Attendees: Tom Lavin - Adirondack Regional Theater, Dan Heath - Press Republican,
Tammy Seymour - Adriondack Penny Saver, Jessica Miller - Stafford, Owens, Curtin and Trombly, Kate Besaw – BOPCC, Matt Spiegel - Olive Ridley, Chris Dominianni - Great Adirondack Soup Company, Lindamarie Hill - Trinity Point Holistic Center

1. President Chris Dominianni opened the meeting at 8:45 am, and initiated introductions of attendees.

2. Tom Lavin accepted the minutes of the January meeting and they were seconded by Chris Dominianni.

3. The host, Matt Spiegel was introduced, welcomed and thanked for opening his business to the meeting, and thanked for the refreshments.

4. Kathy Besaw was introduced and spoke about the ongoing organization of the Battle of Plattsburgh. She brought an idea of coupons for business support, advertising and fund raising. The intention is to get as many businesses as possible to place ads or inserts into the 64 page booklet that is published for the event. This is vital as they lost “Mainely Lobster & Seafood” as a sponsor. The sponsorship is an important part of the fundraising, and the button sales are another focus. Besaw wants to see more businesses selling buttons and promoting the event through button sales. There are presently about 25 businesses selling buttons.

Tom Lavin mentioned he may be able to help with the Tavern, as Kathy is the host and she needs help. The Battle of Plattsburgh CC is having their monthly meeting tonight at Trinity Church.

President Chris Dominianni reflected that the coupon idea would be a good plan for future PDA fundraising.

The deadline on ad sales is July 30th.

5. The WalMart Volunteer Program was mentioned for use in fundraisers. WalMArt will fund up to 4 volunteers at $250 per volunteer for events sponsored by a not for profit organization. The contact person is Kathy Matott.

6. Chris gave an update on the Cabin Fever 2007 event. Eleven restaurants had entered and music scheduled. Dominianni wants this to set the tone for future festival organization. He is still working toward the Snow Sculpture competition in Plattsburgh and envisions it as a part of a winter festival. Dominianni will give a presentation to the Mayor on this concept. The Strand will benefit from part of the proceeds from the Cabin Fever 2007. Volunteers were still needed to pick up chili and fees from local restaurants.

7. It is important to have a major membership drive for the PDA for 2007. Membership is $30 a year and $20 to have a poster in the Kiosk. A $50 donation fulfills both. Treasurer Suzette Nephew will take the money for memberships.

8. Negotiations with Northern Insuring are still in progress for the Plattsburgh Downtown Association. Insurance is a major issue in planning events.

9. Chris Boire has been hired to maintain the PDA website: www.plattsburghdowntown.com

10. The next project of concern is the Summer Concert Series. The PDA is anticipating that some of the money designated by the city for the Summer Arts Series will go to the PDA to support the Concert Series. That would enable the PDA to book some higher profile groups, which would attract bigger audiences.

11. Chris Dominianni met with Rick Perry to discuss the fishing tournaments.

12. Lindamarie Hill mentioned that is time to be thinking about the projects that the Beautification Committee will be doing. The city will not be doing the barrel plantings this summer, but the barrels are available to businesses to plant and maintain.

13. Matt Spiegel made a motion to close the meeting and Chris Dominianni seconded the motion.