA. >> We didn't ask for any money. We just did
it, >> right?
» Because we felt like it was important. So, but I
» then that brought Antonio to the to the city.
» But I I think also that there is a there's a disconnect with some
businesses in downtown Douglas with the DDA.
That's a fact. And I think they're starting to warm up a little bit. And I
think this is a kind of us putting a good step forward
in in engaging with them that potentially these passport programs and
these other things where we don't have them in it, they they might start
joining some of those things. No guarantee, but maybe um there's been
some warming of few businesses. I think there's been some warming in the and I
think the way that I've looked at it is it's been a collaboration with them. So
we're not coming in saying this is what we're going to say about your business,
right? >> We're asking them
» what is it like, you know, I mean Cindy can attest to this. You know, it's like
what is it that we are showcasing about it and and they're driving that? We're
packaging. So I'm just throwing that out there.
» I agree with Kabri. I said this last night when this came
Um, I again absolutely 100% believe that we
are blessed to have both Jim and um, Antonio do this for with us. Um,
first and foremost, I feel like going forward, we need a contract agreement so
that we're not in this pickle again. We should have done that before. We're
gonna, as we grow and we learn, we need to be more professional in what we do.
And so I I to me I don't like the idea that I don't think that the DD I think
it should be an even split. I don't because for many reasons but um I think
that Cabri nailed it in saying like where
does the line stop? Up until recently we've only had like $34,000 to spend
annually. This is a luxury year for us to be able to do these things. And I
don't think that the DD I think we're here to support um the businesses and
we're here to support the downtown general. We're not here to pay for
everybody's, you know, thing. I think it's very
generous to offer to pay half. I think a lot of DDAS would probably say, "Okay,
we're offering uh this person with knowledge and we'll help write the
script and we'll help shoot it, but you got to pay for it." So, I think that um
I think and and to what Ruth said, there is buy in by us doing some of this stuff
and I don't know that we're ever going to get 100% of the businesses, but I
think even before the videos, we had uh gone from almost nobody participating
to anything in the downtown to 13 businesses fairly regularly
participating. Now, we got the video, we're still at 13 people. So, I don't
know. I hope that it grows. I think that it has the potential to grow and get
those other people involved, but I don't I don't think that just
foraging a majority of the cost is a good idea. And I think that we want to
be mindful of the fact that that while it looks like we have a lot of money, we
don't and there going to be other things that are going to come up that we are
going to want to support. And um I just think it's a pretty easy ask. It's kind
of like Sue was telling the farmers market. Some of the people that can't
participate, they signed a contract to be at farmers market and uh we're told
if they don't come, they don't get their money back and now people are having
staffing issues and some people want their money back for September. And
we're looking at like less than $19 a week to be a vendor. So if you can't $19
a week to be a vendor, you got problems. >> Are they from Poland? So no,
» for the sake of time, do we need to make a motion? Do we need to put this on the
agenda to make a motion next meeting? What are we what's the goal with this
today? We're just talking about it and putting this on the agenda next month.
» We have I saw it as we had two choices. We can I mean I think it's uh I think
it's worth some more discussion even if we said yeah we I think there needs to
be a conversation about what that dollar amount is. Um this is my opinion you
guys go with it too but we need to talk about where the money is coming from how
we want to allocate it and I do think we need to discuss some sort of an
agreement before we >> just blanketly say
yes let's increase it. That said, I don't want to hold up the process. Um,
so we could also call a special meeting for, you know, one hour to come back to
the table as long as we have forum and hammer out some details in the mix.
» So, DDA would be responsible for $200 more a month pending. We have a written
agreement signed by both parties. >> I'm not supporting that, but is that a
motion? No, I'm just Yeah,
» but I mean if they are cutting then there's no there's no increase because
the the cost even though it's beneficial social media cost
» I mean do you think that's valid? Do you mean like sounds like to us we're saying
oh if you cut the video down you know 30 seconds it's less
» well that's what Jim said cut it down so >> increase cost. So would that be a
discussion with Antonio then before we even talk about increasing it? Is he
okay with it? >> I mean yeah I mean I I think Antonio
wants to shorten it and if we shorten it that that then saves paying more. So I
have a feeling if he was sitting right here but I could check he would probably
» okay >> I think if we are charging more money
and we make it a minute because it's right for social media I think people
will be like so I'm paying more money >> and my video is now you know 30 to 45
seconds less than happy whatever I think that will be of course like you know
I think that's interesting And then I think in addition to what
Karu is saying, if we do have another conversation about this, we need to talk
about how often are we putting these things out, where is it going to be
used, what's the expectation of the business if the DBA is
you know um you know supporting it financially. We
you know like do we want to say yes you should expect
that once a month for three months or whatever. I don't know what this I don't
know I don't maybe there's a standard somewhere out there but can do we I
think that should be part of the conversation.
Uh do we think this is something that we need to call a special meeting for? Do
you want to have a minute to talk to >> Well, I can talk to Antonio
» and then do you want to let me know and then we can maybe schedule a quick
» so that we don't have to wait another month.
» Yeah. Is that fair? >> And I think just so you guys know, I
think two videos per month is a sweet spot for us. And I think and I also
think it's a sweet spot for how often it goes out. So I would prefer to keep it.
» Okay. Who is talented enough to write up a contract first?
» Annie AI. Okay.
» Okay. All right. Cool. Thank you. Uh thanks for bringing that up and we are
we are Tony is very gifted his skills there. Um
okay thank you. We'll move on to H Art and Douglas submission discussion.
Dave >> want me to start?
» You brought it up. >> You brought it up. Okay. So my
understanding is that on July 20th, Michael Burmeister sitting here
submitted an application community promotions request for funding
for art for July, August, and September in the amount I think $2,000
cover cost of music those three months. Now, typically July is an interesting
month because it's the beginning of our fiscal year. We don't approve any
expenditures for July until our meeting which is the fourth week of July. So
usually during that meeting we approve any of the requests that you know may
have already taken place in July because we can't approve them in June
because we don't have any funding yet. So typically and it's been this way ever
since I've been on the PDA that July funding request includes
events that have already taken place in July. Okay. So, Michael submitted this
application, I believe, on July 20th. We had a meeting on July 22nd. Lisa pointed
out that, you know, he missed the deadline,
» which we don't have any deadlines for the community promotions request.
