Palacios Downtown Association Minutes
June 4, 2024

Call to Order:
Meeting called to order by Joanne Linden at 5:30 pm

Attendees:
Diane Cartwright, Michael Dotson, Nancy Dotson, Jim Gardner, Joanne Linden, Linda Moncrief, Mary Kathryn Niccolai, Pam Oliver, Markus Sandy, Brenda Serna, Michelle Williams, Macey Wilson

Old business discussion:
Update from the City of Palacios on Drainage, Sewer, and Sidewalks projects – (Tammy absent)
Jim stated that the construction had begun because of work which started 2 years ago; several of the board members noted they had seen the work within the city.
Lights on building payments –
Attendees received a copy of the facade list, and one merchant made a payment and delivered it to Pam. Mikes on Main and Pirate Queen were going to remeasure their buildings and check their measurements before payment.
Texas Downtown Assessment –
Attendees would like an electronic version of the Texas Downtown Assessment for their input; this topic will be discussed at the next PDA July meeting.

New business discussion: (Tammy was absent)
Semi-Annual Craft Show/Farmer’s Market –
No discussions were held regarding this matter.
Tourism-Friendly Texas Certified Community –
In the May meeting Tammy mentioned she would inquire if someone from City staff would complete the online training module. Some of the attendees wanted to understand what Tourism-Friendly and Music-Friendly meant and Pam read the main topic on how to apply and benefits from the Tourism-Friendly Texas booklet.
Music-Friendly Community –
Discussion was held that they would like to find out in their next meeting whether the Outrigger might take this on. Michelle read the information and benefits from the booklet for the new attendees. She also mentioned that downtown Byran did a revitalization, and they started a monthly First Friday event wherein they had musicians to play street corners and in front of restaurants, stores opened later than usual and served beverages and snacks. It was super successful and is still on-going. Byran started this revitalization when they did not have much of a downtown as it appears today. They started a program where they sold their buildings for a dollar to companies that wanted to buy them with the condition that they had to renovate them and make a viable business out of them. That is how they got their old, dilapidated buildings new again.
Fourth of July –
Jim provided updates concerning the events to be held at South Bay Park. The Chief of Police will oversee the traffic flow, vendors will be set up along the bayside, fireworks to be done that evening, a helicopter will be available for a circular ride over the bay, bingo to be held inside the Pavilion, Jose Ortiz will oversee a corn hole tournament and there will be a margarita truck and music. Jim would like businesses to get involved and mix with the community such as having Grassy Point Kayak Rentals have a kayak available and pickleball players be there to let people serve a ball or two so they can have a feel of the game. Mary Kathryn reminded him to discuss the golf cart parade at the Lion’s Club meeting that evening. Jim would like a full-blown patriotic parade next year along with a carnival.
Poker in Palacios–
Pam stated that the event will be held on July 8th at the Recreation Center with a seafood lunch beginning at 11:00 am and the main event of Hi-Lo Blackjack starting at 1:00 pm. The grand prize will have a value of $4,500. Pam also shared on what some of the other prizes would be.

Oyster/Seafood Fest –
Mary Kathryn discussed that she had her first steering committee meeting, and they will have vendors on both sides of the street starting at 4th and Main toward Commerce. They will model after Camo Fest in Bay City. There will be food vendors, music, extra tents set up for other vendors, an oyster tent, music, beer, and wine gardens. Additionally, the Texas Parks and Wildlife will be at the Museum and will conduct educational and interactive programs for children and an Art Show contest will also be held. More information will be given as they continue having meetings for the October 26 event.
Calendars–
Discussion was had regarding getting all calendars from various organizations unified. Michelle came up with the idea that each event could be advertised in the Beacon and each PDA member would take turns paying for that event. The attendees indicated that they would like to put up banners downtown when the city has an event like Bay City. It was also mentioned that TxDot had to be notified and will speak with DC if PEDC would pay for the banners.

Miscellaneous:
Additional discussions:
On the four-way stop at 5th & Main and crosswalk. Also having additional crosswalks and repainting the original ones downtown. Information on deaths which happened on the crosswalk’s downtown was discussed.
Various attendees shared that, once buildings are closed, it takes a significant amount of time for them to be brought back up to code. This, in turn, creates scenarios in which downtown properties remain unavailable for extended periods of time.
The Luther Hotel update will be having a closing soon.
Old City Hall building no updates yet.

Items & Events for Next Meeting –
Poker in Palacios – July 13th
Spa Day – July 27th
HUB Golf Fundraiser – September 21st
Harvest Moon Dinner-Dance – October 19th.
Oyster/Seafood Fest – October 26th

Adjourn: 6:30 pm

Next Meeting: Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at 5:30 pm at City by the Sea Museum