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NCBA Minutes
NORTHVILLE CENTRAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
MEETING MINUTES SUMMARY
March 8, 2005
Northville Senior Center
-The meeting was opened with a social at
6:00pm and was brought to order for business at 6:45pm by Pres. Sherri
Mewha.
Present: Colin and Karen Mehaffey, Jody
Humphries, Ed Fleming, Lou Mascolo, Lori Jermont, Kim Behmer, Steve
Fecht, Anthony and Cheryl Nestro, David Cole, Jeri Johnson, Bev Landeen,
Tom James, Susan Smith, Virginia Long, Ronnie Cambra, Sherri Mewha.
Introductions: Sherri introduced herself,
and thanked Toni Genitti for the generous donation of wines for the wine
bar, and Jim Gallagher and the staff of Little Italy for the wonderful
appetizers. Thanks also went to Mark Trudeau of Fine Threads for
donating the rent for the meeting room for the evening.
Sherri then suggested that introductions
should be made all around, and invited each table participants to
introduce themselves, their business, and what they offer.
Meeting Minutes and Treasurer’s Report:
It was announced that the minutes are available on the DDA website for
review at any time. Print copies were also available at the meeting.
Beverlee Landeen, Treasurer, provided an
updated list of expenses and member renewals in print form for review of
the membership. We currently have 41 paid members, and Lori Ward of the
DDA noted that there are a total of 179 businesses in Northville. The
deadline for membership payment was extended to March 31st.
A brief discussion on membership and city
boundaries ensued. Lori W. explained the DDA boundaries, as opposed to
those that have been in use for the NCBA. Tom James of Northville Camera
suggested comparing and expanding the DDA and NCBA boundaries so that
they are more inclusive as the business area expands. Lou Mascolo of
Gardenviews noted that his business was just outside of the boundaries.
Meeting Programs- Topics for future
meetings were discussed by the group. Sherri inquired if there was an
interest in website building, e-commerce, etc. Dave Cole of The Great
Harvest Bread Co. suggested we also have someone talk about marketing
websites. After more discussion, the consensus was:
-The DDA/ Chamber should speak at the
next meeting on web access and links
-The May meeting will include a
presentation on marketing via your website
Another suggestion for meeting topics
came from Ronnie Cambra of The Kitchen Witch. She suggested having the
police department come and discuss bad travelers checks, checking credit
cards, and how to avoid identity theft and fraud. This topic was also
warmly received and will be addressed at a future meeting.
Third Party Audit/Marketing
Committee/Parking Survey- Sherri announced that the board is looking for
a CPA in town to audit the books annually (gratis) and in turn they will
receive a free membership and will be identified as doing this task for
the NCBA. Kim Behmer and others were going to check with their CPA’s to
see if there is an interest.
The Marketing committee, led by Karen
Mehaffey, needs members. The request for volunteers received responses
from Colin Mehaffey, Lori Ward, Ed Fleming, and Jody Humphries. The NCBA
board is grateful for those willing to volunteer their time to help.
The parking survey originally distributed
by Mark Trudeau was briefly discussed. The consensus was that the survey
needs to go to all of the members to be filled out. This issue will be
pursued with Mark.
NCBA Campaign- "Northville, We’re Open"-
A discussion on the "open" campaign generated a great deal of positive
response. The Northville Record will produce a one-page ad, to be paid
for by the NCBA, which will kick off the campaign, and include a blurb
on the First Friday’s participants. In conjunction with the ad,
newspaper staff will provide a series of articles on the campaigns,
participating businesses, etc.
Kim Behmer from American Spoon Foods,
noted that she had received some negative feedback from several
businesses wanting to know why Thursday was chosen as the late night,
and that they did not want to be open on Sunday. This was discussed, and
Lou M. made succinctly explained that Thursdays are when the weekly
paper comes out, people plan their shopping, and it is the late night
for local salons. Fridays in Northville focus on special events and on
the band concerts, creating an environment with fewer shoppers. Thursday
seems to be the ideal evening, as was the consensus with the members
present.
New Events- As special events liaison for
the NCBA, Kim B. provided a printed sheet of special event suggestions.
She gathered these ideas from previous meetings, emails, and phone
calls, and they included a great variety of unique activities.
-It was verified that the "Fire and Ice"
event, including ice carvings and a chili cook-off, would take place
during the Super Bowl in Feb. 2006. An attempt will be made to have the
event sanctioned as an "official" Superbowl event in Detroit.
First Fridays "Arts and Eats"- First
Fridays will kick off with participating businesses on April 1st.
Fifteen businesses will remain open to provide a shopping experience was
evening visitors. Long term planning hopes to include gallery walks,
close participation with the Art House, and the opening of more
galleries, including the new Sherrus Gallery, and the Northville
Gallery.
Men’s Basketball Playoffs- March 31 and
April 1 and 2. Kim B. announced that a large group of league teams would
be in town for the Championship games. Businesses were welcome to
provide coupons for packets to be stuffed for the player’s families.
Contact Kim for more info.
Where’s Wooliam? The Pendleton shop
owners have suggested creating a publicity stunt using their large
stuffed wool sheep, "Wooliam." Wooliam can "visit" various businesses,
and his picture can be taken in a business, and a little write up
offered in The Northville Record. Ed Fleming will take the lead on
getting this started.
Coupon Book- Kim B. brought up the issue
of offering a town-wide coupon book for a nominal fee. Suggestions
included everyone providing their own ad, and having the book produced
for a low fee. We could then sell it in our businesses for a small fee,
to cover printing. This will be pursued in the near future.
Flower Days-Ronni Cambra is heading the
committee planning the 2005 Flower Days. Kim B., Janet Bloom, Colin M.,
and Tom James are working on the event.
Steering g Committee Report Summary- Dave
C. reported on the committee and their work with the City Council and
the Mayor. The committee is charged with providing data to the City
Council, which will then be written again. There are a total of seven
committees reporting. Dave summarized the report for the meeting
participants, but included that:
-Residents want specialty shops, not a
shopping mall experience
-Evening and weekend expanded hours are
desirable
-More effective use and location of the
Farmer’s Market was recommended
Sherri Mewha, as NCBA president, was
asked to attend the next city meeting and provide a summary of NCBA
responses, which she will do.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:57pm.
NEXT MEETING: April 12, 8:30-9:45am at
the City Hall, Room A. All members are invited.
Respectfully submitted by Karen Rae
Mehaffey, NCBA Secretary.
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