7:05 p.m. Meeting begins. All current Officers are re-elected to positions, which will be for a two-year duration (Kathleen Marcin - President; Stephen Green, Vice-President; Greg Page - Treasurer; Adam Jensen - Secretary).
Kathleen introduces Greg Page and asks him to discuss initiatives coming from the Office of the Mayor. Discussion includes mayor's office hours (4-6 p.m. Weds, 3-5 p.m. Fri), @LowellMayor Twitter account, coming Public Service Announcement campaign about city ordinances (designed so that people don't learn about ordinances AS they're being fined/punished), and a UML/Middlesex/LHS service learning requirement hub (more details coming down the road on that one, stay tuned).
7:18 p.m. Andy Jacobsen, owner of Brew'd Awakenings (61 Market) spoke to the group about "Busk Stops." Busk Stops are used in several cities in Canada and in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. All they really are designated areas in which buskers, or live musicians, can perform. The idea is to pick spots around downtown during which musicians can play between the hours of 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily. Musicians would be able to put out a coin basket or guitar case and collect donations or sell CDs. They would not, however, be able to solicit or harass. No amplification would be allowed. Performers would not be allowed to use profanity or threatening language. Busk Stops would be marked with signs...in fact, that's the only cost of a busk stop. They would help bring life to downtown. At the beginning, they would probably not be used...it might take a little while for the idea to take hold. There would be 4 busk stops spread across downtown. They would possibly not be used during the Folk Festival. There is no scheduling or arrangement associated with busk stops. The general rule is that any musician can play for up to an hour (although they could play longer if no one is waiting). Andy's next step is to meet with several of the CCs to *pitch* the idea, explain how it would work, and answer their questions one-on-one. Several cities in TN use busk stops as part of what they call the "Main Street Program." KMM points out that we've always talked about "needing more people on the street...we need that critical mass."
7:44 p.m. Stephen Greene talks about the coming Spring Cleanup. With Earth Day coming on Sunday, 22APR, the downtown planned cleanup is slated for Sat, 21APR (rain date is 28APR). Most likely rally point is Mack Plaza at 0900.
7:48 p.m. License Commission. Next meeting is this Thursday for the Big Fortunato Summit (BFS). Several LPD officers will speak at the BFS. After that, the next License Commission meeting will be held on 12APR at 6:30 p.m.
7:52 p.m. Issues surrounding the Major's-to-the-Dub building move. Folks on Middle Street could be affected negatively by the noise.
8:01 p.m. Stephen Greene announces that on the second Saturday of the month, e-waste can be brought to the Prince Spaghetti factory.
8:20 p.m. Meeting adjourns.
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