Hiawassee Downtown Development Authority Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 8:30 AM
50 River Street
-
Call to order
-
Adopt agenda as set
-
Approval minutes of May 12, 2021 minutes
-
Financial Report
-
Collection tubes
-
Night Market
-
-
Directors Update
-
Intern – May – September, Mikayla Jerominek
-
Building Stabilization
-
Banking
-
Directors’ insurance
-
Ribbon cuttings –
-
i. Artworks – June 17 @ 4:30 PM
-
Old Business
-
PBC – 101
-
Night Market – review
-
Mission and Vision Statement – adopt
-
-
New Business
-
Façade grant program
-
Website
-
Workplan
-
-
Adjourn
Approved 07-13-2021
Hiawassee Downtown Development Authority June 9, 2021, Minutes
Present: Steve Harper, Margaret Oliver, Tamela Cooper, Lindie Wright and Ashlyn LaPorte Absent: Liz Ordiales
Staff: Denise McKay, Marta Izquierdo
Intern: Mikayla Jerominek
Minutes:
The June 9, 2021, Downtown Development Authority (DDA) meeting was called to order at 8:35AM by Chairperson Steve Harper.
A motion to amend the agenda to change the meeting day and time and under New Business letter d. was made by Margaret Oliver, seconded by Tamela Cooper, motion carried unanimously.
A motion to adopt the final minutes for the May 12, 2021, meeting was made by Lindie Wright, seconded by Margaret Oliver, motion carried unanimously.
Financial Report:
Margaret Oliver reported the DDA checking account has balanced with $16,222.03, with outstanding checks in the amount of $3,485.00 and deposits of $1,142.17, with an ending balance of $13,879.20.
The total collection from the tubes at Mayor’s Park is $1,226.51 and $488.87 for Lloyd’s Landing. The DDA needs $74.09 to pay off the collection tubes. After the collection tubes are paid, the donations will be used for beautification projects within the City of Hiawassee.
The income brought in from the vendors for the June Night Market was $792.00. The expenses were $1,303.85. Leaving a profit now of $478.30, due to a profit balance from the May Night Market. Denise reminded the board the intent of the night market is not to make money but to hopefully breakeven, as the purpose of the Night Market is to create an air of excitement in the downtown area and demonstrate the potential of downtown Hiawassee.
The June Night Market was a great success with good feedback from everyone.
Approved 07-13-2021
Director’s Update:
Intern Mikayla Jerominek, who is completing her bachelor’s degree in Urban Development and planning, was introduced and will be with the DDA from May through September 2021.
The stabilization of the Paris Business Center will begin after the contract signing with a cost of $74,000.00.
The checking account, banking signatures has been completed.
The Director’s insurance was submitted with a cost of approximately $2,200.00, an invoice will be sent, and the quoted cost has been reduced, the carrier will send an invoice with the correct amount.
Ribbon cutting for Artworks through the chamber will be June 15, 2021 at 4:30 PM.
Ribbon cutting for Artworks, T- Bird’s Nest/ Honey Baked Ham, and Ashes to Ink through the DDA will be July 8, 2021 at 4:00 PM.
The $600,000.00 Grant for rebuilding and restoring of the Paris Business Center was awarded to the DDA. The DDA will begin fundraising for the balance needed to complete the project.
Old Business:
PBC 101 – The purpose of the 101 is to ensure we have one message about the grant and business center. The grant is for the restoration of the buildings that will house the PBC. The PBC is a full-service business development center, that will work with entrepreneurs and has the capacity for incubator space, the upper level will be the training facility. Businesses utilizing the incubator space will be allowed to use the space for a maximum of 24 months. They cannot be a permanent resident of the incubator the only permanent resident will be the occupant of the single-story building, a restaurant, and the income generated from that building will help support the business development center. The PBC has formed partnerships with North Georgia Technical Institute, North Georgia University, the SBDC will have office space, additionally several local businesses have partnered to offer advice and guidance to the new businesses that will be utilizing the PBC services.
The First Friday Night Market was a success. The set up and breakdown crew did a great job. The advertisement will continue through October 2021. Next month the non-smoking signs will be posted around the square and dining tables with be provided with cleaning wipes. Shade Sails are needed for the vendors that are in direct sun. A motion to
Approved 07-13-2021
purchase the Sails was made by Lindie Wright, seconded by Aslyn LaPorte, motion carried unanimously.
A motion to adopt the new Vision and Mission statements was made by Tamela Cooper, seconded by Margaret Oliver, motion carried unanimously.
Vision Statement: Build upon our Mission Statement of rebuilding the Heart and Soul of Hiawassee by creating a Dynamic, Livable, Family-focused, and Entertainment-rich, Historic and Economically Vibrant Downtown.
Mission Statement: Rebuilding Downtown: The Heart and Soul of Hiawassee New Business:
The Façade Grant Program will need further discussion and will be tabled until next month.
The Website was discussed with agreement of it being included in the budget and for the DDA to have their own website but will be tabled for next month.
Denise and Mikayla will update the workplan and Denise will meet with the head of each committee to review their area and establish a budget. The Organization Committee will meet and develop a comprehensive budget for the DDA. This will be completed by the August meeting. The work plan will be developed for two years instead of one.
Tyler Osborn will be joining the DDA next month and due to his work hours, a new meeting time and day was needed.
A motion to change the meetings to the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 PM beginning in July was made by Lindie Wright, seconded by Margaret Oliver, motion carried unanimously.
Meeting adjourned with general consent at 9:28 AM.