Nothing. We just revoked the policy. >> The agenda has a deadline. It says
» the agenda has a deadline, right? >> It says the agenda's information should
be submitted to the city clerk by noon on the Wednesday before the schedule.
» Right. I understand. >> That would have been the Wednesday
before, >> right? I understand that. But we
historically have added items to the agenda for things that we want to
discuss. Okay. So, okay, let's say the deadline it was too late to get on the
agenda. Okay. But it certainly wasn't too late to be included on the August
agenda. You submitted it in July 20th, which is today and it's not in the
agenda here. And I know there were some I know there were some you know there
was an officer meeting last week. >> Yes.
» I wasn't at the officer meeting. So um my my thought is you know we we
have had this situation come up in the past where certain expenditures have not
even been discussed in advance but they've been approved at meetings after
the fact to reimburse people for expenses that have been incurred and
rightfully so. So my thought in bringing this up is we had music in June, we had
music in July, we had music in August, we did music in September hopefully. I'm
just asking the DDA to approve or discuss
that request that was submitted in July for July, August, and September music.
It's all that the we're asking the DDA to approve,
you know, and it's it's music that >> that benefits the entire for the second
Saturdayus because Michael's saying that he's owed $1,000 or $1,500.
» Forget about that. That's that was for May and June. That was for May and June.
» That was for May and June. And Dawn sent out information indicating a check was
submitted to Michael on July 19th. >> So, we need to figure out where that
check is. That's all. It was sent to his post office.
» Those are two different >> Set that aside. That's completely
different. I'm just talking about the application that Michael submitted July
20th. for uh funding requests for July,
August, and September music. We've already had the July music. We've
already had the August music. We're kind of on hold for September's music to see
if there's going to be any funding approved, but whether the the seven six
galleries that participate in funding music, you know, if we're on the hook
for for $2,000 and you know, so that was my my fun in bringing something. I
think, you know, that we should approve the the original funding request that
was submitted for July, August, and September's music or at least discuss
that >> and why wouldn't we?
» I mean, I don't think that's the issue. It's just was it forgotten to be added
to this or does they need to resubmit for August?
» It was a period of time when we didn't have a city clerk,
» right? I don't know where the applications go when they come.
» They go right to me >> to you directly.
» Directly. >> Okay.
» Yeah. >> So,
» I don't think we're going to deny your funding. It's just we needed it in time.
So, >> well, that's, you know, I don't I'm not
the one that's submitting it. You know, it's a kind of a conflict of interest
for people on the board to submit. >> Well, the other thing is one of the
things we talked about was the DDA was going to start sponsoring Second
Saturdays. Why don't we just remove it from the hands of Art and Douglas having
to submit something? Why doesn't DDA take it upon themselves? We take it on
and just say from here on forward, Second Saturdays, we're trying to
promote Second Saturdays, which Art and Douglas is a big part of that. It's the
it's the stars. So, if we are going to sponsor Second Saturdays,
then it shouldn't be um Art and Douglas responsibility to get this music. It
should be Now, we can help organize it. We can help organize it. we have the
context in order to be able to do it and we don't mind doing that at all. We're
not saying DDA you you're gonna find the musicians and schedule them. We'll do
it. We will do it. >> I don't think I recall hearing that the
DDA was going to sponsor a second Saturday.
» Well, you actually brought it up.
» We talked about sponsoring music. >> No, we talked about sponsoring RB
Douglas. Am I right? Yes. There's some nods over there that the DDA was going
to start sponsoring second sav. >> Would it just be easy if we allocated a
certain amount for those so they don't have to submit reimbursement requests
knowing if for the music specific? >> Absolutely. Well, I think we should make
it as easy as possible so that deadlines aren't being missed and there's not
miscommunication. It's like it it's a given that our second Saturdays that
this is what's going to be taking place. I mean, Dave, what do you think about
» Well, we've we've been trying for years to get more of the businesses involved
in Second Saturdays, right? A couple years ago, there were 13 businesses that
participated, at least financially. >> How many know
» six? I think we're done. I think we only have the galleries.
» Well, no, that's not true. Second Saturdays we promoted as less the
» No, as far as funding. >> Oh, for funding
» for for all the advertising. >> But second Saturday we had brackets
staying open later. Oh yeah. Yeah. >> Um we had other businesses.
» I'm just I'm talking about supporting financially the expenses that the DDA
» Oh wait. Okay. Let's the So the question for this thing is
» Art and Douglas submission discussion, >> right?
» What I hear you saying is that you all think that the DBA should should
support should sponsor a second Saturday.
So, this is directly in conflict with what Marsha sent me in the email, which
is that Douglas, Art and Douglas, basically owns Second Saturday.
» Marsha's not on. >> They started it.
» No, that's not true. >> And why didn't we give them credit?
» And they do. And we have talked about it, but they they I I'm in Art and
Douglas. This isn't She's just some person out there randomly. Art and
Douglas. I'm in Art and Douglas. And we talked about Second Saturdays and the
importance of making it a downtown event with the thrust of the event centered
upon art in Douglas, >> which is how the video was built,
» which is how the video was made, which is how we move forward in our marketing
um as as galleries. So, she said what she said because she had problems with
errors that were in the video that went out publicly that were incorrect. That
was her gist when she emailed me also. You
» were talking >> Marsha.
» Oh, >> and so that was the gist of her
conversation. And yes, as long as we don't water down art in Douglas, which
no one is trying to do with pushing second Saturdays as a one day event per
month in downtown Douglas. No one is trying to water down Art and Douglas. I
think she gets that. >> Yeah,
» 100%. >> I think we want second Saturdays to be
what fourth Fridays are in communities where everybody participates.
» I'll tell you the the wellness day was extra b like it did that well because of
the fact that it was a second opinion. >> People were there for the art and
there's all this going on. >> It was it was great.
