Elkton Alliance, Inc. Board of Directors Meeting Tuesday, May 01, 2018 Minutes
Present: President, Larry W. Crouse, Jr. Marjorie Blystone Roger L. Owens Linda Burris John Palmer, Jr Brad Carrillo, Jr. Chris Ann Szep Cindy E. Fetterolf Dr. Richard C. Szumel, MD Donald S. Hicks Kathleen Kunda
Excused: Robert Alt, Mayor; Rob S. Massimiano; Sharon Pelham; Raymond J. Walters;
Also: Mary Jo Jablonski, Executive Director Jessica Price, Administrative Assistant
Guests: Steven Jennings; Alan McCarthy, Cecil County Executive; Sally Kilby, Cecil County Director of Human Resources; Jennifer Lyall, Cecil County Public Information Officer
The monthly meeting of the Elkton Alliance, Inc. Board of Directors was held Tuesday, May 01, 2018 at the Elkton Alliance Office, 101 East Main Street, Elkton, Maryland. President Larry W. Crouse, Jr. called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. The minutes of the April 03, 2018 meeting were received and reviewed by everyone prior to the meeting. A motion to accept the April 2018 minutes was made by Ms. Szep and seconded by Ms. Blystone and all approved.
Special Guest Presentation by Steven Jennings of Brookbend Interiors: Steven gave a 2018 State of the Business Report for Brookbend Interiors. He and John Palmer have been operating as Brookbend Interiors here in Elkton for the past 8 months. Their April sales exceeded their Christmas sales, they have expanded their business hours, Sunday is their second busiest day of the week and they are the only shop open on Sunday. They are offering a 10% discount if you shop other merchants or eat in other restaurants in Elkton as part of the Small Business Administration’s Shop Small Promotion. You can earn VIP Club status if you purchase more than $1,000 of their merchandise. Monday is Home Town Services Day and emergency service providers receive 15% off their entire sale. Tuesday is Elkton Middle School Day and Teachers receive 15% off their sale. They firmly believe in and have grown to love the community over the 5 years they have lived here. Brookbend Interiors is participating in the Summer Food Program at Elkton Middle School where 80% of the students receive subsidized and/or free meals. They will be assisting 46 Homeless Families or Families that are food insecure this summer. Ms. Burris with Delmarva Power who is a BEPAC partner with Elkton Middle School offered a refrigerator and some additional help from Delmarva employees with this endeavor. Ms. Szep also offered help from Cecil College. Steven also indicated that Brookbend is working on a Pop-Up Pantry idea as a partner with Barclays of Wilmington for a project possibly in September. They are working on a Howard Street Marketplace with vendor spaces behind their building on Main Street as a Second Saturday event possibly occurring sometime this summer, maybe in July and an Online Marketplace for the fall. They will keep us updated.
Treasurer’s Report: Mr. Brad Carrillo, Jr. Mr. Carrillo presented the Treasurer’s Report. There were no questions concerning the report as presented. A motion to accept the April Treasurer’s Report was made by Ms. Linda Burris with a second by Mr. Donald Hicks with all voting in approval.
Organization: Mr. Roger L. Owens Membership: There were 2 new members this month. Total Membership is 93 with 79 returning members and 14 new members for the year. Volunteer Hours: Volunteer hours for April totaled 108 hours.
Economic Vitality: Kathy Kunda & Brad Carrillo, Jr. Ms. Kunda just completed a tour of Cecil County School of Technology, stating “they really are doing great things there and we should use them for projects we are doing”. Ms. Kunda stated that they will be receiving an updated report tomorrow concerning the expansion of broadband in the county. Mr. Carrillo stated that the county did not like the taglines that North Star presented and that is what set us back. Things have been stagnant since the beginning of the year. They have a meeting scheduled for Thursday at 1:00 with North Star, Cecil County and Elkton. Mr. Carillo indicated that the county had considered pulling out but now are pushing through. The money situation is currently on hold, technically we do need to pay the balance of the contract now per the contract, but North Star is working with us. We should have some good information soon.
Design/Arts & Entertainment: Ms. Margie Blystone Ms. Blystone stated that this Friday is Force Friday in Elkton with the theme “May the 4th Be With You” from 5-8 pm. Spork will have specialty foods, Minihanes is hosting trivia on the deck, the Elkton Alliance courtyard will have Laura Handley’s hand painted Picture Stations and Cornhole Boards. C3ntral Tavern will have a CP3O drink special, Brookbend Interiors will have a Hidden Star Wars item contest, The Palette and the Page will have themed refreshments, Cecil County Arts Council will have a costume contest, and Jedi Training will take place in front of the courthouse. Blue Hen Comics has made a $100.00 donation to our event and Cecil College will also be hosting their Parents Night Out for $15.00 a child. Ms. Blystone has continued advertising the event in the newspaper and interviews on Smash Hits Radio. On May 11, 2018 from 4-8 Relay for Life will be doing Paint the Town Purple to raise awareness for their Relay for Life event. Various events will take place in the Main Street area.
Office Report: Ms. Mary Jo Jablonski On July 25th we will be hosting the MDHCD & MEDA Conference here in Elkton. Please mark your calendars. Ms. Jablonski state that the National Main Street Convention was refunded since she was in the hospital and unable to attend. Next year’s convention will be in Seattle. Centex Solutions is offering text message broadcasting through the Elkton Alliance. There is a $199.00 sign up fee and then a monthly charge of $99.00 with a membership to the Alliance. This is a way to reach different age groups in your advertising. Holly Hall Elementary School’s Destination Imagination Team received the proceeds of the Car Show 50/50 of $118.00 to help fund their trip to the National Tournament. Dinner Under the Stars with a full dinner and a show will be held on Saturday August 18 on North Street from 6-10 pm. There will be 10 tables of 10 and 6 have already been spoken for. The cost is $60.00/person or $600.00 per table. You decorate your own table and there will be a vote for Best Table.
Downtown Business Report: The former Renaissance Restaurant/Children’s Hour building has been sold and will be Pretty Plus Hair and Beauty Salon. They will be keeping the banquet room for parties and events. Michael Smigel’s office will become Whiskey Rose Designs a textile, printing, t-shirt, etc. business. Mr. Carrillo’s Elk River Brewing Company is close and on track. They received their Federal permits and State inspectors will be in this week. Brewing equipment should be here in 3 weeks to start the brewing process. Could possibly have a grand opening in June or the First Friday in July. The Maryland Beer Company located in the Cecil Whig building could possibly be opening in May. 3 or 4 people are interested in the former Stanley’s Newsstand building.
Chairman’s Report: Larry W. Crouse, Jr. Mr. Crouse asked board members to attend the Town meeting at 7:00 pm on Wednesday if they could. There will be a discussion about the Carry of Alcohol at Car shows and other events. This has taken place since 2012. We have ordered cups that must be used to transport alcohol in the designated areas. There is possibly some dissension to this process.
Mayor Alt’s Report: Mayor Alt was not available for the meeting.
New Business: Mr. Palmer brought up the idea of sponsoring Little League teams for the parade next year. Apparently, not all the merchants had been contacted for sponsorship. He will try to contact the Little League President to discuss sponsorship charges. Mr. Palmer also stated they are participating in the Golden Ticket Program which involves doing good deeds. Businesses that observe student’s good habits can award them with their business card as a Golden Ticket.
A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 9:19 a.m. by Ms. Owens and was seconded by Ms. Kunda with all in approval.
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 5th, 2018 at 8:00 a.m.
______Cindy Fetterolf, Secretary