2022-02-15 · City Council · Transcript · Downtown Development Authority

--- title: Downtown Development Authority date: 2022-02-15 source: 2022-02-15_Downtown_Development_Authority.wav --- [0:00:00, 0:00:00]: Yeah. [0:00:03, 0:00:16]: Uh good evening. This is uh Roger Custon and we are uh convening the uh Downtown Development Authority meeting on uh February 22nd. Um Bob, if you would please uh call roll. [0:00:17, 0:00:18]: Okay. Um [0:00:19, 0:00:23]: Can you ever hear Okay, there we go. Yeah. We hear you. Roger Custom. [0:00:24, 0:00:24]: Present. [0:00:25, 0:00:26]: Bob Swiger, President. [0:00:27, 0:00:28]: Barber Richardson. [0:00:29, 0:00:29]: That's it. [0:00:31, 0:00:32]: А сумій кокей. [0:00:33, 0:00:33]: Present. [0:00:34, 0:00:36]: Um Maxwell Sears. [0:00:38, 0:00:40]: Present. Uh present. [0:00:45, 0:00:47]: Uh that's that's everybody. [0:00:48, 0:00:52]: And uh Councilman Alexander. And Councilman Alexander, yeah. Present. [0:00:54, 0:01:14]: Thank you. That uh constitutes a quorum. So we will uh officially start the meeting at 6.04 p.m. Thank you, Bob. Um first item on the agenda is to approve today's agenda, and I'd like to make a request um to move items 3b and 3a to [0:01:14, 0:01:31]: follow the officer elections. So the sequence would be officer elections, then the request to approve the market study, and then the revolving loan fund from our guest speaker, Sheree Bennett. So I'd like to make that as a motion. [0:01:32, 0:01:32]: Second. [0:01:34, 0:01:35]: Thank you, Barber. [0:01:37, 0:01:38]: Any discussion? [0:01:40, 0:02:00]: All right, and by uh show of hands, um those who approve the changes to the agenda. I see it looks to be unanimous. Thank you. All right, and the next item on the agenda is to approve the November 16th meeting minutes. These were sent by [0:02:00, 0:02:10]: uh Vanessa on December the 9th. So I'll go ahead and make a motion to approve the uh November 16th meeting minutes. [0:02:13, 0:02:14]: Thank you, Sunequa. [0:02:17, 0:02:17]: Discussion. [0:02:20, 0:02:28]: All right, hearing none seeing us we'll go ahead and do a vote by hands. Those in favor of approving the November 16th meeting minutes, show of hands. [0:02:29, 0:02:49]: And I will abstain from this vote. I see that. Uh councilman, thank you. So councilman abstains, but I do have uh the other board members uh approve. Uh Vanessa, do you have the record? Very good. Thank you, everyone. All right, we will get into the uh main section of the meeting. [0:02:49, 0:03:09]: I really the the opening remarks is um uh you know I uh welcome Councilman Alexander to the board. We appreciate your leadership and uh serving as a liaison to the city council. Looking forward to um um a uh looking forward forward to the progress that we that you've outlined. [0:03:09, 0:03:29]: for us for uh for the DDA. So thank you for you know agreeing to serve. And and uh the next and I'll and and you know I I um what I and also for those of you you know my both my term and Bob's terms were um had expired and [0:03:29, 0:03:49]: And the city council approved to renew both of our terms. And I believe we were both sworn in uh yesterday. So we have re rejoined for uh for to continue serving on the DDA. So without further ado, I want to go ahead and go into the officer elections. So we need to appoint um a chair, vice chair. [0:03:49, 0:03:58]: Uh, treasurer and secretary. So I will start with the uh chair appointments. So I'd like to take any nominations for chair. [0:03:59, 0:04:00]: Not with a Roger. [0:04:01, 0:04:03]: Thank you. Right. [0:04:07, 0:04:14]: And is there a second? Oh, a second. Thank you, Samequa. All right, any discussion? [0:04:17, 0:04:26]: All right, we'll do this by um by show of hands as well. Those in favor of um asking me to serve as uh chair, raise your hand. [0:04:28, 0:04:30]: All right, and [0:04:31, 0:04:37]: So and I I see show of hands except for Maxwell. So is are you abstaining or is that uh an A? [0:04:40, 0:05:00]: Okay, so you're in favor. So that's that's a yes. Thank you. All right, honored to serve. Thank you. We'll move along. Um and uh for the position of vice chair, um, I'd like to go ahead and nominate uh Maxwell Sears if he's willing to serve um as vice chair. Um may have a second. Thank you, uh Barber. [0:05:00, 0:05:02]: Hold on a second. Any discussion? [0:05:05, 0:05:12]: Seeing none, we'll do a show of hands to uh approve uh Maxwell Sears as vice chair for the DDA. [0:05:13, 0:05:20]: All right, that looks to be unanimous. Thank you. And moving along. [0:05:20, 0:05:36]: Treasurer appointment. So if I may, I'd like to also uh nominate uh Barber Richardson as treasurer. She has done an excellent job with maintaining our records. So I'd love if he'd continue on that uh front. Um so I'll nominate Barber as treasurer. [0:05:37, 0:05:38]: Second. [0:05:39, 0:05:43]: I think that was Bob, so go ahead. Thank you, Bob. Uh all those any discussion? [0:05:45, 0:05:50]: All right, show of hands, those in favor of Barber serving as treasurer. [0:05:51, 0:06:00]: That looks to be unanimous. Thank you. And finally, secretary. Um, I'll go ahead and uh nominate uh Bob as Secretary. [0:06:00, 0:06:01]: Okay. [0:06:01, 0:06:05]: Thank you, Barber. Uh second. And uh any discussion? [0:06:07, 0:06:11]: All right, show of hands in favor of Bob Serving as Secretary. [0:06:12, 0:06:32]: And again, that looks to be unanimous. Thank you. All right. We've appointed our officer positions. That was uh uh that was uh rather efficient. Um all right, so with the revised agenda, the next item I'd like to ask for your vote and support on is for the approval for the market study. Um [0:06:32, 0:06:52]: Um, Mr. Peterson has done some excellent work in trying to get a market study for the downtown area. Um, just to give you a little bit of background, um, you might recall that this has been a discussion in this meeting previously. Um, about two years ago, the DDA did [0:06:52, 0:07:12]: Propose a did engage a firm to develop a master plan, not a market study, a master plan for the downtown area. This master plan required, as input, a market study. At the time that market study was going to be funded by the city, then 2020 happened. [0:07:12, 0:07:32]: Happened, everything was sort of suspended at that point. And we've been trying to get the master plan and the accompanying market study to be resumed. We restarted that effort back around the October timeframe. I will say that back then the market study. [0:07:32, 0:07:37]: It was quoted at$8,500 for the city to uh fund. [0:07:38, 0:07:58]: That same firm quoted uh the same market study two years later at$20,900, if I think I have that right. Um, because the city would be paying for this, um, that required a competitive bid. So that's where Allen came in and started reaching out to Georgia Tech and some other firms to see if they could. [0:07:58, 0:08:18]: Could provide a competitive bid for a market study. This firm, which is uh through Georgia Tech's uh innovation program, they have uh partnered with a program that uh actually allows for a federal grant. So the price that Georgia Tech is charging for this market. [0:08:18, 0:08:22]: market studies$16,000. [0:08:22, 0:08:42]: the portion that the that the that that would remain to be paid would be four thousand dollars the difference, which is much less than the original amount that we were looking at two years ago. Um so that's the that's the and and um and Alan has asked if the DDA could fund that out of uh out of our