July 6, 2009 DDA Minutes

St. Marys Downtown Development Authority (DDA)

Board Of Directors

Meeting Minutes for July 6, 2009

The regular meeting of the St. Marys DDA was called to order by Jim Lomis at 9:05 AM. 

Members Present: Jim Lomis, Charlie Smith, Bill Deloughy, Barbara Ryan, and Walt Natzic

Members not Present: Craig Root and Tom Monahan

Guest in attendance:  Karen Preble; Design Committee Chair, Peggy Hollis; Design Committee Member, and Michelle Donini Bellisle; Donini’s Florist & Nursery

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

Minutes:  Smith presented the June 1, 2009 meeting minutes.  The minutes were approved with a motion by Smith and a second by DeLoughy.  All were in favor. 

Treasurers Report:  Smith presented the treasurers report pointing out that the department was sticking as close to budget as possible.  There were no major expenses on the city financials or the Profit and Loss or Balance sheets.  The financials were approved with a motion by Smith and second by Natzic.  All were in favor. 

Additions to the Agenda:   There were no additions to the agenda and the agenda was approved by the board.

Presentaion:  Beautification:  Karen showed a video she created of before and after shots of the work the Design Committee has completed up to now.  The board was pleased with the presentation and mentioned that it should be shown at the upcoming Council Meeting.  DeLoughy will check to see if this presentation can be shown.  Karen introduced Peggy who shared with the board the list of businesses and individuals who donated for the DDA beautification project.  One of the business owners was present and Peggy presented Michelle with her thank you certificate.  Peggy also mentioned that there will be an appreciation breakfast on Tuesday, July 7^th for the Public Works department.  This appreciation will be sponsored by the volunteers, St. Marys Kiwanis and the DDA.  Peggy also mentioned that she has spoken with other business owners to get interest generated in sprucing up the outsides of their shops and the idea of a water taxi came about.  Alyce mentioned the possibility of attaching a barrel of some sort to the concierge with water and volunteers going around and watering the plants.  This idea will be discussed further in the future.  Natzic mentioned with all of the beautification efforts that are in force the city should address irregular sidewalks which cause flooding issues that occur with heavy rains.  The repair process doesn’t address the real problem of leveling the sidewalk sections by grinding, the process should include leveling the sidewalks.

Business discussion:

Promotions Committee-Communication policy:  Alyce mentioned that during the last board meeting discussion came up in regards to what should be included in the weekly Scoop.  Alyce presented a letter that was received from Service Master a local business who has been featured in the Scoop in the past.  The letter indicated that the business has profited from the exposure.  At the last meeting Alyce was asked to review the Chamber of Commerce Communication policy with the Promotions Committee to determine if this would fit for the Scoop publication.  The committee decided not to put too many rules on the Scoop but came up with a mission statement for the publication which would read:  “Supporting and Promoting St. Marys Business.”  The committee also felt that if the business is in St. Marys it should be included in the Scoop.  The board agreed to keep submissions simple.  Lomis made a motion that items coming from businesses within St. Marys will be included in the Scoop with a second by Smith.  All were in favor.  Website:  Alyce presented the website statistics for the DDA website.  In the first week of the updated website rankings have increased greatly.  The report will continue to go out monthly.   

