MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 NeighborWorks
Next meeting – Wednesday June 26, 9:00 am at NeighborWorks.
Note that DDP members have homework assignments! See “membership
subcommittee” section and also “Step by step review of the work plan goals and objectives” That means
you!
Present Bethany Salmon, Jill Jensen, Steve Malicott, Joan Redeen, Mary Sheehy Moe (School Board
Chair) Bob Moretti, Carol Bronson, Brett Doney, Bob Milford, Garry Hackett, Ida Meehan, Barbara
Murfield, Tash Wisemiller, Ellen Sievert
Montana Main Street – Tash reported that Main Street is not currently funded, but Main St. is running a
program and moving forward. The newspapers have reported that Senate Bill 410 supposedly gives
authority for discretionary funding to the governor.
School Levy: Bob Moretti and Mary Sheehy Moe discussed the upcoming school levy vote and made
themselves available to anyone who had any questions about the levy.
Steve Malicott indicated Chamber of Commerce Board voted to support the levy.
Minutes - Moved and seconded to accept the May minutes with these edits:
Process for CDBG under CDBG
Barbara Murfield was not present at the May meeting
My “understanding” not “understand”
Nominations for Board of Directors -- 4 seats that are undesignated and they need to come from the
membership
Steve moved Ellen seconded to put those three names forward:
Amber Gardner, Garry Hackett, Barbara Murfield.
Barbara indicated we need to stipulate when their terms would expire to ensure that their terms are
staggered she recommended 2014, 2015, and 2 in 2016
Sheila will put their names in a hat and that will determine their term expiration
Joan, as V.P., was selected as the “election counter”
Discussion of election process:
Ballots will be sent out to members in June
Election results reported at June meeting
Board officer’s election held at July meeting (same nominating committee)
Committee reports with work plan updates
Organization Subcommittee -501c3 – Joan reported the 501c3 application is on hold for comments
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Membership Subcommittee – Clarification of roles on this subcommittee: Barbara is chair, NOT Carol,
Jen was never a member of the membership committee, but Joan IS on it. Joan confirms she is on the
membership committee.
Membership committee is charged to create the documents for membership (as opposed to recruiting
members)
Barbara asked all permanent members to fill out a membership application in order to get all relevant data
into the database.
Barbara is working on the member levels and benefits form in order to better convey incentives for
joining DDP at the higher-priced membership levels.
Barbara circulated a form to help us develop a better mission statement that includes input from DDP
board members. Homework assignment is for DDP members to fill out Barbara’s form. Carrie is
developing DDP brochure and membership
Barbara is developing Policies and procedures manual and membership renewal materials.
Reminder that we are slated to have an Annual General Membership Meeting in October.
Governance – Sheila
Brett indicates that now that we are using federal funds, there are a number of policies that apply to our
work. Brett would be happy to work on federal policies and procedures Bob M volunteers to help, Steve
Malicott also obviously we need financial policy--you cannot commit the DDP to anything without
governance committee approval.
Sheila suggests we create a Finance Subcommittee under governance
Marketing – Carrie representing Marketing in Jen’s absence.
Inkfish working on website, June 15 goal for going live, Josh Roul is a professional photographer and will
take pics of happy people at downtown locations and events.
Put together a photo library that people can use. Might make CDs available.
Most exciting thing is 100 days of summer, if not every day then multiple events during the week. Some
things appealing to young people, to residents, for retailers, maybe sending 2-hour-duration coupons
Jen is reaching out to Downtown Chicks etc. Tribune apparently willing to have a regular Let Downtown
Delight You section-- probably every 2 weeks. Bright fun pieces about things to do downtown.
June 1 was the goal for kicking off the 100 days; it will probably be delayed a few days.
Rack card proof will go out
Funding for the website comes from MT Main Street with a match for Design Preservation
Brett reminds us to advocate for downtown example is CVB publication, Genuine Montana, which
failed to mention/highlight downtown Great Falls.
Downtown should be on the list of attractions.
Carrie K and Jen will be providing staff time to create new events, in addition to those organized by
DGFA, Farmer’s Market, etc.
Building and Design Committee – Chair position is open – Sheila is asking for a volunteer to chair it
Ellen and Bob will get together to plot and plan.
Joan has asked Parking Commission to send a replacement to DDP for Wendy Thomas, who moved out
of town.
