Downtown Development Authority

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Monday, October 12, 2020 Council Assembly Room 6:30 PM 70 S. Clayton St, GA 30046 Call to Order Chairman Merritt called the meeting to order at 6:33 pm after recognizing a quorum. PRESENT Board Member Victoria Jones Board Member Linda Nash Board Member Katrina Fellows Board Member Lee Merritt Board Member Bruce Johnson ABSENT Board Member Jeremy Higginbotham Approval of Agenda Motion to approve the agenda made by Board Member Nash, Seconded by Board Member Jones. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Nash, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Merritt, Board Member Johnson. Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes 1. Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes  Motion to approve minutes from September 14, 2020 Downtown Development Authority Regular Meeting made by Board Member Fellows, Seconded by Board Member Jones. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Nash, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Merritt, Board Member Johnson. Motion to approve minutes from September 14, 2020 Downtown Development Authority Executive Session made by Board Member Fellows, Seconded by Board Member Jones. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Nash, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Merritt, Board Member Johnson. Downtown Development Business 2. Approval of October 2020 Treasurer’s Report Motion to table the October Treasurer's Report until the November 2020 meeting made by Board Member Merritt, Seconded by Board Member Jones. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Nash, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Merritt, Board Member Johnson. 3. Downtown Development Authority Board Appointments Chairman Merritt introduced the newest Downtown Development Authority Board Member, Bruce Johnson. Board Member Johnson gave a brief address to the Board. Chairman Merritt reminded the Board that we are down one Board Member. If anyone they know would be interested the application is online. Chairman Merritt mentioned she would get the requirements for Board Members from the City. 4. Retail Curating Update Board Member Jones gave the process for the Retail Curating project. With the assistance of David Thompson in Planning & Development, they created a Downtown Master Plan Map. The map consists of 19 blocks in the downtown. After working with everyone in brainstorming meetings we have an inventory of what we currently have in downtown and a group of DDA Board members and staff will meet with Ackerman tomorrow to discuss possible ways of moving forward.  Chairman Merritt mentioned that the downtown gained two new restaurants and one new brewery during COVID-19. 5. MARS Summit Chairman Merritt mentioned that the Metro Atlanta Redevelopment Summit (MARS) will be held on Thursday, October 15th from 8 am to 12 pm and it will be virtual. Mainstreet Business No regular Mainstreet business. Chairman Merritt mentioned grants the Board may wish to apply for:  Visionary City Award, we applied last year for the South Lawn project. It has been suggested we wait and apply next year because more of our projects would be up and running in 2021. This is a joint project between Georgia Trend Magazine and the Georgia Municipal Association. They are looking for projects that bring civic engagement, inclusiveness and equality, collaboration, innovation, and long-term value to the community.  Grants through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. o The Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program minimum funding is $500,000. It is a matching grant. Projects like species removal, wildlife habitat acquisition, reservoir enhancement, trail construction, and canoe/kayak launch construction. o Land & Water Conservation Fund is a maximum of $500,000. It is also a matching fund. This would include soccer fields, restroom additions at parks, splash pads, ballfields, parking for ball fields, fencing, and lighting. Other Business Topping Ceremony for the hotel parking deck is on Thursday, October 22nd at 10:30 am. Phase II of the South Lawn Townhomes will be called Urban Square at South Lawn. When completed there will be 17 townhomes. Their prices are $380,000 and above. Citizen Comments No Citizen Comments. Executive Session - Real Estate Motion to enter in to Executive Session made by Board Member Nash, Seconded by Board Member Fellows. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Nash, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Merritt, Board Member Johnson. Motion to adjourn Executive Session made by Board Member Merritt, Seconded by Board Member Jones. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Nash, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Merritt, Board Member Johnson. Report of items discussed in Executive Session: 1 real estate item discussed; 1 vote taken. Final Adjournment Motion to adjourn made by Board Member Fellows, Seconded by Board Member Nash. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Nash, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Merritt, Board Member Johnson. Minutes Signature ___________________ Lee Merritt, Chairman ___________________ Barry Mock, Secretary