DDA – Approved 2/13/2024
City of Hiawassee and Hiawassee Downtown Development Authority Retreat Minutes
January 30, 2024
9:00 AM-3:00 PM
• Meeting Attendees
o Liz Ordiales- Mayor
o Denise McKay- Director of Economic Development
o Bonnie Kendrick- City Clerk
o Jay Chastain- Council Member
o Nancy Noblet- Council Member
o Amy Barrett- Council Member
o Patsy Owens- Council Member
o Jonathan Wilson- Council Member
o Peggy Gardner- DDA
o Babette Dunn- DDA
o Tyler Osborn- DDA
o Tamela Cooper- Local Business Owner
o Thomas Mitchell- City Attorney
• Setting the Objectives
o The goal of this retreat is to create a cohesive working environment between the City of
Hiawassee City and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA).
o Accomplishments to meet during the retreat include:
▪ Better communication between the two bodies
▪ Better cohesiveness between the two bodies
▪ Creation of more opportunities for the bodies to interact with one another
▪ Sharing of a bigger picture for the community
▪ Establish a common goal everyone can stand behind
▪ Listen to different perspectives on community issues
▪ Understanding of the shared goals between the two bodies
o Things participants hoped to learn during the retreat include:
▪ Better understanding of and more clarity on the roles and responsibilities
between city council and the DDA (i.e. members of one body learn the roles and
responsibilities of the other and vice-versa)
▪ Understanding what each entity perceives to be the biggest opportunities to
address moving forward
▪ Better understanding each other’s perspectives on opportunities for the city
▪ Communication between each of the bodies
▪ The agendas/goals for each person attending the retreat.
▪ Establishment of trust between the two bodies
o Items that attendees need to be better prepared include:
▪ More concrete depth and understanding of the details for future decisions/next
steps.
▪ Learning about what DDA would like to do vs. the finances available to do the
activities that they would like to pursue.DDA – Approved 2/13/2024
▪ Better feedback on what DDA is wanting and determining whether the Council
can support them.
▪ Work together to achieve common goals while also respecting necessary
boundaries (e.g. executive session).
▪ DDA members and staff continue to attend City Council meetings and Councill
members attend more DDA meetings to learn more about projects and
opportunities.
• Defining The Issues
o Community Identity
▪ Think about how Hiawassee wants to present itself as a downtown and
community.
▪ Some attendees mentioned the desire to find cohesiveness within the city
▪ Some participants mentioned that the public want that peaceful, “small town”
feel that they don’t feel exists anymore.
▪ Some participants believe there are things to do…others do not.
▪ Capitalize on existing assets.
▪ Focus should be on what makes the city thrive (e.g. tourism, culture)
o Vacant Buildings
▪ Focus on filling vacant buildings.
▪ The ability to fill empty storefronts will depend on what landlords will charge for
rent.
o City Council Mission and Purpose & DDA Mission and Purpose
▪ Clarify mission and purpose for both entities (i.e., define mission and define
vision).
▪ Push and pull between what is wanted vs. what has to be done to accomplish it
(in conflict with itself)
o Community Activities (or Lack Thereof)
▪ Decisions to identify opportunities for young children (Age 10 and below)
▪ Residents want things to do but they don’t want the consequences associated
with the developments.
▪ Political challenges may exist when proposing new activities.
▪ Children who go to private school, online school, or homeschool aren’t
necessarily counted in the child counts.
o Zoning and Ordinances
▪ No zoning exists in Hiawassee.
▪ Hiawassee must figure out how to get what it wants and limit what it doesn’t
want.
o Community Makeup
▪ Growth is 65 and older population.
▪ New people move in or visit and do not mesh with the culture of the
community.
o Affordable Housing
▪ Housing is an issue that must be solved.
▪ There is not enough affordable housing available for residents.DDA – Approved 2/13/2024
o Traffic
o Signage is a must: You must be “from Hiawassee” to know where to go.
• What role(s) do council members and DDA board members see the other playing in the
development of the 2024 work plan?
o The responsible party for filling empty storefronts will depend on which body has best
relationship with the owners.
o For traffic, it was mentioned that the council could talk to the Sheriff’s Auxiliary Group to
have a policeman direct traffic during city events (e.g., parades).
o One DDA member feels like they understand role of Council; three members feel like
they do not.
o The city council’s job is to create city ordinances and city policies.
o Many council members don’t know the role of the DDA; however, one member feels like
they do understand the DDA’s role.
o Move forward by fully supporting the decisions in each group.
o If there is a no, provide reasoning for that decision.
o If there is a yes, provide reasoning for that decision.
o Regardless of personal opinion or vote on a subject matter, both parties should work to
support the efforts and not “bad mouth” the idea.
