REGULAR MEETING OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CANTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (CEDC) 5:30 P.M., Tuesday, March 28, 2023 CANTON CITY HALL 201 N. BUFFALO STREET, CANTON, TEXAS  The Board of Directors oft the Canton Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) attended a regular meeting at the above-mentioned date and time. CEDC Board members present included: President Kevin L. Deibert, 1st Vice Chair DeAnne Callan, Thomas Beckham, Justin Richard, John Cheynne Behrend, ex officio Lou Ann Everett and Lonny Cluck. Not in attendance was 2nd' Vice Chair Corley Ragle and John McKeehan II. CEDC Staff attending was Executive CEDC Director Stacy Crossley, Assistant Director Shelley Newton and Marketing Coordinator Austin Melton, Canton Director of operations Peter Lamont.  Minutes  1. Call to Order and Announce a Quorum - Kevin LI Deibert opened the meeting at 5:34  pm.  2. Invocation - Given by Kevin L. Deibert 3. Pledge of Allegiance - Lead by Kevin L. Deibert board members Kevin L. Deibert and DeAnne Callan 5. Declarations Regarding Conflicts of Interest None  4. Oath of Office - Stacy Crossley administered the Oath of office to the Re-appointed  6. Public Comments - None  CONSENT AGENDA  7. Consider Action Regarding Minutes of February 28,2023  8. Consider Action Regarding February 2023 Financial Statement & 4th Quarter 9. Consider Recommendation for new applications for Main Street Advisory Board DeAnne Callan made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as stated. Justin Richard seconded the motion all voted in favor and the motion passed.  Investments  Member, Kristie Christensen term ending 12/2024  ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION  10. Presentation by CJ See with H.B.I.C- CJ attorney announced at 5:49pm that she would not make it before 630pm, but he would be able to answer some questions. Stacy Crossley informed the board that this was a new ask (request) from CJ See and there would be a closed meeting in the near future to go over financials, so this was just a proposal presentation. Thomas Beckham recommended to go in executive session and returning to the presentation when CJ See arrived. At7:05pm the board resumed agenda item #10 with Mrs. CJ See in attendance to give her presentation. Mrs. See addressed the board her reason for the name change, explaining that the company has always been named Bluegrass and not Bluegreen. She is on the TxDot agenda for April 27th, 2023 for access road approval. She would    like to redo the Chicken Express driveway sO they both have separate entries. She let the board know she still has her retailers and is talking to 2 new ones. She then asked if there were any questions. Kevin Deibert asks if she had a number on how her store would affect the existing stores in town. CJ stated that there was no way to forecast that, but she did get those numbers from the corporations of the big retailers. Stacy Crossley asks if she knew the gas station knew they wouldn't be able tos sell alcohol. CJ was unaware of that and thought they could. Stacy Crossley and ex officio Lou Ann Everett explained to CJ that someone would have to petition for the selling of alcohol, and it would have to be voted on during elections. The discussion was closed out by Kevin Deibert stating there was a lot of due diligence  that needed to be done with the EDC. 11. Visitor Center Presentation =  DeAnne Callan made a motion to postpone the Visitor Center Presentation until next month. Justin Richard seconded the motion all voted in favor and the motion passed Thomas Beckham made a motion to postpone Discuss and Consider options for Investing Diversity until later date. Justin Richard seconded the motion all voted in 13. Updates and Community Announcements - Peter Lamont reported that the HWY 243 water tower will be wired and raised 35 feet tomorrow. If the weather don't interfere 14. Canton Visitors Bureau and First Monday Marketing Report and Consider Any Action Related Thereto = Austin Melton reported they have spent $12,000 on Facebook marketing and reached 1.1 million people. He will be going to the Dallas Trade show next weekend and will give a report about it at the next meeting. There will be an Easter Egg Hunt at First Monday next Saturday and he is almost finished with creating 15. Canton Main Street Reports and Consider Any Action Related Thereto - Shelley Newton reported they are getting bids on maintenance or replacing of the downtown roof lights. They will also be adding hanging signs to the ordinance for downtown businesses. The Kneady Woman opened for business last Friday and sold out before the end of day. New Main Street Board Member Kristie Christensen, COA was approved, and she is moving forward. East Texas Pickens and Reminisce building has a new owner. Facebook likes have grown to 9125 and Instagram to 1750. They had a great Coffee Talk last month at Hilliard's Furniture and the next one will be on April 14th at' Van Zandt County Abstract. They have raised $4500 for Snow Day with much more promised and were able to order the snow slide. 16. Executive Director's Report and Consider Any Action Related Thereto - Stacy A. CEDC Projects /F Partnership Update - Stacy will call a special meeting with CJ SEE H.B.I.C. to review financials. The City Council approved Nextsite contract sO the marketing process can start. We are waiting on Horseshoe Sculpture  12. Discuss and Consider options for Investing Diversity -  favor and the motion passed  with the project, it will be completed by the end of week.  af foodie map for the Trade Days grounds.  Crossley reported to the board the following:  plaque to be completed.    B. CEDC Business/Administation - Stacy Crossley informed the Board there will be a Audit Presentation for 2022, along with the Mid Year Budget Adjustments, and a resolution for Bylaw changes in April. C. Local Development Activity - Stacy Crossley reported there were 18 CO's issued, 3 new CO's applied for this past month. We have several permit applications submitted for laying fiber optic lines for spectrum throughout the City. None have been issued but will be soon to come. Creeks at Burnett Trail D. Community Event Announcements - Stacy reported the County Fair and Rodeo starts this Thursday and remined that the Canton Chamber of  is laying water and sewer lines.  Commers Banquet is April 21st at the civic center.  When necessary and warranted, a closed or executive session will follow pursuant to the provision of the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Texas 17. Executive Session: The board entered closed executive session at 5:54 pm  Government Code, Section 551.087, 551.072,  A. 551.087 - to deliberate commercial or financial information the CEDC has received from a business prospect, and to deliberate the offer of a financial or other incentive to business prospects, including Bluegrass Development Project, and retention, expansion and recruitment of commercial, industrial, B. 551.072-to deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease, or value ofr real property. 18. Return to Open Session and Consider Action, ifany, on Items Discussed in Executive Session The Board returned to regular session at 7:04pm with DeAnne Callan making the motion to proceed with action from Executive Session. Cheynne Bahrend 19. Items for Future Agenda = Stacy Crossley informed board members that the next 20. Adjourn - The meeting was adjourned at 7:35pm upon motion made by Justin Richard. The Motion was seconded by Thomas Beckham, all voted in favor and the motion  retail, hospitality, sports, and family entertainment prospects  seconded the motion all voted in favor and the motion passed.  CEDC meeting will be on April 25th  passed unanimously.  -    S  KEVINL. DEIBERT, PRESIDENT  ATTEST:  GulonNaum SHELLEY NEWTON, SECRETARY