DDA Board Meeting Minutes of Sept 8, 2009

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

St. Marys Downtown Development Authority (DDA)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Meeting Minutes for September 8, 2009

Members Present: Charlie Smith, Craig Root, Tom Monahan, Bill Deloughy and Barbara Ryan

Members not Present: Jim Lomis and Walt Natzic

Guest in attendance: David Keating; Joint Development Authority (JDA) Director, Alan NeSmith; Tribune & Georgian, Hal Weathers; St. Marys Tourism Representative, Paula Amari; Promotions Committee Chair

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

Minutes: Smith presented the August 3, 2009 meeting minutes. The minutes were approved with a motion by Root and a second by DeLoughy. All were in favor.

Treasurers Report: Smith presented the June and July city treasurers reports. Smith commended the department and the board on ending the fiscal year at 85% of the approved budget. The financials were approved with a motion by Ryan and second by DeLoughy. All were in favor.

Presentation to Tribune and Georgian: Smith thanked Alan NeSmith and the Tribune and Georgian for allowing the St. Marys DDA to house the formation of the St. Marys Community Market in front of their business on Saturday mornings since its beginning. NeSmith was presented with framed pictures from the market as a thank you.

Treasurers Report (continued): It was noted that the DDA Profit & Loss and Balance sheets were not approved during the treasurer's report. These additional statements were approved with a motion by Root and a second by DeLoughy. All were in favor.

Additions to the Agenda: Ryan requested to add Film Society to the agenda before the Directors Report.

BUSINESS DISCUSSION:

Special Events alcohol ordinance: Hal Weathers addressed the board regarding the Tourisms decision to address the special events alcohol ordinance. The Tourism board will be addressing this issue due to local events that limit participation because of stipulations on alcohol consumption at outdoor events. Hal asked the DDA board if they would be in agreement to endorse a letter that he will be writing on behalf of the Tourism board addressing this issue or if the DDA board would prefer to write a letter and address the issue as well. Hal will forward the letter to Alyce once created and she will forward to the DDA board for review. The board decided that the Economic Development Committee should research this in conjunction with the research that was performed for the previous alcohol ordinance that pertained to restaurants in the DDA boundaries and report back to the DDA.

Agreement with Joint Development Authority (JDA): David Keating discussed the prepared agreement that was emailed to the DDA board. The intent of the agreement is to push the mill project in the direction it needs to go. The proposal is for a public/private partnership. The private partner would be Durango and the public partners would be the JDA, DDA, and potentially others as the agreement progresses. Future private partners could also be landowners at the site.

Smith left the meeting.

No party delegates their authority or power to the other. This proposal creates a working relationship to push the implementation of a project forward. Item 3.3 of the agreement discusses that the estate owns the land and the public partners are there only to assist in the project. Item 4 lists the private partner's responsibilities. The estate is to create new redevelopment plans and will do in consultation with public partners. The estate is asked to obtain a feasibility study and marketing for the project. Section 5 states that the DDA and JDA will be the liaison for the project with the city, county, state and federal government. The public partners will make aware of incentives for infrastructure and facilities. This agreement does not obligate anyone to financing, but this will be explored and presented when the opportunity presents. Keating mentioned that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has grants available for cleanup of properties. A revolving loan grant fund could offer this project approximately 2 million dollars in funding with a 20% match. The board agreed to vote on this agreement at the October meeting due to the absence of several members. Ryan did make a motion to approve the grant portion of the agreement to begin the process of this proposal with a second by DeLoughy. All were in favor. The board asked Alyce to have Attorney Charlie Smith review the documents. Alyce will conduct a teleconference with Lomis and Root to discuss any further details.

Promotions Committee-Website stats: Paula compared the August 2008 and 2009 website statistics and determined that the St. Marys Scoop which is sent out on Thursdays causes an increase of traffic on that day. There is a noticeable increase of traffic due to the revised website from 2008 to 2009. The Big Read: Paula mentioned that the Golden Isles Arts Council and the St. Marys Library will be featuring Edgar Allen Poe this year and will host events in St. Marys in conjunction with Hay Days. The group will have information at the upcoming Rock Shrimp festival and will promote the Big Read during the Scarecrow Stroll and Build a Scarecrow. Arts Eats and Antiques: Paula mentioned that the second edition of Arts Eats and Antiques will begin printing this week.

