St. Marys Downtown Development Authority (DDA)

The regular meeting of the St. Marys DDA was called to order by Craig Root at 9:00 AM.

Members Present: Jim Lomis, Charlie Smith, Bill DeLoughy, Barbara Ryan, Walt Natzic, Craig Root, and Tom Monahan

Members not Present:

Guest in attendance: Janet Brinko; St. Marys Tourism, Mary Neff; Spencer House, and Paula Amari; Promotions Committee Chair

Staff:  Alyce Thornhill; Executive Director, and Renée Coakley; Executive Assistant

Minutes:  Root presented the April 6, 2009 meeting minutes.  Natzic noted that under the Economic Development report it currently states two new members and should be changed to three.  The minutes were approved with the one change with a motion by Natzic and a second by Smith.  All were in favor.

Treasurers Report:  Monahan presented the treasurers report pointing out the charge in advertising for the Discovery Map and a charge in education and training for Marketing College.  There were no other major expenses on the city financials or the Profit and Loss or Balance sheets.  The financials were approved with a motion by Lomis and second by Natzic.  All were in favor.

Additions to the Agenda: Ryan added a bench update, and Natzic requested to add Bike trails as an Economic Development Engine.  Monahan mentioned that he recently attended the Open Records Training meeting training and it was mentioned that items that needed to be voted on should not be additions to the agenda as a rule of thumb.  The board agreed that this was an important piece of information.

Business discussion:

Promotions Committee-Website: Paula mentioned that Bob Barrie is assisting the committee with revamping the DDA website.  Bob will utilize tools that will assist in gaining higher website placement for the DDA website.  He is currently transferring info from the current website to the new shell that has been created.  Welcome Wagon: The committee has decided to come up with an item that can be used to welcome new businesses to the area.  The committee is brainstorming on what the item should be and what items it should contain, i.e. DDA update, DDA Directory, etc.  The Promotions Committee is also working on putting all of the businesses in the DDA boundaries on over 10 search engines that will update GPS tracking systems such as Garmins.  This information will give visitors to businesses more correct driving directions.

Design Committee-Property Committee: Alyce mentioned that she presented the proposals for the benches at a prior Property Committee meeting.  Alyce will have this item addressed at the next meeting.  Ryan mentioned the Memory Garden that the Earthkeepers have proposed for the city property behind the cemetery.  The group met with the Property Committee recently at the site and proposed the idea for the garden.  The financing for the garden will be obtained through selling pavers.  The Property Committee agreed to take the idea to city council and this item should appear on the next council agenda.  Ryan mentioned that the garden could be relocated at any time if the city decided a better usage for the property.  GA Trust assisted with the design assistance for the Memory Garden.

Economic Development Committee-SCORE grant workshop: Alyce mentioned the two successful classes that were recently offered.  SCORE will be partnering with the GA Center for Non Profits in the near future to offer a grant writing workshop to interested parties.  Alcohol ordinance review: Alyce mentioned that the ordinance is currently being reviewed.  The goal is to hopefully keep the ordinance as it stands as it pertains to the C-1 district.  Alyce asked that if any meetings are scheduled regarding the alcohol ordinance that the board members try to attend.  Alyce will inform the board of any upcoming scheduled meetings.

Conference Room Equipment: Alyce mentioned that price for a 42" flat screen would run $797 to $1200.  The board suggested obtaining pricing for a 50" screen preferably a Vizio product.  Natzic mentioned that the communications portion would obtain a camera, a speaker to be placed in the center of the table and a remote and transmission box.  The cost would be approximately $2400 installation and set up included.  The system would hook into a standard telephone line and Natzic will determine the cost for this phone line for the next board meeting.

Bench update: Alyce mentioned that she is still waiting on a reply from DNR on the fishing pier bench.

DIRECTORS REPORT:

Starship Farragut Report: Alyce mentioned that approximately 450 people attended the open house event for the Starship Farragut.  The producer was very pleased with the publicity and support of the local community.

Military Zone Designation: Alyce mentioned that the designation was approved and is waiting for a letter from the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) stating that.  Once obtained, a press release will be created stating this designation and offering it to qualifying businesses.  The tax credit will benefit new and expanding business in Census Tract 106.  Alyce will have a detailed map highlighting Census Tract 106 at the next board meeting.

Preserve America designation: The firm Brockington and Associates has an associate who will assist the City of St. Marys in achieving this designation at no charge.  More information will come at a future date.

Downtown Concierge: Alyce mentioned that at the last council meeting it was voted to do a volunteer workman's comp policy.  The Concierge program will begin again once this policy is written and implemented.

Branding Town Hall Meeting: Alyce mentioned that at 6 PM on May 4 there will be a town hall meeting in City Hall Council Chambers regarding the branding campaign.  Alyce handed out input paperwork for the board to complete if they would not be able to attend the meeting.

Coastal Area District Development Authority (CADDA) Presentation: Alyce reminded the board about the CADDA presentation scheduled after the board meeting.

Businesses and Updates: Alyce mentioned the Smithsonian exhibit that is currently displayed at the county library.  This exhibit showcases St. Marys restaurants as well as other restaurants in the county.

GEM EIP update: Alyce mentioned that she has received an email regarding the grant.  New loan documents will be created since the appraisals have been accepted.  Sarah Davis will work with DCA and the DDA on the new documents.

Bike Trails: Natzic mentioned the current status of this initiative and asked the DDA for support.  The trail will support 133 jobs and will generate $2.8 million in labor income.  Natzic will email the DDA board the document describing the economic impact for the area.  The committee met with the Department of Transportation two weeks ago and was turned down for the first round of stimulus funding.  The second round of funding will begin soon and this initiative has a good chance of receiving funding.  On May 14^th at 1 PM, the Camden County Greenway Alliance will meet.  Twenty seven miles of pathway have been identified and will also be adding a back wood dirt trail around Gilligan's Island.

Adjourn – The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 1^st at 9:00 AM and the meeting was adjourned at 9:55 AM.