Downtown Odessa

DOWNTOWN ODESSA, INC Minutes for August 10, 2021 Council Chambers Board Members present: John Herriage, William Vaughan, Lonnie Lawrence, Alma Gomez, Denise Swanner, Mark Matta, and Shawn Rodriguez Absent: Sondra Eoff and Cruz Castillo Others present: Randi Pineda and Alexa Moulakis Invocation: Mark Matta gave the invocation. Board Chairman William Vaughan lead the meeting. The meeting started a 12:05 p.m. Downtown Odessa, Inc: 1. Approval of minutes – July 13, 2021 – Motion was made by Board member Rodriguez and seconded by Board member Herriage to approve. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Herriage, Vaughan, Lawrence, Gomez, Swanner, Matta and Rodriguez Nay: None 2. Review of July 2021 Financials – Board member Herriage went over the financials. Motion was made by Board member Gomez and seconded by Board member Rodriguez to approve. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Herriage, Vaughan, Lawrence, Gomez, Swanner, Matta and Rodriguez Nay: None 3. Old Business: a. Prospective updates to the grant program – Alexa met with ODC regarding the grant program changes that they are wanting to make. ODC will put together their final proposal for their meeting on Thursday. 4. Event Update: a. Recap of events: i. Hot Summer Nights –Concluded Hot Summer Nights, we had 8 through this season. Our last performance was Mariachi Armonia which was back at the park. Great show to end the season, it was packed perfect weather, people enjoyed the music. ii. Solstice Live! (non-DOI event) – This was brought in by an outside promoter, this was not a DOI event. They brought in a good country artist. The crowd was a little less than what they had hoped for. We have been in contact with the promoters are still getting involved into downtown, they are talking about doing something in the future another concert or festival. Not sure if it would be downtown or another location, it may not have gone as they had wished  it to go but they weren’t in terrible spirits about it. They will be donating to our organization for our assistance. iii. Basin Pride (non-DOI event) – This event was on Saturday. They relocated from Mckinney Park to Noel Hertiage Plaza. Great turn out, really liked the location. b. Winter Events: i. Parade of Lights – Discuss the Board doing a float. Per Lonnie does not have the flatbed nor the shop to work in. John suggested looking for a flatbed and go from there. He also said maybe we can get sponsors to pay for the float. ii. Teddy Bear Tea – Per Alexa MCH agreed to be a sponsor again. Still waiting to here back from the Marriott regarding availability and pricing. iii. New Year’s Eve – Per Alexa Play committee will be listening to two comedians that our agent has found for us. Once the committee gives us a recommendation then we will send to the board for approval. As far as the venue we still haven’t heard back from the Marriott so we will keep trying otherwise we will start looking elsewhere. c. Future Outside/Partner Events i. Rocktober Fest – October 2nd – This event is quickly approaching. Alexa has ben working with West Texas Radio group for about six months now. They have a bunch of food trucks lined up; great music lined up. This is another one that will donate to our organization for our assistance. ii. Night of Light Downtown – October 31st – Received confirmation that Crossroads is not going to partner with us this Halloween. They are going to keep it on their own campus. Play committee has come up with some ideas. Halloween will be celebrated on Saturday, October 30th Downtown Odessa. 5. Director’s Report: a. Grants Update: i. Compiling documents for reimbursement – Ambler Law (façade and infrastructure) ii. Under construction – PediCardio of West Texas (façade and infrastructure) iii. Under construction– ICON Tavern (façade and infrastructure) iv. Under construction– The House (infrastructure) v. To ODC for approval – La Catrina & Co. (infrastructure) – 301 W. 2nd, This is an upscale Western Boutique. vi. Awaiting Resubmit of Paperwork – Gifts R Us (façade) vii. Awaiting Paperwork – Paradigm Physical Therapy (façade) viii. Awaiting Paperwork – Par II companies (façade) ix. Potential future applicants 1. Dr. Pill and Dr. Kurra – Unsure about the program. May or may not see these come through but they know that the door is open, and we are here if they have any questions. 6. Downtown Odessa Inc Executive Director Update Per Mr. Herriage they interviewed two candidates which were good, but one accepted another job and the other due to family, decided not to move. We are still looking. They also discussed what can they do different to get more applicants.