» Yeah. The more we can get >> more things going on the better. One
thing is not ever going to be the draw. It's how can we supplement, collaborate,
and have things going on. >> A few years ago, Michael came up with,
you know, how do we use Art and Douglas for all the other businesses like the
art of the cocktail, the art of the massage, the art of whatever.
» That's what I'm saying. You know, so we we encou we've been trying to do this
for nine years. >> Well, just because the art galleries are
the only ones that stay open and benefit from it, I mean, that's not the other
business's fault, >> but that's not true. I mean, lost found.
» No, I know. Some people are like they're, you know, they're the only ones
benefiting. Well, if they're the only ones putting in time and paying people
to stay open, then I feel like they should be benefiting from these things
if they're the ones that are putting in the effort and showing up to be open for
people. Everybody's I mean a lot of businesses are staying nice.
» Yeah, it's great. >> I think what you're saying Bri is like
we've created a platform. You either jump on it or not.
» Exactly. >> Right. That's what we're trying to do.
And I think the more we can show them >> that we have DEDA,
you know, not only blessings but financial support. And these are the
things we're all trying to do to benefit everybody. Um, I think, you know, we've
already the marketing committee is already planning on going around and
talking to the businesses one- on- one, encouraging them. I'm going to encourage
bracket threaten bracket stay open until 900 p.m. We'll get lost and found. I
know they'll do it. >> I think it goes both ways though and I
don't think that the galleries have necessarily blown on to the things that
the DDA has been initiating. So if you want the businesses, the other the
non-galleries to support Second Saturday and other things, I would request that
the galleries get on board with some of our events
» such as >> everything, the soup stroll,
» the galleries, >> the bucket list. You're told that you
have bucket list gallery owners right here who have participated in 100% of
everything. >> The tailgate. No, no, no, no. Excuse me.
I've known this for eight years. I know exactly what I'm talking about. The the
the you know it too, David. We've had this conversation.
» I go on the radio and talk about soup. >> I know, but we there is a divide between
the galleries and the businesses and I appreciate that we're trying to bring
that together and we need to bring it together. I'm asking that the galleries
then hop on board with some of the items that we're doing that the DDA is
initiating. What? Give me an example. >> Give us an example.
» The the bucket list. >> I got the bucket list.
» Dave, you do everything. You Everything is in here. So, I'm asking you, does
Dave >> the other Ruth participates?
» See, he's not doing the bucket list. There's a list of things,
» but there's a bunch of business. >> We're getting off track.
» No, we're not. And I think the other thing is is that why I mean I'm I'm not
against supporting the music but
they have to this the love needs to be spread on the music. They're in front of
the gallery. So this is a second >> I've not had any music in front of
» none zero. >> A lot of times the music is placed so
that it's centrally located. It's usually in in your
» I think it would be something it would be something that all the galleries
would be in favor of putting it. It's been down at Oxbow, which there are
businesses down there, too. We would be more than happy to put it down where
Cindy's spotted. We don't really care. We just want live music. We want live
music downtown. >> We don't care if it's in
» Live music does not bring people into my gallery. I don't want live music in
front of my gallery. It drives me crazy, but I know people like live music
downtown. So, I always tell Michael, do not put them in front of my gallery. So,
it will they will go wherever we strategically want to place them. I
don't think that's a stumbling block. >> Whatsoever whatsoever. So,
» that's a whole point. >> So, all this was is you're looking for
funding to be inserted somewhere. We're not talking about how awesome music is.
We are completely off topic. You wanted it known. You requested reimbursement.
That is what we're discussing. Are we going to put it in next agenda
for September or are we going to honor this now? That's it.
» I'm not the >> I'm sorry. This is like it's way off the
rails. Are we going is there any way to get his request in before September
meeting? >> You want me to make a motion? I'll make
a motion. We can vote on. >> I'm not going to wait till September.
» But you're talking about two different things. There's something about a motion
for art in >> We don't have your submission on file.
We had it in July, but you have to resubmit it for August and we don't have
it in the packet because we don't have it for August.
» Well, if it was too late for July, then it should be
» Is there any way around that, Lisa? >> I can make a motion.
» So, >> we can talk about it.
» Do you have it with you? The original request on your computer somewhere?
» I think somebody's got No, I didn't. Okay.
I brought this Cabri. I guess I may do to the chair. I
guess here's here's where the the or I get frustrated.
» I just want a solution. >> I know. Here's where I get frustrated.
It says on the thing that it says exactly what you read. If it comes in
late for the agenda, we don't put it on. However, as the officers know, I bring
everything that I received to you that comes to me on time and and to those
meetings, right? I did bring this item to the meeting and I just and I did
email and say, "Hey, we did get and Dave prop it up and said we did get this
request that these two events had passed. What do you want to do?" Because
they had already passed. So what it was determined at the officer's meeting,
correct, was to email cycle and say, "Please, July has passed and August has
passed. Can you please submit for September?" And that is exactly what I
was directed to do. So, and then I asked to please have an application by Friday.
I extended the deadline to Friday for the officers to extend the deadline to
Friday. I did not receive anything. And Michael's probably busy and I understand
that, but I did not receive anything. I let them know that I did not receive
anything, so nothing went on the on the agenda. I take I don't make these things
up. I don't sit and determine winners and losers, pick winners and losers. I
really don't care. It is up to this board, these officers. It's a premeating
with these officers to help me determine what goes on that agenda. I take
directives from the officers. I put on what the officers tell me to put on. I
don't It's not up to me. So, my frustration lies in the fact that I do
feel like I myself get thrown under the bus as the villain that is against their
galleries or get caught in the middle. I don't care what the DA funds. All I care
about is making sure that this agenda is set, that this board has all the
information you need and I took the directive and I get frustrated because
it is not something that I determined. So what did I what so what I followed
Cabri to answer your question was that an application was to be in an extension
was given to to Friday to add this to the agenda. We did not receive anything
through Friday. So therefore nothing is on the agenda for Martin Douglas today.
Got it. >> That's the explanation.
» Thank you. >> And that's appreciate it. Nobody's
complaining. >> I get complaints all the time and I go
at it all the time. But I just want you to know I just want to show the I take
the directives from the officers as they know
» because that's how it should be. >> I I work for the board.