Design Committee-Citizens Advisory Committee: Alyce mentioned that the committee had their first meeting. Peggy Hollis from the Design Committee is the chair for the Citizens Advisory Committee. Bike Racks: Alyce mentioned that the bike racks and locations have been approved by Historic Preservation and should be installed in a few weeks.

Economic Development Committee- Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Class and shop local campaign: Alyce mentioned that the SBDC in conjunction with SCORE will be having a seminar on September 8th at the DDA building. The class is entitled Small Business Success Strategies for Tough Times. The Camden County Chamber of Commerce will introduce their Pick 3 Campaign for shopping local. SCORE Goals: Alyce mentioned that the goals will be presented at the next DDA board meeting.

Film Society: Ryan mentioned that the Amelia Island film festival would like to introduce St. Marys in some of their upcoming series and was interested if St. Marys had a film society. Alyce mentioned that there are two local residents who are working on a film commission. Alyce will share their emails with Ryan to coordinate this effort.

DIRECTORS REPORT:

Bait Shop/fishing promotion: Alyce mentioned that the status of the bait shop is still up in the air. The outcome from the meetings with the fishermen and boaters resulted in the possible creation of a website that will provide information to resident and visiting fishers and boaters.

Employee Incentive Program (EIP) Grant: Alyce mentioned that the paperwork is with Gateway Employee Management (GEM) and should be returned back to the DDA this week.

Conference Room, federal designation: Alyce mentioned that First Coast Maritime LLC recently held a licensing class in the DDA building. After completion of the course the Captain had the DDA conference room designated as a federal teaching facility.

Downtown Biz coupons and St. Marys Elementary School (SMES): Alyce mentioned that SMES has been having traffic issues with the construction of the new school. The Design Committee instituted an idea to hand out coupons from downtown businesses to the parents waiting in line to pick up their children. Market on the Square was the first business to agree to the promotion and since its success; other businesses will now be approached with the idea.

Gateway Grant: Alyce mentioned that applications for this year's grant are out and the city will try to address an area in St. Marys that may qualify for the grant. One area to be considered is St. Marys road at the highway 40 intersection. There will be no median projects considered this year for the grant.

Power of Greenspace Seminar: Alyce mentioned the recent seminar that was held in the DDA building and well attended by local residents and business owners.

Preserve America: Alyce mentioned that the deadline was met for this application to be received. If this designation is awarded to St. Marys it will offer more future incentives for grant opportunities.

Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) annual Conference: Alyce mentioned that this conference will be held in Savannah September 16-18 and she will be attending on the 16th and 17th.

Grant Writing USA Workshop: Alyce mentioned that she recently attended this workshop that the St. Marys Police Department offered. She was offered a spot in the workshop at no cost to the city.

Visitors from the Leukemia Ball auction item: Alyce mentioned that the recipients from the auction were in town recently and stayed at Emma's Bed & Breakfast & Greyfield Inn. The guests were offered the use of the DDA golf cart and mentioned that they greatly enjoyed their stay in St. Marys.

Businesses and Updates: Alyce shared the design that GA Trust had completed for the new Family Matters location. The design idea presented was more contemporary than the owners were looking for and Alyce will have the design team come up with something a little more traditional. Alyce also mentioned that Family Matters was awarded $210,000 from the Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund (DDRLF). The business is also looking at Coastal Area District Development Authority (CADDA) funding before they make a decision. Alyce mentioned that Nancy Cobb will be visiting from One Georgia in September to discuss the Marianne Sterling's property and opportunities for this location. Alyce mentioned an opportunity for the city to receive an intern from Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah. The Camden County Chamber of Commerce is conducting a survey of the businesses to see what the needs are and where this intern would be best utilized.

Adjourn - Meeting adjourned at 10:25 AM with a motion by Ryan and second by DeLoughy.

_____________________________
Charlie Smith, Secretary
Prepared by Renée Coakley, Executive Assistant