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TIDA/MS BOD approved: 6/17/15 Page 1 of 2
TYBEE ISLAND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY / MAIN STREET BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Meeting Minutes: May 20, 2015
Vision: To improve the quality of life for those that live, work, and visit Tybee Island and enhance the cultural experience while preserving
the community's barrier island heritage.
The Mission of the Tybee Island Development Authority / Main Street Program is to:
- facilitate efforts to revitalize, redevelop, and enhance that which improves the quality of life;
- create a sense of place and improve the quality of life for residents, business owners, and visitors using the Main Street Four Point
Approach;
- encourage quality economic growth and development while preserving Tybee Island's unique architectural and community heritage;
- support and encourage the arts as a cultural endeavor and economic engine on the Island.
ATTENDANCE
(Present) Director: Bill Garbett, Vicki Hammons, Steve Kellam, Brenda Marion
Staff: Chantel Morton
(Absent) Director: Angela Caldwell, Deana Harden, Ted Lynch
Ex-Officio Director: Melissa Memory, John Yarbrough
CALL TO ORDER
Vicki called the meeting to order at 6:15pm.
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY / MAIN STREET BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES
Motion was made by Brenda, which was seconded by Bill, to approve the minutes of the Tybee Island
Development Authority / Main Street Board of Directors April 15, 2015 meeting. Motion carried.
ORGANIZATION
Budget Review
Chantel and Bill confirmed the next budget workshop is Thursday, May 21 at 3:30pm. Brenda thanked
Diane from Mermaid Cottages for donating $250 out of the $375 needed to cover the costs of having an
AV company set up everything for June’s Movie in the Park. Steve stated he will donate $125 to cover the
balance still needed. This donation will be from Tybee Time and Doc’s. Brenda confirmed those that have
donated will be mentioned in the press release and on screen prior to the movie beginning on June 20.
DDA Training
Bill mentioned that he is attending advanced DDA training during the annual Georgia Municipal
Association (GMA) Conference on Hutchinson Convention Center in June. Chantel will check with DCA to
confirm this advanced training will suffice to meet the requirement for the Directors that still need to
attend training. Brenda confirmed she would rather attend the training in Savannah versus Atlanta if
possible. Chantel will call GMA to find out if there are still seats available for this training and check the
Program’s budget to ensure there are monies to cover the course. She will follow up with Brenda, Steve
and Ted.
Local Advertising Assistance
Vicki reviewed the importance of providing local advertising assistance and the information she is
incorporating into the letter for Directors to review for submitting to City Council, the Tourism Council
and the Savannah Chamber. The interpretation of how a City’s Designated Marketing Organization
(DMO) can / cannot spend hotel / motel tax locally varies. Vicki expressed that,
with the assistance of Program Directors, a comprehensive plan with clear explanations will hopefully
make it possible to have regional advertising that will benefit all impacted. Bill reviewed his information
TIDA/MS BOD approved: 6/17/15 Page 2 of 2
regarding expenditures of the 33-1/3% of H/M tax the DMO receives. Directors discussed the challenges
and opportunities local organizations have with marketing their activities and events which enhance the
visitors experience while also benefiting residents.
BUSINESS ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Locals Appreciation Card
Directors reviewed the benefits of the Locals Appreciation Card program and alternatives for the
program. They discussed the issues of having a drivers license with the Tybee zip code being the only
determining factor for obtaining the card because some people that work on the island and / or own
property do not have this, but do frequent the businesses throughout the year. The committee will be
reconsidering the determining factors to receive a card, ways to raise awareness for more participation,
and receive input from the merchants that currently honor the card prior to making any changes. The
committee will also look into a sticker that these businesses can discreetly hang at their entrance.
PROMOTIONS COMMITTEE
Brenda and Chantel presented Jay Burke’s suggestion to have this year’s Christmas Parade be a lit parade
the night of Lights on for Tybee. Directors discussed logistics about having a lit parade prior to the Lights
on for Tybee Celebration this year. Challenges discussed were safety along Butler when it was dark,
parade participants traveling on Tybrisa while it is setup to be pedestrian friendly that evening, not being
able to see onlookers and vice versa if floats are not lit, redirecting traffic heading downtown through
residential streets due to Butler being blocked for the parade, past parade participants and community
involvement, the YMCA event that follows Saturday’s parade, and time constraints for this year’s
celebration planning. Brenda made a motion, which was seconded by Vicki, to keep the Lights on for
Tybee Celebration on the first Friday of December and the Christmas Parade on the first Saturday of
December for this year. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 7:00pm.