budget. So uh [0:08:42, 0:08:57]: I sent you the details of this in an email, I think yesterday or the day before. I welcome any questions that you might have on this, but I'd like to go ahead and make a motion that the DDA fund not to exceed$4,000 for a market study. [0:08:58, 0:09:07]: I have one question. I mean I'm gonna of course I support the DAP, but just for my clarity. So the market study has to be done in conjunction. [0:09:07, 0:09:12]: with the master plan or was it just a missing piece of the master plan that we still have to finish? [0:09:12, 0:09:18]: It serves as input for the master plan. Okay. Yeah. So so for the master plan to really [0:09:18, 0:09:31]: be viable, you know, can can we sustain a you know, I don't know, a certain amount of rent or a certain amount of um dollar per sales and so forth. That's that's going to be determined by what the market here will bear. [0:09:32, 0:09:36]: And that's gonna determine what type of development should go into the downtown area. [0:09:37, 0:09:37]: Okay. [0:09:38, 0:09:39]: Great question. [0:09:41, 0:09:42]: Any other questions on this? [0:09:44, 0:09:46]: Uh I like excuse me, sir. [0:09:48, 0:09:49]: Yes, of course, Councilman. [0:09:49, 0:09:52]: Yeah, I'd like to hear from Mr. Peterson on um [0:09:52, 0:09:55]: His thoughts and then um [0:09:55, 0:09:56]: His approach on this. [0:09:59, 0:10:02]: Yes, sir. Uh I think that um [0:10:02, 0:10:03]: You know, Georgia Tech. [0:10:04, 0:10:18]: Did a great job with this proposal. What we did was we sent them all the information that we had collected. So far, I sent them all the information that I had from Georgia Power, including the Placer information. For those that don't know Placer. [0:10:19, 0:10:32]: is a new database that Georgia Power has where they they calculate the foot traffic of a designated area. They did that for the Downtown Development Authority District. [0:10:32, 0:10:35]: Um sent in the RSBP plan. [0:10:35, 0:10:42]: Everything that we have, we've had extensive conversations with them. Everything that we need for this DD8 market study is in this proposal. [0:10:43, 0:10:55]: And um as Roger mentioned, uh it will only be four thousand dollars out of the DDA budget because of grants that they can pursue. So I think it's a great opportunity for the DDA. Uh certainly the price is right. [0:10:55, 0:10:58]: And it gets us back on track. [0:10:58, 0:11:01]: to where we were back in 2019. [0:11:01, 0:11:03]: Way before I got here. So [0:11:03, 0:11:12]: So so the what is the what is the time frame that we're looking at to once we move past and then we get to [0:11:12, 0:11:17]: The next stage, when will they begin? And then when are we looking at completion? [0:11:18, 0:11:21]: Right. Uh if you look on page four. [0:11:21, 0:11:22]: Over the proposal. [0:11:23, 0:11:26]: Um they can they can begin in March. [0:11:26, 0:11:33]: They can pre they can begin in March with the data collection and the final report will be completed in June. [0:11:33, 0:11:34]: Okay. [0:11:35, 0:11:40]: And um I I I would like to also say that for those that didn't attend, um [0:11:40, 0:11:50]: City Council voted to enter into a contract with Nucleworks for the CID feasibility study. And if if that study comes back favorably. [0:11:50, 0:11:53]: Um, we can look into putting the CID along 138. [0:11:54, 0:12:11]: And I know these areas don't touch, but you know, having that CID and then getting this market study uh with the DDA will put us in pr in in in position to really uh attract some some businesses. So this is if we decide to take this route, I think it'd be a good step. [0:12:11, 0:12:13]: and capitalized off the amphitheater. [0:12:14, 0:12:19]: Well, since since you mentioned mentioned it, tell'em what C I D means. [0:12:19, 0:12:22]: No, uh CID is a community improvement district. [0:12:22, 0:12:39]: where um businesses in that proposed district will self-tax themselves and they can use that tax to improve the infrastructure infrastructure, a pedestrian walkway, uh SA, you know, there are um a lot of possibilities that they can do with with those CID funds. [0:12:40, 0:12:47]: Absolutely. And yeah, and they just understand the gateway into downtown and the lead way is through highway one thirty eight. [0:12:48, 0:12:49]: And [0:12:49, 0:12:52]: leading to that. When you go to Cumberland or you go to [0:12:52, 0:12:57]: Sugarloaf or you go to those areas, those are community improvement districts. [0:12:57, 0:13:06]: where private contractors maintain those areas. That's why they're so beautiful. We got to do something about that gateway leading into the city. And that's what this does. Thank you. [0:13:06, 0:13:07]: Okay. [0:13:10, 0:13:17]: All right, any other questions or comments regarding the um request to approve the market study for$4,000? [0:13:21, 0:13:26]: All right, hearing none. I I made the motion. I don't know if anyone has seconded it. [0:13:27, 0:13:29]: Second. Oh, second. [0:13:30, 0:13:43]: Thank you. I think I heard Samaqua first. Um if there's no other discussion, we'll go ahead and uh bring it to vote. So everyone in favor of approving the market study for$4,000, uh please raise your hand to approve. [0:13:45, 0:13:51]: All right. Can't see the vote, Roger. I'm sorry, let me uh stop sharing so we can see that. Thank you. [0:13:52, 0:14:12]: All right, so it looks to be unanimous. Thank you everyone. I really appreciate your support and very excited about getting this um restarted because this this really is a first step in launching uh many important um uh um points that are really going to make some real differences in our downtown. [0:14:12, 0:14:24]: So with that, Sheree, thank you for um uh sitting through some of our housekeeping items, and uh we will turn the floor over to you to talk to us about the revolving loan program. [0:14:25, 0:14:28]: Okay, I was going to share a PowerPoint. [0:14:28, 0:14:29]: All right. [0:14:30, 0:14:32]: Do you need to allow me to share my screen? [0:14:33, 0:14:36]: I think you should be able to do it now. [0:14:38, 0:14:39]: Yes. [0:14:46, 0:14:46]: Mm. [0:14:47, 0:14:50]: Okay, can y'all see that? Yes. [0:14:51, 0:14:51]: Yes. [0:14:51, 0:15:00]: Okay. And if it's okay with you, I'm gonna keep it on this version. That way I can also see your faces if it's if it's um big enough for y'all to see. [0:15:01, 0:15:16]: And feel free to jump in and ask me questions as we go along. So part of my duties at the Department of Community Affairs, I have four different programs that I manage, but the Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund Program is one of those. [0:15:16, 0:15:21]: We call it DDRLF for short, and that's probably what I'll call it throughout the presentation. [0:15:22, 0:15:27]: But um Alan asked me if I could um give y'all an overview of this program. [0:15:28, 0:15:28]: Um [0:15:29, 0:15:33]: And just tell you a little bit about it and how it might be used in downtown Stockbridge. [0:15:34, 0:15:45]: So what is it? It's a gap financing program and it's there to um, you know, if the DDA hears about a project that wants to come into the downtown. [0:15:46, 0:15:50]: A business that wants to come in, purchase a building and maybe renovate that building. [0:15:50, 0:15:59]: then and but the business can't seem to get full financing, this is where we could step in and fill that gap with a low interest loan. [0:16:00, 0:16:10]: So we say it's designed to help local governments revitalize and enhance their downtown areas. The