Elkton Alliance, Inc

Elkton Alliance, Inc. Board of Directors Meeting Tuesday, September 1, 2015 Minutes

Present: Chairman, Roger L. Owens Mayor Robert J. Alt Donna A. Kitts Marjorie Blystone Kathy Kunda Larry W. Crouse Jr Rob Massimiano Cindy E. Fetterolf Chris Ann Szep

Excused: Linda Burris Donald S. Hicks Marybeth S. Cole Dr. Kenneth L. Lewis Candy Davis Sharon Pelham

Also: Jeanne Minner, Town of Elkton Planner; Mary Jo Jablonski, Executive Director

The monthly meeting of the Elkton Alliance, Inc. Board of Directors was held Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at the Elkton Alliance/Chamber Office, 101 East Main Street, Elkton, Maryland. Chairman Owens called the meeting to order at 8:03 AM. The minutes from the previous meetings were approved as presented.

Treasurer’s Report: Vice-Chairman Crouse reviewed the Treasurer’s Report for the month of August. Ms. Kunda made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report, seconded by Mr. Massimiano.

Organization:

Membership: Vice-Chairman Crouse stated $9,025 in dues has been collected and 64 members have joined. Volunteer hours for July totaled 72 hours and August hours totaled 95 hours, mostly for Paws on the Pavement event and Car Shows.

Economic Restructuring:

No Report

Ms. Kunda read a report forwarded to Ms. Jablonski from the Cecil County Economic Development on the growth of Elkton.

Design/Arts & Entertainment:

DEFA: Ms. Blystone stated the Downtown Elkton Festival of the Arts Committee continues to meet monthly. She recently attended York Arts Fair in York, PA. to network with artists and pass out DEFA info cards. York also held a Chalk Walk and Ms. Blystone used the opportunity to speak with the event organizers to gain information for the DEFA Chalk Walk. A&E Annual Report - Ms. Blystone is currently working on the annual report which is due Sept. 30th. She will be meeting with the managers of the local art venues to discuss the last fiscal year. Ms. Blystone stated she's recently implemented an online survey to obtain a more accurate report on the events and attendance numbers within the A&E District.

Elkton Ambassador Program - Ms. Blystone is assisting in introducing an Ambassador Program and is seeking volunteers. Volunteers will greet and direct people on the street during special events downtown and will wear a vest which will identify them as an ambassador. She hopes to have the program up and running by the October First Friday. Mayor Alt would like to see the Ambassador Program implemented at all times when volunteer numbers permit.

Empty Bowls - Ms. Blystone reminded the board of the upcoming Empty Bowls Event, noting the personal time and monetary investment Art Space owner Lori Willing puts into the project. She encouraged the board to let Ms. Willing know if they'd like filers for the event to help promote it. The event raised over $5,000 last year for the Wayfarer's House.

Window Decorating: Ms. Blystone stated the Design Committee will be working on 112-114 West Main Street to decorate the front window for fall.

First Friday: Ms. Blystone stated this week is First Friday and the Elkton Arts & Entertainment Facebook will have the listing of everything going on. She thanked Mr. Massimiano for reconstructing the Before I Die Chalk Board Wall in a mobile chalk board that can be used for artistic chalk drawings for First Fridays.

Paint the Town Purple & Gold: Ms. Blystone stated florist ribbon could be used on the fences leading to the High School to stream the school spirit. Ms. Fetterolf stated she could recruit some of the sports teams to help put them up. Discussion was held on coordination of the decoration.

Office Report:

Grand Opening: Ms. Jablonski stated the grand opening of Happy Hair is today at noon and invited all the board members to attend.

Stained Glass: Ms. Jablonski stated a gentleman is seeking to sell his 3 foot stained glass picture of an elk, because this is the Town of Elkton he thought someone might be interested. She has his contact information if anyone wanted to make an inquiry. Sculpture: Ms. Jablonski stated Ms. Regina Moolenschot is working with artists to install a 15 foot metal sculpture, in honor of her father, at the County Courthouse. The County has given their permission and the sculpture should be in position by October or November. She has asked the Alliance to help with a Name the Sculpture Contest and give a $250 prize. She would like to get the schools involved as well as the Arts Council. Discussion was held on the funding of the sculpture and whether prize money was needed.

