HomeMy Public PortalAbout20090908BHTBODminutes.pdf
Corrected and approved: October 6, 2009 Page 1 of 3
BETTER HOMETOWN BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Minutes: September 8, 2009
Directors Present: Cullen Chambers, Mel Gordon, Judy Malins, Dick Smith, Patricia
Miller Wann, John Yarbrough
Directors Absent: Maureen Grindstaff, Erin Sheldon
Guests Present: None
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 9:10am.
Mel made a motion to approve the July 14 and August 11 Board Meeting minutes. Judy
seconded. The vote was unanimous.
Cullen had questions regarding the GAP funding request. Those questions were about
the program date parameters, and if we needed to have the match money in place before
getting the grant. Cullen also said the Better Hometown Board will let the City Council
know if we are awarded the grant.
Committee Updates
Design -- Cullen
About twenty people came out to participate in the Come Down to Clean Up on the
South End. Tybee Beautification provided the supplies. It was not just a litter pick-up.
There are other issues that need to be addressed such as:
y Alleys
y Spaces between buildings
These spaces have become blight. This is a mess that has been allowed to accumulate.
Screens should be put up.
y Additional garbage cans are needed.
Chantel is working on a concept for sponsorships or donations.
y There is a need for a better way for cigarette butt disposal. People are putting
cigarette butts in flower boxes.
y There is a big need for stronger enforcement of the litter law.
We need to ask for the number of litter citations on Tybee streets. Councilman Smith
said that City Council has talked to the City Manager about the lack of litter enforcement.
He said he picked up four garbage bags full of garbage on his 3 mile walk around Jaycee
Park one morning. We need documentation to see what is being done and evidence that
the Police are being reasonable and responsible. The City Marshall needs to be working
on this with business owners in a positive way. There is support from the business
owners for better litter enforcement.
Mel asked why older people can’t be deputized to enforce the litter laws. There
could be a problem with enforcement. It was mentioned that there has been discussion
about litter enforcement forever.
Corrected and approved: October 6, 2009 Page 2 of 3
Cullen mentioned that perhaps community service workers should not have an
option of where they want to do their community service. He said the Lighthouse
depends on community service workers and needs them, but that they should also be
doing other work in the community that is not so desirable. Patricia asked about putting a
letter together for the Judge asking that community service workers be assigned to other
jobs in the community such as litter clean-up.
It was suggested that it might be possible to have an Ambassador for Clean-Up or
providing information to visitors. This might be something that area organizations such
as the Yeppies might be interested in doing. Chantel is scheduled to speak at a Yeppies
meeting and will bring up the idea of an Ambassadorship.
In summation, it was agreed that litter is a huge issue that impacts public safety and
health in the community.
y Parking
Cullen suggested that we get outside consultants from DCA to discuss the parking issue
on Tybee and how to resolve it. A parking garage is not a panacea.
Cullen discussed the Design Committee “walk through” on the South End. He
said that he is planning a Historic Preservation session for business owners and the
public. There are a number of art deco buildings on Tybrisa Street. He said there are
many buildings that were modified in the 1960s, but they are still historic buildings.
Cullen said that the old Mity Tidy building was a good example of 1960’s elements. We
want to accomplish façade improvements reminiscent of the original period. He said
there were none of historic significance in the 1970s and 1980s. We need to get a design
concept for the area and make business owners aware of potential tax credits and tax
freezes. BHT Board and Committees needs to facilitate the transformation. There is a
September 23 Design Committee meeting to review the committee goals and the Historic
Preservation Presentation. Bob Ciucevich, Historic Preservation Consultant has agreed to
present and Jason Kotarski with the Coastal Regional Commission of Georgia will be
contacted.
Economic Restructuring –
Erin and Chantel had an Economic Restructuring Committee meeting July 31.
Terry Jackson and Sandy Majors attended. The workplan was reviewed. Terry is helping
with the list of vacant commercial properties within the business corridor. She sent a list
of properties which will be posted to the BHT website once finalized. Chantel discussed
a Tybee Business 411 Guide which will be general information for existing and potential
businesses on Tybee. Sandy Majors is assisting with this project. The committee meets
the last Monday of each month. A map is being put together with help from the city that
will have business listings, parking, public bathrooms, and parks indicated.
Organization --
John reported that Chantel and he are doing a walk through to talk with various
businesses on the South End Thursday. BHT brochures will also be given.
Corrected and approved: October 6, 2009 Page 3 of 3
Promotion –
Judy and Chantel reported that the activities for Tybee for the Holidays are still on
track. Diane Kaufman is working on the website. John will work with the Organization
Committee on the flyer.
The Fall Sale-ing Day information has been sent out. Judy and Maureen are
going to contact businesses for participation.
Other Business
A site visit to Statesboro was discussed. Chantel will contact them to confirm the
date and time. All board members were encouraged to attend.
The GA Downtown Conference in Roswell on October 7 – 9 was also discussed.
Since the board was newly formed in March and could not attend the March Main Street
Conference, GA DCA has arranged a full day Main Street 101 training day on October 7.
Three of the Board of Directors must attend at least the one full day of enhanced Main
Street 101 training in order to submit for designation by the end of the year. Maureen
and Cullen are going. Judy will check and let Chantel know.
Adjournment
Cullen made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:10am. John seconded. The
vote was unanimous.