• Opening Exercise
o Over The Last 10 Years, Hiawassee has….
▪ Most people said it has become a little better.
▪ Stop rumors about things that aren’t true.
o City Council and DDA should shut down rumors (e.g., social media posts).
o Common goals are there across the board.
o Group feels like they’ve done a lot but there is still room for improvement.
o Progress takes time; it doesn’t happen overnight.
o Three Ways Hiawassee Has Physically Changed Since 2014
▪ Beautification
▪ Traffic
▪ Growth
▪ More Development
o What Is Something You’d Like To Improve In/About Hiawassee
▪ Balance of Growth and Quality of Life
▪ Continued Revitalization
▪ Infrastructure
▪ Walkability
▪ Signage
▪ More Things To Do
▪ More Places To Eat
o What’s Something About Hiawassee You’d Like To Preserve For Another Generation
▪ Beauty (Land, Mountains, etc.)
▪ Small-Town Community Feel
▪ History
▪ Historical Sites/AreasDDA – Approved 2/13/2024
o What Three Words You’d Like To Use To Describe Hiawassee in 2030?
▪ Welcoming/Inviting
▪ Friendly
▪ Great
▪ Beautiful
o Time to revisit the Strategic Plan to determine new priorities.
▪ 89% of the plan is completed.
Regional Trends
Focus and priority as a Tourism Destination. Tourism assets that are unique to Hiawassee include:
o Lake Chatuge
o Downtown Concerts
o Festivals – Fairgrounds
o Trails, hiking, outdoor recreation
o Bell Mountain
o Fishing
o First Friday
o Hike-awassee
What opportunities to enhance these projects? Discussion was had on utilizing the lake more –
dragonboat racing, fishing tournaments, etc.
Social media can create a false negative. Facebook is the rumor mill and a detriment to both the city and
the DDA. Hiawassee is a Main Street Community and serves two different audiences – both businesses
and those individuals looking to visit.
Evolving residential
o Prices
o Lack of affordable workforce housing
o Needs help!
Electrical Vehicles and E-Infrastructure
o Private but no public housing of charging stations
o A huge concern is on battery storage
o EMS/Fire is having to be called on to put out fires in instances where a battery may explode and
may not be fully equipped to handle these calls.
Jobs/Housing imbalance
o Collaborative workspace
o Incubator model
Quality of Life
o Safety
o ConvenienceDDA – Approved 2/13/2024
o Finding an issue with local produced food
o Garden – being able to grow own food – knowing where your food comes from
o sense of community and belonging
o friendly people
o Balance of having what you need and enough of the “fun” stuff
o Need help – being able to call upon people
Greenspace and Rural Character
o Mountain Bike Trails
o Lake Chatuge
o Putt-Putt
o Frisbee Golf
o Pickle Ball
Goals – Work Program/Solutions Oriented/Next Steps
1. QR Code – resources – city map – Denise to do some research on whether this is feasible.
2. Firefly Project – Art Strategy – concept to create 6-12 inch fireflies each with a unique story to
place throughout the city and create scavenger hunt. There are lots of artistic and talented
individuals locally who can create these.
Phase 1 would cost approximately $10,000 and the DDA has the money for beautification projects,
such as this.
The question was asked if the city could support this effort. The council is supportive of this
initiative. Questions to consider and still work out would include maintenance and ownership.
There is also an opportunity for a firefly garden filled with things that attract fireflies and events
can be centered around this.
3. Continue Night Market on First Fridays
4. Update the Strategic Plan
5. Look at the possibility of planning a winter event in 2025 – game night, etc. for the community to
enjoy.
City of Hiawassee – Hiawassee DDA
Planning Retreat
January 30, 2024
Opening Exercise
Welcome/ Housekeeping/ Introductions
Setting Objectives
Defining the Issues
Results from Opening Exercise
Lunch
Team Building Activity
Regional Trends and Perspectives
Building Solutions
Final Thoughts
Adjourn