Merchants Committee: Ms. Jablonski stated at the recent merchant meeting, there was a lot of concern regarding loitering at the corner of Main & Bow Streets. Discussion was held on the importance of calling 911 and the new loitering ordinance that is being introduced. Mayor Alt stated it would be a good idea for the Chief of Police to discuss the new ordinance with merchants.

Downtown Buildings: Ms. Jablonski has been working with the Wedding Chapel to help them delay the foreclosure. They are now working with law firm of Brown, Brown, & Young to resolve the matter. Two buildings are going to settlement, The Palette & The Page being one of them.

Façade Grant: Ms. Jablonski stated $48,483 in façade grants have been submitted to Maryland Historic Trust. It will generate $97,000 in improvements downtown. Ms. Jablonski and Ms. Minner met with the state and applied for an additional $50,000 that will be available in March.

Promotion:

Fall Fest: Ms. Jablonski stated Fall Fest is September 18-19. She passed around sign-up sheets for volunteers. She stated the billboard is up and the sign for the fence at Meadow Park is going up soon. Discussion was held on whether the Fireworks should be held a little sooner because sunset is earlier.

Car Show: Ms. Jablonski stated the attendance was high for the car show but she did receive complaints because cars could not get down Main Street because an unmanned police car was used to block the road at the top of Main Street.

Golf Tournament: Ms. Jablonski stated the tournament has been postponed to October 2nd. She thanked all of our sponsors for providing items for the gift bags. New re-usuable tee signs were ordered so the tee signs can be made in house.

Small Business of the Year: Ms. Jablonski stated it is that time of year when it’s time to start thinking about the Small Business Person of the Year Award. Criteria consist of: being a member of good standing with the Chamber and having been in business for at least five years. Please forward any nominations to the office.

Other:

Visitor Center: Chairman Owens stated renovations to the front office of the Alliance will start soon. Mayor Alt stated he would like to renovate the exterior as well, most likely next spring.

Town Website: Mayor Alt encouraged everyone to sign up for the Town of Elkton’s updates on their website to receive messages on important activities, road closures, etc.

Upcoming Events: Mayor Alt stated September 12th is a busy day in the Town. Singerly Fire Company is bringing in 40 pieces of equipment downtown. The Out of the Darkness 5K is in morning, there is a carnival at the VFW, and Elk Landing is holding their wine event.

Rec Center: Mayor Alt stated he is working with CCPS on negotiating land for a recreation center which the Town is committed to making.

Kayak: The Town has ordered and received a kayak launching dock. They will install it at Cow Pond and offer beginner kayaking lessons through Parks and Rec.

Concert: Mayor Alt stated the Town is going to hold a big name concert in which they are looking for an artist under $100,000 for the act. There are 3 areas they could hold it: Meadow Park, the field behind Redner’s, and Fair Hill Nature Center.

Wawa: Mayor Alt stated the Wawa has started construction.

Elks: Mr. Massimiano stated he has approached the owners of Elkton Diner and volunteered to repaint the Elk but he does not know how to fix the antlers. Mary Jo stated Purnell Auto Body fixed the other elks and installed a metal rod in them so they wouldn’t break again. Ms. Blystone stated she received permission to repaint the elk at the corner of Bridge & Main Street and it will match the Art Loop color scheme.

Chairman’s Report:

Economic Development: Chairman Owens stated there is a new line item on the Treasurer’s Report for Economic Development Expense which will show the rental expense for its new collaboration with the Town. Mayor Alt explained the concern was for the growth of the Downtown and wanting to make sure businesses that will support the vision locate here. The meeting was adjourned at 9:09 a.m. The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 6, 2015.

______Candy Davis, Recorded by Jessica Price, Secretary Administrative Assistant