Downtown Lakeland Partnership, Inc.

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

MidFlorida Federal Credit Union, 7^th Floor Conference Room

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Present: Kevin Jones, Julie Townsend, Ellen Simms, Dan Stetson, Bill Hatten, Jean Bunch, Gloria Brooke, Sandy Serletic, Lori Powell, Jim Nixon.

Kevin Jones called the meeting to order at 8:06AM.

Minutes: Minutes from the February Board meeting were reviewed and accepted as presented.

Treasurer’s Report: Gloria Brooke reported that we have a balance of $42,664.42. Treasurer’s report was reviewed and approved.

President’s Report: Kevin has created a brochure for the Business Development Committee (BDC) to use in recruiting new businesses to the downtown Lakeland corridor. Each member reviewed a copy of the brochure and conversation followed regarding any changes or additions that the board felt would enhance the marketing piece. Gloria Brook suggested adding photos with people in them to show activity downtown. The plan is to have the brochure ready within 30 days.

The ERA report from 2007 was discussed at length and it was agreed upon that quite a bit has changed in downtown since the publication of this study. Kevin suggested we adopt the ERA guidelines as out blueprint. Gloria Brooke made a motion and Bill Hatten gave a second. The new BDC brochure format was approved as well.

Committee Reports:

Events: Julie said the First Friday for March, 80’s Night, was very successful and a lot of fun. April’s is Bike Night and she encouraged everyone to ride their bikes downtown. There will be a lot of activities including bike safety, and in conjunction with First Friday, J. Rowan Galleries will present Oncology on Canvas on Kentucky Ave. Downtown at Dusk will take place on April 14 at Linkster’s. They will be celebrating their first year anniversary as well, so drinks and entertainment will be available to DLP members.

Programs: Bill Hatten has Dale Anderson, Executive Director of the Polk Theater scheduled for April 1. He will bring us up to date on all the new activities being planned for the historic theater.

Advertising/PR: Julie is working on the newsletter and it will go to the printer at the end of April. Our new website is still in development and there will be training classes for those members who need to brush up on their skills required to make the necessary changes to their portion of the website. The DLP has it’s foot firmly planted in social networking scene by having accounts with Facebook, Twitter and a blog…go Julie go!

Most of us at the table will need education in these areas in order to be able to use them.

Membership: Ellen Simms reported 147 members to date.

CSX: Julie said that there were 2 sessions in Tallahassee on March 24 and she would be heading to out state capital next week if the “bill” passes.

Executive Director’s Report: Julie covered everything in her previous reports.

New Business: There are 2 vacancies on the board. Kay Morgan of Brooke Pottery and Eric Belvin of Linkster’s were suggested as possible candidates. Ellen Simms moved to nominate them and Jim Nixon gave a second. Motion passed.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:23.

Respectfully submitted,

Lori Powell

Secretary