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Approved: June 15, 2011 Page 1 of 3
BETTER HOMETOWN BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Meeting Minutes: May 18, 2011
Directors Present: Judy Malins, Beth Martin, Stephen Palmer, Monty Parks, Dick Smith,
Patricia Miller Wann
Directors Absent: Shirley Sessions, Peggy Stone, John Yarbrough
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 6:04pm by Monty.
Welcome
Chantel welcomed everyone and introduced Ethan Imhoff, Planning and Zoning
Manager, to the Board.
Guests
Chantel reported that two of the three scheduled guests for the evening were not able
to attend and sent their regrets. Mike Pollack is an Island resident and wished to
discuss potential signage to identify residential areas to visitors. He will email Chantel
information and she will send it to the board. Kellie Lord-Zieba has been talking with a
military man about an event on Tybee and she felt Better Hometown could assist.
Kellie will present to the board when she has more information.
Brooke Purdy with The Savannah Bank gave a presentation. She has been working in
the banking business for five years and on Tybee for four years. She is presenting to
the board to review how the bank and the community can better support each other.
Brooke thanked Chantel for her assistance and support of the bank. Tybee needs to
keep the bank ant the bank needs Community support to stay here. She gave a brief
history of the bank and locations. She described the personal and business banking
services the bank offers. She said that the service is more personalized and they also
have Wealth Management services. They offer mortgage, commercial and personal
loans and stressed that decisions are made locally. She asked for the Board’s feedback
to help get support from the community.
Chantel commented that Brooke will go to the businesses if they do not have time to
come to the bank. She also noted that Dick has been very involved in working to keep
the bank on Tybee. Dick said that Savannah Bank closed other branches, but chose to
keep the Tybee branch. Brooke said that without the bank, Tybee would be the largest
area without banking in Georgia. Brooke said it was a buy local issue -- bank local.
Monty said that might be a good promotion for the bank. Chantel thanked her for
presenting.
Approval of Minutes
Dick made a motion to approve the Better Hometown Board of Directors meeting
minutes from February 16, 2011 and March 23, 2011. Judy seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
Approved: June 15, 2011 Page 2 of 3
Community visioning review
Chantel thanked everyone who attended the workshop and thanked John for taking
notes. She reviewed a couple suggestions that were made at the workshop such as: a
street festival during the holidays on Tybrisa and to continue improving communication.
There were many other suggestions provided that Chantel has listed and the
committees will review them in order to have the Board decide.
Patricia asked if anyone had mentioned the problem of people parking instead of paying
to park. Dick said some people park in neighborhoods and some residents put out no
parking signs.
Committee Work Plans/Updates
Design
Chantel reported that the plaque purchased through the Memorial Bench Plaque
program has been installed on a bench near the Roundabout. DPW did a wonderful
job securing it. She has received two more inquiries. She commented that she is
waiting on confirmation that any remaining money put in the donation line item can be
rolled over to next year.
Chantel presented a picture of the trash / recycling containers. The City Manager has
suggested they be the same color as the existing containers. The Board agreed they
should remain the same color for consistency and continuity. If the DNR grant is not
awarded, the containers for the corridor will be purchased with other monies as
available.
Economic Restructuring
Locals Appreciation Card: Chantel said it is going well.
Organization
Chantel said that Cullen has resigned and there will be a non-profit opening on the
Board. Discussion ensued about possible candidates. Dick suggested someone from
the Hotel / Motel industry be approached and that he has already started that
discussion with some. Chantel will work with Ethan to make sure the position is
advertised. Monty emphasized that the board needs a candidate that is energized and
will work.
Discussion ensued regarding the Vice Chair position. No motion was made. The item
will carry over to the next meeting.
Chantel said more volunteers are needed for Information Providing Thursday through
Sunday. Currently, Jim Glass is volunteering every weekend and Terry Spatz helps as
much as she can. Chantel said volunteers are able to use the Info Hut. This location
helps when the shuttle arrives at the Roundabout. Stephen said he might be able to
assist on Thursdays. Chantel requested that board members help spread the word.
.
Promotions
Chantel reported she helped Chatham County with the Seafood Festival again this year
and asked the board about official Better Hometown program involvement. Stephen
discouraged this concept due to rules and regulations. Chantel reported that Chatham
County may be able to be more lenient with the restaurant guidelines next year. This
year, there were more non-profits involved than restaurants. Monty said Thunderbolt
cancelled an outside food event because of the health department. Monty said one of
Approved: June 15, 2011 Page 3 of 3
the benefits of BHT is that BHT can be directly involved with any event through
organization, implementation, participation, and sponsorship. Discussion ensued
regarding Better Hometown involvement and not alienating restaurants that do not
serve seafood. Stephen said he thought a Tybee Food Festival on a Saturday in
Memorial Park would be better and make it easier for participants. Chantel said
Chatham County is considering moving the event back to April when there are more
people. Monty said that there needs to be a point person and the time to start is now.
Judy mentioned that there were many other events during Seafood Festival weekend.
Tybee for the Holidays: Stephen said that right now the promotions committee is
focusing on Lights on for Tybee and the Parade. He said the committee agreed to end
the parade at the YMCA again because the Y is so involved and it is indoors. The
parade will need to start well before it gets dark. He said they are working on having a
street fair downtown that weekend to tie in with the Shop – n – Stroll. Monty agreed
that would be a good idea since the street would be closed for the Parade. Having an
activity at the Park of 7 Flags is also under consideration. Chantel confirmed Mr. &
Mrs. Claus would be at Lights on for Tybee and the Parade.
New Business:
Chris Desa is performing tomorrow for Third Thursdays on Tybee at Tybee Oaks.
Patricia is helping Chantel set up the tent. Chantel said the City is still working on the
next fiscal year budget. The City Manager asked Chantel for more details for the BHT
budget requests. Chantel supplied this information and now we wait.
Patricia said that she needs to resign her secretarial duties because she is going to New
York until the fall and it is her third year as a director. Chantel said she would talk with
Peggy.
Stephen said he had some extra Keep Tybee Tidy signs to replace ones that get
damaged. He said he was scaling back his activities to focus on the Mural project.
Patricia said that the City of Colquitt needs to be approached for guidance.
Stephen said that Third Thursdays on Tybee would be huge in a couple more years.
Dick said there was no reason that the Tourism and BHT should not work together more.
Chantel said she thought that we would have more cooperation and that the
relationship is there and will grow.
Judy announced that Ricardo Ochoa is interested in bringing virtuosos to the Island and
have them mentor young promising individuals. She said they need classroom space
and the old school might work. She has not yet discussed all the details with him
personally. Patricia mentioned partnering with the Post Theatre for Third Thursdays
on Tybee in the future.
Adjourn
Stephen made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 7pm. Dick seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.