loan does flow through the DDA. [0:16:11, 0:16:17]: then to the borrower, which would ultimately be the business. And the benefits are that we do offer a low interest rate. [0:16:18, 0:16:24]: Um, a subordinated debt position to the private bank financing, and we can also offer some technical assistance where needed. [0:16:26, 0:16:46]: It does have to be located within the core historic commercial area of your downtown, or if there are adjacent residential neighborhoods, those historic residential neighborhoods that are sometimes on the edges of downtowns that have been rezoned commercial. And now those homes now. [0:16:46, 0:16:53]: contain maybe doctor's office or a day spa or a salon or that kind of thing. We can also do those. [0:16:53, 0:16:58]: Um and it's for um cities with less than a hundred thousand in population. [0:16:59, 0:17:03]: Some of the projects that we funded in the past, law offices in downtown Noonan. [0:17:04, 0:17:06]: The Empire South clothing store in downtown Hartwell. [0:17:07, 0:17:10]: Scoops ice cream shop in downtown Meadow. [0:17:10, 0:17:15]: Um a co-working space in downtown Canton and the historic Ottawa Mill. [0:17:15, 0:17:18]: The Lift Fitness Studio in downtown Bainbridge. [0:17:19, 0:17:23]: Story on the Square Bookshop in downtown McDonough, y'all might be familiar with. [0:17:24, 0:17:26]: Fuzzy goat yarn shop in downtown Thomasville. [0:17:27, 0:17:41]: And then mixed use spaces that include retail maybe on the first floor and then apartments above in downtown Dublin and in downtown Statesboro. So those are the kinds of projects that we've been a part of in the past. [0:17:43, 0:17:49]: Typically, what uh types of activities that we would fund are land acquisition. [0:17:50, 0:17:51]: Building acquisition. [0:17:51, 0:17:52]: New construction. [0:17:53, 0:17:56]: renovation or combinations of the above. [0:17:56, 0:17:59]: probably ninety percent of the time. [0:17:59, 0:18:05]: We are funding historic building acquisition in a historic downtown. [0:18:06, 0:18:10]: and the renovation of that building. So the combination of those two. [0:18:11, 0:18:26]: We cannot fund things like these, working capital, operating expenses, the refinancing of permanent loans that are already in place, administrative cost, or to fund a local revolving fund. [0:18:27, 0:18:30]: Um, we have had folks come to us and say [0:18:30, 0:18:36]: Uh, I already have a loan for my business, but you're offering a lower interest rate. So we'd like to get the loan from you. [0:18:36, 0:18:39]: And as I said, that that wouldn't be something that's eligible. [0:18:40, 0:18:40]: Um [0:18:41, 0:18:58]: We're not here just to finance any and every business because we'd be out of money pretty quickly. We're just there to help make projects that wouldn't be able to happen normally happen by, as I said, closing that gap when the bank is not able to loan the project the full amount. [0:19:01, 0:19:16]: So our typical terms are 3%, but for Stockbridge, our interest rate would be 2% because y'all are a Main Street community. You're a classic Main Street community in good standing with the program. So y'all would be eligible to offer that 2%. [0:19:17, 0:19:17]: Interest rate. [0:19:18, 0:19:25]: Um, it's a 15-year term with a 15-year amortization. We don't charge any application fees or loan origination fees. [0:19:26, 0:19:34]: Um, and the application is made by the DDA. They are technically the applicant. Um, the [0:19:34, 0:19:41]: often we refer to as the business as the sub borrower because um at the loan closing [0:19:42, 0:19:48]: And DCA makes a simultaneous loan. It sort of just all happens at the same time. We make a loan to the DDA. [0:19:49, 0:19:54]: And then the DDA makes a loan to the business. And at that point, the DDA is out. [0:19:54, 0:20:08]: The DDA just serves as the conduit for those state funds because the state can't make a direct loan to the uh to a private business. So the DDA is the conduit through which these funds flow. [0:20:08, 0:20:18]: Um, and the repayments are made back to DCA. The DDA doesn't have to be um involved in dealing with the payments or anything like that. [0:20:20, 0:20:23]: The only thing that we ask is if we should have ever have any problem maybe with [0:20:24, 0:20:34]: um loan payments not being made, we might call like I might call Alan and say, hey, have you have you heard what's going on with the business at you know X address? [0:20:34, 0:20:43]: And he may say, oh, well, I know that they've had a death in the family or, you know, they've been sick or, you know, they're going out of business. And he would just let me know what's going on. [0:20:46, 0:20:57]: We um typically make loans around 200,000. Our maximum loan amount is 250,000, but the amount cannot exceed 40% of the total project costs. [0:20:57, 0:21:09]: We don't make loans less than 50,000. So that would mean 50,000 is 40% of 125,000. So total project cost of 125,000. We could do a$50,000 loan. [0:21:10, 0:21:11]: And [0:21:11, 0:21:13]: Um, our structure is typically [0:21:13, 0:21:22]: 50% bank financing, 40% coming from our gap financing, and then we do require that 10% owner equity in the project. [0:21:25, 0:21:33]: The applications have two parts. Uh, we call it an IPA, an initial project assessment is the pre-application. [0:21:34, 0:21:40]: And that's just to make sure that it appears that the project is eligible for the program. It looks like it's going to appear. [0:21:41, 0:21:54]: that it would meet our qualifications. And we can review those pretty quickly, turn that back around to you, and then invite the business and the DDA to submit a full application. [0:21:55, 0:22:00]: But what we're looking for, of course, is that gap in financing. Like I said, we will ask for things like bank commitment letters. [0:22:01, 0:22:21]: To show that there is that gap there. We want to see that the project fits in with the community's plans for downtown revitalization. So if you have a downtown master plan or strategic plan, or if it's in your comp plan, we we love it when applications point to those plans to show us that this is the type of project or business. [0:22:21, 0:22:24]: That specifically that um ya had wanted. [0:22:24, 0:22:31]: maybe it is in your plan you've talked about blight removal or you've talked about the desire to have um [0:22:31, 0:22:39]: Residential in your downtown. And so projects that would uh alleviate blight or add residential to your downtown. [0:22:39, 0:22:46]: We would want to see that those meet those plans and that you are fully supportive as the DDA of the project. [0:22:47, 0:23:01]: We want to see that the project is going to have a positive impact on the downtown, meaning that jobs are going to be created. Um, they're gonna it's gonna add foot traffic to the downtown, it's going to enhance the current vitality of the downtown. [0:23:01, 0:23:06]: that it would remove blight from the downtown if that's something that y'all are dealing with. [0:23:07, 0:23:09]: Um, we love to see those projects. [0:23:10, 0:23:13]: that um maybe in a two story building would [0:23:13, 0:23:17]: [1399.9, 1411.7]: And would have residential on the second floor and would maybe even r remove a blighted um building by renovating it. Um remove that blighted buildings from your tax roll. [0:23:32, 0:23:35]: We do need to see that the project is feasible and sound. So [0:23:36, 0:23:44]: We will ask um in full application, probably not the pre-app stage, but we will ask