Downtown Development Authority Meeting

Downtown Development Authority Meeting Monday, March 24, 2025, at 6:30 PM City Hall, 875 Main Street, Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083 Minutes I. Call to Order • Carl Wright called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. • Members Present: Carl Wright, Thom DeLoach, Denise Phillips, Council Member Anita Bass, Michelle Dunbar and Robert Witherspoon. Sarah Hage was absent from this meeting. II. Approval of the Agenda  Council Member Bass made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Robert Witherspoon. Unanimously approved. III. Approval of Minutes • Michelle Dunbar made a motion to approve the DDA Regular Meeting Minutes for February 24, 2025, seconded by Anita Bass. Unanimously approved. V. Citizen Comments • Dave Thomas made a comment to encourage businesses to take advantage of the DDA’s grants (Façade/Enhancement Grant). VI. DDA Response to Citizen's Concerns • No Comments VII. Director's Report • The DDA Director presented the DCA Monthly Report for February 2025. VIII. Council Report • Council and DDA Member Anita Bass provided a brief update on the last council meeting discussions/action items. IX. Old Business 1. Action Item: Enhancement Grant / Updating the Grant Guidelines • The DDA had a brief discussion regarding the Enhancement Grant. There was a proposal to include language allowing landlords with property in the city, but who do not currently hold a business license in the city, to be eligible to apply for the grant. Thom DeLoach made a motion to approve the proposed changes, seconded by Denise Phillips. Unanimously approved. • Denise Phillips made a motion to approve the proposed minimum criteria for the enhancement grant evaluation, seconded by Thom DeLoach. Unanimously approved. 2. Discussion Item: Facade Grant / Sweet Potato Café: there was a brief discussion.  3. Discussion Item: Enhancement Grant / Thirsty Mona Lisa: there was a brief discussion about the project, after which the DDA requested the property owner to provide a business plan. 4. Discussion Item: 2025 Election of DDA Officers: • Denise Phillips made a motion to appoint Robert Witherspoon as a DDA Vice-chair, seconded by Anita Bass. Unanimously approved. • Anita Bass made a motion to appoint Denise Phillips as a DDA Treasurer, seconded by Thom DeLoach. Unanimously approved. • Anita Bass made a motion to appoint Maggie Dimov as a DDA Secretary, seconded by Thom DeLoach. Unanimously approved. 5. Discussion Item: Possible Criterium Fall 2025, there was a brief discussion. X. New Business 1. Enhancement Grant Applications / Majestic Rentals and AARF • Thom DeLoach made a motion to approve Majestic Rental’s request for an enhancement grant, contingent upon the grant meeting all minimum criteria and all businesses within the property holding valid business licenses. The motion was seconded by Anita Bass and unanimously approved. • Anita Bass made a motion to deny AARF’s request for an enhancement grant - the project is not eligible for this type of funding. The motion was seconded by Robert Witherspoon and unanimously approved. 2. Discussion Item: DDA Swag/Promotional Items, there was a brief discussion. XI. Executive Session to Discuss Personnel, Legal, and/or Real Estate (if needed): there was No Executive Session. XII. Adjournment: • Motion by Michelle Dunbar to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Denise Phillips. Unanimously approved.