Minutes: April 2015 meeting

[Christel Manning]

The Economic Development group met on Monday, April 13, 2015, from 6 – 7:30 pm at 333 Front Street. Present: Christel, Donna, Lisa, Lee, Nathalie B., Natalie C., Tambira, Tom.  

 

1. Soup Night will be Sunday, April 26, 5 – 7 pm, at Nathalie and Don’s place; co-hosted by Diane.  

 

2. Riverfest  

This was our last planning meeting before Riverfest which is coming up in less than 3 weeks. Riverfest will be featured on Channel 8’s CT Styles program; date and time is all set up, and Sandoval band and Dan from QRWA have confirmed their participation. Lee and Nathalie reported positive feedback on social media publicity about riverfest; and 10 people have said they want to go on the new Gastronomy Tour. Tambira suggested using an app called Event Bright for publicity. Tom volunteered to distribute flyers.

 

Lisa expressed concern about space since barge is still there and also many boats still not in water due to cold weather. Having street closed off will help with this. Lee has asked alderman to request it, but there is also a form to fill out, and we need signatures from at least half of the neighbors. Lisa confirmed that 3 beer companies will be present; each will feature 2 beers, so there will be a total of 6 beers to sample. Lisa has to purchase beer, so this arrangement limits the quantity she had to buy. We can limit free beer consumption by using tiny taster cups and distributing 6 tickets to each individual; after than they have to buy beer. Tickets can be given out at entrance to marina where we can also request ID cards. Lisa also reported that Kevin (owner of Boat House Café) will offer a smaller menu to make food prep more efficient. We need to get him to offer a vegetarian option. Christel got ref for ice vendor from Hope who says they are best contacted in person (just go find them on Grand Ave). Tambira confirmed we can get one table from Land Trust, but we’ll need to pick it up. Wacoma has lots of tables and chair in their community room; we will ask if we can borrow or rent them.

 

Christel reached out via email and websites to several water recreation clubs for additional paddling volunteers; she has received 2 positive responses and will keep working it. Tambira has confirmed all 3 bands, with Backyard going first because they have another commitment. Each band will play for one hour, and there will be half hour breaks between bands. We agreed that first band should start no later than noon. Proposed schedule: 12 – 1, Backyard Committee; 1:30 – 2:30 Good Night Blue Moon; 3 – 4 Sandoval. Tambira has found a DJ who will handle the breaks.

 

Donna reported on kids activities. Peabody is confirmed; they need a table and 2 chairs. Daisy Clown is confirmed; they will bring their own equipment. Elm City Kettle Corn is confirmed. Home Depot can not send staff but will donate kits for children’s crafts. Sheila and her friends will help Donna do kiddy crafts. Clymenza will do face painting. Lee distributed this year’s flyer, and everybody agreed there was too much text; it needs editing. Lee had some good news on funding; he and Nathalie raised a couple of thousand dollars, and United Way will waive their fee and let us keep it all. Nathalie has also reached out to Grand Vin (can’t afford support this year) and Fair Haven furniture (no word yet). Also, the city’s Economic Development office will cover the police and has offered to print post cards advertising riverfest. This offer does not include mailing, so we could give the post cards to local businesses and ask them to distribute.

Action steps for next month:

 

Christel

-make petition to close off street; give copies to Donna to gather signatures

-fill out form and take it plus signed petitions to city

-contact Diane re. website: add links for Peabody and Clown; clean up Backyard link

-find big cheesits jar to use as donation bucket

-follow up w. Tambira about tables from Devil’s Gear

-ask Natalie Coe about getting tables from Wacoma

-ask Stewart to pick up tables

-follow up w. paddling volunteers

 

Donna

-get signatures for street closing

 

Nathalie

-reach out again to FH Furniture

 

Tambira

-confirm proposed band schedule

-engage the DJ

-check on Devil’s gear tables (wait until after Christel asks Wacoma)

 

Lee

-create CSNA receipt that can be submitted to United Way when we pay vendors or entertainers

-follow up on alderman letter re. street closing

-communicate w. Don about editing flyer; let the rest of us know when final flyer is available for pickup

-follow up w. city re. payment for cops and postcards

 

Lisa

-buy tickets and tiny cups for beer tasting

-talk to Kevin about vegetarian option, and pitch Riverfest as opportunity to gain new customers who will come back if food is good (no partially frozen burgers J)

-do layout

 

Everybody

-tell all your friends about Riverfest!!!!