for things like a business plan or a marketing or feasibility study. [0:23:45, 0:23:48]: Look at the financial capacity of that sub borrower. [0:23:48, 0:23:49]: Um [0:23:49, 0:23:54]: Like I said, the bank commitment letter to see, you know, what other funding commitments have been made. [0:23:54, 0:23:58]: And um does the project meet the overall objectives of our program? [0:23:59, 0:24:09]: And of course that the borrower is credit worthy. We do have in-house underwriters at DCA and they will be looking at the the sub-borrowers financials. [0:24:11, 0:24:14]: The applications are accepted year round. [0:24:14, 0:24:18]: Um, you can find the applications on DCA's website. Um [0:24:18, 0:24:22]: And there is the IPA that pre application on there as well as [0:24:22, 0:24:29]: um the full application so you can see all the things that um we are looking for in those applications and um [0:24:29, 0:24:35]: Tracy Sanchez is the DCA regional rep for your area. [0:24:35, 0:24:43]: And so what we like to do is have the DCA regional rep come out. If you have a project in mind, the DDA sets up a meeting with Tracy. [0:24:43, 0:24:51]: And the potential sub-borrower A and Tracy can come down and answer questions about the program and do the site visit of the building that they're looking at. [0:24:53, 0:25:00]: If y'all don't have any questions, I was just going to go into some examples of projects that we've done in other parts of the state. [0:25:01, 0:25:03]: Well, do have a question. [0:25:03, 0:25:04]: Yes, sir. [0:25:05, 0:25:07]: So uh we're looking at the b uh [0:25:07, 0:25:10]: Looking at the buyer and the credit worthiness. [0:25:10, 0:25:12]: Is there like a minimum credit score or something that [0:25:13, 0:25:18]: you're looking for uh in terms of the the uh in you the uh applicant. [0:25:19, 0:25:19]: Um [0:25:20, 0:25:38]: Well, I can't say that for sure. I mean, our credit underwriters would could probably be very specific with you, but um what they're looking at is that, you know, if if the borrower himself is not perfectly credit worthy, then he would need to have somebody come along and be the guarantor on the project. [0:25:38, 0:25:49]: or um you know have collateral. Um I mean we definitely would take the the building as collateral if if the borrower is looking to acquire the building. [0:25:49, 0:25:55]: Um, but we would come in in a second lean position to the bank financing on that. [0:25:55, 0:25:57]: All right, okay, thank you. [0:25:57, 0:26:00]: Um what was the name of our regional contact? [0:26:01, 0:26:05]: Tracy Sanchez. Tracy Sanchez. Thank you. Alan has her. [0:26:05, 0:26:06]: contact info. [0:26:07, 0:26:08]: Lisa, I see your hand is up. [0:26:09, 0:26:11]: Hi, um hi everyone. [0:26:12, 0:26:13]: Oh um [0:26:13, 0:26:23]: So Sheree, it's been a long time since I uh was briefed on DDRLF, but I I guess my question was something in the back of my mind. [0:26:23, 0:26:30]: If the borrower defaults on the loan, is the DDA in some way responsible for it? [0:26:30, 0:26:38]: No, um it is a non-recourse loan to the DDA. The DDA would not we would not come after the DDA for the payment. [0:26:38, 0:26:47]: Um, that's why we require the collateral or we require that guarantor and that that was that's why we have that this we would obtain the second lien on the building. [0:26:47, 0:26:52]: So that if there were a default, those are the item would be the items that we would go after. [0:26:52, 0:26:53]: To get repayment. [0:26:54, 0:27:00]: And you're in second position behind the bank, correct? That's right. Okay, good. Thank you. [0:27:01, 0:27:02]: Kira has a question. [0:27:02, 0:27:04]: Looks like you have a hand up, Kira. [0:27:05, 0:27:15]: Um yes, I wanted to um ask Cherie if there was ever a situation or projects that you all have funded where the DDA was actually [0:27:15, 0:27:18]: doing the development work. They didn't necessarily have [0:27:18, 0:27:23]: um a private partner. They wanted to do the development themselves. [0:27:24, 0:27:29]: Um yes, we have had that um happen in the past. It's not happened [0:27:30, 0:27:34]: I don't think it's happened in the in quite a few years, but [0:27:35, 0:27:46]: In the past, there have been projects where the DDA um has asked for our help, particularly with blight very blighted buildings that um [0:27:46, 0:27:52]: They were in such bad shape, but they were historic um landmark buildings that did. [0:27:52, 0:27:57]: you know, have a place in the history of the community and really did need to be preserved. [0:27:57, 0:28:08]: Um, but nobody was willing to step forward. And so the the DDA did step forward um to do those um with a lot of help, with a lot of grants and and our loan. [0:28:09, 0:28:17]: Um, and then a very solid business plan at the end of you know what they were going to use the the building for. [0:28:17, 0:28:23]: Um, so that they knew that they were going to have a revenue stream. You know, if they were gonna rent it out as an event facility, they were [0:28:24, 0:28:29]: they were going to have a revenue stream coming in that they could um repay the the loan with. [0:28:30, 0:28:30]: Um [0:28:31, 0:28:36]: that has like I said, that hasn't happened really probably since I've had this job. [0:28:37, 0:28:39]: And I've had this job for [0:28:40, 0:28:42]: Oh yeah, that's [0:28:42, 0:28:43]: Sixteen, I think. [0:28:44, 0:28:51]: Um, but I know before I was here, I remember projects being talked about. And I can certainly get examples of those if you're interested. [0:28:55, 0:28:56]: Thank you. [0:28:58, 0:29:02]: Other questions? Yeah, I just have one last question. Will we be able to um [0:29:03, 0:29:08]: have access to your slides um at the end of the presentation because I was [0:29:08, 0:29:20]: Taking notes feverishly. Yes. Oh yeah. Uh-huh. I can um I can send um You can send them to you want me to send them to you? Okay. Yes, I can send them to you, Roger. [0:29:21, 0:29:30]: And and I have a kind of a follow-up question. So it seems like the the funding actually comes from DCA. Is that right? It does. [0:29:32, 0:29:33]: Right. [0:29:36, 0:29:40]: Yes, we got um we got money years and years ago, um back in [0:29:40, 0:29:41]: Two thousand eight. [0:29:42, 0:29:49]: Um, and we're able we've just been able to it. That's why we call it the revolving loan fund. We've literally been able to revolve that money. [0:29:50, 0:29:52]: over these years, um, because we haven't had [0:29:53, 0:30:01]: um any money given to us from the legislature for for many, many years. But as we make loans, people repay them and then we're able to [0:30:01, 0:30:05]: um revolve the money and give it to new projects. [0:30:05, 0:30:20]: I have one last question. Yes. So there's no um revenue opportunity in this process for the local DDAs. It was just like the conduit to facilitate the lunch the loan between the DCA and the borrower. Mm-hmm. Okay. [0:30:20, 0:30:27]: Yes. You're just serving um serving in that capacity to help projects happen in your downtown that you want to see happen. [0:30:28, 0:30:28]: Okay. [0:30:30, 0:30:36]: One one quick question. Uh if there's a conflict between the DDA and the DAC, how is that resolved? [0:30:37, 0:30:41]: Like if you uh we disagree that this person should get the loan. [0:30:41, 0:30:45]: And you all might want that person to get the loan. How's that conflict resolved? [0:30:46, 0:30:56]: Um, you mean if the DDA really wants to see the project happen, but at DCA our credit underwriter say