Downtown Development Authority

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES Monday, May 13, 2024 Council Chambers 5:00 PM 70 S. Clayton St, GA 30046 Call to Order Chairman Merritt called the meeting to order at 5:02 pm PRESENT Board Member Jen Young Board Member Joanie Perry Ward Board Member Katrina Fellows Board Member Jeremy Higginbotham arrived at 5:04 pm Board Member Lee Merritt ABSENT Board Member Victoria Jones Board Member Chris Adams Approval of Agenda Motion to approve the agenda made by Board Member Young, Seconded by Board Member Perry Ward. Voting Yea: Board Member Young, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Merritt Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes 1. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes for April 8, 2024 Motion to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes for April 8, 2024 made by Board Member Young, Seconded by Board Member Perry Ward. Voting Yea: Board Member Young, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Merritt 2. Approval of Executive Session Minutes for April 8, 2024 Motion to approve the Executive Session Meeting Minutes for April 8, 2024 made by Board Member Young, Seconded by Board Member Perry Ward. Voting Yea: Board Member Young, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Merritt Downtown Development Business 3. May 2024 Downtown Development Authority Treasurer’s Report Board Member Perry Ward, Treasurer, presented the May 2024 Downtown Development Authority Treasurer's Report to the Board. Motion to approve the May 2024 Downtown Development Authority Treasurer's Report made by Board Member Fellows, Seconded by Board Member Higginbotham. Voting Yea: Board Member Young, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Higginbotham, Board Member Merritt 4. Training for Mainstreet Chairman Merritt reminded the Board to complete their mandatory Mainstreet training. She mentioned that it takes a good bit of time to complete. She said the link for the trainings would be resent via email. The deadline for the training to be completed is July 1st. 5. Downtown Development Authority Law – Legislative Changes Chairman Merritt updated the Board on the new Development Authority Law change that was voted on by the Georgia General Assembly and signed by the Governor. This new legislation requires more training each year for Development Authority members beginning July 1, 2025. Mainstreet Business Jasmine Billings gave the Mainstreet update to the Board. Jasmine is planning on giving a presentation regarding Placer AI later in the summer. We have officially kicked off the event season. Lawrenceville Boogie had over 11,000 attendees and Free Comic Book Day had over 10,000 attendees. Concerts start this Friday. Façade grant update: as of this time we have not received any complete applications. Our acceptance of applications closes on May 31st. Motion to extend the deadline for the façade grant to June 30, 2024 made by Board Member Young, Seconded by Board Member Fellows. Voting Yea: Board Member Young, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Higginbotham, Board Member Merritt Lawrenceville Blooms merchandise is for sale online. We are hoping to extend the mural. They are also planning to host a "Meet the Artist" event. Mainstreet Training - please be sure you complete your mandatory Mainstreet Training Jasmine attended the National Mainstreet Conference in Birmingham, Alabama. She said she learned lots at the event and she is planning on attending the conference next year in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Georgia Downtown Conference is coming up in August in Thomasville. Legacy Leaders applications are open until May 24. Other Business Board Member Perry-Ward gave an update on Honest Alley since she is a part of the Honest Alley activation group. The group recently met to discuss the possible changes to Honest Alley. The funding for the study is from an Atlanta Regional Commission grant. The goal is to make this area more pedestrian friendly. Property owners in the area are a part of this group and the plans are based on the City's Downtown master plan. Part of the focus of the changes in this area would be to make it an arts destination. Currently the First Baptist Church preschool drop off drives through the alley, which is a consideration because it would be affected by the possible plans. They are planning on having a tent set up at the upcoming concert to get public input. Board Member Fellows mentioned that the Board could be registered with the Georgia State Economic Development site to promote our properties. Citizen Comments No Citizen Comments Executive Session - Real Estate Motion to enter into Executive Session made by Board Member Merritt, Seconded by Board Member Fellows. Voting Yea: Board Member Young, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Fellows, 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 Young, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Higginbotham, Board Member Merritt 6 Real Estate Items Discussed: 3 Votes Taken Final Adjournment Motion to adjourn made by Board Member Merritt, Seconded by Board Member Fellows. Voting Yea: Board Member Young, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Fellows, Board Member Higginbotham, Board Member Merritt Minutes Signature _________________________ Lee Merritt, Chairman _________________________ Barry Mock, Secretary