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Board Attendees:
D.
Abrutyn, R. Bond., B.Bowden, P.Palmer, R. St. John, S.Pikus,
V.
Wissman
Board Absentees:
C.Hauser, L. Progar
Members and Guests:
B.
Colyer, F.Novak, K. Novak
Call to Order:
D.
Abrutyn, President, opened the general meeting at 7:10 a.m. at the
Milford Library Conference Room. The meeting began with a viewing of a
film entitled “Tools for Tolerance” produced by the Southern Poverty
Loss Center as part of the National Campaign for Tolerance. F.Novak
introduced the film and following the viewing added additional
comments. The film was well received and evoked further discussion
later in the meeting.
Approval of the January 2004 Minutes:
R.
Bond suggested a change to the minutes indicating in the last paragraph
of page one the second line should read “…University of Maryland grad
student, outlining a concept for an entertainment theme restaurant…”A
motion was made by P.Palmer and seconded by R.St.John to approve the
minutes as modified. The motion carried unanimously.
Recognition of the Public:
K.
Novak suggested that we add the downtown web site to the newspaper
announcement of the meeting. The suggestion was well received and we
will incorporate this practice.
Treasurer/Financial Reports:
A
motion was made by S.Pikus and seconded by V.Wissman to approve the
minutes of the treasurers report. The report was approved unanimously,
and is attached to the file copy of these minutes.
Correspondence:
R.Bond indicated she received a telephone call from Sarah Gallagher,
representing the Mispillion Art Center Initiative. Ms. Gallagher was
interested in learning if there was space available to hold meetings of
the group as well as show art work. P.Palmer suggested that the Library
Conference Room might be a possibility. F.Novak indicated that they
would be willing to host the Art Center as an outdoor event on the lawn
of the Causey Mansion. The group will keep in mind the request and
provide any additional information as it becomes available. R. St. John
had also spoken with members of the Art Center. It was suggested that
coordinating an Art Show with an event in Downtown may contribute to its
success. R.Bond is to report back to Sarah Gallagher on the discussion.
D.Abrutyn reported that we had received a thank-you letter from the
Milford Library for our participation in the Christmas Tree
Extravaganza. He provided a copy of the material submitted to members
of the community from Larry Legates, and also reported that he had sent
a letter to Attorney Lisa Andersen thanking her for the use of her
Conference Room in the Watson Carlisle Building.
Committee Reports:
Design:
Status of Streetscape design:
L.Progar was not present to provide a report; however, new members of
the group were finding it hard to follow what the next steps might be.
Several specific questions were asked and it was agreed that a report
would be provided at the next meeting to help the group understand the
process and how DTM could maximize its efforts to be part of the
decisionmaking process.
Status of Redevelopment Grants:
C.
Hauser was not present to provide a report; however, D.Abrutyn indicated
that we are getting mixed signals from the State concerning eligibility
for the 60/40 reimbursement program for façade improvements. A meeting
is being scheduled with Gary Simpson , George Carey and others so that
we can bring the group to downtown Milford and show them the
improvements that have been made and those we are hoping to accomplish
over the next year.
Promotion:
Report of the Farmer’s Market Committee: B.Bowden, Chairperson
reported that the hours for the Farmer’s Market this year would be from
9:00 – 1:00. June 5 is the date for the Strawberry Festival, and the
Farmer’s Market will not operate on Saturday, May 15 because we do not
want to conflict with the Hospital Fair. The Farmer’s Market will
participate in the State Fair as well as the upcoming Bug & Bud
Festival. The group has scheduled a yard sale to be held on May 1 with
a rain date of May 8. A committee meeting will be scheduled in the near
future to continue planning.
People’s Day/Riverwalk Frestival/Parades/Make a Difference Day.
P.Palmer, Chairperson, reported that Downtown Milford Inc. will
coordinate approximately 5 group’s activities involving “Make a
Difference Day.” P.Palmer made a motion that Downtown Milford Inc.
focus on collecting food for the Community Food Pantry as our focus.
S.Pikus seconded the motion and the group unanimously agreed. “Make A
Difference Day occurs the last Saturday in October.
Santa’s House: V.Wissman, Chairperson reported that the debriefing
session still needs to be scheduled—D. Abrutyn is to followup. The
remaining Poloraid film was returned to Boscov’s, and the money received
for the film will be added to next year’s funds for Santa House.
D.Abrutyn will call again to remind the City to remove the Santa House.
P.Palmer wrote thank-you notes to the organizations which made stockings
for the event.
Status of DMI Website: D.Bond reported that we are well underway to
providing a great deal of information on the web site. He indicated
that we plan to include the Board minutes on the site. In addition, he
recommended that the site provide information on rental space
availability in the project area. S.Pikus made a motion that we develop
a section that would provide information on the rental space that is
available in the downtown project area. The motion was seconded by R.
St.John. The group approved unanimously. All submissions should be
provided to D.Bond for inclusion on the web site.
Newsletter: Plans for the Newsletter are well underway. L. Brown
and C.Stanko are assisting P.Palmer and have wonderful ideas for the
newsletter. The Newsletter will be issued on a quarterly basis.
Plans are to highlight a new business as well as an existing business,
focus on updates of events just passed; e.g., they will report on the
outcome of the Santa House, and talk about upcoming plans. There will
be hard copies distributed as well as publication on the Downtown
Milford web site.
Quarterly Social Activities. The social will be held on February 19
from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Delaware Music School. Light refreshments
will be provided by SonnyGE Garden City Café and the Delaware Music
School.
Economic Restructuring:
Report of Subcommittee for Revolving Loan Program: R.Bond ,
Chairperson reported that an application had been received and work was
underway to submit a request to the Department of Agriculture for
additional funds.
Chamber Liaison:
Report of DMI representative: C.Hauser was not present so no report was
made.
Old Business:
Status of Fire Area Redevelopment & Jewel Bldg. There is
approximately $8,000 left in the fund, and we are aware of a few more
bills that are due to come in. A decision will then be made regarding
any remaining funds.
Recognize New or Revitalized Businesses: Potted plants were
delivered to the Delaware Music School as well as the LadyBug Shop
during the last month. R.Bond, Ladybug Shop thanked the group and
indicated the plants were quite beautiful and a great way for DMI to
welcome new businesses.
New Business:
The
Milford Bug & Bud Festival is being organized by the Milford Parks and
Recreation Department and Downtown Milford Inc. with support from a
number of local organizations, including the Milford Century Club,
Delaware Music School, Milford Garden Club, Milford Public Library
(including Friends of the Library) Milford Public Schools and the Red
Cross. The event will occur on Saturday April 24 from 10 a.m. – 2:00
p.m. with a rain date of May 1.
The
Bug & Bud Festival will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the
Ladybug becoming the official Delaware State bug and the City of
Milford’s participation in the National Tree City program and Arbor
Month. Most of the activities will be centered on the children of our
community.
There
being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 9:05
p.m. A motion was made by R.St.John and seconded by S.Pikus. The next
meeting will be held on Thursday, March 4 at 7:00 p.m. in the Milford
Library Conference Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Rhonda Bond
Copyright 2005 Downtown Milford Inc.
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