says that the borrower is not credit worthy. So deny. [0:30:57, 0:31:00]: Well, it's our money, so we can say no. [0:31:01, 0:31:02]: Well I've been [0:31:02, 0:31:16]: Yeah, so ultimately the decision is ours, but we definitely would would not want to participate in a project that you guys, you know, you as the locals would know more information about the project. So if it wasn't something that y'all supported to happen, we would want to know that. [0:31:17, 0:31:18]: Thank you. [0:31:19, 0:31:23]: Sheree, is there any type of business or project that does not qualify? [0:31:27, 0:31:30]: Mm, we haven't done we won't do a strip club. [0:31:36, 0:31:45]: I mean, we, you know, I guess it could be allowed by your zoning, but we I don't think we would state funds would want to participate in that type of project. [0:31:45, 0:31:48]: So a strip mall is good, but not a strip club. [0:31:48, 0:31:51]: That's yeah. Yeah. [0:31:52, 0:31:52]: Yeah. [0:31:55, 0:32:01]: Well, I'll just tell you about a couple of projects that we have participated in. Um, y'all may be familiar with this project over in Covington. [0:32:02, 0:32:07]: If y'all were fans of the Vampire Diaries television show, I never watched it, but [0:32:08, 0:32:10]: Um apparently it was very popular. It went on for [0:32:11, 0:32:13]: Like six or seven seasons. [0:32:13, 0:32:14]: But [0:32:15, 0:32:24]: This particular building in downtown Covington served as um the facade of the Mystic Grill in that television show. [0:32:24, 0:32:25]: Um [0:32:25, 0:32:29]: There had been a fire in the building. Um, it had sat vacant or or [0:32:30, 0:32:34]: mostly vacant for many, many years. And the mayor and his wife and another couple [0:32:35, 0:32:45]: decided that it was time to capitalize on the popularity of the Vampire Diaries television show. And I don't know if you've been over there because I was over there recently and then there are still people [0:32:45, 0:32:50]: you know, walking around and taking the vampire tours and that kind of thing, even though the the [0:32:51, 0:32:52]: The television show is is no longer. [0:32:53, 0:32:53]: Um [0:32:54, 0:32:55]: being filmed. [0:32:55, 0:33:01]: But um they decided to make a restaurant out of this um building. [0:33:02, 0:33:16]: And um I'll show you an interior photograph. So this is what it looks like now. Um they made the bar as uh a replica of the one that's in the television show. And they even made this really beautiful rooftop bar that overlooks the downtown courthouse square. [0:33:16, 0:33:26]: Um, so it's a really great project. Here's how we came in. The total project cost was one point almost, yeah, almost one point eight million. [0:33:27, 0:33:27]: Um [0:33:28, 0:33:31]: For uh acquisition and renovations um [0:33:32, 0:33:37]: We came in at 250,000, which you remember that's the max that we can come in at. [0:33:38, 0:33:41]: Oftentimes when projects are really big like this one. [0:33:41, 0:33:47]: Our sister agency at uh GCF, which stands for the Georgia Cities Foundation. [0:33:47, 0:33:52]: Um, they came in with another 250,000. Um [0:33:52, 0:33:54]: I believe they're max. [0:33:54, 0:34:08]: uh it had dropped down to 200. It might be back up to 250 right now. But GCF uses our underwriters on their projects. So it's it makes it um pretty easy for us to do projects together. Again, if they're large enough. [0:34:08, 0:34:13]: Um, you know, if the the total project costs are large enough for us to both participate. So in this sense, it's they did. [0:34:14, 0:34:17]: Um four hundred and fifty thousand in um [0:34:19, 0:34:27]: Equity from the owners to make this project happen. In addition to the restaurant, there's also in the basement there is a um [0:34:28, 0:34:39]: A gift shop called The Alley, which uh sells vampire diaries merchandise and has props from the movie and that kind of thing. So another uh revenue source in the basement. [0:34:40, 0:34:40]: Um [0:34:40, 0:34:50]: Very popular location. If you're over on the square, you'll see people lined up to go in. And this also helped create about 40 jobs in downtown Covington. [0:34:51, 0:35:03]: It also, um, they have often said that it it really was the catalyst for the creation of lots of other restaurants on the downtown square. So it was really a positive project for downtown Covington. [0:35:03, 0:35:14]: And I didn't realize I threw this other um project in, which is also in Covington. Um this is the city pharmacy right across the street uh from Mystic Grill in downtown. [0:35:14, 0:35:16]: They came in, um [0:35:17, 0:35:27]: This is an older picture of what the building looked like on the corner. It had been a pharmacy for many, many years. Um, as you can tell, I think since like at least like the 1920s. [0:35:27, 0:35:31]: Here's what it looks like today. It's it's a restaurant. [0:35:32, 0:35:35]: Here's what the interior looked like before renovations. [0:35:35, 0:35:38]: And now an interior shot after renovations. [0:35:38, 0:35:43]: We came in um also with GCF on this one and partnered with them with two hundred and fifty. [0:35:43, 0:36:02]: thousand a piece. Um so 1.6 million. But oftentimes our our projects are nowhere near this amount. You know, they're much lower. And we're just coming in to fill the gap and doing 40% of total project costs. But just wanted to show you those two projects which are in downtown and have made a difference um [0:36:02, 0:36:03]: With removing [0:36:04, 0:36:08]: fairly blighted buildings um from the downtown area. [0:36:09, 0:36:16]: And uh putting in a lot of foot traffic and reasons for folks to be down there and helping to revitalize and add economic. [0:36:16, 0:36:18]: uh development in the downtown. [0:36:20, 0:36:23]: And this is my contact information if y'all need me. [0:36:25, 0:36:25]: And [0:36:26, 0:36:29]: And did I spur any other questions? [0:36:30, 0:36:32]: I have one. Um [0:36:32, 0:36:52]: Is there, you know, you indicated this is a gap financing um you know tool. Um is there um kind of an ideal proportion that um DCA looks for as far as filling in the gap? Are they looking for the bank to finance fifty percent or eighty percent? Typically [0:36:52, 0:37:00]: You know, typically that's what happens is that the bank is is willing to come in at about 50%. [0:37:00, 0:37:06]: And then we come in at 40%. That's just the the typical structure of our loans, 50, 40, 10. [0:37:07, 0:37:14]: And another thing to keep in mind, because this has come up a lot recently where people needed money. [0:37:14, 0:37:16]: right then to make a project happen. [0:37:17, 0:37:18]: So just so you know. [0:37:19, 0:37:20]: The DDRLF loan. [0:37:21, 0:37:25]: Does not close until the project is complete. [0:37:26, 0:37:26]: So [0:37:27, 0:37:33]: That might um hinder some folks that need money for the project on the front end. [0:37:33, 0:37:40]: We don't come in until the project is complete, meaning renovation work is complete and our certificate of occupancy has been issued. [0:37:41, 0:37:41]: Um [0:37:42, 0:37:50]: And people say, well, that doesn't help me. I needed the money on the front end. But what normally happens is the bank agrees to loan 50%. [0:37:52, 0:38:03]: The applicant then is looking for other money, comes to us, applies, goes through the process and we say, yes, we're willing to loan you 40%. And they take that award letter back to the bank. [0:38:03, 0:38:06]: The bank is then willing to give them the [0:38:06, 0:38:13]: a um construction loan or interim financing