» Is there a solution to this? >> Yes. Today.
» Sounds like there should be a new submission for September.
» No. >> No. No.
» I would like to make a proposal that we approve this
» submission that was made in July.
There's no reason we can't do that. >> Well, can we amend the agenda and put in
a motion at this point? >> Yes,
» you can. >> Okay.
» Thank you. >> I just want to say then show up to the
meetings because Alexi and I sat through the officer's meeting
» and whoever you know we sat through the meeting and made the decision and extend
I was in Bangkok.
Come on. Alexi and I made the decision and we
asked Lisa to follow through. Yes. So now we're coming back to the table and
you want to do something else. So >> yes.
» Yes. >> You would like an exception?
» I we make good motion. would like to make a motion to approve Michael
Burmeister's submission from July 20th covering cost of Ardan Douglas music
downtown Douglas second Saturdays in the amount of $2,000 for July, August, and
September. >> Second
roll call, >> yes.
» Crow, >> yes. Dawson.
» Um,
» I think we need a new application, so I'm going to say no.
» Okay. >> Um, Laxo,
» yes. >> Martinez, yes. Miller,
» yes. >> North,
» yes. >> Walker,
» no. >> Thank you. passes.
Yes. Thank you. >> You did the right thing.
» Let's not do it again. >> You're welcome.
» Thank you. >> I think we also will have to have an
item about um how how these applications roll out and when
we approve them. This is why we put into place quarterly approvals. So that we
just got another request for somebody who wanted
» We don't have quarterly approvals. >> Well, that's what I'm saying. we need to
rethink our process for doing this because we have people now saying, "Oh,
I had an event a month or two ago. Now I want to be reimbured reimburseed for
it." I don't think that's a good practice either. So, it needs we need to
have a we need to have a discussion about how that should go.
» Um, sorry about this. I do need um the I only have the invoice for July 11th. I
do need it for August and I will need it for September reimbursement. All I have
is for $700 right now. I was sure Michael's
» Yeah, we will follow through with that. So with the $700, but but we'll wait for
the more for the ones that I would >> Michael's responsibility.
» No, I speak to the board. >> And we did just approve 2,000.
» Yes. >> So it Yeah.
» Yeah. >> And then that should be it for the year,
right? >> No.
» October. >> You guys, we can talk about
that. There was no more. >> That's not H. That's not letter H. Let's
move on right now. >> Yep, we're moving on.
» Oh, all right. Well, when you vice chair the meeting, then you can make the you
can move it on. >> This was just funding for July.
» Go back up. >> It's okay. Everything's okay.
Michigan uh committee reports Michigan downtown day event in Douglas probably
should have been an agenda item. We did receive approval for the road to be
closed for Spring to Main Street. Clo center closed between Spring and Main
Street. Uh from 3:00 to 5, we have the ban. Uh from like I'm thinking 1 to 3ish
or 12:30 to 3ish, we are going to have a um
cornhole competition. It feels like something is missing. Um, I think that
the event sounds great, but I think we need still missing a little
oomph in whatever it is that we're going to do on that day. We're going to push
the social district drinks. We're going to
um, you know, encourage people to be uh, having some sort of event in their
store. Uh, but it's we're going to need a little bit of help. We um have the
ability to have uh tents out into the street, but what I
don't want to do is be the only tent out in the street. So, I kind of need to we
need to get a commitment from any of the businesses all up and down whether or
not their business is in that street if they want to come and have a tent in uh
that downtown. So, I just I'm running out of time um with some other things I
have going on. So, I need a little bit of help in trying to just nail down some
of these specific uh details and mostly it's just getting
out. We did um Alexia to talk to up.
» Yes. And invited them to come and have a booth, but they cannot because they
can't shove all their stuff up there. They don't have the means to run their
credit card system. It's just too complicated. But they appreciated being
invited. So again, I just don't want to have like one tent of dog stuff and
everybody else has a tent. So if we can't kind of have a few tents on each
side of the street, there's no sense of doing that and then what are we doing?
So you know, >> well, even though the galleries don't
participate in anything, Blue Crow are will be having a tent and I've already
talked to >> Yes. I'd like to see
» and we're gonna have to be in Bruce in a year.
That >> is that where the street's going to be
closed? It'll be Yeah, it's going to be right at spring and May.
» Is that between Happy Hands and >> Yes. Okay.
» Yes. >> And so the music is supposed to be down
at >> No music. Well, the Where's the band?
» The Yeah, the band is going to be at >> Maine.
» Yeah. And then cornhole and everything could happen on the other end. And then
did you talk to um >> They're not gonna be in town.
» Okay. So, are you gonna do it? >> Well, I don't know.
» Ruth, don't give me crap. >> Why shouldn't I?
» Because because I've got two people from the art gallery sitting here that do
participate. Does not make a whole uh gallery extravaganza downtown.
» I don't want to get I don't want to get into that with you, but I always
participate. So, of course, I'll >> You do. Thank you. Do you want to do the
music? >> I'll probably have like um tailgate
food, soup, and music at my >> Dave, will you put
» All right. I will have a tent out, Randy.
» Thank you. >> I have I have Plinko. I can bring
» that would be great. Do you have a tent for the band? It's
» They have tents. Do they will they break? I forget what they do.
» What band is it? >> Uh F funky Brewster.
» Nice. >> They're so good.
» Um if I can get a tent from somebody, I'd be happy to do something.
» I'll see if they have one. I'm sure between the three families, they have a
pen. [laughter] >> Okay. But yeah,
» you remind me the streets that are blocked off
» between spring and Maine. >> So I have states to I still if anybody
has any great ideas, I still feel like we could use one more little oomphy
thing like a a thing we um have done last year and we're gonna do this year
giveaways. Um like my if the hopefully the weather is nice, we'll do some
little doggy. It'll be a dog friendly event. We can have some enrichment
things outside. If it's hot, I'll bring dog pool out.
» Where where are the tents going to be? >> In the street. So in the park,
» thank you for giving me
shots.
