Downtown Development Authority

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES Monday, June 09, 2025 Council Chambers 5:00 PM 70 S. Clayton St, GA 30046 Call to Order Chairman Lee Merritt called the meeting to order at 5:03 pm after recognizing a quorum. PRESENT Board Member Victoria Jones Board Member Jen Young Board Member Joanie Perry Ward Board Member Jim Nash Board Member Chris Adams Board Member Lee Merritt ABSENT Board Member Jeremy Higginbotham Approval of Agenda Motion to approve the agenda made by Board Member Young, Seconded by Board Member Jones. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Young, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Nash, Board Member Adams, Board Member Merritt Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes 1. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes for February 10, 2025 Motion to approve the Downtown Development Authority Regular Meeting Minutes for February 10, 2025 made by Board Member Adams, Seconded by Board Member Perry Ward. Voting Yea: Board Member Young, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Nash, Board Member Adams, Board Member Merritt, Board Member Jones 2. Approval of Executive Session Minutes for February 10, 2025 Motion to approve the Downtown Development Authority Executive Session Minutes for February 10, 2025 made by Board Member Adams, Seconded by Board Member Perry Ward. Voting Yea: Board Member Young, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Nash, Board Member Adams, Board Member Merritt, Board Member Jones 3. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes for March 10, 2025 Motion to approve the Downtown Development Authority Regular Meeting Minutes for March 10, 2025 made by Board Member Adams, Seconded by Board Member Perry Ward. Voting Yea: Board Member Young, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Nash, Board Member Adams, Board Member Merritt Voting Abstaining: Board Member Jones 4. Approval of Executive Session Minutes for March 10, 2025 Motion to approve the Downtown Development Authority Executive Session Minutes for March 10, 2025 made by Board Member Adams, Seconded by Board Member Perry Ward. Voting Yea: Board Member Young, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Nash, Board Member Adams, Board Member Merritt Voting Abstaining: Board Member Jones  5. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes for April 21, 2025 Motion to approve the Downtown Development Authority Regular Meeting Minutes for April 21, 2025 made by Board Member Adams, Seconded by Board Member Young. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Young, Board Member Nash, Board Member Adams, Board Member Merritt Voting Abstaining: Board Member Perry Ward 6. Approval of Executive Session Minutes for April 21, 2025 Motion to approve the Downtown Development Authority Executive Session Minutes for April 21, 2025 made by Board Member Adams, Seconded by Board Member Young. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Young, Board Member Nash, Board Member Adams, Board Member Merritt Voting Abstaining: Board Member Perry Ward Downtown Development Business 7. May 2025 Downtown Development Authority Treasurer’s Report Board Member Joanie Perry Ward, Treasurer presented the May 2025 Downtown Development Authority Treasurer's Report to the Board. Motion to approve the May 2025 Downtown Development Authority Treasurer’s Report made by Board Member Jones, Seconded by Board Member Nash. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Young, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Nash, Board Member Adams, Board Member Merritt 8. Retail Curating Board Member Jen Young and Jasmine Jackson, Mainstreet Director, gave a presentation regarding retail curating. Chairman Merritt mentioned that she met the owner of Terra Alma. Their company does retail curating. They recruit businesses, educate landlords, and access the needs of the community. They also work with developers regarding mixed use developments and they  specialize in locally owned businesses. They are putting together a proposal to bring to the Board. 9. Hotel Amendment to Adopt Competitive Set Motion to table the Hotel Amendment to Adopt Competitive Set until August 2025 made by Board Member Merritt, Seconded by Board Member Young. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Young, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Nash, Board Member Adams, Board Member Merritt 10. Chairman and Treasurer Training – 2025 Peer Redevelopment Tour Chairman Merritt presented the request for she and Board Member Perry Ward to attend Partnership Gwinnett's Peer Redevelopment Tour to Charleston, South Carolina. This is an item that is in the budget for two officers to attend this event. The amount is $2,399.60. Motion to approve for two of the Downtown Development Authority officers to attend the Partnership Gwinnett Peer Redevelopment Tour to Charleston, South Carolina in the amount of $2,399.60 made by Board Member Jones, Seconded by Board Member Adams. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Young, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Nash, Board Member Adams, Board Member Merritt 11. $1M Intergovernmental Agreement Account Update Chairman Merritt gave the $1M Intergovernmental Agreement Account Update to the Board. Mainstreet Business Mrs. Jasmine Jackson, Mainstreet Director, gave the Mainstreet Update to the Board. Facade Grant - Beren's Custard is about to open their store in downtown Lawrenceville. Mr. Mark Beren came and spoke to the Board about their business and their request for the facade grant. They are requesting $2,500 to make some updates to the facade of the building. Board Member Adams said this is exactly what a facade grant should cover. Motion to approve the Facade Grant request for Beren's Custard in the amount of $2,500 made by Board Member Adams, Seconded by Board Member Jones. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Young, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Nash, Board Member Adams, Board Member Merritt 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 Adams. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Young, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Nash, Board Member Adams, Board Member Merritt Motion to exit Executive Session made by Board Member Merritt, Seconded by Board Member Young. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Young, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Nash, Board Member Adams, Board Member Merritt 2 Real Estate Items Discussed: 2 Votes Taken Final Adjournment Motion to adjourn the meeting made by Board Member Jones, Seconded by Board Member Adams. Voting Yea: Board Member Jones, Board Member Young, Board Member Perry Ward, Board Member Nash, Board Member Adams, Board Member Merritt Minutes Signature _________________________ Lee Merritt, Chairman _________________________ Barry Mock, Secretary