Downtown Development Authority

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES Monday, August 14, 2023 Council Assembly Room 5:00 PM 70 S. Clayton St, GA 30046 Call to Order Chairman Merritt called the meeting to order at 5 pm after recognizing a quorum. PRESENT Board Member Victoria Jones Board Member Bruce Johnson Board Member Joanie Perry Ward Board Member Katrina Fellows Board Member Chris Adams Board Member Jeremy Higginbotham Board Member Lee Merritt Approval of Agenda Motion to approve the agenda made by Board Member Jones, Seconded by Board Member Fellows. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Johnson, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Adams, Board Member Higginbotham, Board Member Merritt Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes 1. Approval of Special Call Minutes for May 16, 2023 Motion to approve the Special Call Minutes for May 16, 2023 made by Board Member Jones, Seconded by Board Member Johnson.  Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Johnson, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Adams, Board Member Higginbotham, Board Member Merritt 2. Approval of Executive Session Minutes for May 16, 2023 Motion to approve the Executive Session Minutes for May 16, 2023 made by Board Member Jones, Seconded by Board Member Johnson. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Johnson, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Adams, Board Member Higginbotham, Board Member Merritt 3. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes for July 10, 2023 Motion to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes for July 10, 2023 made by Board Member Jones, Seconded by Board Member Johnson. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Johnson, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Adams, Board Member Higginbotham, Board Member Merritt 4. Approval of Executive Session Minutes for July 10, 2023 Motion to approve the Executive Session Minutes for July 10, 2023 made by Board Member Jones, Seconded by Board Member Johnson. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Johnson, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Adams, Board Member Higginbotham, Board Member Merritt Downtown Development Business 5. August 2023 Treasurer’s Report Motion to approve the August 2023 Treasurer's Report made by Board Member Perry Ward, Seconded by Board Member Johnson. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Johnson, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Adams, Board Member Higginbotham, Board Member Merritt 6. Intergovernmental Agreement with City of Lawrenceville – 92 South Clayton Street Chairman Merritt presented the Board with an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Board and the City of Lawrenceville for 92 South Clayton Street. The Intergovernmental Agreement is for the City of Lawrenceville to move the 92 South Clayton Street property to the Downtown Development Authority. The Downtown Development Authority would be able to sell the property with all proceeds, except expenses incurred by the Downtown Development Authority, to the City of Lawrenceville. Motion to accept the Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Lawrenceville for 92 South Clayton Street made by Board Member Fellows, Seconded by Board Member Higginbotham. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Johnson, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Adams, Board Member Higginbotham, Board Member Merritt 7. Proposal for Conceptual Development Plan from Precision Planning Chairman Merritt presented a proposal from Precision Planning to do a Conceptual Development Plan for property located along Collins Industrial Way, east of Treecreek Parkway in Lawrenceville (Tax Parcel 7010-010) in the amount of $5,171.99. This property is 17.49 acres, but since part of it is wetlands and part of it has an easement for the Colonial Pipeline only roughly 5-6 acres may be used for development. Motion to accept the proposal from Precision Planning to do a Conceptual Development Plan for the property located along Collins Industrial Way, east of Treecreek Parkway in Lawrenceville (Tax Parcel 7010-010) in the amount of $5,171.99 made by Board Member Higginbotham, Seconded by Board Member Perry Ward. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Johnson, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Higginbotham, Board Member Merritt Voting Abstaining: Board Member Adams 8. Discussion Regarding Roof at 130 South Clayton Street Mr. Barry Mock said that recent storms have started blowing off parts of the roof at the property located at 130 South Clayton Street. Barry will begin requesting quotes for repairing or replacing the roof.  9. State Small Business Credit Initiative Loan Program Chairman Merritt shared the application on the Georgia Department of Community Affairs State Small Business Credit Initiative through the Treasury Department with the Board. This opportunity is for owner operated businesses for up to $1.2M, 50% of the loan must come from a bank, the other 50% would be through this opportunity. There is a 3.5% interest rate for the loan. The property must be commercial not residential. This would be a great way to renovate or build a new building. Mainstreet Business Jasmine Billings, Director, Community & Economic Development gave the Mainstreet update to the Board. Gwinnett County has made a small business grant available for businesses that were negatively impacted from COVID. The amount they are able to apply for is between $3,000-$15,000. The information can be found on the Gwinnett County website. Facade grant for this year is completed. Arts Commission is hosting a community mural project. The mural will be painted on a wall on Jackson Street below the Post Office. There are two dates that community members are able to help paint. Truck & Tap is open Scrumdiddlyumptious is now selling alcohol so they are staying open later. Honest Alley - study has not happened as of yet, but the details are being worked through Other Business No Other Business Citizen Comments No Citizen Comments Executive Session - Real Estate Motion to enter into Executive Session made by Board Member Merritt, Seconded by Board Member Higginbotham. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Johnson, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Adams, Board Member Higginbotham, Board Member Merritt Motion to exit Executive Session made by Board Member Merritt, Seconded by Board Member Fellows. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Johnson, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Adams, Board Member Higginbotham, Board Member Merritt 7 Real Estate Items Discussed: 2 Votes Taken Final Adjournment Motion to adjourn made by Board Member Higginbotham, Seconded by Board Member Adams. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Johnson, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Adams, Board Member Higginbotham, Board Member Merritt Minutes Signature _________________________ Lee Merritt, Chairman _________________________ Barry Mock, Secretary