» Yeah, I don't know how much I don't know what
I mean. Can I ask one more question? Retro Bakery reached out and asked if
they could sell stuff there. Is anybody opposed to
that? >> No, not
» I was worried that >> more the marrier.
» We want to make sure our own businesses on the street get space. I'm just
worried that there's literally going to be two tents.
» No, we should have them. We should have as many places as we can.
» And if if um >> What about the root bear barrel?
Let's get some hot dogs down there. That would be great.
» We could have asked that. I also didn't want to take away from because we're
kind of gonna push the um pizza from back alley and
» people won't care. I don't think I don't think they'll care.
» You can ask them, but >> you also you also can talk to Dave's
dogs >> at the farmers market every Tuesday.
» Yeah, >> I'm sure he'll do another event.
» Kind of like to start with um >> I'd start with root beer barrel. Yeah,
but I >> don't know. They have an offsite
ability, >> right?
» Right. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. Is anyone going into back alley at
the next day? >> This from 125.
» Yeah. >> I will.
» Since I've already been volunteered for >> Well, you're right.
» Thanks, Dave. Uh, so yeah, we kind of want to and I was at least somebody had
the idea of maybe if they even brought a table out to sell pizza. I don't know
what their sanitation requires. You sell spices that are pre-cooked. I think
you're okay. >> They might have
a little better. >> Yeah.
» Yeah. >> So, they're welcome to have a tent if
they want to sell out >> if you if you get them somewhere like
maybe up towards the um restrooms a little bit. They will actually bring
like their warmer their warmers with them
» and therefore actually have >> Yeah.
» warm pizza there rather than >> pizza sitting reading.
» Yeah. Thank you, Dave. >> See if he's interested.
» Randy, definitely palm reading. Make sure you have
» palm reading. Yes, I need my palm read. >> I'll take care of that. So, palm reading
and she does um astrological readings as well. You have to have your ticket. You
don't have to. You have to know what time you were born, what day, what time
to get you through. >> Oh, that'd be fun.
» Yeah, that's an oxmoron, I believe. >> More appropriate.
» Okay. Oh, and then I was gonna say um like for it's also national in national
pet store day, neighborhood pet store day. So we do giveaways and which is
last year it was really popular. We had a whole gift bag of free things I got
from the >> food food
» samples of food maybe >> large large
» not not your not fancy food um but anything that any you know I keep
telling people it doesn't have to be a sale at your store but anything that
people can do to you know just share can anybody in the marketing group create a
um a social media post about the event? Yeah, we've already been discussing as
far as September, October. So, >> okay,
» that's I wonder if we should invite I mean
Britney's on the CDB to have a tent and maybe there may even
» I mean it's nice to have some of those, you know, those are great outreach
options and it brings some Rotarians down. Maybe it brings some of the CD,
you know, people from CDZ, too. >> We have a ton. Yeah. I mean, it might
not hurt to fill it in a little bit and have some of our organizations that are
supportive, you know, had it as well, right?
» Yeah. Sure. >> Maybe the church. I don't know.
» Pretty too. We reach out and see. >> That's why I'd love to get something out
on social media soon so that if people have questions like we put something out
because >> I just made a joke just to save the day.
That's what the um retro gentleman responded to that and asked if they
could have a tattoo. I want to get back to you. So
» woman, I talked to her yesterday. She's going to repost that on all of her
things, but if we get updated artwork or anything else, she's she's happy to
repost that. >> Okay, that's great. Then did you see
that post the um can you pass that on to Jamina so she has the information?
» Yeah. Um, don't forget next month, if maybe
you knew this, I don't know, but next month we are I'll I'll save that notes.
Okay. Uh, that was all I had about Michigan downtown day. Thank you.
Marketing committee update. Um, Jim has put put together meeting
notes that you all shall have in front of you. Um, I just want to bring
attention real quick to the uh Distinctly Douglas video series. The
second one uh for Happy Stance got 20K views. Um, that was a real collaboration
from the team and um Jim making the video and Cindy doing her blast on
social media to get it to all these different channels. So, I want to thank
them for doing all that heavy lifting and um let's do it again.
» They will next week, this week. >> Fabulous.
Um okay. Uh, regarding Q4 events, we talked about Michigan downtown day, the
busker fest September >> live performer,
» live performer, street performer thing, September 18th. It's
» I think the banners have already been printed. I had a meeting with Ashley.
Um, >> I talked to Jim and Cindy and Alexia
about the outcome of that meeting. Um, things have already been printed, so
going to remain the way that it is and then um we will promote the event and go
from there. They're still looking for two sponsors from local businesses and I
have not um asked any other businesses to contribute to that. They want $300
per business for a sponsorship. Who does >> the CDB
they're paying for the or they're collecting the funds to pay the street
performers. So they have given 1,200. We've given 1,200 and there's a few
moreund that needs to be raised to pay for the
» um performers >> performers
which is why we want to talk about this like going forward for next year because
as Alexia pointed out buskers usually bust for money on the streets. So I
think >> I thought that was the intent. How did
we end up paying this money for this? There's some miscommunication
» to fix it. Well, you know, >> yeah, this is you guys, these are good
growing grow uh growing pains for us because we have we are as these kinds of
things happen and as the DDA grows and as our pot of money grows and as we get
more sophisticated, this is all new territory for us like having contracts
for vendors and those kinds of things. we will get better. And you know, it's
the same thing when we had the mural situation last year, the year before. It
was uncomfortable. We had a little egg on our face, but we're only human. We're
doing our best. We're not trying to hurt anybody or take advantage of anybody. We
just we are we're volunteer, you know, we're volunteer uh volunteers
and um we're gonna we're going to miss the mark on some things and um we will
fix them going forward. most importantly am I right?
So good. Uh >> what is the time for the street reform?
» I believe it's 4:30 to 7. >> So are we I mean have we rallied the
businesses around this? there's the act that we do round
businesses around it and I was waiting to talk to you all about how we go about
doing that and if we go about >> well I saw I saw the I saw the thing the
email that came through and I was not in favor of supporting paying for that kind
of advertising me personally >> why not just curious
» I don't know I kind of felt like the same thing I felt like we were already
putting money in the CBB was putting money in I didn't feel like it was going
to be something that I wanted to put my money towards. That's all.