to get them through to the end of the project. [0:38:13, 0:38:26]: And then once the certificate of occupancy has been issued, we can close. And then that money is then used to pay down that bank financing, that interim financing that the bank gave them. [0:38:29, 0:38:42]: So the 5040 10, 50% would be the bank, 40% would be the DDRLF, and 10% would be the down payment from the from the the owner equity in the project, yeah. Okay. [0:38:44, 0:38:45]: Nice. [0:38:51, 0:39:11]: Okay, question. Go ahead, sir. Yeah, so uh this program obviously uh it's is is a key in uh closing the gap because a lot of times buyers find themselves owners in this position. So um as you say, the funding is available, it's revolving. So uh at this point, I guess. [0:39:11, 0:39:11]: Yeah. [0:39:11, 0:39:19]: Uh so the fund goes up to what what was the what was the dollar amount of total available funds or or at any one point at this time? [0:39:20, 0:39:22]: What do we have right now? [0:39:23, 0:39:26]: Um the last time I looked it was around four million. [0:39:26, 0:39:27]: Okay. [0:39:28, 0:39:32]: And then for each one of these loans, so if this DDA took out [0:39:32, 0:39:52]: Let's say we had one applicant for 250,000, then another applicant wanted another loan for 250,000, just as long as there's separate applications. That's that wasn't is there a limit for us on how many applicants that we could have at once? Um there is a limit, but um I don't, you know, I don't when I looked back, I did not [0:39:52, 0:40:01]: see another loan for Stockbridge. So you got a ways to go to reach our limit. We it it could only be 10% of our loan portfolio. [0:40:02, 0:40:04]: So you've got a ways to go. [0:40:05, 0:40:06]: Much a [0:40:08, 0:40:16]: Okay, and now you mentioned that this program is the Gap program. Are there any other programs that we should know about? [0:40:16, 0:40:17]: Uh in addition to this one. [0:40:18, 0:40:24]: Uh any other type of financing programs that we should know about or is this pretty much what you are offering at this point? [0:40:25, 0:40:26]: Hmm. [0:40:27, 0:40:28]: Well, um [0:40:29, 0:40:36]: I I have other programs. Um Alan and I have talked about the Opportunity Zone program, and we don't think that's a good fit for y'all. [0:40:36, 0:40:37]: Um [0:40:38, 0:40:39]: What's your population? [0:40:40, 0:40:51]: Uh right right right twenty-nine thousand now. I've I've been off obviously I was interested in getting us an opportunity zone stat uh status for obvious reasons for [0:40:51, 0:41:09]: attraction to those businesses. You know, around us, Jonesboro has that status. Some reason we did not file when uh that blanket uh authorization occurred. So I certainly would be interested in providing that for business owners with a thirty four hundred dollar tax credit. That certainly would help our [0:41:10, 0:41:14]: uh, you know, in our toolbox. We're t looking for everything that we could possibly [0:41:14, 0:41:29]: garner in our toolbox. Is it a possibility at this point? Well, y'all um y'all actually, you know, have a good problem where you don't have a ton of blight. And so that's what we were talking about. You know, we really need a higher concentration of blight to move forward with the state OZ program. Um [0:41:29, 0:41:43]: And you know, in looking, y'all just don't don't have that, which is a good thing you don't have tons of blight. Um, I was also thinking about the rural zone program, but that's for communities under 15,000. So that wouldn't work. Um [0:41:45, 0:41:58]: Well, we certainly have a lot of blight along North Henry Boulevard and in this in this downtown area. So I don't know. Is anybody have you uh is is it possible to have a ride through to kind of take a look and see what we have? [0:41:59, 0:42:05]: Just to kinda because there certainly is a lot of blight along North Henry and the central downtown area, you know. [0:42:06, 0:42:11]: Yeah, um I mean I could certainly come out and make a ride through. I think Tracy made the ride through. [0:42:11, 0:42:26]: Yeah, we we had a we had a ride through. I had a ride through with Tracy and Tracy took um a lot of pictures and uh what what she expressed was that there's a difference between blight and something being undeveloped. [0:42:27, 0:42:38]: Correct, correct. So so for the opportunities on program, just so you know, you have to have at least 15% or greater poverty in the census block groups, which I think y'all had. [0:42:38, 0:42:42]: Um we do visual blight. [0:42:42, 0:42:52]: Um, meaning that property owners are not properly maintaining their buildings. We don't look at green space. So we're just looking at at the buildings. [0:42:53, 0:42:56]: Um, if if the building looks blighted because there's [0:42:57, 0:42:57]: You know [0:42:57, 0:43:00]: fifteen signs on it. [0:43:00, 0:43:01]: Um [0:43:01, 0:43:12]: You know, that instead is one of your problems because if you don't have a sign ordinance, y'all need to set up a sign ordinance and make sure that it's being properly enforced. [0:43:12, 0:43:21]: But but blight, what I'm looking for when I'm talking about blight is not just you know a bunch of signs on a building and more than just maybe a couple of pieces of chipping paint. [0:43:22, 0:43:25]: I'm looking at a deteriorated building and a uh [0:43:26, 0:43:34]: And properties not being properly maintained. We certainly have all of that, and I certainly will like a second assessment. [0:43:34, 0:43:50]: on whether or not we qualify because we have poverty. We have really we have a really uh that area is really impoverished, especially around Floyd Chapel Baptist Church. In that area, it certainly qualifies under that 15%. So I certainly would like a reassessment. [0:43:50, 0:44:03]: And then the other the other two criteria are under development. So we're looking and we're we would require data that shows that there's a higher vacancy rate there than in other areas of your city. [0:44:03, 0:44:10]: lower number of business licenses being issued there than in other areas of your city and lower number of building permits being issued. [0:44:10, 0:44:11]: So that's under development. [0:44:11, 0:44:16]: And then the other criterion is general distress. [0:44:16, 0:44:22]: And the things that you would use to prove that those areas are in general distress would be a higher crime rate. [0:44:23, 0:44:27]: you know, a higher cr rate of crime going on in that area than in your city as a whole. [0:44:28, 0:44:28]: Um [0:44:29, 0:44:38]: A higher number of code enforcement citations being issued there than in other areas and uh uh a lower unemployment or a higher unemployment rate. [0:44:39, 0:44:42]: We we have all of those. We had a business that actually closed. [0:44:43, 0:44:45]: We got the jewelry store there. [0:44:45, 0:44:49]: was burglarized so many times. That's why we're starting our own police department. [0:44:49, 0:45:09]: The business owner sold the business and evacuated the buildings, bank it now. We have all of that. I need somebody as a council member and a book member of this board. I need somebody to come back and do a reassessment on that fact because this area is distressed. All everything that you just described is in this area. We just need [0:45:09, 0:45:13]: We need we did we might need a microscope, but it's certainly there. [0:45:13, 0:45:19]: Well, Alan, you know, if you can get with um Mr. Alexander and [0:45:20, 0:45:21]: Give me a map. [0:45:22, 0:45:25]: I I will certainly be glad to drive. [0:45:25, 