Economic Development Commission

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (EDC) TOWN OF MOUNT AIRY Minutes of 05/28/2014 Meeting Attendees: Andrew Williamson - Chairman Frank Dertzbaugh Michael VanSant James Linton Bill McCullough Absent: Chrissy Jongezoon Dan Curtis Scott Strong, Council Liaison Also attending were Bob King, Town Council member, Melissa Hoyle, Town Staff, Bill Butts, Chairman Planning and Zoning Commissioner, and J.A. Burke, Messenger staff. 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. at Mount Airy Town Hall. 2. Minutes for the EDC meeting of 28 May 2014 were reviewed and approved. 3. Melissa Hoyle’s Economic Development Staff Report for March 2014 provided a summary of upcoming events for the period May 21 to July 21 2014 within Mount Airy. She provided current budget expenditures as of 28 May 2014 and reported budget totals approved as part of the 2015 Mount Airy related to activities related to promoting the town of Mount Airy. She also reported on staff projects on-going. One activity involves the Mount Airy APP in which the town is investigating involves purchasing a window cling to be made available for dissemination to local businesses. Estimated cost for the printing of 100 clings is $250.00. EDC commission members support the purchases and voted to approve $250.00 for the printing of 100 window clings. Melissa Hoyle also reported a grant is in the works for $47,500 to help offset the cost of restoration of a caboose to be located in Mount Airy. This led to a discussion about the appropriate location of the restored caboose, with several members suggesting location in Watkins Park area might be most appropriate from a visibility standpoint. 4. Bill Butts, Chairman of Planning and Zoning Commission and Andrew Williamson, Chairman of Economic Development Commission reminded EDC members of a joint meeting/exchange among town commission members on 17 June 2014 to share goals and priority projects for the next year. The meeting will be held at Laurienzo’s downtown. Discussion centered on commission members participation and discussion items for EDC at the meeting. EDC Chairman Andrew Williamson will identify the following items being discussed at EDC monthly meetings at this exchange:  Feasibility of Wi-Fi for Mount Airy Sign Ordinance for Mount Airy Promotional Materials Discussion Parking Alternatives Discussion Ideas for the Development of Center Street Joint Meeting with Commissions 5. Discussion continued between EDC commission members regarding how to approach and recognize parking needs of Mount Airy downtown. 6. Need for a Center Street concept was discussed and will be a continuing item for discussion at future EDC meetings. Focus during the discussion is that Center Street has been in planning for Mount Airy for a long time and should be addressed for resolution. 7. EDC members were advised the Town Council will be tabling the Sign Ordinance until review and passing of the Town Master Plan update is completed. 8. Members were reminded that an annual report to the Town Council is due prior to July and will be presented to commission members for review at the next meeting. 9. The next EDC meeting is scheduled for 25 June 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at the Green Turtle (Deck). 10. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m. Minutes reviewed and approved with name correction in paragraph 4 on 25 June 2014