Downtown Development Authority

ROME DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY June 9, 2022 Carnegie 607 Broad Street MEETING MINUTES Quick called the meeting to order at 8:35 am and welcomed members, city staff and guests. Members present: David Prusakowski, Tayesha Lytle, Megan Watters, Elaine Abercrombie, Randy Quick, and Kelli Duncan. City staff present: Aundi Lesley, Megan Otwell, Julia Harris, Kelley Parker. Other: Phil Burkhalter, Jerry Rucker, Olivia Morley. ACTION Check Presentation – Jerry Rucker and Phil Burkhalter presented the DDA with a check for $5,000 from the Christmas Parade Committee. Approve May 2022 Minutes - Abercrombie made a motion to approve with a second from Watters. All were in favor. Approve BID Financials – Abercrombie made a motion to approve with a second from Watters. All were in favor. Updated Sidewalk Permit – Otwell reviewed the updated sidewalk permit and updates that have been done. Lesley mentioned this is to streamline the process and create a standard. If a business would like to go against the standard, they can apply to the Design Committee for a variance. Lytle asked about businesses being grandfathered in. Anything current would be, but any changes would have to be up to the new permit standard. Abercrombie suggested everyone have a fence due to tables being pushed further away from the façade. Clarification on being grandfathered in will be added to the application. Lesley stated the businesses should be aware that is part of their process, but it is something to keep an eye on. A motion to approve with specified changes and send to the City Commission as a new ordinance was made by Duncan with a second by Watters. All were in favor. DISCUSSION Downtown Christmas Decorations – Watters has called Magnum about replacing the tree wrap lights. There are also string lights being donated from the Christmas Parade Committee. Otwell went over possible Christmas décor items and quotes she had received. Otwell added the Christmas sprays, bows, and overhead lights for the intersections could all be possibilities. Lesley added the Design Committee would like to focus on Broad Street, first. The company also has a leasing option that could be more affordable. Lesley added several corporations are looking to sponsor things downtown, and this could be a great opportunity. Parker suggested reaching out to International Paper and Ball Corporation. Otwell also suggested using the ornaments for sponsorships to decorate all of downtown with. Committee Reports – • Business Development – The marketing grant is open and will close July 1. The committee will vote July 12 before the Board meeting • Design – The last amendment for gateway is being worked on. Lytle asked when the goal to have it final is and Lesley responded to start building in 2022 and likely finalized in 2023. Abercrombie and Prusakowski suggested having the names of the seven hills, possibly on a plaque on the brickwork at the bottom. Lesley also stated the wayfinding has been turned into purchasing two weeks ago and hi-tech is ready to move. Staff Reports – • Lesley noted the county is putting changing stations in the parking deck bathrooms. She also added we will have more porta-potties at First Fridays in the future. • Harris noted she can see that signage is an issue in the parking decks and there is a need to make it more consistent. That is something she will be working on. She also added that a movie production will be happening in the Cotton Block the week of June 20th. Respectfully Submitted, Megan Otwell Pg 1 of 1