Monday, March 9, 2020 Hiawassee Downtown Development Authority Meeting Agenda/Minutes

Hiawassee Downtown Development Authority Meeting Agenda

Date: Time: Location:

Monday, Monday, March 9, 2020
3:00 PM
Hiawassee City Hall
50 River Street, Hiawassee, GA 30546

Call to order
Approval minutes
1. December 9, 2019
2. February 10, 2020
Treasurers report
Directors Update
Old Business
1. Projects
  1. Food trucks – First Friday of month
  2. Movies on the Beach
  3. Beach Party – “Out of School”
  4. Top of Bell Mountain dinner
  5. Social Dinner/Music – Private residence
  6. Wine Tasting/Music – Vineyards
2. Website
  1. Summary of Action added to the website
  2. Agenda added to the website
3. Mural Update
4. Madison Training Review

i. One take away per member

Obtain e-verify number
Joint DDA/Council Workshop Plan review

New Business
Open Discussion
Executive Session
Adjourn

Wear walking shoes if you would like to tour the buildings after the meeting

Hiawassee Downtown Development Authority March 9, 2020 Minutes

Present: Herbert Bruce, Liz Ordiales, Alec Therrel, Lindie Wright, Margaret Oliver, Tamela Cooper, Theresa Andretta

Absent: All present
Staff: Denise McKay, Marta Izquierdo

Visitors: Council Representative Amy Barrett, Council Representative Nancy Noblet, Corrina Luckenbach, and Chad Stack.

Minutes:

The March 9, 2020 Downtown Development Authority (DDA) meeting was called to order at 3:02 PM by Chairperson Herbert Bruce.

A motion to adopt the final minutes for the December 9, 2019 meeting was made by Margaret Oliver and seconded by Alec Therrel, motion carried unanimously.

A motion to adopt the final minutes for the February 10, 2020 meeting was made by Lindie Wright and seconded by Theresa Andrett, motion carried unanimously.

Treasurer’s report – Denise McKay reported the Downtown Development Authority does not have any funds at this time.

Denise McKay gave Directors Update–The grants to redevelop the buildings at “Paris Pocket” are underway, resumes are needed to qualify for the first grant by March 31, 2020. The first grant is for $99,000 building stabilization. The second grant application is for approximately $500,000 and is due in June. The purpose of this grant is for the redevelopment of both parcels.

Old Business: Projects-

Food trucks– discussed having a hot dog stand, along with music, vendors, artist, and clubs on the first Friday of every month. The first event will begin on May 1, 2020, between 11 AM through 2 PM. The events will run until November 6, 2020.

Motion to adopt the First Friday events was made by Alec Therrel and seconded by Tamela Cooper, motion carried unanimously.

Approved

Volunteers for this project will be Lindie Wright, Theresa Andretta, Alec Therrel, Margaret Oliver, Corrina Luckenbach, and Denise McKay.

Movies on the Beach- discussed ideas and the cost for this community event.

Motion to proceed with this event was made by Lindie Wright and seconded by Theresa Andretta, motion carried unanimously.

Volunteers for this project will be Alec Therrel, Denise McKay, Herbert Bruce, and Corrina Luckenbach.

Beach Party- Agreed to put on hold until next year.
Top of Bell Mountain dinner- Agreed to put on hold until next year.

Social Dinner/Music- Discussed a fundraiser at Hamilton Gardens with an upscale dinner and music.

Volunteers for this event will be Liz Ordiales, Denise McKay, and Marta Izquierdo.

Wine tasting/Music- Agreed to put on hold until next year.

Website – the agenda and minutes have been added to the DDA page.

Mural Update- Mural ideas/samples will be emailed to all committee members for approval.

Madison Training Review- One take-away was given by the members that attended the training in Madison:

• The training educated the Committee members on the grant and funding possibilities that are available for a DDA

• “Pocket Parks”, gives residents a place to sit and enjoy the beautiful views in our community, creates a sense of place, community.

• Plan implementation has many layers and timelines to complete. Immediate, short-term, long-term.

Obtain e-verify number- Denise McKay is applying for an e-verify number. Also is looking into obtaining a 501 C3 Status, Tim Barrett to assist with that. He is an attorney.

Discussed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) between the City of Hiawassee and DDA. The IGA would outline expectations of the DDA and in return, the City will fund the DDA, potentially up to 20K annually, for a given number of years with the purpose of providing the DDA an operating budget that allows them to work.

DDA Workplan Development scheduled for March 23, 2020, from 8 AM to 12 PM, location to be determined. The DDA will present final work plan to the Council.

New Business:

There was not any new business

Open Discussion:

JDA was approved by the City, Towns County, and Young Harris. The Authorities will work together, and support each other, but are independent.

Motion to adjourn was made by Alec Therrel, seconded by Tamela Cooper, motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 4:47 PM.