The Monticello Advertising and Promotion Commission met on Monday, July 24, to hold their monthly meeting. All were present with the exception of Al Peer.
Shannon Herman called the meeting to order shortly after 5:30 p.m., and moved into the first order of business, which was the approval of the minutes from the June meeting. The commission next approved the June financial statement.
The next agenda item was to approve a final payment to Monticello Septic Solutions in the amount of $6,250. This payment was for the work done on the welcome signs at the edge of town.
Orlando Jones came before the commission representing the 3rd District Church of God in Christ (COGIC). Jones said that The Revival Center is set to host the district’s convention August 8-13. This will be the first time in the 30 year history of the organization that Monticello has been the host city, this is due in large part to Monticello being Bishop Michael Jones’ hometown. This could be an annual event in Monticello which looks to bring 300-500 guests to town throughout the week.
“It would be great to show Monticello in it’s greatest light,” Jones said. “We want to highlight the great things we have in Monticello.”
Jones also added that this convention would be the perfect opportunity to get the ball rolling on the event center in Monticello because there is nowhere in town to truly facilitate a convention. Jones asked the commission to partner with the 3rd District, and thanked them for the opportunity to speak. The commission said that they didn’t feel that it was within the scope of the commission allocate funds for this, and decided not to proceed.
Ryan Copico informed the commissioners that the deadline to advertise in the Arkansas Traveler’s Guide and the Arkansas Cycling guide was at the end of August, and that he wanted to present this to them before it was too late. Kim Patel made a motion to take out a full page ad in the Cycling Guide, and a half page ad in the Traveler’s Guide, not to exceed their budget of $4,000. This motion was passed by the commission.
The commission also had a brief discussion about the event center. Herman said that the A&P Commission had been tasked to come up with a comprehensive plan and goals for what they want the event center to be.
“Let’s make a plan, even if it’s a two year, five year, or even ten year plan,” Patel said. “Let’s make something we can hold ourselves accountable to.”
The commissioners further discussed reaching out to towns in Arkansas who already have Civic Centers or similar structures to see what they have, and see if they will share architectural plans for reference.
“Let’s start the due diligence process,” Patel added.
The next meeting date is to be determined at a later date as schedule conflicts arose on the regularly scheduled date.
