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Approved: 6-19-13 Page 1 of 3
BETTER HOMETOWN BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Meeting Minutes: May 15, 2013
Vision: To improve the quality of life for those that live, work and visit Tybee Island through a healthy business corridor
and enhance the cultural experience while preserving the community's barrier island heritage.
Directors Present: Katie Addis, Bill Garbett, Jim Glass, Amy Kagan, Ted Lynch, Monty Parks, Kelly
Partridge, John Yarbrough
Directors Absent: Vicki Hammons, Peggy Stone
CALL TO ORDER
Monty called the meeting to order at 6:02pm.
BETTER HOMETOWN BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES: MARCH 20, 2013
Jim made a motion to approve the Better Hometown Board of Directors March 20, 2013 minutes.
John seconded the motion. The minutes passed unanimously.
BETTER HOMETOWN BOARD OF DIRECTORS RETREAT: APRIL 17, 2013 (NOTES ONLY)
Monty confirmed Directors received a copy of the notes from the Better Hometown Board of Directors
April 17, 2013 (facilitated) Retreat.
REVIEW OF BETTER HOMETOWN PROGRAM VIDEOS
Directors watched the produced informational videos they had received via email for final review.
The videos viewed were as follows: overview of the program, design, economic restructuring,
organization and promotions. Chantel confirmed the informational videos will be posted on the
program’s webpage, facebook and channel 7.
MISSION / VISION STATEMENT REVIEW
Directors reviewed the program’s current Vision Statement and Mission Statement and examples from
other Main Street / Better Hometown communities. Ted made a motion to approve that the program
continues operating with the current Vision Statement and Mission Statement. Amy seconded the
motion. The motion passed unanimously.
BOARD TERMS
Directors reviewed the terms for director seats as a follow up to the Board of Directors Retreat in
which the facilitator suggested a more staggered approach. Currently, five voting members’ terms end
in 2014, four voting members’ terms end in 2015 and the City Council ex-officio’s term is until 2014.
Amy made a motion that the board re-evaluates the structure of terms for new appointments
between now and when the 2014 positions are advertised. Ted seconded the motion. Chantel
confirmed the advertisement will begin in November. The motion passed unanimously.
EXPANSION OF BOARD – EX-OFFICIO FROM THE TYBEE ISLAND TOURISM COUNCIL
Discussion ensued regarding participation from the Tybee Island Tourism Council on the Better
Hometown board, as discussed during last month’s work planning portion of the retreat. Chantel
reported that Lindsay followed up with her since then. Lindsay had discussed this with their Chair and
Past Chair and expressed it would be best to have one of their voting members versus a staff person.
John made a motion to expand the board of directors in order to have a representative from the
Tourism Council serve as a non-voting member. Ted seconded the motion. The motion passed
unanimously.
FY2014 PROGRAM BUDGET REVIEW
Directors reviewed the current program’s budget and proposed budget for 2014. Chantel confirmed
the proposed budget is $2,755.52 over the 2013 approved budget. A portion of this includes the
purchase of a stage.
Monty reported that he will address city council regarding the Better Hometown program budget as
he does every year. He will submit an agenda request.
DESIGN COMMITTEE (CHAIR, VICKI HAMMONS)
Directors reviewed the Design Committee’s City Signage recommendations for Chantel to present at
the May 23 City Council meeting. Jim explained that the colors are Jane Coslick originals and keeps
with the Tybee character, the kiosk concept is simple and cost efficient for when signs need to be
replaced. Bill requested that Chantel obtain cost estimates from Joe with Public Works. Chantel
confirmed. Amy made a motion to approve the Design Committee’s City Signage recommendations as
presented. Jim seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Discussion ensued regarding the process for merchants in the southend overlay district to have
awnings and or canopies as enhancements for their storefronts. The Southend Policies and
Procedures Application form was reviewed. Bill confirmed there are limitations, but it is a good idea to
allow a smoother approval process for larger awnings than the current two feet. He provided
examples from Milledgeville’s downtown storefronts. He will work with Chantel to set a meeting with
the appropriate staff to provide an update at a later date.
PROMOTIONS COMMITTEE (CHAIR, AMY KAGAN)
Directors reviewed the meeting time for the promotions committee. Current meeting time is the last
Wednesday of each month at 2pm. During the retreat, John expressed his desire to participated, but
the time was inconvenient. Chantel confirmed that some merchants have expressed similar concern.
Other directors agreed. Directors agreed to have the Promotions Committee meetings the same day
as the Board meetings at 5pm.
STATUS OF 2013 – 2014 PROGRAM WORK PLANS
Chantel reported that not all committees have met to make recommendations for the 2013 – 14 Work
Plans. More information will be available at the next board meeting.
GEORGIA DOWNTOWN AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE
Chantel explained that every year, communities are asked to submit nominations for Awards for
Downtown Excellence to the Department of Community Affairs for consideration. The awards are to
recognize outstanding programs that promote downtown revitalization in Georgia’s communities
during the annual Georgia Downtown Conference. This year the conference is being held in Savannah
August 14 – 16. An award this year that DCA is promoting for all communities to submit a nomination
for is that of Volunteer of the Year. Directors are encouraged to submit a nomination for a volunteer
of the year award to Chantel if desired.
Approved: 6-19-13 Page 3 of 3
Discussion ensued regarding T. S. Chu’s Department Store celebrating their 80 years of being in
business as a locally owned and operated store this year. Amy made a motion for Chantel to submit an
Award for Downtown Excellence nomination recognizing T. S. Chu’s Department Store for being locally
owned and operated for 80 years. Jim seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Chantel confirmed she would prepare the nomination and send to Directors for review prior to
submitting the nomination to DCA for consideration.
Chantel announced that during the conference a mobile workshop to Tybee is being considered and
she will provide additional information at the next meeting.
NEWS FROM DIRECTORS
Amy announced that she has resigned from the Tybee Island Post Theater and therefore will not be
fulfilling her term as a Better Hometown Director. Katie agreed to serve as the board liaison for the
Promotions Committee.
OTHER BUSINESS
Jim announced that there was a very positive front page story in Savannah Morning News today
regarding the dodge ball fundraiser Tybee Island Police Department hosted with the public for Surfers
for Autism.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 7:05pm.