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partner to support creative economic development. Ms. Li hopes University City continues to be a leader in progress and a champion for change but Create Space needs the support to remain part of the community. Julien Robison, 7007 Roberts Court Mr. Robinson is a student at University City High School. He worked at the Midtown Farmers Market last summer and very much enjoyed the experience. The market provided him with a job opportunity to learn about the Market process and vendors. He indicated that the Midtown Farmers Market brings people closer together and provides a sense of community for residents and visitors. Deb Henderson, Executive Director, Midtown Farmers Market Ms. Henderson stated that the Farmers Market stabilizes small businesses. She helped bring in new business and revive the Market in the Loop with the fresh tree business in November and December. She stated that her requests for funds were not redundant to other event requests. She indicated that the request for funds was for programs like MAT-Pro, Power of Produce, and Double-up Food Bucks not just events. Ms. Henderson hopes the Board will reconsider staff’s recommendation and fund the Market to at least the amount last year. Mary Adams, Executive Director, University City Chamber of Commerce Ms. Adams provided the Board with supplemental information regarding the Chamber’s funding requests. The Chamber responded to the staff’s analysis. Ms. Adams requested the Board fund the North and South Block Party at the amount Chamber requested, not staff’s recommendation. The event cost the Chamber more money last year and to cover those costs, the Chamber requested more funds. The event was a huge success and very much supported by the community. Ms. Adam’s also disagreed with staff’s recommendation to not fund Olive Revitalization given that Olive Blvd is a high priority for redevelopment. These programs will help create “buzz” about Olive Blvd. Ms. Adams doesn’t support staff’s recommendation to not fund the Small Business Workshops. These workshops provide vital information to U City businesses and are not redundant with other regional programs. The Chamber is open to evaluating the workshops to offer at a different time, etc. but attendees value the workshops. New Business a. Fiscal Year 2018 Budget (discussion and vote) Mr. Winer opened the discussion asking Board if staff should first provide an overview of the recommendations and then the Board vote on each item line item by line item. Board agreed with this approach but made brief remarks before staff provided an overview. Mr. Kuhlman indicated that the Board had to make some very tough choices. There were good projects but with $1.14 million in asks, not all projects can be funded. Mr. Lenard requested that the Board take a close look at the budget and especially the projects where staff was recommending no funding. Mr. Adeboye provided the Board with a prepared written statement. He does not support funding for sidewalks and feels that it is the City’s job to fund sidewalks in the general budget. He thinks the Chamber should be fully funded and that the Chamber deserves encouragement and support. He also thinks the North and South and Delmar block party should be fully funded. It attracted 1200 people to the area in one afternoon. He supports full funding for Create Space and thinks the City should be supporting these programs for economic growth. He also supports full funding for the Famers Market and thinks the City should be creating a citywide marketing brochure, not just the Delmar Loop. He supports equitable distribution of funds. Ms. Hendrix agreed fully with Mr. Adobye. She wants to see equitable distribution of funds and provide Olive Blvd with additional funds, as it needs more work than the Delmar Loop. She thinks some of the projects staff is recommending for funding are not priorities. Following these initial statements, Ms. Riganti reviewed the staff’s memo to the Board. She stated which projects staff are recommending for funding and which projects are not recommended based on the criteria. She read the staff comments that were provided in the memo, dated March 9, 2017. 2