Downtown Development Authority

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Monday, June 14, 2021 Council Assembly Room 6:30 PM 70 S. Clayton St, GA 30046 Call to Order Chairman Merritt called the meeting to order at 6:34 pm after recognizing a quorum. PRESENT Board Member Victoria Jones Board Member Joanie Perry Ward Board Member Katrina Fellows Board Member Lee Merritt ABSENT Board Member Bruce Johnson Board Member Jeremy Higginbotham Approval of Agenda Motion to approve the agenda made by Board Member Fellows, Seconded by Board Member Jones. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Merritt Downtown Development Business 1. Approval of June 2021 Treasurer’s Report Treasurer, Board Member Fellows reviewed the June 2021 Treasurer's Report with the Board. Motion to approve the June 2021 Treasurer's Report made by Board Member Perry Ward, Seconded by Board Member Jones.  Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Merritt 2. Sponsor MARS Summit Chairman Merritt reminded the Board that they have been a sponsor for the Partnership Gwinnett Metro Atlanta Redevelopment Summit (MARS) in the past. The sponsorship amount that we typically do is $2,500. Motion to contribute $2,500 for a sponsorship to the MARS Summit made by Board Member Perry Ward, Seconded by Board Member Jones. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Merritt Mainstreet Business Jasmine Billings gave the Mainstreet update. Georgia Downtown Conference - currently confirming we are members. City leaders come together and discuss what works and doesn't work. This was supposed to happen last year, but no one was able to attend. Mainstreet has received their accreditation. This is quite an extensive process, but it is helpful to the City and to the downtown businesses for us to have this accreditation. This will allow us to have access to various grants, programs, and workshops that we can offer our downtown. This is very exciting. Other Business Another opportunity is for the Georgia Downtown Association's Georgia Downtown Conference and it is being held in Young Harris and Brasstown Valley Resort on August 16-20. Chairman Merritt encouraged Board members to attend if they are able to, she attended in 2017 when it was held in Columbus. Board Member Jones mentioned she is interested. Board Member Jones congratulated Jasmine on being nominated for the 35 under 35. Paula Foil also mentioned that Jasmine was also nominated for a Moxie Award with the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. Citizen Comments No citizen comments. Executive Session - Real Estate Motion to move into Executive Session made by Board Member Jones, Seconded by Board Member Fellows. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Merritt Motion to move out of Executive Session made by Board Member Merritt, Seconded by Board Member Fellows. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Merritt Report of items discussed in Executive Session: 7 real estate items discussed; 0 votes taken. Final Adjournment Motion to adjourn made by Board Member Fellows, Seconded by Board Member Perry Ward. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Merritt Minutes Signature ___________________ Lee Merritt, Chairman ___________________ Barry Mock, Secretary