Tuesday, July 13, 2021 7:30 PM Hiawassee Downtown Development Authority Meeting Agenda/Minutes

Hiawassee Downtown Development Authority July 13th, 2021, Minutes

Present: Steve Harper, Margaret Oliver, Tamela Cooper, Lindie Wright, Ashlyn LaPorte, and Tyler Osborne

Staff: Denise McKay Intern: Mikayla Jerominek

Minutes:

The July 13th, 2021, Downtown Development Authority (DDA) meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM by Chairperson Steve Harper.

Tyler Osborn was welcomed to the DDA

A motion to adopt the new agenda under item 1 was made by Steve Harper, seconded by Tamela Cooper, motion carried unanimously.

Financial Report:

Margaret Oliver reported the DDA checking account has balanced with $9,386.27. The night market income was $430.00.

City of Hiawassee will be issuing the yearly $20,000 disbursement within the week.

The total collection from the tubes at Mayor’s Park and Lloyd’s landing has paid off from donations and there is now an available balance to use for beautification projects in the city of Hiawassee. Further collections will be used for this same purpose.

Director’s Update:

Denise McKay reported on how Marta Izquierdo is doing. We wish her all the best in her recovery journey.

Mikayla Jerominek will take minutes at the DDA meeting while Marta recovers until the fall. Someone new will need to take minutes at the September meeting.

The stabilization of the Paris Business Center started today, commencing phase 1 of the restoration and revitalization project at 71 and 79 Main Street.

The triple ribbon cutting on Big Sky Drive was a success with a large turnout. The plaza is now entirely full with Artworks, Ashes to Ink Tattoo Shop, and Blimpie.

11 vacant, move-in ready spots remain in the city for new businesses.

Quickbooks has been purchased for DDA accounting. Strickland will be contacted to proceed with this update.

Liz re-negotiated the audit contract with Rushton to include the DDA.

The DDA will be purchasing a vertical banner for the August night market and other upcoming events.

There will be a Zoning and Planning training at the rec center on July 15th. 24 people from Hiawassee, Blairsville, Young Harris, and Clayton are currently registered. A similar planning retreat will take place at the Brasstown Resort in mid-August.

Old Business:

The façade grant program is undergoing finalization. The budget is estimated to be around $5,000 and will be discussed with the finance committee when reviewing the yearly work plan and budget.

The amount that each applicant can be rewarded remains to be determined. Money not awarded to anyone at the end of the application cycle will roll over and allow for larger or more grants in the future.

Discussion took place about the specifics of what can be done with the façade grant money once awarded to an applicant. The conclusion was that all improvements must be attached directly to the façade of each storefront and cannot be store-specific. The goal is to provide improvements to the location that will benefit future store owners of that property. (i.e: Doors, Windows, Paint, Window Planter Boxes, Awnings, etc). More specific guidelines to address questions about the program are needed.

A motion was made by Tamela Cooper and seconded by Tyler Osborn to make the maximum disbursement $1500 for each grant award was made and passed unanimously, with the exception of Ashlyn who abstained.

PBC 101:

Specifics of the stabilization of the properties at 71 and 79 main street were discussed. It was stressed that the language we use to talk about the Paris Business Center should be a clear message.

Above all, we are not funding private enterprise. We are revitalizing Hiawassee’s two oldest buildings and creating a business development center for anyone to use. The single story building will be the anchor tenant and funding received from this building will help to fund the business center and building maintenance.

Night Market:

More food vendors are needed each month to round out the food offerings.

The tents should be rearranged for a more efficient layout that allows for more vendors to participate.

More parking options should be evaluated like the Hardware Store and Ingles.

The music budget needs to be increased to properly compensate performers for the Night Market. The current payment for a three-hour set is only $200.

A motion to raise the music budget to $400 minimum was made by Liz Ordiales, seconded by Ashlyn LaPorte, and approved unanimously with the exception of Steven Harper who abstained.

The possibility of doing a 50/50 raffle or larger ticket item was brought up for next year. Two new lights were added to the square.
Tip jars with clear signage for the music acts were discussed for future events.

The church will need back their cinder blocks being used to anchor the Night Market tents, so new weights will need to be made.

Work Plan:

The work plan was introduced. It has four main transformation strategies with a number of goals in each one for the DDA to build upon.

Going through the Work Plan will be labor intensive, so a separate work session will take place to review it and create goals within the transformation strategies.

The work plan will be three years out in accordance with the comprehensive plan. This will make it easier to update with the Main Street program every year.

New Business:

A new website for the DDA is in the works. Tyler has been helping to research potential website host services, with Squarespace seeming to be the best option as far as cost and convenience.

Lindie Wright’s term is expiring with the DDA after August. A motion to adjourn was made by Steven Harper. Adjourned at 6:55 PM.