Brett pointed out city’s consultant has finished the circulation study, Brett thinks they have done a good
job of creating a realistic, implementable plan Joan indicated Amber Gardner could give the DDP a
report at the June DDP meeting
Historic Arts and Cultural Subcommittee – Ellen watch for announcements about exciting cultural
developments downtown
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Safety Alliance Subcommittee – Carol Focused on the Business Watch Meeting, where BRIC officer
Tad spoke on panhandling Next meeting is July 9, topic “When do you call and who you call?”
Bethany indicates looking for more locations for Coins for a Cause Reminder: Panhandlers are not
necessarily homeless people
Business, Property and Economic development Committee – Chair position is open
Business Assistance Subcommittee – Brett, Martin, Alison, Trina
Brett indicates businesses are choosing Great Falls: e.g., Wines by Wednesday, Montana mosaic Habitat
for Humanity is moving the Restore
GFDA is encouraging developers and businesses to approach six banks all at once, because the old
banking relationships should not rule the day anymore The worst approach is to do a linear approach,
try and fail with one bank and then move onto the next bank Trying to ensure Arvon block and Rocky
Mtn building survive through another winter.
Pacific Steel project is moving forward, and GFDA is encouraging Pacific Steel to create their training
center downtown.
Mighty Mo brewing (400 block Central) closed on the financing -- hopefully open by Halloween
Garry Hackett’s reports funding is in place for his project, the Margaret Building.
Real Deals on Home Décor (117 Park Dr. S.) broke a national record on their opening day
Brett indicated MT Community Development Corporation has new funding available
CDBG report – Joan and Brett were both at the City Commission meeting Joan representing the DDP
Commission has approved a CDBG 50,000 grant to DDP for preservation of historic buildings
downtown. Grant cycle becomes effective July 1. Ellen volunteered to be on the committee to develop
the process and feels there are many lessons learned from the previous round. Use feasibility studies to
attract new investor’s downtown, the kicker is that the project must include someone living in the
building within 2 years.
The group discussed possibilities we are not in a position yet to recruit developer candidates
Sheila, Ellen and Garry formed an ad hoc committee to develop an ad-hoc “CDBG Process Committee.”
Joan and Brett available for assistance to the committee
Process for updating the work plan. Carol advocates for Google docs. Joan believes website will have
password-protected secure location for posting documents.
Updating the work plan is the responsibility of the committee chairs. Please include “updated date” when
you update along with initials of who did the updating and color code. Barbara asks that “Goal from
downtown master plan” in the headers so laypeople understand why there are designations such as F.1
Step by step review of the work plan goals and objectives
Brett strongly advocates that there be a lead party responsible, either an organization or DDP committee
for each goal so there is accountability.
Group changed timeline for “build relationships with property owners” to June 30, 2014
Sheila asks 2 homework assignments, DDP membership form and if you are tangentially or directly
related to any of the goals, please take a hard look at it and ensure it makes sense.
Sheila will be in touch with all the committee chairs
Membership reports:
Design Preservation / Ellen met with DGFA Trolley Coordinator/Driver Marco Preservation
Commission voted to support trolley. We are looking forward to more downtown brothel tours!
Bethany continuing the downtown inventory/assessment.
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BID/ Joan: traffic signal boxes on 1st Ave N are done. Cash mob was April 27 mobbed Feather Your Nest
Incentive grant approved. Dragoste (100 Central) requested an incentive grant. CTEP grant we have
submitted a list of our priorities to the city and now we wait
NeighborWorks/Sheila: NeighborWorks open house with Great Falls College town homes completed 3rd
St. & 5th Ave. S.
Mapril cleanup every truss has to be reinforced in the NeighborWorks building
School District/Bob --May 31 GF High graduation June 1 CMR Tues
Downtown Chicks/Carol – downtown chicks featured on the cover of the Great Falls Business insert in
the Trib
GFDA: Brett applied to EPA for supplemental brownfield funds
Farmer’s Market/Barbara Farmers Market starts Sat June 1 135 to 140 vendors for opening day
In July patriotic day we’ll be giving away patriotic items
Aug summer fun day
Martin Watch for very special Alive@5 FRIDAY June 28 featuring The System (a Bob Seger tribute
band) concurrent with the Harley Owners Group State Rally.
Lots of communities looking for Main St. dollars for façade improvements
Historic preservation awards last Thursday
Garry Hackett: Team Trolley has a trolley running
Bob moves, Joan seconds to Adjourn.
Meeting Adjourned.
Minutes by Martin Fleck, DDP Secretary
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