Attendees: Chris Dominianni, Pat Ostrander, Linda Hill, Dan Heath, Pam Miller, S. Booker, Donna Ferguson, Tom Lavin, Suzette Nephew, David Kearns
Meeting called to order by Chris Dominianni at 8:42 am.
Minutes of the May 10, 2006 meeting accepted.
Introduction of the attendees.
Mention of new downtown business, A Different Blend, a coffee shop, is located where the Circle of Yarn had been (19 Clinton St).
OLD BUSINESS:
Protection Avenue Clean-Up
Chris discussed the clean up of Protection Avenue and suggested a once-a-month follow up by local service organizations or groups. Mayor Stewart had explained to Chris that there were a number of projects in the works for downtown, including receptacles for dog droppings. There is currently bags and a receptacle in Trinity Park.
Summer Arts Series
"Gala" details were discussed for the kick off of the Summer Arts Series. The Gala will be held at the North Country Cultural Center for the Arts on July 22, 2006. A concert with Roy Hurd will follow as a fund raiser for the Strand Theater. Food and beverages will be served from 5:30 pm to 6:45pm. There will be tours of the Strand. Tom Lavin shared the flyer for the summer art series. There has been $3,000 raised. More supporters are needed to generate the necessary $5,000. These supporters will be mentioned on the playbills. Sponsorship is for the entire season. There may be a prerecorded message announcing the sponsors. There is still availability for sponsors.
Beautification Project
Watering duties for the Westelcom stage area are shared by local businesses, once daily and as needed. Phase II is the continuation of sprucing up Protection Ave, possibly covering the transformers with some more attractive facades. Phase III is the Oak Street model with flower baskets and hanging plants. Additional projects continue to be a discussion of the empty lot located adjacent to Koffee Kat and the fence of the Westelcom building. Pat Ostrander mentioned the possibility of community gardens, with foods and herbs. There is a model with a campus garden at PSUC. There is the potential of groups contributing to a Community Garden Committee. Receptacles for cigarette butts could help to clean up debris.
NEW BUSINESS:
Downtown Businesses Advertising
Chris and Donna Ferguson outlined a plan for a group advertising plan with the Press Republican. They showed an attractive prototype of 14 advertisers for 14 weeks, with a large ad in the center. The featured ad will be one of the 14 and will change each week. The Press will underwrite the ad giving the businesses half off the cost. The cut off date is June 29, 2006. Payment must be made, to the PDA, for the first ad by July 3, 2006. The completed list will be faxed to Donna Ferguson at the Press.
Judges for the Beautification Contest
Chris explained the choices for judges of the contest. So far we have Francesca Hartnett, Bill Provost, Sylvia Stack and Ducky Drake.
The prizes are:
First - A night at the Point Au Roche B&B from Karen and Creston Billings Second - Dinner and Movie from Butcher Block and Regal Cinemas Third - A gift basket from the Plattsburgh Farmers and Crafters Market
The Westelcom Stage was initiated this summer with a concert series sponsored by JCEO. The Gibson Brothers kicked it off on June 16th and the Zuchinni Brothers followed up on June 17th. There will be a food vendor present from July 22-29th and in August during the concert series. July 5th will be MP3 with Mike Pederson.
Pat Ostrander mentioned having a Sunday afternoon Coffee House in the middle of July.
Fishing Tournaments: Need to focus on downtown services and businesses during the fishing tournaments. We need to know the dates ahead of time to plan for next year. A flyer featuring downtown businesses would be circulated at the tournaments. Current scheduled bass tournament dates are: July 13-16, July 30, and August 6.
Fred Keil, along with Office of Community Development, will present some architectural ideas for the beautification of the downtown area at a future date.
New Officers were announced for this year:
- Chris Dominianni - President
- Tom Lavin - Vice President
- Suzette Nephew - Treasurer
- Linda Hill - Secretary.
S. Booker expressed interest in developing outdoor activities in coordination with the North Country Cultural Center for the Arts. Linda Hill will meet with him to discuss possibilities.
A motion to adjourn was made by Suzette Nephew and seconded by Chris Dominianni.
BOARD MEMBERS: Chris Dominianni, President 516-6408 • Tom Lavin, Vice President • Linda Marie Hill, Secretary • Suzette Nephew, Treasurer
