Punta Gorda merchants push QR guides, coordinated events and a small-business group; council warns of Sunshine Law limits

Downtown merchants and volunteer groups used a July 7 workshop to propose a range of coordinated marketing and activation measures and to organize a peer network for ongoing collaboration.

Kim Koch, chief financial officer of Team Punta Gorda, and Betsy Spagnolo, the organization’s president, urged banners on light poles, flower pots, and maintenance of welcome signage. Koch suggested banners on light posts and said Team Punta Gorda could help install and maintain decorative elements.

Multiple speakers recommended a citywide QR-code map and an inter-business brochure. “When people click on it it can show exactly all our small businesses here,” a participant said, describing a QR-code portal that could be updated quickly and shared from hotel rooms, Harbor Walk signs, and business windows.

Bill Page and others proposed forming a merchant group or board to coordinate scheduling, events and promotions — for example, a boutique crawl or monthly car show. Council members and staff encouraged merchants to work with the Punta Gorda Chamber and reminded attendees that if a formal board were appointed by council it would be subject to Florida’s Sunshine Law and open-meeting requirements. Staff suggested an alternative: community groups can form independently and request presentations to council without the same statutory constraints.

City staff also offered practical resources: the city’s weekly highlights report and e-notification signups for press releases, street-closure notices and emergency alerts; the staff-recommended “design studio” can help organizers plan events, review restroom and safety needs, and identify permitting requirements.

Other ideas discussed included a downtown shuttle or revved-up golf-cart ‘‘shuttle’’ service to link parking and business destinations; Chuck Lewis and other residents described prior attempts at similar services and local operators expressing interest. Merchants and volunteers agreed to continue meeting and to invite the chamber, and staff said they would provide guidance on forming committees and on event logistics.