Design Committee-Beautification project:  Karen mentioned that the committee continues to function under their mission statement which is:  “To initiate and support beautification projects which promote the historic preservation and revitalization of St. Marys within the DDA boundaries.”  The next project for the committee will be across the back wall of the DDA building and the patio area behind the building.  The committee also intends to change the fence at the back of the building to a wooden privacy fence.  Karen also mentioned that she has heard complaints recently from citizens and directs them to the City Police website which has a link that people can use if they have a complaint about something in the city, i.e. trash.  Karen also mentioned that the St. Marys Garden Club has expressed interest in beautifying the Pavilion area.  The committee has also come up with an idea to begin a matching program with businesses that would approach a business and ask if they would like some assistance with the beautification of the outside of their building.  The committee would provide the volunteers if the business would supply the necessary items, i.e. plants, trees, etc.  Benches:  Karen mentioned that the city will be receiving 3 benches to choose from and the committee will come up with some sort of event to get the community involved in choosing the bench.  Chair-ity auction funds from the 2010 event will benefit the purchase of the benches selected.  Karen will be meeting with the editor from the local paper today and will give information on local events with hopes of getting more of these stories in the newspaper.  Bike Racks:  Alyce mentioned that the bike racks have been delivered to the Public Works department and will be installed around town in the next couple of weeks.  The DDA purchased 15 racks and if approved by the Historic Preservation Committee will be installed downtown.  If the racks are not approved they will be installed outside of the Historic downtown.  Tree Board:  Alyce mentioned recent tree issues around the city and the recent trimming of some of the newer live oak trees.  There is a new arborist in town who will speak to the Tree Board at an upcoming meeting who will be able to assist with future trimmings.

Economic Development Committee-Alcohol Ordinance:   Alyce mentioned that there is a new draft of the ordinance going before Council at the upcoming meeting.  There were no changes in the C-1 district but there was verbiage added that would aid in the possibility of a wine store opening in the downtown area.

Conference Room Equipment:  Alyce mentioned that after further research was completed the new price for the equipment would be approximately $10,000.  Alyce recommended waiting for the entire board to be present before making a decision on this price tag.  Natzic mentioned that the new figure included the cost of a pan and zoom camera and flat screen television.  The board agreed to allow Natzic research better prices and present them at the next board meeting.

DDA Training:  Smith outlined the recent DDA training that he attended in Savannah and shared his notes with the board.  He mentioned a few of the comments that were made at the training with the board that stood out in his notes.

DIRECTORS REPORT:

NPS Superintendent Reception:  Alyce mentioned the thank you note that the new superintendent sent to the DDA for the reception that was given in his honor.

Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund (DDRLF) Resolution:    Alyce presented the DDRLF draft resolution to the board.  The board reviewed and Lomis signed a copy to forward to the Department of Community Affairs.  Alyce mentioned the special conditions that also need to be met on behalf of the board and asked if the board could make a motion that she and Lomis move forward on these conditions.  Motion was made by Ryan with a second by DeLoughy.  All were in favor.  The board was in favor of the idea of having the poster displayed at the hotel discussing the resolution.

Community Market EBT designation:  Alyce mentioned that several vendors are interested in this designation which would allow vouchers to purchase items at the market.  Alyce feels she should attend training to see how much effort would be needed to maintain this designation and this training would be of no cost to the Board.  The Board feels that this should be addressed in the future due to the current size of the market and the added expense and liability it would be for the staff.  The Board also mentioned that if this is taken on the vendors should be responsible for paying for the program.

Entrance of the Ferry:  Alyce mentioned that the current entrance to the Cumberland Sound Ferry is sometimes missed.  It was suggested to create an arbor at the end of the ramp that leads to the boat and on one side put Welcome to St. Marys and on the opposite side Ferry to Fernandina Beach.  The board asked Alyce to get prices.

Preserve America:  Alyce mentioned that the application is moving forward.  St. Marys will be applying the same time as Fernandina with hopes that both will be awarded at the same time.

Bait Shop Meeting:  Alyce mentioned the recent meeting she had with the boaters and fishermen regarding the future of the bait shop.  The results of the meeting will be presented at the Property Committee meeting on July 8^th at 5 PM.  The fishermen believe that the bait shop was tied into a sportsman grant that was received years ago but Alyce determined after research that the shop was not.  Alyce recommends that every year when the lease comes up that a decision would be made and if there is no one who desires to run a bait shop then it could possibly be a marine center.  It should contain a clause if the business is not successful selling bait that it could not hold the city responsible.

Businesses and Updates:   Alyce mentioned that Marianne’s is closed.  She has sent information to Paula Deen and others to garner interest in this prime location.

Adjourn – Motion to adjourn was made by Ryan with a second by DeLoughy at 10:32 AM. 

_____________________________

Charlie Smith, Secretary

Prepared by Renée Coakley, Executive Assistant