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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20140917_DAMSBODminutes.pdf TIDA/MS BOD approved: 10/15/14 Page 1 of 3 TYBEE ISLAND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY / MAIN STREET BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING Minutes: September 17, 2014 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 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. DIRECTORS PRESENT: Angela Caldwell, Jim Glass, Bill Garbett, Vicki Hammons, Deana Harden, Brenda Marion, Melissa Memory DIRECTORS ABSENT: Steve Kellam, Ted Lynch, John Yarbrough CALL TO ORDER Vicki called the meeting to order at 6:05pm. MAIN STREET BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES Brenda made a motion to approve the Main Street Board of Directors August 13, 2014 meeting minutes. Deana seconded. The minutes were approved unanimously. ORGANIZATION Deana reported that the Downtown Development Authority training she attended in Decatur was most informative. She has a CD that covers all the details and requested Chantel send a copy to all the directors so that they can review. Chantel will email the directors a link to Dropbox once she downloads the CD. Deana pointed out that a few key items reviewed during the training are as follows: directors must recuse themselves when a conflict of interest occurs with a project they vote on, consider hiring an independent attorney, votes must be public, directors should consider having an email address only for Authority related items, and the staff person is the Authority’s record keeper for open records requests. Deana also reviewed the Heritage Tourism possibilities with Tybee being a Certified Local Government. Some details are outlined in the presentation CD. DDA training is a state requirement for all members. Directors asked Chantel to find out about having a training session close to Tybee. Directors discussed tax credits and incentives for property owners that wish to pursue such opportunities. Directors reviewed the bylaws Chantel sent them. Jessica at DCA has reviewed the bylaws and was pleased that they are so thorough. She provided suggestions based on her experience with other communities. Chantel incorporated her suggestions which include verbiage regarding ex-officio members in Section 3-1 and board input in the absence of the Executive Director in Section 3-2. Deana suggested that the name of the program be Tybee Island Development Authority / Main Street in order to avoid confusion with the word “Downtown” since the program’s area is within city limits. Brenda made a motion to accept the bylaws with the Program name change to Tybee Island Development Authority / Main Street and that the employee title noted in Section 3-2 be updated with the Program name as well. Deana seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Chantel will send the bylaws to the city attorney for review prior to them being submitted for City Council consideration. Brenda requested three simplified bullet points she can reference when talking about the program. TIDA/MS BOD approved: 10/15/14 Page 2 of 3 Directors discussed projects for the Development Authority. Bill confirmed that beach renourishment and the bridge improvements are beyond the scope of Main Street on its own. The Tybee Post Theater and the Carbo House rehabilitations were discussed. Bill asked that Chantel invite Melissa and Eldo to the next meeting to discuss opportunities. Chantel reviewed examples from other towns including Downtown Master Plans, crosswalk improvements, website updates, wayfinding / parking signage, façade improvements, etc. Melissa emphasized that that Tybee is starting from a different point than some other communities. Brenda noted Savannah's recent development of an Arts community direction and referenced that the Main Street page has the Gallery Co-Op building listed on the available vacant commercial properties that are for sale / lease. Melissa suggested having Frank and / or Karen Kelly share about their success with the Beachview Bed & Breakfast tax credit rehab. GREAT AMERICAN MAIN STREET AWARDS (2015) Chantel reviewed the National Main Street’s Great American Main Street Awards program. Deana and she participated in the web conference they hosted. Chantel also attended a session about the GAMSA during the Georgia Downtown Conference in Decatur. Eighteen cities competitively applied for 2014. Three to five cities are awarded each year. Many applicants apply multiple times. Georgia cities that have achieved this recognition are Milledgeville (2014), Rome (2003), and Thomasville (1998). The process to apply is extremely thorough and segments include why the city applying is a great place to visit, work, live, and play with an emphasis on the city’s commitment to preservation-based revitalization and the impact of Main Street. The application deadline for 2015 is September 17. Directors agreed to make this a focus for the coming year once Chantel sends them a link to the application information to review more thoroughly. BUSINESS ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE UPDATE Deana reviewed how the August 26 Merchant Meet-Up meeting went. There were 21 people that attended to discuss what marketing techniques have worked for their businesses and suggestions for additional marketing ideas. Some expressed wanting to do restaurant week again. Chantel has conveyed this to the Tourism Council Director. Parking passes for Small Business Saturday was also suggested for this year. Chantel is checking on this. Deana discussed possible annual parking passes for merchants and their employees that live off island similar to what Critz Tybee Run is offering. Vicki expressed the need to have a plan to avoid potential problems. Chantel sent a summary of the meeting to attendees and a follow up survey. Two merchants completed the survey. The feedback was positive and shows they would like monthly meetings and that the topic should be the focus versus getting off track like a few did towards the end of the meeting. PROMOTIONS COMMITTEE UPDATE Brenda reviewed items discussed at the September 10 Promotions Committee meeting regarding Community Day and Tybee for the Holidays. The committee agreed that the Community of Caring donations during the holiday season should be the Rising TYde Community Food Pantry, Animal Shelter and Next Generation – Memorial University’s Children’s Hospital. Next Generation donations would replace Toys for Tots. Directors agreed. Chantel will send out participation information to merchants. INTERNS Chantel reported that she submitted two research projects to GMA for consideration by Georgia Southern University MPA students. Both projects were selected. One is specific for the Historic Preservation Commission and Main Street in terms of FEMA regulations and financial impact of insurance on property owners of historic structures. The other is for the Development Authority and Main Street regarding incentives for new and existing businesses. Nate Baker is the student that will be doing the project for the Development Authority / Main Street. TIDA/MS BOD approved: 10/15/14 Page 3 of 3 OTHER BUSINESS Brenda requested Chantel have name tags made for board members. NEWS FROM DIRECTORS Brenda shared about upcoming fundraisers for Tybee Island Maritime Academy such as the Spelling Bee, Tybee Idol at Huc-a-Poos, and an evening of dine-in / carry-out proceeds being donated by Lighthouse Pizza. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 7:15pm.