DLP Board of Directors Meeting

April 28, 2010

Present: Ellen Simms, Julie Townsend, Jim Nixon, Randy Andersen, Lynn Dennis, Karen Kovach, Lori Powell, Anne Furr, Jean Bunch, Margaret Stephens, Kevin Jones, Kay Morgan

8:05 Called to order – Ellen Simms

Minutes –motion to accept with corrections, seconded, approved

Treasurers Report – Jean Bunch: we currently have a balance of $40,137.67, Lori made a motion to accept, Lynn seconded, approved.

 Membership – Ellen Simms: We now have 161 members. New members are; The Strand, Crescendo, Inc. (a PR firm), Staff builders HR (Gold), and Historic Lakeland.   We will all contact non-paid members as assigned. Julie has proposed a membership drive. We want to have 210 members by the end of 2010. Membership info is on web site and can be copied. Push the $17 a month. Lori is working on Ovations and Jean is working on First United Methodist Church.

First Friday – May 7, 2010 – Public Works Night – Comedy Improvisation @ Pine/N.Kentucky, Ray’s Retro performing Dirty Dancing @ S.Kentucky. Big equipment in Munn Park.

June 2^nd – Bike Night, July 2^nd – Family Style Picnic Games, Ovations will sponsor a “Pie Bake Off” among the downtown merchants and their staff.    July 3^rd- Red – White and Kaboom, we are asking everyone to be open late both nights. August 6th – Dog Days of Summer, Sept 3^rd – Back to School, sponsored by Mid FL, October 1st, November 5th, December – Holiday Events.

2011 – Jan 7^th – FL Rodeo, sponsored by Mid FL, Feb 4^th – Lakeland Center, March 3^rd – Skyward Festival with Sun-in-Fun, April 1^st, May 6^th , June 3^rd , July  1^st , Aug 5^th , Sept 2^nd , Oct 7^th , Nov 4^th , Dec

Downtown at Dusk – Randy Andersen:  Only for special events? Ask new members if they want to host to highlight their business? We will still have the Nicks Mix at Christmas. Will check with Bill Wakeman to host?

Program – Polk Transit Co.   General Meeting, 7:30am @ LPD Community Room, June 2^nd

 Luncheon- Lori Powell: speaker, Gow Fields, centerpieces, will ask members to make highlighting their business. Prizes? Raffle?

Parking – Kevin Jones: Mid FL will put out sign for their lot with Free Parking on Fri to be brought in on Mon.  Parking Garage elevators will be left on a long as there is a City employee there, otherwise they are turned off. Give Jim Nixon reasonable suggestions about parking times. Have a brainstorming session. Ellen asked Kevin to put together a meeting.

LDDA – Anne Furr: thanks to Julie for re-numbering map. Friday is the end of the Day/Night program. Bumper Stickers, Clings, tattoos and magnets will be given out on First Friday. Way finding approved Bunning for signage. This will be completed by Sept 1^st, old banners will be removed and new branding put up. Next LDDA Board meeting, May 20^th.

President’s Report – Ellen Simms: Jim Doig is undergoing cancer treatments and is in good spirits.

Executive Director – Julie Townsend:  met with Barbara Gilmore from The Ledger about taking over the printing of our Downtown Magazine. She has several proposals about our advertising. “Pedaling the Arts” a bike tour of downtown to be in Sept. Logo for the goodie bags due by May 7^th cost, $50 per logo.

New business – May 10^th, Historic Lakeland awards ceremony at Dean House. Award will be given to Linksters for their new neon sign.

Adjourned – 9:15

Respectfully Submitted,

Kay Morgan