Meeting Minutes for May 3, 2010

St. Marys Downtown Development Authority (DDA)

Board Of Directors

Meeting Minutes for May 3, 2010

The regular meeting of the St. Marys DDA was called to order by Natzic at 9:01 AM. 

Members Present: Tom Monahan, John Morrissey, Charlie Smith, Barbara Ryan, and Walt Natzic

Members not Present:  Jim Lomis, and Craig Root

Guest in attendance:  Cheri Richter; Chairman Promotions Committee, Chris Daniel; Director Camden Chamber of Commerce

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

Minutes:  Natzic presented the April 5, 2010 meeting minutes.  The minutes were approved with a motion by Monahan and a second by Ryan.  All were in favor.     

Treasurers Report:  Renée pointed out an incorrect charge on the city financial reports that will be corrected by next month.  The reports were reviewed and approved with a motion by Morrissey and second by Monahan.  All were in favor.

Additions to the Agenda:   Ryan added Great American Cleanup to the agenda after the Film Society update.  Natzic added Washington Fly In to the agenda after the Directors Report.

Business discussion:

Promotions Committee:  Alyce introduced Cheri to the board.  Minutes and Projects:  Cheri updated the board on some items she is working on.  She recently made a presentation to the Art League about Wet Paint which is a weekend event where artists create paintings and then auction them off.  The Art League is considering the idea and this could ultimately be a spring event for the city.  Cheri also spoke with the St. Marys Garden club about the possibility of having a flower show and attracting state garden club delegates.  She will also meet with other local garden groups to present this idea.  Cheri will be meeting with the Airport Authority on May 3^rd to discuss "fly in packages" and the Wings over Camden program that used to exist.  She will report back to the board in the future.  Cheri also discussed her monthly coffee that she has created with the downtown merchants which meet at Cedar Oak Café at 9 AM.  Country in the Park:   Cheri mentioned that this event was attended by over 300 people and was a great success.

Economic Development Committee-Alcohol Ordinance: Alyce mentioned that the ordinance was approved by council to move forward to the city attorney for recommendations.  Once feedback from the attorney is received, there will be public hearings held.     

Design Committee:  Alyce mentioned that the tree protection ordinance and design guidelines are being reviewed.  She asked the board to review the guidelines coversheet that she created which was requested from council for future documents of this type.  The board will supply Alyce with feedback before it goes to council.  If approved, the Design Guidelines will be referenced in the ordinance to aid future constructions.  Alyce will email the document to the board in order to receive feedback.  National Arbor Day:  Alyce mentioned that six trees were planted on Friday, April 30^th in observance of National Arbor Day.  The Orange Hall site was chosen to utilize the sprinkler system that has been installed.  The last tree planted, which is in a city right of way, will be watered by the homeowner on that lot.  Ryan mentioned that the Earthkeepers will be planting trees that were donated to them by the cemetery wall and the group will be responsible for watering.  Recommendation was made that more trees be planted in the park for shade and Alyce will add this to the upcoming Tree board agenda.     

Film Society:  Ryan mentioned that St. Marys was chosen for the production of the film Eye of the Hurricane.  Filming should begin in August.  To view information about the upcoming film visit www.havensfoot.com.

Great American Clean Up:  Ryan mentioned that the clean-up will be Saturday, May 10^th and is co-sponsored by Keep Camden Beautiful from the Chamber of Commerce.  Volunteers can meet at the Waterfront park at 8 AM.

Nominating Committee: Ryan mentioned that the committee recommends that the positions remain the same.  Motion was made for Lomis to remain Chairman, Natzic to remain Vice-Chair and Smith to remain Secretary/Treasurer for the upcoming year by Ryan and second by Morrissey.  All were in favor.

DIRECTORS REPORT:

Habitat & History:  Alyce mentioned that this group will have a two week camp beginning this month in the old senior center location.

Farnborough Air Show:  Alyce mentioned that the Development Authority co-sponsored this event with Aerospace Missions Corporation.  This opportunity to be represented at the air show will aid in the creating of an aerospace corridor along the southeast coast of Georgia.    

Welcome Gift at Council:  Alyce presented one of the welcome gifts that was created and presented to the newest businesses in St. Marys.  The framed city seal will be given out to new businesses and other businesses that fall in the criteria that the DDA has lined out.  Alyce will create a document and present at the next board meeting highlighting the criteria.  Some of the instances discussed were businesses with "landmarks", new businesses, etc.

Issues Breakfast:  Alyce mentioned that September may be the month to hold this informational session that will present work plans for the upcoming year to the city, council and visitors.  This item will be on next month's agenda to allow Lomis to present his ideas for this breakfast.

Employee Incentive Program (EIP):  Alyce mentioned that she will be travelling to Alma, GA on May 4^th to attend a meeting regarding this grant.

City Website:  Alyce mentioned that the city is receiving bids for the city website upgrade.

DDA Property:  Alyce mentioned that she was approached by a local realtor regarding the DDA property on Norris Street.  The agent is listing adjacent properties and is interested in incorporating the DDA property in the listing under a Non Exclusive Sellers listing agreement.  Alyce asked the board if they felt that this should be explored.  This would incur a 10% commission fee to whichever realty company sold the property.  There would not be a listing fee.  Motion was made by Monahan for Alyce to get more information on the Non Exclusive Sellers listing agreement and report back next month with a second by Morrissey.  Ryan requested to send out the property info for both properties owned by the DDA to all local realtors.  All were in favor of the vote and suggestion.

Environmental Protection Act Revolving Loan Fund (EPA RLF) application:  This was applied for jointly with the Joint Development Authority and was not funded this year.

Budget:  Alyce mentioned that each department was asked to remove another 3.5% from their budget.  The DDA removed some of that funding from advertising.

Businesses and Updates:  Alyce mentioned that the owner of the old Napa Auto parts building has some ideas for that location.  More details will come next month.

Monahan and Morrissey left the meeting.

Washington Fly In:  Natzic mentioned that the fly in was very successful.  Thirty four issue areas were presented.  The group visited several offices to include the Pentagon, Navy League, National Park Service and more.  On May 20^th a debriefing of the trip will be given at a breakfast to representatives from the naval base, city councils, city mayors, the school board and more.

Ryan left the meeting.

Adjourn - Meeting adjourned at 10:19 AM.

_____________________________

Charlie Smith, Secretary

Prepared by Renée Coakley, Executive Assistant