August 3, 2009 DDA Meeting Minutes

St. Marys Downtown Development Authority (DDA)

Board Of Directors

Meeting Minutes for August 3, 2009

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

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

Members not Present:  Charlie Smith, Craig Root and Tom Monahan

Guest in attendance:  David Keating; Joint Development Authority (JDA) Director, Mary Neff; Spencer House, Janet Brinko; Director St. Marys Convention & Visitors Bureau

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

Minutes:  Lomis presented the July 6, 2009 meeting minutes.  Natzic requested minor wording change on the Presentation/Beautification section regarding the city sidewalks and also requested that the acronym for DDRLF (Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund) be spelled out.  Ryan requested that the minutes and other items be printed double sided to conserve paper.  The minutes were approved with a motion by Ryan and a second by Natzic.  All were in favor. 

Treasurers Report:  Lomis presented the Profit and Loss or Balance sheets.  Alyce mentioned that the city financials were not ready for the meeting due to a new computer program they are implementing.  The financials were approved with a motion by Natzic and second by DeLoughy.  All were in favor. 

Additions to the Agenda:   Natzic requested that the Greenway/Bike path project be added to the agenda and the agenda was approved by the board.

Business discussion:

Promotions Committee-Location for Community Market:  Alyce mentioned that the market moved to the Pavilion on August 1^st.  The foot traffic for the market tripled and the vendors’ profits increased as well.  The vendors gave away 300 bags of school supplies and received a lot of positive feedback regarding the generosity and the new location.  The vendors are coming up with other ideas for the first weekend of each month that will draw more people to the market.

Design Committee-Community Ordinance:  Citizens Advisory Committee:  Alyce presented the draft ordinance.  She asked the board to provide feedback after reviewing so that she may present the feedback at the upcoming Property Committee meeting.  This ordinance will cover all of St. Marys.  Ryan asked if the ordinance would cover all types of discarded items i.e. barbecue grills.  Alyce asked the board to provide any items that they did not find covered in the draft ordinance to her so that she could mention at the meeting.

Economic Development Committee-SCORE Budget:   Alyce mentioned that she recently visited the Savannah SCORE chapter and learned that they will fund the local branch for another year.  This year’s funding will cover the telephone line for the SCORE office.  DeLoughy mentioned that a speaker at the last council meeting stood up and gave a praise report for the SCORE office.  Learning Seminars:  Alyce mentioned that the office has hosted a few seminars in the past in the large conference room.  The Economic Development committee has initiated a recruitment effort to host more of these seminars in St. Marys.  Renée has researched and located approximately 50 companies to approach to offer the location to host their seminar.  David Keating mentioned that he has a book of lists that covers areas in Florida.  He will lend this book to the DDA for future recruitments.

Greenway/Bike path project:  Natzic mentioned that a resolution has been presented to the city on routes.  The group is trying to move forward on a $100 million grant.  Funding from the grant will aid with the pathways.  Painting for the pathways locally will begin soon and this work will be publicized in the proposal for the grant.  Natzic also mentioned that he has completed more research on the conference room system and may be able to cut the cost down.  Alyce will add this item topic to the October agenda.

DIRECTORS REPORT:

Partnership with JDA:  Alyce mentioned that the JDA is creating an agreement between public and private sectors to work on the mill site in St. Marys.  The public sectors would include the City, the DDA and the JDA.  The private sectors would include the trustee of the mill site.  The intent is to draw other public/private partners.  Currently the partnership does not involve financial commitments.  The partnership will eventually seek federal, state and other funding sources.  The agreement is close to completion and once completed will be given to the city attorney for review.  David mentioned that the window for Federal grants is coming up so the agreement is being formed quickly and hopes to be signed in a couple of weeks.  David will send the proposal electronically for the board to review before the next meeting.

DDRLF Resolution:    Alyce presented the DDRLF draft resolution to the board for Family Matters Counseling.  Alyce mentioned that the highlighted area was for the project number to be added once received from the GA Department of Community Affairs.  Council passed a resolution at their last meeting to allow the city to move forward on this application and the draft resolution the board has is for the DDA to move forward on their part.  Ryan made a motion that Alyce and Lomis be allowed to execute the process for the loan with a second by Natzic.  All were in favor.

Entrance of the Ferry:  Alyce mentioned that the GA trust will be submitting a design concept to the DDA for the entrance to the Cumberland Sound Ferry.

Benches on the Fishing Pier:  Alyce mentioned that the Department of Natural Resources will be writing a letter to allow the bench to be installed at the fishing pier.

Bait Shop:  Alyce mentioned the bait shop will go out for bid as a bait shop or best use facility.     

Bike Racks:  Alyce mentioned the bike racks have been purchased and received.  The Historic Preservation Commission originally approved the racks via email but has decided that they would like to see if the racks fit in the Historic District.

Businesses and Updates:   Alyce mentioned that the chocolate shop that was going to open behind the Cottage Shop in downtown will not be opening now due to the owner moving out of town.  Alyce mentioned the gateway grant that the city did not receive last year will be applied for again this year.  The Department of Transportation will visit the city to determine what may be funded and these areas will be included in the new grant application.  Alyce mentioned that she is soliciting letters of support for the Preserve America designation application.  Alyce mentioned that Cumberland Island was featured in W magazine recently.  Ryan asked Alyce if she would work on pursuing a Green City designation soon.  Alyce mentioned that once the Preserve America project was complete she would begin looking for opportunities with Green City.

Adjourn – Meeting adjourned at 9:45 AM. 

_____________________________

Charlie Smith, Secretary

Prepared by Renée Coakley, Executive Assistant