Smyrna Slum Clearance and Redevelopment Authority

Smyrna Slum Clearance and Redevelopment Authority Committee Conference Room- Smyrna Town Hall 27 S. Market Street, Smyrna, DE 19977 July 25, 2024 at 6 pm Minutes Call to Order- David Thomas Attendance- David Thomas, Sharon Wright, Fred Schaber, and Rick Horsey Recognition of Visitors- No visitors Minutes of April 25, 2024- pages 3-5 Minutes were sent out prior to the meeting and included in meeting notes. There were no changes to the minutes. Sharon made a motion to approve the minutes and it was seconded by Fred Schaber. Motion #2024-016 was approved. Financial report May- June 30,2024- pages 6-11 Smyrna Slum Clearance checking account balance May $37,757.66 June $37,757.66 Smyrna Slum Clearance Money Market account balance May $101,149.17 June $101,490.42 USDA account balance May $182,873.75 June $35,544.69 To do: Rick emailed Jeremy Rothwell and Lorenzo from True Access Capital for a signed copy of the Pawley loan documents for RDA records and to send a copy to Barrett Edwards. To do: Sharon will contact the finance department to ask why Yard Maven is still making payments on their loan when loan activity balance reads 0. Motion- Fred Schaber made a motion to accept the financial report and it was seconded by Sharon Wright. Motion #2024-017 was approved. Jeramy Rothwell Report- no report Façade Grants- Loans- Review Mission and Goals- The Smyrna Slum Clearance and Redevelopment Authority Mission Statement & Guiding Principles- “Mission of the Smyrna Slum Clearance and Redevelopment Authority is to:  Facilitate commercial, industrial, and residential redevelopment,  Promote economic development, homeownership, and rehabilitation,   Eradicate blighted and distressed properties within the Town of Smyrna per the mandates and authority of Title 31, Chapter 45 of the Delaware Code. Guiding Principles-  Be Trustworthy- our words and deeds must be in harmony Be Transparent- no hidden agendas  Show Mutual Respect/Benefit- (Be open to the thoughts and feelings of others, Be Humble)  Be good stewards of taxpayer resources  Added “Be Proactive”- Take responsibility and initiative for reaching our goals. Review Goals & Action Plan Goal #1- David Thomas- “We will provide (13) Façade Grants by 12/31/24.” Currently (1)  The Façade grant ad was put back in Thursday Tidbits.  There was discussion about the goal of (13) Façade grants by 12/31/24 being too high. In 2023 we approved (5) façade grants for $20,000. In 2024 we have approved (1) façade grant in 2024. Should we reduce the Façade Grant goal of (13)?  What is the status of the Downtown Development Authority brochure? To do: Change our Façade Grant goal from (13) to (7) To do: ask Jeremy to follow up on Downtown Development Authority brochure. Goal #2- Fred Schaber “We will identify, promote, and facilitate the Smyrna Redevelopment Focus Area Reinvestment Program for (6) properties in the Town of Smyrna by 12/31/24.” Goal = (6) Currently= (0) Potential properties identified in 2023 were Old Wayside Inn, Ducts Unlimited, Coffee Café, Barn, Time & Table, and Bakery. To do: Check with Jeremy on the status of potential properties. Goal #3- Sharon Wright- “We will make sure all loans are paid according to their agreement, all vacancy fees are paid, and RDA receives the highest rate of return on their investments with low risk by 12/31/24.”  Ide loan is paid according to his agreement.  All approved façade grants have been paid.  Vacant building fees have not been transferred as of 6.30.24.  PNC Community Grant meeting is scheduled for 6.3.24. pages 12-14 To do: Sharon will contact Barbi Denham at PNC about fraud protection for our bank accounts. To do: Rick will contact Barbi at PNC for RDA members to discuss PNC Community Grants with her team. After the meeting then identify properties in Smyrna that could use a Community Grant. Then contact owners to see if they are interested. Then get estimate for property repairs. Then contact PNC for approval. Then make a goal to measure and monitor. Goal #4- “We will promote and facilitate new investment in Smyrna by redeveloping existing properties and secure funding and financing.” Has the “Investing in Smyrna, how to obtain loans, grants and tax credits” been rescheduled? What other strategies should we be doing to promote and facilitate new investment in Smyrna? To do: Joanne has scheduled the “Investing in Smyrna” meeting for September 19th at 7pm. Old Business: Has the 2023 accounting review been scheduled? To do: Sharon will contact Amber Startt to schedule the review. Has the town transferred vacant building fees to RDA? To do: Sharon will contact Travis Stewart and Torrie James to ask to have the vacant building fees transferred to RDA. To do: Sharon will contact Doug for the billing list of vacant building owners. New Business: RDA needs to remove Sheldon Hudson and add Torrie James to their banking accounts. To do: Sharon will go to PNC and request signature cards. Sharon, David, Travis and Torrie will need to sign the signature card. Motion: Sharon Wright made a motion to have Sheldon Hudson’s name removed and add Torrie James to the RDA bank accounts and the motion was seconded by Fred Schaber. Motion # 2024-018 was approved. Next Meeting: August 27, 2024 To do: Dave will contact Danielle to let her know about the date change for our meeting and send her the agenda by August 20th for posting on the town website. Adjournment: Motion was made by Sharon and seconded by Fred to adjourn. Motion # 2024- 019 was approved.