Rural Zone

Approved 06-14-2022

Hiawassee Downtown Development Authority Meeting Minutes
May 10, 2022

Present: Efren Lopez, Peggy Gardner, Tamela Cooper, Tyler Osborn Staff Present: Denise McKay, Steve Harper
Guest Present: Monica, Ashley Hartzell

Peggy Gardner called the meeting to order at 5:47 PM

A motion was made by Tyler to adopt the agenda as set, seconded by Efren. Passed unanimously.

A motion was made by Tyler to approve the April 12, 2022 minutes as dispersed, seconded by Tamela. Passed unanimously.

A motion was made by Tyler to approve the financial report as dispersed, seconded by Tamela.

Passed

unanimously.

Denise

• The fundraising committee will hold a meeting on May 26 at 5:30pm at City Hall

• PBC 101 – Reminder on what the center will be and used for

• PBC Renovation – interior demolition completed and the buildings are stabilized

• GICH – the GICH point will be awarded to a contractor looking to build a 50-54 unit

  apartment complex for working families – not low income/age based – and it will be on the outskirts of Young Harris. Once the decision is made by the contractor, we will know if it will be coming to the area

• Youth Leadership Program – Dr. Berrong is presenting the Board of Education with the chosen program tonight and we will know by next meeting if the BOE approves it

• Business Expo – we received 2 potential leads for new business in the area

• We have three new business opening in Hiawassee

  o Schmere Café (Bagel & Schmere Shop) next to Dominos Pizza o Bakery – Next to Hiawassee Antique Mall
  o Abide Coffee – Next to Noblet’s 5&10

• An appreciation dinner for Maggie will be held at Ann Mitchell’s house on July 14. All DDA Board Members are invited

  Steve gave the following managers update:

• Shook House dedication went great! We are currently advertising it as open retail space.

We have secured parking at South State Parking Lot. The dogwood tree in front has been moved to Mayors Park and we will be using this yard space for 2 handicap spots. A discussion was held on how it would be paved (asphalt, pavers, etc.). Lawn service will be provided by the city

gave the following directors update:

Approved 06-14-2022

• May’s Night Market was cancelled due to weather. We currently have 7 food vendors signed up along with about 20 vendors total. A sign up sheet was present to help with running the DDA booth, set up, and break down. All members were encouraged to sign up to help

• Steve recently completed his GA Economic Development Training and will be implementing what he learned

  New Business

• Georgia Grown Festival will be coming to Foster Park on June 24th – 26th. A discussion

was held regarding if DDA should purchase a sponsorship for $500 and have a booth at the event.

o Tyler made a motion to purchase the $500 sponsorship, seconded by Tamela. Passed unanimously.

• A new DDA logo was presented by Ashley Hartzell to use for branding and marketing. Everyone agreed that it is exactly what we are looking for.

  o A motion to purchase the rights to the logo for $300 was made by Tamela, seconded by Efren. Passed unanimously.

• Peggy presented the current Art Plan cost. In February 2022, it was decided to spend $5000 from the general fund. A grant was applied for up to $5000 to cover the other half. Peggy asked that if we do not get the full grant amount if we could cover the cost from the general account. A discussion was had on whether this purchase is feasible.

  o Tyler made a motion to use $5000 from the donation money for art in the city to cover the other half. Peggy seconded this motion. Passed unanimously.

• Hometown Cameras came to us asking if we would like a live video feed of the square to post on our website and social media. After reviewing the proposal, no motion was made and the proposal did not pass. The board decided that they would be open to reviewing the option again in the future.

• Rabun County has started to offer services to attract more hikers to their area, including a shuttle from the trail head. Denise asked for volunteers to work on ways to keep them here. Efren & Tyler volunteered to help with this issue.

• Efren gave an update on the next fiscal year budget and it will be ready for proposal at the June meeting.

  Old Business

• Ashley Hartzell gave a proposal on what she would do as our social media marketer. The

  board agreed on what she presented. A proposal for including in the budget $1800 to cover this cost, with a 6 month contract with Ashley and an evaluation every 3 months was made by Tyler, seconded by Efren. Passed unanimously.

• The following slate of board members were chosen to serve as officers of the board: o Chair – Peggy Gardner

  o Co-Chair – Tyler Osborn
  o Secretary – Ashlynn LaPorte o Treasurer – Efren Lopez

Approved 06-14-2022

o Tyler made a motion to accept the slate of officers as presented. Seconded by Efren. Passed unanimously.

• Peggy presented the board with a schedule for the work plan. Committees gave the following reports

  o Strategy 1, Goal 2A:4 – Peggy
  ▪ In final stages and will be presented next month

  o Strategy 1, Goal 2A5:4 – Steve
  ▪ Completed and being printed

  o Strategy 3, Goal 4:1 – Steve
  ▪ We need to take road trips to cities with similar layouts to get ideas. It

  was suggested 2-3 trips per year.

• No executive session was needed

• The meeting was adjourned with general consent at 8:04 PM

  Minutes recorded by: Tyler Osborn Presented: June 14, 2022