MONROE - Monroe Main Street is at a critical point in its existence, as some members of the board of directors recognized Tuesday.
Ryan Wilson, board chairman; Ron Spielman, vice-chairman; and David Riese, board member and past chairman, were appointed to a committee to make haste with a new game plan that would get Main Street through the next six months.
They are to present their ideas at the next board meeting Monday, Oct. 11.
The board normally meets once a moth, but board member Mike Doyle said they couldn't wait another month.
Only five members of the nine-member board of directors met Tuesday, when Wilson announced that board member Diane Phillips had resigned.
Monroe Main Street has had no director since releasing its past director Barb Nelson in July, and the board and city want to uncouple their relationship to let Main Street become its own entity.
Both situations are leading the directors in a circular problem.
Doyle said Main Street needs someone in the position of director, or the organization would "deteriorate more than it has."
But as board member Mike Sanders pointed out, it's difficult to fill the vacancy of the director until a job description and salary range can be decided, but neither of those issues can be settled until the board can get a budget prepared - which needs the new structure of Main Street in place.
Monroe Main Street directors had hoped to break with the city in October, and are interested in becoming a tax-exempt, non-profit organization.
The time frame is no longer attainable, directors said.
"We set that deadline," Doyle said. "If we need more time, take more time."
Main Street exists by virtue of a resolution, according to city's attorney Rex Ewald. That resolution is in effect until January.
Once Main Street breaks with the city, board appointments by the mayor and other decisions made by the city council will be gone, Ewald explained.
Regardless of when separation comes, the directors "need to arrange something to settle into," Ewald said.
The directors determined that an official relationship with the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry to cover the director's position would not work, partly because of the differences in the two organizations' financial reporting status. However, hiring MCCI for some services is still an option.
"The decision to not merge (with MCCI) puts more importance on having some type of director," Riese said.
Wilson has been overseeing the director's duties, but said the position needs more time than he has been able to devote to it.
He asked if the board would be interested in hiring him as interim director for up to 20 hours per week.
Board member John Baumann said he was in favor of having Wilson fill the role because of Wilson's knowledge and overview of the workings of the organization, and Wilson could "hit the ground running."
However, Ewald pointed out complications of an employee being a member of a board that oversees the employee. Those problems may be avoidable if Wilson took a leave of absence from the board, he added.
"Perceptions of something that is questionable is a problem," Riese said.
If Wilson took a leave of absence, vice-chairman Ron Spielman would assume the chairman duties.
Ryan Wilson, board chairman; Ron Spielman, vice-chairman; and David Riese, board member and past chairman, were appointed to a committee to make haste with a new game plan that would get Main Street through the next six months.
They are to present their ideas at the next board meeting Monday, Oct. 11.
The board normally meets once a moth, but board member Mike Doyle said they couldn't wait another month.
Only five members of the nine-member board of directors met Tuesday, when Wilson announced that board member Diane Phillips had resigned.
Monroe Main Street has had no director since releasing its past director Barb Nelson in July, and the board and city want to uncouple their relationship to let Main Street become its own entity.
Both situations are leading the directors in a circular problem.
Doyle said Main Street needs someone in the position of director, or the organization would "deteriorate more than it has."
But as board member Mike Sanders pointed out, it's difficult to fill the vacancy of the director until a job description and salary range can be decided, but neither of those issues can be settled until the board can get a budget prepared - which needs the new structure of Main Street in place.
Monroe Main Street directors had hoped to break with the city in October, and are interested in becoming a tax-exempt, non-profit organization.
The time frame is no longer attainable, directors said.
"We set that deadline," Doyle said. "If we need more time, take more time."
Main Street exists by virtue of a resolution, according to city's attorney Rex Ewald. That resolution is in effect until January.
Once Main Street breaks with the city, board appointments by the mayor and other decisions made by the city council will be gone, Ewald explained.
Regardless of when separation comes, the directors "need to arrange something to settle into," Ewald said.
The directors determined that an official relationship with the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry to cover the director's position would not work, partly because of the differences in the two organizations' financial reporting status. However, hiring MCCI for some services is still an option.
"The decision to not merge (with MCCI) puts more importance on having some type of director," Riese said.
Wilson has been overseeing the director's duties, but said the position needs more time than he has been able to devote to it.
He asked if the board would be interested in hiring him as interim director for up to 20 hours per week.
Board member John Baumann said he was in favor of having Wilson fill the role because of Wilson's knowledge and overview of the workings of the organization, and Wilson could "hit the ground running."
However, Ewald pointed out complications of an employee being a member of a board that oversees the employee. Those problems may be avoidable if Wilson took a leave of absence from the board, he added.
"Perceptions of something that is questionable is a problem," Riese said.
If Wilson took a leave of absence, vice-chairman Ron Spielman would assume the chairman duties.