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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20150617_DAMSBODminutes.pdf TIDA/MS BOD approved: 9/16/15 Page 1 of 2 TYBEE ISLAND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY / MAIN STREET BOARD OF DIRECTORS Meeting Minutes: June 17, 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: Angela Caldwell, Bill Garbett, Vicki Hammons, Ted Lynch Ex-Officio Director: Melissa Memory Staff: Chantel Morton Invited Guest(s): Marianne Bramble, Sarah Brenzott (Absent) Director: Deana Harden, Steve Kellam, Brenda Marion Ex-Officio Director: John Yarbrough CALL TO ORDER Vicki called the meeting to order at 6:10pm. Chantel introduced Marianne and Sarah with the Tybee Arts Association. DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY / MAIN STREET BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES Motion was made by Bill, which was seconded by Angela, to approve the minutes of the Tybee Island Development Authority / Main Street Board of Directors May 20, 2015 meeting. Motion carried. ORGANIZATION Budget Review Chantel reviewed the proposed Main Street operating budget for FY 2015-16. The second reading of the City’s budget will be held next week. Bill confirmed the Program’s budget, as requested, has not changed. Local Advertising Assistance Plan Vicki reported she is working on the letter, on behalf of the Program, for City Council which will address how advertising assistance can be provided to benefit the community as a whole. Local advertising assistance in the greater Savannah area is needed for the community and the businesses. The letter she is drafting will outline how the Board can assist the City with providing advertising opportunities to local partners throughout the year. Marianne expressed support on behalf of the Arts Association. She explained that Visit Tybee is helping market their upcoming festival 100 miles outside of Savannah/Tybee area, but there is a need for advertising within the region for the arts and events such as Pirate Fest, etc. July Meeting Directors agreed to cancel the July board meeting due to everyone’s busy schedules. TIDA/MS BOD approved: 9/16/15 Page 2 of 2 BUSINESS ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE Locals Appreciation Card Chantel reported that twenty residents have renewed or obtained new Locals Appreciation Cards within the last month. TS Chu’s Department Store is now accepting the card. Directors discussed doing a survey of residents that have the card and businesses that honor the card in order to gather input. Angela mentioned the possibility of charging those that do not have a valid Tybee address on their license or visitors that want to obtain a card and applying the revenues to the Program’s activities. Melissa stated that the intent of the card needs to be clarified and a survey may be a good start to confirm its effectiveness. Sarah stated she has seen people using it. Bill suggested airing information on Channel 7 to increase awareness of the card while also listing the businesses that honor it. Discussion ensued regarding other ways to support the Buy Local Tybee campaign and its importance for local businesses and residents. Directors agreed that the Business Assistance Committee should revisit the concept and consideration changes for 2016, but that it should remain as is for fulltime residents for the time being. Business News Chantel reported that two new stores are open at The Shops at Tybee Oaks. Kathy and Gary have opened Swizzle & Shake. Beth is operating Island Gypsea, which is a store that her niece has wanted to bring to Tybee. Many of the items sold are handcrafted and upcycled. There is an entrepreneur working to open a new restaurant where TYB Grill was located. AJ’s Beachside has closed and the management company at Hotel Tybee is working on securing another restaurant. Vicki confirmed that the work at Lighthouse Pizza-South is complete. DESIGN COMMITTEE Mural Update Vicki confirmed that Chantel and she will set another Design Committee meeting to continue work on the Public Mural project. Historic Preservation Updates: Grant & Historic Districts Bill reported that the Public Hearing for the proposed Local Historic Districts will be held July 16. The Historic Preservation Commission has drafted the design guidelines that will complement the districts to protect the character of the island. He invited Directors to attend. Chantel reported that the company selected to conduct the Historic Resources Survey is Quatrefoil Consulting. A windshield survey is the first phase and will be complete by the end of August. PROMOTIONS COMMITTEE Tybee for the Holidays: Lights on for Tybee/Christmas Parade Updates Chantel reported that she is working with Brenda to set the next Promotions Committee meeting and more information will be available at the next Board meeting. OTHER BUSINESS Melissa shared with Directors that she recently attended a Regional State Preservation meeting. One item of interest that was discussed was that of elevating historic structures to meet FEMA requirements and considering them to be eligible for inclusion in historic structure inventories. She also shared about the Leadership Savannah meeting she attended in Greenville. She met with a representative with their DDA while there. Some strives they have made to help businesses is by developing the infrastructure that creates spaces which appeal to the types of businesses they target to open and to recruit talented people. These steps are not subsidizing the businesses, but investing in the town’s overall economic development plans. Directors agreed to consider voting in two Ex-Officio Directors at the next Board meeting. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 6:55pm.