BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Lori Anthony, Rick Ashbaugh, Lesley Benson, Tom Brown, Dan Carlson, Kim Cox, Kayla Ranger-Dean, Rob Keorkunian, Teresa Seim (Council Liaison), Chad Slider.

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Dawn Kobreek

GUESTS: John Jackson, Cathy Bethard, Bob Wagoner, Lester from Shoreline Publications.

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 12:15 PM.

WELCOME TO NEW BOARD MEMBER
Rick Ashbaugh was welcomed as a new board member. Mr. Ashbaugh informed the business association that he will be absent April through October for the summer golf league. It was discussed whether Mr. Ashbaugh should be replaced due to his absence for the summer. The consensus was that Mr. Ashbaugh’s absence would not be a problem at this time.

AGENDA
Mr. Carlson proposed adding “Historic Downtown Map” as an item under “Unfinished Business”. Ms. Benson moved, supported by Mr. Slider, to approve the agenda with the above changes. The motion passed unanimously.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Benson’s first name was incorrectly spelled. The correct spelling is “Lesley”. Ms. Benson moved, supported by Mr. Carlson, to approve the February 4th Minutes with the above changes. The motion passed unanimously.

TREASURER’S REPORT
Ms. Benson reported that the MBA currently has $1922.60.

NEW BUSINESS
Lester from Shoreline Publications presented members with the opportunity to advertise in a map of the Village of Mattawan. It will be in brochure form and will be distributed to Michigan travel centers and to the MBA and the businesses that chose to advertise. After some discussion, Ms. Benson moved, supported by Mr. Carlson, to contract with Shoreline Publications to create a map and solicit local businesses for advertising. The motion passed unanimously.

Ms. Cox stated that MPI Research will host a business After Hours open house on March 25th at 5:30 PM.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mr. Carlson stated that a map and list of businesses exempt from Village of Mattawan parking requirements has not yet been created. Mr. Carlson and the business association has expressed concern that unless specific businesses and locations are outlined for exemption as part of the historic downtown district, that future businesses may find they need to obtain a variance to open a new business that has parking space requirements by ordinance.

COMMENTS FROM BOARD
Several members expressed their interest in the advertising maps for Mattawan.

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 12:54 PM.