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HomeMy Public PortalAbout160_010_20160921DAMSBODminutes.pdf TIDA/MS BOD approved: 10/19/16 Page 1 of 2 TYBEE ISLAND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY / MAIN STREET BOARD OF DIRECTORS Meeting Minutes: September 21, 2016 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, Vicki Hammons, Steve Kellam, Julie Livingston, Ted Lynch, Brenda Marion Ex-Officio Director: Melissa Turner Program City Staff: Chantel Morton (Absent) Director: Diane Kaufman Ex-Officio Director: Sarah Bernzott, Melissa Memory CALL TO ORDER Ted called the meeting to order at 6:03pm. OPEN RECORDS/MEETING LAW INFORMATION Item deferred until a later date. DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY / MAIN STREET BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES Motion was made by Brenda, which was seconded by Vicki, to approve the minutes of the Tybee Island Development Authority / Main Street Board of Directors August 17, 2016 meeting. Motion carried. COMMITTEE UPDATES Business Assistance Ted reported that the next Merchant Meetup will be on November 1 from 9am until 10:30am. Chantel will reserve the Guard House. Directors discussed topics for the meetup. All agreed that the focus should be about the holiday season activities that business are / can participate with and other ways to promote the holidays. Design Vicki confirmed that the committee now includes more members with the arts association for this particular project. The committee is meeting next Tuesday to regroup and review the details for the second and third murals with representatives of the arts association. Although the first mural has elements that were not originally planned, the artists did an amazing job with her vision and it looks wonderful. Recommendations for the second and third murals will be provided that directors will be asked to consider for approval prior to proceeding. Directors discussed the pedestrian friendly enhancements for Tybrisa Street that were discussed at their mid-year workshop last week. Follow up information has been emailed regarding the idea of a gazebo and picnic benches in the roundabout. Improvements for Tybrisa Street such as adding benches between the murals, improving the landscaping and adding planters and / or hanging baskets were discussed. Chantel reiterated that Melissa M. had expressed that these improvements should connect the surrounding areas (i.e. the roundabout, the pier, Strand TIDA/MS BOD approved: 10/19/16 Page 2 of 2 Avenue, etc.) for connectivity with planning purposes. All agreed that picnic tables would be better suited closer to the stairs on the southside of the pier and pavilion instead of at the roundabout. Vicki noted that if there is time to discuss these design concepts at the committee meeting she will bring it up for a recommendation. In the meantime, Chantel will reach out to the design studio staff through the Office of Downtown Development at the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to do a conceptual rendering. Promotions Brenda reported that this year’s Community Day was another success. Although the temperature was higher than past years, it is estimated that at least 300 people attended. Ted commented that Jim and he noticed an influx of people at the grill around 3pm. $86 was donated by attendees for next year’s Community Day. Three television station news reporters interviewed Brenda. Their segments aired during their evening news programming and/or online. Directors discussed possibly giving away reusable water bottles next year. Brenda announced that the next committee meeting will be on September 28 at 6pm to review details for the Interactive Art Street Party and the holiday season. PROJECT REVIEW Façade Improvement Grant Directors discussed creating a revolving loan fund that would be available through the city and administered with the program’s assistance. Details will be discussed at a later time. Julie reviewed the need for long-term housing, mixed use in particular areas, and that parking requirements are being revised in C2. Vicki reviewed the current Façade Improvement Grant Opportunity application and processes that were discussed at their mid-year workshop last week. Discussion ensued regarding having design guidelines to go with the grant award requirements. These guidelines would be based on what the Historic Preservation Commission has drafted. The Community Development Director, George Shaw, is reviewing for inclusion. Vicki stated that the design requirements for grant awards would be applicable for applicants that are requesting matching funds for making changes to their building façade. The guidelines are in keeping with the architectural features and styles representative of Tybee. If the applicant is making improvements that do not alter the existing façade style then the guidelines are not applicable. Motion was made by Vicki, which was seconded by Brenda, to propose increasing the matching funds to be a total of $10,000, which would allow for up to four grant awards of $2,500 per year. Motion carried. Property/Uses Directors reviewed the various properties and potential uses that were discussed at their mid- year workshop last week. Details will be presented to city officials in terms of utilizing the development authority for needed and sustainable economic development purposes. Each location discussed should have restrooms and / or showers available for the public. Short-term uses include a police substation, visitor substation, downtown museum extension in partnership with the Historical Society, work stations for the public to utilize the internet and have printing capabilities. The property use could evolve as needed for long-term planning. The proposed use is to utilize the space(s) as a business incubator, which has been identified as a need with the increase of entrepreneurs wanting to start a business with limited capital to start a business. Downtown Pedestrian Enhancements See topic discussion under Committee Updates – Design. Chantel will prepare a presentation with the above information included. This presentation will be ready for directors to review at the next board meeting. Once finalized, directors will present at the October 27 city council workshop as requested. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 7pm.