Meeting Minutes for March 1, 2010

St. Marys Downtown Development Authority (DDA)

Board Of Directors

Meeting Minutes for March 1, 2010

The regular meeting of the St. Marys DDA was called to order by Lomis at 9:00 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:  Chris Daniel; Camden County Chamber of Commerce, David Keating; Joint Development Authority (JDA) Director, Sidney Howell; Council Member, Janet Brinko; Director St. Marys Convention & Visitors Bureau  

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

Lomis asked all to take a moment of silence in memory of Paula Amari, Promotions Chair.

Minutes:  Smith presented the February 1, 2010 meeting minutes.  The minutes were approved with a motion by Smith and a second by Natzic.  All were in favor.     

Treasurers Report:  Smith presented the city financial reports for December and January and the DDA financial reports.  Smith noted that the board is currently operating under 50% of the budget with five months left in this fiscal year.  The financials were approved with a motion by Smith and second by Morrissey.  All were in favor.

Additions to the Agenda:   Natzic asked that Business Survey discussion be added to the agenda.  Alyce added Graffiti under Design Committee and Wayfinding Assessment Update under the Directors Report.

Business discussion:

Promotions Committee-Cheri Richter:  Alyce mentioned that due to the recent passing of Paula Amari, Cheri Richter who originally was going to co-chair the committee with Paula, will now chair this committee.  Cheri formerly worked with the new comers club and will be a great asset to the committee.

Economic Development Committee-Alcohol Ordinance: Alyce mentioned that the sub-committee is currently working on draft five.  The group is trying to match the ordinance closely to state guidelines.  The new ordinance will be easier to read and understand, will include a map to show how distance will be measured, and will include the different zones created that dictate number of package stores in that area.  The ordinance also discusses an event zone for special events.  The sub-committee will meet again this week with the St. Marys Police Chief in attendance to discuss some concerns he had.  Alyce will email the draft ordinance to the board.   Quick Facts Sheet:  Alyce presented a one page sheet that was created with information on St. Marys.  This information will be used for incoming businesses or recruits to the area.  Alyce will give out the flyer in draft form at the next meeting.  Ryan asked that Alyce include number of sunlight hours on the sheet.     

Design Committee-Tree Board – Median Design:  Alyce presented the plan for the median planting and mentioned that there will not be any lights in the median.  The city is taking the pole lights down and placing them on the sidewalk to match the alternate side of the street.  The Tree Board proposed to use Asiatic Jasmine as a border in the medians and have marked areas to place the larger trees to include:  palms from the Weed Street Plant, Crepe Myrtles and live oaks.  Projected completion date is by the grand opening of the St. Marys Elementary School or before.  Arbor Day Celebration:  Alyce mentioned that the Masons wanted to plant a live oak during a recent celebration they had in downtown.  They have acquired six 15 gallon live oak trees that have been donated and will be planted in various locations.  On National Arbor day, the Future Farmers of America, the Masons and the St. Marys Tree Board will identify locations and plant these trees.  Graffiti:  Alyce mentioned to the board about the recent rash of graffiti that has been popping up all over town.  When it is discovered the property owner is called and asked to remove it so as not to encourage more.  Root mentioned that if a reward is offered for information on who was doing the graffiti it may end sooner.  Root offered $100 donation to get this started.  The board asked Alyce to approach the city to see if the reward for park vandalism could be extended to include the graffiti issue.  Volunteer Program:  Alyce mentioned that the mayor has requested that the board work with the Citizen’s Advisory Board to create a volunteer program.  More information will follow at a later time.

Film Society:  Ryan mentioned that the group held the film screening and it was very well attended.  There were 120+ people in attendance for a casting call that was held and the film makers visited St. Marys on February 26^th and were very impressed with the city, its location and its resources.  The website for the film society is www.coastalgeorgiafilm.org.  Ryan also mentioned the ongoing creation of the database and an upcoming Oscars contest.

Business Survey:  Natzic asked for further clarification on the decision that was made last month in regards to providing funding for the business survey.  Lomis stated that the St. Marys Development Authority donated $500 to offset the cost and the DDA has agreed to $500 in kind services due to current budget standings.  Keating mentioned that this is an academic research project as well as an outreach project that will question business owners about their greatest needs and issues.    

DIRECTORS REPORT:

Planning Session:  Alyce asked the board to review the document received from the facilitator.  The report will be formatted to the style that the board uses and reviewed and adopted at an upcoming meeting.  Alyce will email the work plans to the board for questions or comments.  Alyce mentioned that during the session the Sister City idea was mentioned and she will be visiting Ocracoke, North Carolina in April and will get ideas for that project at that time.

Budget Committee:  Alyce mentioned that the committee will be meeting after the DDA board meeting.    

Main Street Conference Update:  Alyce mentioned that Renée will be going to Cumberland Island today with the caterer, florist and decorator on the park service boat in preparation for the Main Street Conference.  Ryan asked if the trolleys and golf cart will be used for the ghost tour during the conference.  Alyce will check to see if the senior center bus will be available as well.

Cumberland Island Document:  Alyce mentioned that the superintendent presented the document that the board has a copy of at a recent Economic Development Committee meeting.  They are requesting a letter of support for the transportation plan that they are trying to create.  Root made a motion for approval to create a letter of support with a second by Monahan.  All were in favor.

The Big Deal Summit:  Alyce mentioned that the mill site was a property chosen to be represented at this upcoming summit in Atlanta.  Properties were selected with the best redevelopment potential and will be presented on March 24^th.  The JDA and DDA will attend to represent with the property owners.  The board made some suggestions for the site to include:  new location for Altamaha technical college, a resort hotel, housing, and some sort of industrial job site (possible barge company).  The board requested a tour of the mill property in the near future.

Wayfinding Assessment:  Alyce mentioned that the committee has been working with Georgia Department of Transportation for approval of the assessment.  The committee is meeting on March 2^nd due to this approval being received with changes.  Alyce will have the new assessment plan for the board to review at the next meeting.

Businesses and Updates:  Alyce mentioned that the Aerospace Missions Corp sign has been installed and the grand opening will be coordinated with Jack Kingston’s schedule.  The company is also working out some internet issues they are having.  Alyce mentioned that Councilman Morrissey will be attending DDA training in March.  Alyce mentioned that at the planning session it was requested that the JDA attend a board meeting and update the board on their goals and objectives for the upcoming year.  Keating will give that synopsis at the April board meeting.  Brinko mentioned the bike ride across Georgia that occurred two weeks ago that brought in a large group of riders to the community.  They enjoyed their stay and plan to come back to St. Marys in February next year.

Adjourn – Meeting adjourned at 10:30 AM with a motion by Ryan and second by Root.  All were in favor.

_____________________________

Charlie Smith, Secretary

Prepared by Renée Coakley, Executive Assistant