Minutes

Downtown Development Authority of LaFayette

Board meeting at City Hall

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

1:15 p.m.

PRESENT:  Board members Jim Cole, Frances Cobb, Marilyn Jackson and Jeff Davis; City Main Street and Economic Development Director Catherine Edgemon and Promotions Committee Chairman Bill Scarborough

ABSENT:  Board members Brian Prather, Dave Gilbert and Bob Hannah

Chairman Cole called the meeting to order. 

APPROVE MINUTES

Board member Davis made a motion to approve the minutes for the May 13, 2008, DDA board meeting.  Secretary/Treasurer Cobb seconded.  Motion passed 4-0.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Secretary/Treasurer Cobb presented the Financial Report.  The beginning balance was $10,873.75.  After the deposit of $20 for sale of two T-shirts, the total is $10,893.75.

CHATTOOGA ACADEMY PHASE 2 UPDATE

Ms. Edgemon said the city is advertising for bids to upgrade utilities and to install HVAC at Chattooga Academy.  She expects the council to award the contract at its July meeting.  Ms. Edgemon said she applied for the Tourism Product Development grant funds to complete interior finish work after the utility work is finished.

NAMING MAIN STREET PARTNERS AND SPONSORS

Ms. Edgemon said the board has decided how it would like to recognize those who have done so much to help the DDA complete its projects and asked the board to name which businesses or organizations it would like to recognize.  Chairman Cole made a motion to designate donor banks as sponsors and the schools who have worked with the DDA on projects as partners.  Board member Jackson seconded.  Motion passed 4-0. 

MURAL PROJECT AT JOE STOCK MEMORIAL PARK/FIRE DEPARTMENT

Ms. Edgemon said no one applied for a façade grant.  She sent an email to donor banks to ask if they would support reallocating those funds to paint a mural on the side of the metal Fire Department building, and those responding supported the idea.  The mural would celebrate Cherokee heritage and recognize the tragic removal of the local Cherokees to Fort Cumming and then out west.  Ms. Edgemon said a lot of people in the community have discussed the need to educate the public about that aspect of area history in the 1830s, and locating the mural near Chattooga Academy and the Marsh House, both built in the 1830s, would make sense and create more potential for tourism.  Bill Scarborough discussed the project with the board.  Board member Davis made a motion to authorize Mr. Scarborough to work on a design and cost estimates to present at the July meeting.  Secretary/Treasurer Cobb seconded.  Motion passed 4-0.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ON SQUARE

The board members agreed to divide up a list of downtown building owners to ask them if they are interested in purchasing new rope lights to outline the tops of the building in the Christmas season.  They said the DDA could share 20 percent of the cost to make replacing the old lights more affordable.  The members will report back on interest at the July meeting.

T-SHIRT DONATIONS FOR GIFT BAGS

Secretary/Treasurer Cobb made a motion to donate about 10 T-shirts for Chamber gift bags to those who come to evaluate the county’s Entrepreneur Friendly program and to authorize the art gallery to sell remaining shirts on consignment at $10 each.  Chairman Cole seconded.  Motion passed 4-0. 

COMMITTEE AND BOARD REPORTS

Ms. Edgemon announced Dave Gilbert is resigning from the DDA board, and she is working to recruit someone to take his seat.

Secretary/Treasurer Cobb reported Curves was selected as June Downtown Business of the Month, and the business is reporting a lot of interest from the recent BOM news article.

Ms. Edgemon said she would schedule the visioning meeting for the DDA board when the Office of Downtown Development regional representative job has been filled.

Ms. Edgemon reminded board members of the motorcycle and hot rod cruise-in on Saturday, June 21, and Freedom Festival on Friday, July 4. 

Chairman Cole adjourned the meeting at 2:40 p.m.