0:45:27]: that area and take a look at it. [0:45:28, 0:45:34]: Oh yeah, we'll uh council member Alexander and I will get together and we'll get that map and uh I know how to contact you, Miss Bennett. [0:45:35, 0:45:36]: Thank you. Thank you. [0:45:39, 0:45:51]: Thank you. Um, Kira, I see your hand before you go, uh before you before I bring you in. Um, Samiko, it looked like you were trying to um either ask a question or had a comment earlier. Did we [0:45:51, 0:45:54]: Did we do we address your question if you have one? [0:45:54, 0:45:55]: Yeah, it was answered. [0:45:56, 0:45:58]: Thank you. Okay. Kira, go ahead. [0:45:59, 0:46:01]: Okay. I just wanted to ask about um [0:46:02, 0:46:03]: Projects that [0:46:03, 0:46:13]: Uh don't actually have a building involved where you are doing infill, where a building may have been removed or it's just um property. [0:46:13, 0:46:18]: That you'd like to develop is this also a candidate for [0:46:18, 0:46:19]: Um, as opposed to [0:46:19, 0:46:22]: Building purchase, you would have land acquisition. [0:46:23, 0:46:35]: Is that included in this type of um funding? You could do that again, just making sure that you understand that we're talking about really tight in to the historic downtown core. [0:46:35, 0:46:35]: Mm-hmm. [0:46:36, 0:46:40]: This would be in within the central historic district. [0:46:41, 0:46:41]: Mm-hmm. [0:46:42, 0:46:42]: Okay. [0:46:44, 0:46:45]: Thank you. [0:46:46, 0:46:48]: Any other questions or comments for Sheree? [0:46:52, 0:47:12]: Seeing none hearing none. Thank you, Sheree. This has been extremely valuable. Um, I I know that most of us saw some of this during the DDA training, but uh that was along with a lot of other information that came to us all within a one or two-day training period. So it's really great to focus on this. And uh I want to thank Councilman Alexander. [0:47:12, 0:47:26]: Sandra and Alan for you know leading the way and getting this arranged to bring you in to speak to us. So I appreciate your time with us. You're welcome to stay through the rest of the meeting, um, but uh at this point we'll move on with the next item on the agenda. Okay, thank you very much. Thank you. [0:47:27, 0:47:28]: Thank you so much. [0:47:29, 0:47:31]: Thank you, Sheree. We'll be in contact. Thank you so much. [0:47:31, 0:47:32]: Sounds good. Bye. [0:47:33, 0:47:34]: Good night. Thank you. [0:47:34, 0:47:37]: Kira, is your hand still up or do you do you have something else? [0:47:40, 0:47:55]: Okay. All right, no problem. Next item on the agenda. Excuse me. Okay, we're uh back to the uh treasurer's update. So um Barber, if you'll give us the um update, please. [0:47:57, 0:47:58]: And you're on you. [0:47:59, 0:48:00]: Okay. [0:48:00, 0:48:11]: Do you uh well I guess I can share my screen if you don't have it up on yours. I I don't have it ready. If you have it available, go ahead and share it. I wanted to since we missed a couple of meetings, I wanted to. [0:48:12, 0:48:12]: Um [0:48:13, 0:48:15]: Backtrack to fiscal year. [0:48:15, 0:48:18]: Twenty twenty one and then we'll talk about January. [0:48:20, 0:48:22]: Okay, let me know if everyone can [0:48:22, 0:48:23]: See that. [0:48:24, 0:48:26]: I see the profit and loss table. Okay, perfect. [0:48:27, 0:48:40]: Pretty uneventful year for 2021. Basically, I I mean we went through this every month. So our expenses were very minimal. We had some training and attorney fees. Those were our biggest expenses in 2021. [0:48:41, 0:48:51]: uh well insurance our annual insurance policy came in at 1696 and then our professional fees for the most part i think we had a few outstanding TSW invoices but [0:48:52, 0:49:12]: Um, this was primarily legal fees and then we had some DDA training, but very minimal expenses. We were um, I just recently found out that we needed to update our wire instructions to get our annual allocation from city council. So uh we will be getting uh funded$45,000. [0:49:12, 0:49:27]: that will apply to 2021, but we're gonna get that in 2022. Um so we have submitted those instructions over to AP at the city. Uh but other than that, there were no sources of revenue for 2021. So for at the end of the year. [0:49:27, 0:49:31]: We ended out at a net loss of sixty five hundred. [0:49:32, 0:49:46]: Any questions about our activity for 2021? Again, we we go over this every month for every month, but I just wanted everyone to see it at a year's view since we didn't meet in January. [0:49:47, 0:49:50]: If no questions there, we'll go to our balance sheet. [0:49:52, 0:49:56]: Um yeah, some funds. Uh our assets are just our two bank accounts. [0:49:57, 0:50:04]: Uh currently in our facade checking account, we have ninety-four thousand eight hundred twenty-seven dollars and five cents. [0:50:05, 0:50:11]: In our operating account, we have thirty-nive thousand one hundred seventy-nine dollars and eight cents. [0:50:14, 0:50:19]: And we have no liabilities, uh had no liabilities at the end of 2021. [0:50:22, 0:50:23]: Any questions there? [0:50:25, 0:50:27]: Okay, I will hop on to [0:50:29, 0:50:30]: January. [0:50:32, 0:50:47]: Right now we only have uh for the month of January, again, no expenses. We do have a monthly uh Zoom expense that comes out. It's$40 a month for this platform that's hosting our meetings. So it's month of January, that was all we had. Um [0:50:51, 0:50:58]: So our cash balance as of January thirty first, the facade grant, uh [0:50:58, 0:51:17]: basically went down by the$40, which is a mistake. For whatever reason, Zoom is taking their fee, it's automatic and the fee is coming out of the facade grant instead of the operating. We're going to get that corrected. You don't see that reflected here, but I have transferred those funds back out of operating to reimburse the facade grant account. [0:51:18, 0:51:23]: So the facade checking is$94,787 and five cents. [0:51:24, 0:51:30]: And the operating account remained the same,$39,179.08. [0:51:33, 0:51:34]: You go below. [0:51:35, 0:51:37]: I like to show this change in cash. [0:51:37, 0:51:43]: Our total current month cash for the two checking accounts is 133 dot 133,000. [0:51:44, 0:51:54]: $966.13, which is a$40 difference from the prior month. And again, that$40 represents our Zoom payment. [0:51:56, 0:51:57]: Um [0:51:58, 0:52:05]: That concludes my report. If we have any questions, I would gladly entertain them. [0:52:11, 0:52:14]: Okay, that's it. I'll start sharing now. [0:52:36, 0:52:36]: Done. [0:52:40, 0:52:42]: Everybody's on mute. [0:52:50, 0:52:50]: Yeah. [0:52:51, 0:53:05]: I'm gonna take that as a name. Oh, I'm on mute. Yeah, you probably I'm so sorry. I know, I'm sorry. Uh I was checking if Bob uh next up is uh the secretary updates. Uh Bob, do you have anything you want to share with the group? [0:53:05, 0:53:06]: Uh no. [0:53:06, 0:53:24]: All right, we'll move on to the Main Street Advisory Board updates. So um uh Barber, shall I defer over to um Kira or did you have something you wanted to share? Because I usually have you and Kira and Lisa all sort of as sharing this agenda item. [0:53:25, 0:53:26]: And Barbie, you're on you. [0:53:27, 0:53:35]: Oh, sorry. Kara, do you want I mean, I just had the few updates for my meeting, but if you want to go on. You can go on and give your okay. Okay. Yeah, sure. [0:53:36, 0:53:37]: Okay, well um [0:53:38, 0:53:40]: Good news that uh [0:53:40, 0:53:47]: The test strickland building, we have a contractor for that, so that should be moving forward at some