Main Street Advisory Board

MAIN STREET ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES – July 19, 2019 1 Present: Cheryl Spencer Chair, Heike Ness, Sandra Gray, John Matthews, Helen Belcher, Laura Bruns, Gaye Clements Absent: Caroline Crimm & Doris Collins Staff: Tammy Gann & Tracy Chappell Chair Spencer called the meeting to order at 12:34pm. Consideration and possible action on approval of May 17, 2019 minutes. MOTION WAS MADE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR MAY 17, 2019. BELCHER/NESS/UNANIMOUS Main Street Coordinator Report: Chappell and Gann gave an update on the following:  Replacement of the wooden benches downtown  Sandblasting of the trashcans  New cultural district signage in production (36 street topper signs)  Lampposts (status of grant and decision package for additional 17 for new fiscal year)  Upcoming Centerpoint Energy gas line work  MSAB reappointments Promotions Committee Report: Bruns discussed upcoming events including Touch-a-Truck, Scare on the Square, and Christmas Fair. Discussion continued about the possibility of a humane society pet event, concerns the Lions club will soon be facing with the Christmas Parade and the possibility of shops staying open late when specific events are happening downtown. Downtown Business Alliance Report: Bruns also gave an update for the HDBA including the decision to make a flat fee for wineries at Wine Down Shop Small, the election of Sam Donnell as president, and the decision to move forward with only one billboard on I-45. Consideration: The board continued to discuss the public restroom issue and came up with the following points:  Public restrooms needs to be a line item in the budget with constant attention in order to be effective  Cost benefit analysis should be conducted before making a suggestion to council  A small committee should travel to comparable cities and see how they handle public restrooms  The current plumbing downtown cannot support the shoppers  Consider reaching out and working with Jason Strange to help construct restrooms  Suggestion needs to be provided to present to council by December Items of Interest: Discussion of the new scooter pilot program that will be coming to Huntsville in the coming weeks. There being no further business the meeting adjourned. BELCHER/NESS/UNANIMOUS MSAB Minutes May 17, 2019