Yorktown Chamber of Commerce

Monthly Chamber Meeting

April 21, 2015, 8:00 a.m.

Mellott Family Center

 

INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME: Those attending: Bonita Ramirez, Pat Smith, Carolyn “Buffy” Grieves, Carol Pinckney, Michael Desloover, Marcy Minton, Brian Haughn, Ron Orebaugh, Susan Orebaugh, Diana Smiley, Maureen Walby, Melissa Bucur, Patti Decker, Ed Armantrout, Brendon Comp, Rich Lee, Starr Manning, Steve Perry, Juli Metzger, Pete Olson, Steve Huddleston, Keith Gary, Tim Williams, Doug Berky, Preston Howell, Cindy Spears, Niccole Mansker, Al Baker, Barb Baker, Sarah McCord.

 

QUESTION OF THE DAY: What attracted you to Yorktown? Responses included school system, had lived there all their lives, family connections, amenities offered, close proximity to work, friendly people, community spirit (tiger paws painted on the street), and reasonable cost of living.

 

SECRETARY REPORT:       Minutes approved as presented.

 

TREASURER REPORT:      Financial report approved as presented.

 

TOWN REPORT:                Community clean up April 25 – Bestway to pick up debris. Call 759-4003 for pickup of items, electronics can be included in the pickup.   Also, old documents can be brought to Town Hall for shredding.  Also reported that Chris Day finished the Boston Marathon. Lots of things planned for 4 for the 4th: canoe race, cardboard / duck – tape race, hot dog eating contest, and much more. Farmer’s market in Yorktown to begin at Morrows Meadow.

 

PROGRAM:         Rich Lee began program with information about the National Citizens’ Survey. He suggested that people visit the web site to see what people believe about Yorktown. Nine out of ten people believe that Yorktown is excellent / good, also for safety / economy. There are challenges but also opportunities, as well. What is Yorktown’s identify? What do you want that identity to be? It is a safe and vibrant community and is a great place to live and raise a family.  Yorktown is a very sociallly conscious community with special interest in the environment. It has an excellent trail system. Those who are acting as stewards of the community take their decision making process seriously and strive to make decisions that will be in the best interest of the community. The crime rate in Yorktown is very low with the median income being $63,000 per year. The educational status in Yorktown states that 95% of all citizens are high school graduates, with 34% being college graduates. The infrastructure has become more solid in the last year-and-a-half.  Comment about community planning: “If you fail to plan, your plan to fail.”

Lee requested input from the community that will assist in a study to revitalize downtown area. Currently developing plans to connect neighborhoods, parks, developing frameworks that bring people downtown. Grants and funds for façade improvements and plans for vacant buildings, helping businesses through tax rebates were discussed as part the vision for downtown redevelopment.

Information was discussed about the splash pads and the impact that will have on family fun and entertainment. Noted that components of splash pads can be relocated, if need be. The town wants to have more events that will attract people to downtown.

Lee believes the town should develop a marketing plan about getting the word out about what Yorktown has to offer and the opportunities that are available. The advantages offered by Yorktown are great schools, recreation, walking trails, and even Daleville has expressed interest in tying into the trail system in the future. The tax rate has remained unchanged and remains at .776 since the consolidation. Residential growth has been steady with 39 building permits issued in Yorktown with only 20 issued in the rest of Delaware County. The Town of Yorktown has been working with the City of Muncie and is encouraging expansion of business in Yorktown. On May 5, Yorktown Redevelopment will present a program at Yorktown High School Auditorium to look at possibilities for Yorktown growth and planning.

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:  There will be a lending library with books available about business. Members are encouraged to borrow the books and return them the next month for others to read. Tuesday through Friday there will be a Slow Saunter through Mounds Parks. There will be floral index and people will be able to see what the results would be when the Park is flooded.  May 2 will be the YCON Festival at the Nazarene Church, which will include a car show, fish fry, and vendors. Will be a family day of fun. Meeting on Thursday, 6:30 p.m. at Historical Building regarding luminaria. Community Foundation Grants are due May 1 for non-profit agencies. Money being collected for Mission Trip for Barb Baker. LifeStream to host annual golf outing May 20. There will be a summer ministry for children in the park this summer which will include food, crafts, Bible study, beginning June 1.

 

MEETING ADJOURNED:                 9:00 a.m.

 

NEXT MEETING:                                May 19, 2015 – Bring a guest!