City of Pontiac Committee of the Whole met March 15.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
The Committee of the Whole meeting of the Pontiac City Council was held on March 15, 2023 at City Hall.
Mayor Alvey called to order the meeting at 6:00 P.M.
The City Clerk was directed to call roll, and the following members of the Council were present: Barr, Eckhoff, Kallas, Lee, Hicks (via on-line), Bradshaw, Clark Gabor and Wille.
Also attending: Mayor Alvey, City Administrator, City Clerk, Scott Cranford, Barb Howard, Jerry Causer, Liz Vincent, Taylor Baxter, Mary Jones and Shannon Campbell
Agenda
Community Enrichment Department
Mary Jones gave the Council information on the Main Street Program including plans for an "inventory" of all downtown buildings. Staff will be contacting owners to get all information on the building, such as when built, what it has been used for and current use etc. Hopefully this will be a tool to get the empty storefronts filled. Discussion on the Market 59 Shops. There have been two that have used last year, but business owners have decided not to continue. There is one used as of now that is a baker, but is only open a couple times a month. Council asked about the placement of shops and if they should be moved to a better location on Block 59 and mentioned the signs on the shops are not really visible.
A few of the planters in the downtown area are going to be planted with native plants and flowers.
Liz Vincent presented to Council the upcoming year plans for tourism. There are quite a few groups coming to town this year. The July 1st weekend there will be 250 Mini Coopers visiting Pontiac, along with other car clubs during the summer. Also there are 60+ bus groups scheduled. Some of the Promotions planned are the National Road Trip Day, Cemetery Walks, 4th of July festivities and Light Up Pontiac for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
Liz noted that the Rockin @ the River plans are in the process of being scheduled. The concert series will be June 1st thru September 16th.
Social Media including Websites, newsletter, e-newsletters and direct mailers are now being worked on by Hannah Lee, newly hired to replace David who left last year.
Parks & Recreation Department
Taylor Baxter started out telling Council about all the facilities that the Parks Department took care of including but not all, the Rec Center, Rec Plex, Pool, Splash Pad and Golf course.
There has been a slight increase in use at the Rec Center. Average of 217 persons per day.
Jr. Baseball is underway and quite a few children have signed up.
The daily fees and passes have slightly increased at the golf course. Discussion on hole sponsorships and how to keep the sponsors year to year.
Improvements include Pro Shop inventory and online shopping from Pro Shop, a newly hired maintenance mechanic, which will save money, being able to fix machinery instead of outsourcing, course maintenance with staffing, and a "Meet & Greet" the new Golf Pro. The Oaks again this year will offer leagues, which have increased by a team or two, and the youth group lessons by Dani & Ali Schrock.
Discussion on the possibly leasing of the Halfway House for food and drinks and what to do with the pool. No decisions were made on these items
Adjournment
https://www.pontiac.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03152023-964
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