» So, what happens if nobody does? >> The CVB will pick up the rest of the
cost. And I think, you know, I think that that's something again that we'll
need to talk about. >> I thought $300 was a lot, too. Honestly,
I mean, it is and it isn't. Depends on what it is, but it's like two and a half
hours. I just >> what kind of
» exactly which what kind of performing are we going to
» exactly? >> We don't even have any information. We
don't know. >> We don't know what
» they do. They do. >> Yeah, they gave them
» Ashley gave us a good list of >> Oh, that last female. You're right. We
have fire breathers. We have like circus type performers. We have
» juggler. fire fire.
» It's not what we thought that of a buser. It's kind of turned into what
they were calling it a street performer. >> Who decided to make the change?
» They did. >> Who? Who's they?
» April gun. >> Why?
» We don't know. >> We don't know. But
» when I met let's just I'll say this. When I met with Ashley last week, we had
a great conversation and I took a little bit of ownership for kind of maybe
dropping the ball in terms of not having these conversations ahead of
time and just kind of saying, "Yay, you want to run this thing and uh great, we
don't have to do it." And then it kind of but because it's a DDA sponsored
event, she recognizes that we want to have some ownership in it and some
conversation in it. And um so I think there's a lot that can be fixed going
forward, but it's not going to be >> I'm just confused.
» If it's a DA's sponsored defense, why is the CBD able to change whatever
it is that we had intended to do? >> They volunteered to take it and run with
it. >> And we were okay with that initially.
And so um it turned up that we weren't getting any
information and that that's why Randy had a meeting with Ashley because we
weren't getting we weren't hearing about it and we wanted to promote it. So, we
went to Ashley and said, "What's going on? We're not getting any communication
from April." And that's when we learned that it's street performers and it's
this type of people and they're paying for it. So, it would kind of we lost it.
We lost control of it. um and they thought we didn't want control of it. So
going forward in the future, we will be more collaborative on it, but this event
is too late to modify. >> Well said.
» Nicely done around those words. That was well crafted.
Uh, >> but I think our big concern really
should be, are we throwing a party in a neighborhood with locked doors?
» Could analogy. >> I mean, and and I'm not trying to be
facitious or anything. It's just like great. I mean, I think street performers
are fun and all, but if you're bringing people downtown, which is our purpose,
is anybody going to be open? Are we just doing is the backdrop closed businesses?
I mean, I'm sure EPC will be open. Is it a Friday night?
» Yeah. >> But it's in September. So, I have a
feeling that >> I'll stay open. I'm not going to be
here, but I'll hire someone. I'll hire Susan.
» But, I mean, I >> It goes until 7, right?
» 4:30 to 7. >> Is it possible to use some of our DDA
funds in Antonio to make videos before these events come out that we can post
and get people excited about it? plan is to do a video around second
Saturdays and those three performances
within two weeks. So
that's already on our plan. But like I said, I'm just worried about is that
this this Friday night event I mean nights are not our friend
» not on Friday. >> Yeah.
» Well, I just don't know what the answer to that is if it's us going around
because I bet if we ask everybody on the street, they might not even know that
there's an event that night at this point.
» That's why I want to start talking about it now. the I mean the the I feel like
the at a minimum what we can do is market the event right now but to the
best of our ability so that it's maybe pulling in some people.
» So can you send us information? I mean I don't know how to market it if I don't
know who's going to be there like what going to be there a little bit more than
» Yeah. You send me everything that you >> what Ashley sent to us. I can get I can
get a video out there, but I was thinking I didn't want to do it.
» Well, we must do it now.
» Must. >> We're committed.
» Yes. >> Um
» I just I'm always worried about confusing people because if you go out
the door, you do second Saturday >> live per I mean street performer and
» don't tell >> downtown people like that's three events
in downtown two weeks. It's just a just a lot. I
sound like I'm crazy. >> Well, I'm
» Are they soliciting, too? Are they going to have little jars out and things like
that for money? Because that kind of makes people uncomfortable.
» Okay. That makes people uncomfortable sometimes, right?
» Well, >> I don't I love it.
» Something weird. [laughter]
» That's how I That's true. That's fair. >> Yes. I You know, I know some people
people get a little >> so they have one good performer and it's
a Michael Jackson um
» he does very very good
» and we have times for >> Yeah. No, that's right.
» I It sounds like um >> at this point, can I just say this? I
think at this point our goal has to be to get bodies to the downtown because
regardless of how we feel about like how this is how this is shaking out it's
still our event. It's got our name partially on it and we want to
» give it up. >> Is the CB going to promote it and their
website and that type of thing also? >> They have started too but
» it's on their website. Okay. >> Yeah. Um that said, my sense and I don't
want to speak to the marketing committee, but my sense in conversation
with them is that we want to talk about um next going forward for next year, you
know, how do we want to proceed with um this partnership? And that's kind of
Ashley Ashley and I kind of started having that conversation and um in
fairness to them uh I don't think they were necessarily as
they I don't think they thought that the DDA was wanting as much for lack of a
better word ownership in the process. And I kind of in thinking about it when
we started this process two years ago with them um you know offering to run
two events for us and two events for Saga talk we were a different board and
so and we didn't have the the movers and the shakers and the doers to and the
idea makers to do all these things and so things are going to change as this
board changes and so I think that did change the dynamic a little bit of um
what our expectations have become because we are more sophisticated now.
So, and I think that after this event, we will talk about, you know, how to
proceed. >> Yeah. And one thing I think there be
that we are it's already in motion is that we will do a a social media post
for each of those three events. We will do a video for each of those three
events and they'll all look different. >> Great. You're the man.
» Yes. >> Thank you.
» Yeah. Anything else on Britney jumped on? She's I don't know if you want to
ask question. >> Oh, I don't know. Britney, did you show
us your lovely face? Do you want to just talk to us?
» I think you're still muted. >> Hold on.
» Can you hear me now? >> Yes.
» Okay. I was just going to say that we do plan to promote the event on our website
and um April has already also made a um Facebook event for the street
performers. >> Yeah.
