Chardon Square Association, Inc.

Transcription

1 Regular Meeting Minutes September 12, 2016 Call to Order President Heather Means called to order the regular meeting of the Chardon Square Association at 6:01 pm on September 12, Roll Call Members present were: Dan Means, Heather Means, Kathy Dufur, Dennis Killeen, Mariann Goodwin, Bill Smiley, Stacia Clawson, Chris Grau, Steve Yaney, Melissa Ricco, Thalia Hutter, Ken Chuha, Catherine Chuha, and Brian Johnson. Approval of Minutes Mariann Goodwin made two corrections to the August 8, 2016 minutes. Thalia Hutter made a motion to accept the ammended minutes from the August 8, 2016 meeting. Chris Grau seconded the motion, and the motion carried. Officer Reports Heather Means, President Nothing to report. Colleen Lear, Vice President Not present. Dan Means, Secretary Dan read two thank you notes, one from Collin Price (recipient of the 2016 scholarship) and the Chardon Community Action Team for our donation. Kathy Dufur, Treasurer Kathy reported the income and expenses for August. Account balances are: $2, in checking, $29, in savings and $3, in the CD for a total of $34, With a commitment of $1, in pledges for Art in the Alley, we have an available balance of $33,

2 City Report Steve Yaney discussed a No Smoking policy on Chardon Square. Such a policy would be too cumbersome to enforce, as the square includes roadways and parking spaces, and no ordinance will be passed. Randy Sharpe will provide verbiage that we may include with our event information to ask smokers to be respectful of others at public events on the square. City Council has accepted the new sidewalk plan and will have a list of suggested enhancements in order of impact. Thalia Hutter asked how the sidewalks would be funded. Steve replied that it is yet to be determined, but may be a combination of the City and property owners. Chardon Tomorrow has presented a vision for enhancing Chardon Square. Steve reiterated that the proposal does not include any plans to remove Park School or the adjacent auditorium buildings. Chardon Tomorrow is soliciting feedback on the plan, which is available on the City of Chardon website. Old Business Fall Fest Membership discussed sponsorship of the balloon artist for the Fall Fest event, as we have done in the past. Mariann Goodwin made a motion to donate $200 to the Fall Fest event to sponsor the balloon artist. Chris Grau seconded the motion, and the motion carried. Clambake Kathy Dufur passed out invitations for this year's clambake. Members should return their reservation forms to Kathy by October 5th. The event will be at The Rookery there was a booking conflict with the Heritage House and space was a concern. Kathy is looking for volunteers to bring desserts. Announcement Sign Heather Means reported that she has a second meeting with Randy Sharpe scheduled and will have more information at the November membership meeting. We should have a more accurate cost estimate by November. Art in the Alley Heather Means led a discussion around tabling the Art in the Alley project and returning the money to Chardon Tomorrow. Their grant writer as resigned and the project does not look to be moving forward. Mariann Goodwin made a motion to return the $1,200 gift to Chardon Tomorrow and suspend the project. Chris Grau seconded the motion, and the motion carried.

3 Chris Grau asked if there were any artists that would need to be notified. Heather stated that she would talk to Mike Martini at Square City Tattoos. Nativity Scene Dennis Killeen shared photographs of the nativity display in the square covered in snow. Dennis would like the display moved to another location within the park, and offered the following suggestions: (1) Don't put it up at all. (2) Put it in the gazebo after the lighting of the square and remove it in January. (3) Reduce the number of statues and the overall size of the display. Heather Means responded that Randy Sharpe has already stated that the nativity display cannot go in the gazebo or in or around the Heritage House. Thalia Hutter reiterated Mariann Goodwin's idea of using silhouettes instead of statues. Heather suggested building a smaller structure that would require less effort to assemble, maintain, and disassemble. Mariann Goodwin stated that she may have a contact who could help build a new structure. Committee Reports Advertising Mariann Goodwin stated that we did not have anything to give to Linda Nemeth at Destination Geauga for the fall season. Christmas Tree Alley Kathy and BIll Dufur will be taking over the Christmas Tree Alley project. Heather Means will sell sponsorships of the trees, but we will not decorate them. They will have lights and sponsorship signs. Membership Heather Means presented a new membership application from Chardon resident Melissa Ricco. Bill Smiley a motion to accept her as a new member, and Dennis Killeen seconded. The motion carried. Giving Garden Bill Smiley reported that we had a very good harvest from the garden this year and that Pilgrim Christian Church was very appreciative of our donations. Bill mentioned some changes that will be made for next year's garden, such as: no eggplants (they are not popular at the

4 food pantry) and working with the church to determine what vegetables to grow. We will be asking for student volunteers to help take down the garden in a few weeks. Farmers Market Ken Chuha reported that the market had no rain dates and that the last two markets in September had very low attendance. Overall, the market went well. Catherine Chuha will be taking over the market committee next year. Halloween Thalia Hutter reported that Walmart will be donating candy again this year. She has acquired inexpensive bags and has student volunteers to fill them. We will be handing out 300 bags of candy on the gazebo. Flower Baskets Thalia Hutter reported that we have received over $1,955 in donations for the baskets. She thanked the City of Chardon for maintaining the baskets throughout the season and stated that she has received many compliments on the baskets. Popcorn Kathy Dufur reported that she has cleaned the popcorn machine and prepared it for winter storage. Heather thanked her for all of her work with the popcorn sales. New Business Steve Yaney reminded everyone to have 2017 event dates to the City by January. Heather reported that the owner of the storage space used by the organization ("the dungeon") was not aware that the current lease holder was subletting to us. He was not happy about the situation, but Heather has spoken with him and resolved the issue. Our items in the space have been cleaned up, and many of the items to be discarded will be taken to auction. Heather reminded everyone that we need to keep the area clean and neat and that there will only be one key given to the Chardon Square Association. Thalia Hutter asked if we should find another location. Membership discussed the idea, but the convenience of having a storage space close to the square outweighed any other disadvantages. We will have the same amount of space and will pay $50 per month for rent. Heather will keep the key at Circa. Anyone who needs it for an event can get it from her.

5 Ken Chuha asked about the Farmers Market signs on the square. Heather responded that Randy Sharpe as stated that we cannot keep the signs up all season, but we will instead have banners on the square to promote the market. Stacia Clawson reported that the Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a networking event on September 14th at the Heritage House. Heather Means shared that several businesses on the square will be having a sidewalk sale on Saturday, September 17th from 10 am to 5 pm. Adjournment Dennis Killeen made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Bill Smiley seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 7:04 pm.