February 1, 2010 DDA Meeting Minutes

St. Marys Downtown Development Authority (DDA)

Board Of Directors

Meeting Minutes for February 1, 2010

The regular meeting of the St. Marys DDA was called to order by Lomis at 8:58 AM. 

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

Members not Present:  N/A

Guest in attendance:  Paula Amari; Promotions Committee Chair, June Fischer; Economic Development Committee Chair, Joel Hanna; GA Power Kingsland Office, David Brown; GA Power St. Marys Office, Swann Seiler; GA Power Representative, Chris Daniel; Camden County Chamber of Commerce

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

Lomis introduced Swann Seiler the facilitator for this year's annual Planning Session.  He also welcomed the other guests attending the meeting today.

Minutes:  Smith presented the January 4, 2010 meeting minutes.  The minutes were approved with a motion by Root and a second by Monahan.  All were in favor.     

Treasurers Report:  Smith presented the city and the DDA financial reports.  Smith noted one item on the city financials which was payment for the Hay Days volunteer luncheon.  Alyce mentioned that the December financials were not available due to the city implementing its new financial system and continuously working out the kinks.  The financials were approved with a motion by Smith and second by Root.  All were in favor.

Additions to the Agenda:   There were two additions to the agenda.  Ryan added Tree Fund and Film Society.

Business discussion:

Main Street Conference Marketing:  Alyce presented items that she would like to purchase for gift/registration bags for the March conference attendees.  The items that she would like to purchase are reusable grocery bags, pocket hand sanitizers, and bottled water from the local GEM Manufacturing plant.  Alyce also requested funds to purchase flowers to allow the Osprey Cove Garden Club make arrangements for the two receptions that will be held during the three day conference.  The total amount requested was $2500 to be used from the DDA marketing budget account.  Root asked if this event will be advertised in Florida in print and on television since the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) will be opening registration to local Florida cities as well.  Alyce will follow up on advertising in local Florida communities.  Ryan made a motion that Alyce be allowed to spend the $2500 requested toward the Main Street Conference and the motion was second by Root.  All were in favor.

Budget Committee:  Alyce asked the board to appoint the three person committee that will prepare the DDA budget so that it will be ready when the city requests for preparation of the city budget.  Lomis appointed Root, Smith and himself for the committee. 

Business Survey:  Alyce mentioned that David Keating of the Camden Joint Development Authority (JDA) discussed this at the last meeting.  The original bid for this item came from Armstrong University for $20,000.  The College of Coastal GA is willing to complete the survey at a cost of $6800.  The JDA is donating $3000 toward its completion and the Camden Chamber of Commerce is donating $1000.  The group asked the three local Economic Development groups to donate $1000 each.  Alyce asked the board their opinion.  The Economic Development Committee Chair feels that this would not be a good use of funds and that funds raised should be used towards recruiting business to the area.  After discussion motion was made by Natzic to move forward with support on this survey with $500 in kind support and $500 cash max support from the DDA with a second by Ryan.  Three were in favor of the motion and three were not in favor.  Morrissey abstained.  Ryan made a new motion that the DDA support this business survey with $1000 in kind services with a second by Root.  All were in favor. 

Tree Fund:  Ryan asked the status of the funds from the CVS project in midtown St. Marys.  Alyce mentioned that the Tree Board will be meeting this Thursday, February 4^th and would be discussing the median plantings on Osborne Street and some of that funding will be used for that project.

Film Society:  Ryan mentioned that the group voted to change the name to the Coastal Georgia Film Society.  This group will focus on all of Camden County.  She reminded the board that on February 19^th there will be a preview of the screen play Man from Plains at 7 pm in the DDA building.    

Morrissey asked if the JDA has presented their 2010 objectives and asked to determine how they support St. Marys and the DDA.

Adjourn - Meeting adjourned at 9:30 AM with the Strategic Planning Session to follow. 

_____________________________

Charlie Smith, Secretary

Prepared by Renée Coakley, Executive Assistant