» Um and it says there's 12 going 146 interested.
So that's good stats. I think some that means at least 146 people have seen that
the event is happening and Facebook will remind them when it's coming up. Um, so
that's good start to marketing. Um, we also made a flyer very early on because
we didn't have a lot of the details, but we had the date and the time. Um, so we
have a flyer that we've been handing out here and it's posted at the kiosk and on
our bulletin board for the street performers night. Um, and then yeah, the
banner obviously we wanted to get that ordered um, and get our application in
for having the banner up and everything. So, we've been trying to get the ball
rolling on different marketing type stuff for that. So, we're definitely
wanting to support you guys. We're just waiting to hear the details. Um, and
that list of performers, it's that's also the first time I saw
who was actually doing it. So, um, we can definitely start adding that into
our marketing efforts so people know exactly what they're coming for.
» So, I'll reach out to April, Britney, and I'll let I mean, I think April needs
to know that we're going to do a video in some some social media posting on our
own as well, and I don't want to >> Yeah.
» Yeah. >> Cool.
» Thanks. >> Definitely.
» Okay. Uh, real quickly, we can skip some of this other stuff. I would just say
that Bri, you're the you're the champion of the tree lighting ceremony this year.
I would say by for starting around next month, we should probably have start to
have regular I don't know, whatever you need from us or whatever conversations.
» Bri, I'll co-sponsor that with you if you want tree lighting.
» That'd be great. Thanks, Ruth. You have the gingerbread houses
» other than other than the gingerbread houses. I love
» Are they moldy? >> No, they're not that you could probably
eat off of them. >> So the the tree lighting is the day
after is the Saturday after Thanksgiving, right?
» Yes. >> Yeah. 6 p.m.
» I think I'm That's the Saturday after
Florida. >> You have to I'm I'm on orb bound to meet
my new niece when the baby's born. >> My god, that said peace.
» My niece had a baby. Um so next meeting, let's uh kind of
touch base about uh Small Business Saturday.
» Uh hopefully we have something on the website. We can talk about that in a
second. Uh uh and the holiday preview. I think we're not going to make Pink
Friday unless someone's dying. Uh, okay. So, let's move on to staff and
manager for I will make it really long because I know Ruth gets hungry and
ready to roll. >> All right.
» Um, just just Don Don's kind of manning things right now. We're really short,
but um, if you have Don wanted me to just remind everybody, if you have a new
vendor, they have to submit a vendor form and a W9 to the city to get paid.
That is a requirement of our auditors. like like you're going through growing
pains with the DDA. We are too. Don is very very thorough, most thorough
treasurer we probably have had. She's working on a lot of these trainings.
She's been taking a lot of courses to make sure we are following all the
guidelines. So, she just wants to make sure she's not trying to be difficult.
She just said make sure that W9 comes through because we want to get these
checks processed as quickly as possible. Um, also when somebody provides a
reimbursement request, they have to have the form. They also have to have the
receipts and we also need correct addresses because sometimes when we or
we've mailed them to the address that they provide PO box it comes back to us
so it's been happening quite a bit. Um I know we haven't gotten Michael's back so
I don't know where his went to but we don't hand deliver. I do get Randy
sometimes if she can you know something comes back I do try to you know ask
Randy to help me out with that. But these are just things we're trying to
fix our processes too and make it easy on everybody. Just a couple of other
quick things. Um, on September 7th, Labor Day, 8 am Labor Day bridgewalk
starts at 8 am at Berry Field. That was like over 200 people last year. It was a
lot of fun. It goes from Berryfield down Washington underneath across down the
bridge and then it comes back. It was a really nice walk. I think it's it's
really the date of that again. >> Jim, you were a dancing queen on that.
Was wonderful. >> Loved it.
» He just went right by my video just coming right through. So, it's
» it's at 8 a.m. starts at 8. >> Yep. On Labor Day at 7.
» Yep. On Labor Day morning. Yep. >> So, um and then we have a 911 event at
Wade Biden this year. We're moving it uh down to
walking streets off on a Friday because of happy stance and everybody's
businesses. So, we're moving it down to Wes. I think it's going to look really
pretty down on the water and the council agreed to that. That starts at 9:00 a.m.
on Friday night. September. So, we are going to keep
doing that. I know we don't get a ton of attendance people really up in this town
before 11, but it is important to continue to me to remember this will be
our third one. So, I really it's it's a very moving ceremony. It's only about
half an hour, 45 minutes, but it's very it's it's a very nice event. So, I think
I've given enough to I think we we've figured out a lot of things. So, thanks
for your guidance and understanding. >> Thanks, Lisa. You're welcome.
» I'm gonna assume we have no public comment
and board comments. Mr. Babcock,
» no. >> Mrs. No,
» last name.
» Um, first I want to thank you all for your reaching out, your hard support
after my dad's death. Um, meant a lot to me. appreciate you all very much. Um,
second, I'm just going to throw it out there because I was going to bring it to
this meeting and I saw the agenda and not um I think it's really important
that we try to mend and or or create relationships with business owners where
there is none or there is a um a difficult one or a one, whatever that
looks like. We are a different board of members maybe than what they experienced
and where that frustration for whatever reason they have came from. Um, and I'm
proposing that at some time we discuss taking each business and each one of us
gets assigned businesses and we either do it as two of us go in and we are your
TDA members and we are who you're going to go to and be checking on them monthly
and it's not my email. You get my I've got 1500 unopen emails right now because
as a business owner you get all the spam, you get all the things. You know
this. Um, I think it's really important that we start creating a relationship
with business owners so that we can better the downtown area.
» I'll take Mr. Miller. >> Okay, you got it. [snorts]
» We have a lot to work on. >> Yeah.
» Um, I told Sue I would mention it. I think for next meeting she'll email us
about her updates for town crier and a couple other things. I think the most
recent art in the park situation. She said she sat there with a clicker and I
don't want to misspe but she said like nine
» thank you. Yes. And she was really excited about that and same with town
choir. We had the biggest turnout this year raised the most money. So just to
see how energetic and happy she is and she is more than happy to utilize. So
I'm like will you please post downtown day on all of your things? She's got
like five social medias she posts to and so I think she's, you know, I just love
her and she's awesome and she's really excited to see Douglas beat six and I
think it's it's fun and I'm glad and I love her so much.
