City Hall Mtg. Room A

In attendance: Bev Lindeen, Wayne Titus, Shirley Davis, Orin Mazzoni, Anthony and Chery Hestro, Ron Bodnar, Jeri Johnson, Jess and Dave Gilbert, Susan Smith, Kyle Hunt, Lisa Reed-Tucker, Margene Buckhave, Lori Ward, Tom James, Ed Fleming, Colin and Karen Mehaffey, Nancy Flanagan, Janet Bloom, Rob Diegel, Mark Trudeau, Sherri Mewha, Chris Van Dam.

President Sherri Mewha convened the meeting at 8:35am. After greetings and introductions, Sherri suggested that the membership in attendance each introduce themselves. After going around the room and receiving introductions, the group listened to the president’s comments on the NCBA. They included:

-Organizing the NCBA. Topics covered included new officers and by-laws being put into place, moving to a new meeting place at City Hall (with many thanks to Toni Genitti for her generous use of her facility over the last few years), and offering every third NCBA meeting at night at the Senior Center.

-Membership. Sherri encouraged all members to renew their annual membership to the NCBA, and to tell other businesses about the organization. Wayne Titus inquired what the NCBA could do for service businesses in the area, and noted the focus seemed to be on retail businesses. Sherri encouraged service businesses to join and pointed out the need for all Northville businesses to work together and support each other.

-Event Committees. A list of event and organization committees was passed out to the members, and they were encouraged to join a committee and get involved. The following volunteered to be added to the current list:

Flower Days- Colin Mehaffey

Italian Day- Orin Mazzoni and Mark Trudeau

Margene Buckhave reported on the ice carvings to be done on Feb. 11-12 in the Church Courtyard (by The Stamp peddler). She noted that 18 carvings had been ordered at $150.00 each. They will be carved and put into place over the weekend.

Sherri M Mewha. noted that the ice carvings would be coupled with a Chili Cook-off in January 2006, tentatively called "Fire and Ice", and opened the idea up for discussion. The membership responded warmly to the idea and a committee will be formed to look into the planning for next year.

The Memorial Day and 4th of July Parades were discussed, and members were encouraged to suggest ideas for the NCBA to participate in the parades, and perhaps have a float, create coupons, etc.

Victorian Days (Sept. 2005) were briefly discussed, and though the Northville Chamber runs them, participation of the businesses was strongly encouraged.

Mark Trudeau explained the basis of the first Italian Day held in 2004, and the topic was discussed as an NCBA event. It will be held Oct. 1, 2005.

Ed Fleming of the Northville Record will again spearhead the Illuminated Parade in November.

DDA Website- Sherri announced that the DDA website will now be listing the NCBA by-laws, meeting agendas, our logo, minutes, etc. Cindy Abar will be entering the material as provided through the NCBA officers. Sherri is currently providing materials to her. There will be an NCBA logo button on the DDA homepage that we can click on to go to the business information. This will help eliminate some mailings and emails, and make all relevant information public.

Business Operating Hours-Discussion turned to business hours and the lack of residents shopping within the town. Sherri presented the idea of "Northville, We’re Open" as a campaign to let the public know we are open for business on Thursday nights and Sundays. Mark Trudeau explained he personal decision to try Thursday nights and Sundays in order to try and reach a market share that is being lost when closed at night or on Sundays. This opened up group discussion in which several members noted that they were open on certain nights or weekend days and what had worked for them in the past. The general consensus was that we need to have uniform hours, and that the majority present was willing to try them, even if it meant extra staffing. Based on the discussion, the group agreed to try the Thursday night and Sunday hours beginning April 1, 2005. This will require a lot of advertising, and encouraging other businesses to participate.

-Karen Mehaffey will work on a press release to get the advertising started

-Sherri Mewha will call some of the non-participating businesses and encourage their consideration of extended hours.

-Orin’s Jewelers and Long Bath supported the extended hours in order to have some of the larger stores in strategic locations "on board".

Other suggestions included:

-Having "First Fridays" where the businesses are open the first Friday of each month at night and have special art-related events.

-Have special shopping events for the service businesses at night in order to encourage their participation and patronage.

-Ron Bodnar noted that the city would be having a 50 Years celebration and will b e striking a special token. Perhaps the NCBA can do a special promotional tie-in using the token and/or the anniversary to celebrate Northville.

-Marketing suggestions included advertising in The Northville Journal, sign post banners, using the Marquis at the edge of town, ads in The Detroit News and The Detroit Free Press, and having a printed list of service businesses.

-Lori Ward noted that all businesses are listed on the DDA website, and that tear-sheet maps and walking maps of the town are available through the DDA if businesses need more of them.

The Gibbs Report- Lori Ward was asked to report on the extensive report that Bob Gibbs did on the city. The initial public meetings to discuss the report were well attended (on Feb. 1 and 3) and Lori noted that there would be a meeting specifically for the businesses to attend on March 9th. An invitation will follow.

Some of the highlights of the report included:

-The public wants the city to continue to maintain the high quality of services and the maintenance of the downtown.

-Band shell improvements are needed.

-More music and family events are desirable.

-The Farmer’s Market should be improved and possibly moved downtown.

-The library and the green space around it should be used more.

-There should be more access developed to Ford Field.

-The retail downtown should grow by 50%-this is already happening.

-People want increased shopping hours, places to buy books and cd’s, etc.

-No large national chains

-More partnership with the Township, more family oriented events and planning, make the town more welcoming to youth.

-The Seven Mile and Haggerty development area is going to impact Northville and the need for more extended hours.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:50am, and the next meeting will be on March 8th at 6:00pm, at the Senior Center.

Submitted by Karen Rae Mehaffey, NCBA Secretary, 2-19-05.