Those present: Iva McClure, Betty Champion, Jim Ingrum, Ashley Winkle, Vince Brewton, Andy Betterton, Dick Jordan, Billy Warren

1. The group thanked Iva McClure for bringing camellia blooms (Alabama’s state flower) from her hard for today’s meeting.

2. Since there was not a quorum for today’s meeting, no official actions could be taken.

3. Billy Warren distributed and briefly reviewed copies of letters which he sent, per the Board’s direction at the 2-22-10 meeting, to the following:

a. Rep. Russ Carnahan – sponsor of the proposed H.R. 3670, Historic Homeowners Revitalization Act

b. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, Rep. Olympia Snowe, Rep. Allyson Schwartz and Rep. Pat Tiberi – co-sponsors of the proposed H.R. 3715 and S. 1743, Community Restoration and Revitalization Act

He stated that, also per the Board’s direction, he sent copies of both letters to Sen. Richard Shelby, Sen. Jeff Sessions and Rep. Parker Griffith.

Billy reported that he has not yet received responses from those to whom the letters were addressed.

5. Billy Warren reported that Billy Sledge, a regular patron in the Genealogy/Local History Department at the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, has set a specific day for the clean-up of the Cypress Cotton Mill/Martin Factory Cemetery which is located adjacent to the former Florence Country Club property.

6. Dick Jordan announced that he will introduce two resolutions to the Florence City Council:

a. One resolution will be addressed to Rep. Russ Carnahan (with copies to Sen. Shelby, Sen. Sessions and Rep. Griffith) thanking him for introducing H.R. 3670, the Historic Homeowners Revitalization Act and encouraging full support of its passage.

b. The second resolution will be addressed to Sen. Blanche Lincoln, Sen. Olympia Snowe, Rep. Allyson Schwartz and Rep. Pat Tiberi (with copies to Sen. Shelby, Sen. Sessions and Rep. Griffith) thanking them for reintroducing H.R. 3715 and S. 1743, the Community Restoration and Revitalization Act and encouraging full support of its passage.

The group thanked Dick for his willingness to present these resolutions in support of both pieces of vitally important legislation.

7. Dick Jordan:

a. Reported the outside dining area at Legends Restaurant on North Seminary Street is almost ready to open;

b. Reported that the new fountain located on the northwest corner of Seminary and Mobile Streets is almost completed; and

c. Stated that bids will be opened on Tuesday, March 23, for the total renovation of Mobile Plaza.

8. Billy Warren reminded everyone about the upcoming annual Cemetery Stroll at the Florence City Cemetery: Saturday, April 24, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (Sunday, April 25, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in case of rain). He stated the following:

b. Amanda Perry will direct the Stroll for the third year.

c. An e-mail will be sent to everyone in the HPI e-mail group in order to secure volunteers to assist with the Stroll.

d. Lee Freeman has written a brief biography on each of the personages to be portrayed, and he has e-mailed all of these to Amanda Perry.

e. The following equipment will be needed:

i. At least one pop-up tent,

ii. At least one folding table,

iii. A porta-john,

iv. A cooler (for "icing down" bottled water), and

v. Volunteers to set up barriers at five of the entries to the cemetery, to lead groups from one actor to the next, to direct traffic, to sell/take up tickets, etc.

9. These people volunteered to assist at the Stroll:

a. Betty Champion,

b. Iva McClure, and

c. Billy Warren

10. Ashley Winkle made this report for Florence Main Street:

a. A new Executive Director of Florence Main Street will take over in July, 2010, as Ashley becomes a stay-at-home mother.

b. Pomodoro Restaurant is moving to the space formerly occupied by Angie’s Clip Joint on East Tuscaloosa Street.

c. Angie’s Clip Joint is moving to the space formerly occupied by the Book Shoppe on East Tuscaloosa Street.

d. The owners of Wine Sellers have renovated their tasting room and will host a tasting event each Friday in April.

e. The building next to Coats Clothing on North Court Street, owned and recently renovated by Kevin Knight, is now on the market for $259,000.

f. Rick Elliott is now renovating the building next door to his restaurant, Ricatoni’s.

g. Mike McDaniel, owner of McDaniel Windows and Doors on East Tennessee Street, has now completed a magnificent transformation of the exterior of his building.

11. Vince Brewton encouraged all HPI Board members to visit the UNA website and view the University’s proposed Master Plan. The public is asked to enter on-line comments on the plan until June, 2010. The University’s Board of Trustees will vote on the plan in June.