» Is this Sue from the farmers? >> Sue Pullman. Yeah,
» I wish you could be here and do all stuff.
» Just Mr.
I've missed I may have missed this but where do we stand on chips and renewal?
» Oh, we had a meeting with them on last Wednesday in our officers meeting
» and um of course I couldn't remember many of
the concerns that I had >> when we said we were gonna have but
anyway they're going to um revisit making sure the trees stand up and then
they sent us a a bunch of things to look at, especially for like the gateway sign
near the gateway sign. Like there's a cute cool
» topsy turvy present kind of lighted situation that we could
» have we entered into a contract with them.
» You have >> Yeah, we're in
» What year are we in? >> I don't know.
» Oh, I thought this was >> Yeah, we were coming. We wanted them to
come and talk about things that went wrong last year.
» Yeah. like we didn't ever last two years. We haven't talked about your
lights. We talked about the lights by us.
» So, >> yeah.
» Okay. So, I thought the contract was up for you because I know there are other
businesses that are interested in getting
» after next year. Yeah. >> Okay. And then I hate to I hate to bring
this up because I love the farmer. People are stopping in and complaining.
Why is so and so not here this week? Why is so and so not here? really wanted to,
you know, get this from this vendor. They're not there. So, I don't know who
has any >> What's her biggest problem?
» Which vendors show up? >> Feel like I don't know, but this
painting should go home with you right now.
» Just a tad. >> Here's a wine glass for the wine that's
not for sale today. >> Thank you for
» I mean, so last week I went for a grilled cheese sandwich and
» that's the biggest complaint I got from two different people. I know.
» Where the hell's the grilled cheese? She's really damn good.
» She was sick last week. >> She was sick last week and this week she
didn't have supplies. >> I know. [laughter]
» So that's that's a good thing. People are really interested.
» Okay. >> The only feedback I've got regarding
that is that counties would like it to be opened earlier because they have to
be at work by 10 and it opens at 10. >> They're getting served. People are
literally showing. I go there at 8:00 and people have already made purchases
as the vendors are setting up. >> Not a grilled cheese.
» We're not able.
» Um, you know, that's feedback we can give to Sue. Um, potentially it's also
depends on their vendor. She does a survey after every market and just like
she did for Art and Park, we'll get results from that soon. Um but she does
do a survey after every ye every season and then um we can throw that out as an
option. We are talking about next year being able to offer um SNAP benefits in
particular, but also um there's some uh programs that you know people
who may be in more need can um benefit from the market and we're going to
hopefully implement that next year. >> So super excited about that.
Um, >> nothing.
» Nothing. >> Okay. And then all I was going to
mention Art and Park and the turnout, we will get a survey. And then I just
wanted everybody to know that next month,
September's meeting. Our last market is the 20 whatever date. And the next day,
the Sue Pullman is going to come here for an acknowledgement. Um, we'll be
presenting her with a plaque. I just told
» him
just give someone >> Oh, shoot.
» I'm sure it was a >> Jenny. Go ahead. Oh, just kidding. She
was giving the best. >> I wanted an update on construction of
the four businesses that are going to be taking place. Do we have any updates on
what's happening with those four businesses for future planning for the
downtown businesses? >> What do we know? Nothing yet.
» Well, Matt gave an update at our last council meeting.
» It's in the works, but it's going to still be like a year.
» Sean is Sean is really staying on top and I don't think it's
» No, I don't mean when they're opening. I mean when they're starting construction.
We want to try to plan >> later in this season.
» The only one that's had their site plan approved is is
» city hall >> and city hall
» police station. >> Police station. I know that affects me
because it's and Dave is right across the street.
» It's going to affect all of downtown. >> Well, I understand that but so we don't
know anything is what you're saying. >> No schedules.
» No schedules just that. But Sean is is is very very he's staying on top and
saying please we need to make sure that you
» That's exciting. There's going to be police station. Oh, I know. We know.
» Building across from the post office >> possibly the two empty lots down
» by bowling alley. Right. >> Borrow time is doing some work too
» and time. So vibrancy is >> the lot. The lot that is directly behind
the spa will be coming to you potentially for we wanted to buy it. We
couldn't afford it right now. Um they're talking about constructing a building
there and doing Would
that be in the PTA? >> No.
» Street. >> But the pizza place isn't on the EDA
either. >> Yeah, they are.
» They are. >> They're not on center street.
» No, but when we were districted it does include them. We didn't know
that until about three years ago. Three years ago, we excluded them from
everything. And then they brought to our attention that if you look at our map,
they are actually It was who where the businesses were when this tip financing
and um DDA was created who but it it impacts the downtown tremendously
obviously having but to Ruth's point I think um and I
think we talked about this it's going to be really important we have the
potential for a lot of construction on center street all happening at one time
or at least over several months and we want to bring some creative ideas to
think about the roundabout when the roundabout was closing. Uh blueest star,
you know, they had some support from the CBB and some others about making sure
that people knew that our businesses were open. So, we want to start thinking
about that ASAP um so that we have a plan of what we want how we want to
combat that as gets ready to roll. And I can have Sean at each, you know, Sean
mention we can have Sean at each meeting as he has updates.
» Perfect. And in between we can have him send an email to the BDA keep.
» And yes, >> we have the ability to do any kind of
signage during construction to give people who are not familiar with the
area the idea that there's good things to come.
» Just discussed the other night. Okay. >> Like a future
» Yeah. something >> like when they close down Blue Star, but
they say like retro street.
» Yeah. >> Yes.
» Yeah. >> Sean thinks they'll do it outside of the
the busy busy season as much as they can some of it, but some of it's going to
fall to the season. So I mean my point to that is just the winter months are
even more important in some ways to make sure that the what little traffic we do
get knows that we are still open because >> businesses are still during
construction. >> Yeah.
» That's right. We will very administration we be very mindful of
that. >> Yes. Uh okay. How about uh motion to
adjurnn? Motion to adjurnn.