point. Um [0:53:48, 0:53:53]: Uh it's currently the contract is currently with the attorney for review. So hopefully Main Street will have a new home. [0:53:54, 0:53:55]: At some point. [0:53:57, 0:53:57]: Yeah. [0:53:58, 0:53:59]: Forward to that. [0:54:00, 0:54:08]: Um and then the white box project, the 114 MLK, uh I think well it's supposed to be happening next week, right? A contractor kickoff meeting. [0:54:09, 0:54:16]: And hopefully uh that project will be completed by year end as well. Well, not as well, but that project hopefully will be completed by year end. [0:54:16, 0:54:17]: Um [0:54:17, 0:54:20]: And I think those are the only two updates. Oh, Bridge Fest is back. [0:54:21, 0:54:23]: Are y'all excited about that? I am. [0:54:23, 0:54:27]: I'm very excited about Rich Best coming back. Anyway, so uh [0:54:29, 0:54:39]: I'm so ready to get back to some some form of normalcy. But yeah, Bridgefest is back and so planning should be kicking off of that very soon. We're definitely looking forward to that. [0:54:42, 0:54:44]: Here, anything you'd like to add? [0:54:44, 0:54:50]: Yes, I would just like to add that the Main Street program just recently went through its annual assessment. [0:54:51, 0:54:54]: And we passed that with flying colors. [0:54:54, 0:55:01]: Um just to give you all um an overview of how these assessments are conducted, um usually [0:55:01, 0:55:07]: Um and well we have reporting that we do on a monthly basis and then they [0:55:07, 0:55:13]: DCA, when I say they, I mean DCA, the Department of Community Affairs Office of Downtown. [0:55:13, 0:55:15]: Development will select [0:55:15, 0:55:16]: Um [0:55:16, 0:55:22]: Six about six to eight Main Street programs from across the state to actually do [0:55:22, 0:55:28]: um an in person presentation on their uh community and their main street program. [0:55:29, 0:55:42]: And our number came up for this year, so the Main Street program staff was able to provide a presentation along with our Main Street Advisory Board Chair, Anika Potts, to the DCA staff. [0:55:43, 0:55:49]: It had originally been um scheduled to be in person, but then it moved to a virtual platform. [0:55:49, 0:55:56]: And um we were still able to roll with those punches and um we were given um a very high [0:55:56, 0:56:03]: uh recommendation for our accreditation for the state level and that recommendation would be moved. [0:56:03, 0:56:07]: Um forward to the national level, so we are looking forward to being. [0:56:07, 0:56:10]: and accredited Main Street for yet another year. [0:56:11, 0:56:12]: Um [0:56:12, 0:56:24]: And um Barber mentioned the two downtown projects that are construction projects, the um 114, which is our white box project, and the Ted Strickland, which is a remodel um [0:56:25, 0:56:27]: Conversion project, but we also have [0:56:27, 0:56:30]: our um alleyway project. [0:56:30, 0:56:32]: That is also moving forward. [0:56:32, 0:56:33]: We um [0:56:34, 0:56:38]: recently had a meeting with the um [0:56:38, 0:56:47]: our engineers to give us the most recent iteration of the plan that is um set for that particular space. [0:56:47, 0:56:51]: And we're looking forward to moving that project along as well. That [0:56:52, 0:56:54]: particular project has not gone to bid yet. [0:56:54, 0:56:57]: There was some finalization that the engineers had to do. [0:56:58, 0:57:00]: And then once that um was complete. [0:57:00, 0:57:08]: we'll be moving to the bid process in uh in the very near future. So we're looking forward to that kicking off before the end of the year as well. [0:57:09, 0:57:12]: Lisa, did you have anything else to add? [0:57:14, 0:57:19]: Um the only thing I would add is just a highlight from our assessment. [0:57:20, 0:57:21]: Which was that um [0:57:23, 0:57:23]: Other [0:57:24, 0:57:29]: The staff from DCA was very impressed with our shop small campaign. [0:57:30, 0:57:30]: Um [0:57:31, 0:57:40]: They think that we're doing a really good job. Um, they think that it's our method is somehow something that they could use for future training. [0:57:40, 0:57:47]: Um, so I just wanted to thank everybody that's involved with that because it's a big undertaking and we never do it by ourselves. So thank you all. [0:57:48, 0:57:50]: for whatever help you've been able to give us. [0:57:50, 0:57:54]: And as a matter of fact, they have asked us to present. [0:57:54, 0:57:57]: Our um shop small strategy. [0:57:57, 0:58:00]: On a statewide basis, they would like for us to conduct a webinar. [0:58:01, 0:58:10]: Um, to serve as an example and um somewhat of a mentor for other Main Street programs across the state. So we're pretty excited about that. Yeah, we're pretty excited. [0:58:13, 0:58:17]: And that concludes all um that I had to report on, Roger. [0:58:18, 0:58:22]: Thank you all. Any questions for the Main Street folks? [0:58:23, 0:58:43]: All right, we will move on. The next item on the agenda is uh facade grant updates. So uh we have um we met today, um myself and Alan and Bob, who has uh agreed to help lead, you know, help lead the uh program. Um we have reviewed um both the existing application that's on our website. [0:58:43, 0:59:03]: website uh and recognize that our our application um needs a little bit of work there's some there's some areas that are that need to be updated just some examples it's got some prior DDA chair contact information it's got uh um the um wrong uh data [0:59:03, 0:59:23]: downtown city map. And because of our most recent experience with an application that's been going on for a while, we recognize that there's some rules that need to be clarified in the application to put a time limit on an application as far, you know, so that it just doesn't stay open in perpetuity. [0:59:23, 0:59:43]: So um let me say first, um, I'm asking for anyone's help uh with this team to review the existing applications. Um, in addition to what we have out there, um, Alan has given us a wealth of information that um, you know, he where he helped to serve uh in the [0:59:43, 1:00:03]: In the facade grant program at uh Stone Mountain. And that's proved to be extremely valuable to help us fill in the gaps on some of the program rules that we didn't clearly identify that would help us. So it's really a matter of reviewing those documents, making edit recommendations to our existing application, and getting that. [1:00:03, 1:00:23]: uh finalized for this board's approval to revise those um the both the internal process and the public facing application by our next board meeting. So let me uh pause on that to ask um uh well let me mention first that uh we are looking to meet next uh Monday or Wednesday. [1:00:23, 1:00:42]: at five o'clock. So I'd like to ask if there's anyone on the DDA that would be willing to help out with that. We can certainly use the extra pair of eyes and help. And if you if you're not ready to commit to that now, you can either speak up now or send me an email after the meeting. Any questions or comments on that so far? [1:00:44, 1:00:52]: Uh I do have a comment, but yes, sir. Uh certainly I'm going to this is my role to try to come in and try to listen a lot to what you guys are doing. [1:00:52, 1:00:55]: And to also kind of let you know what we look at. [1:00:56, 1:01:03]: From the council standpoint and from my standpoint, I would like that ninety-four thousand dollars to say zero at the end of the year. [1:01:04, 1:01:13]: Cause the money needs to go out. And whatever we need to do to increase the outreach, do it. Cause I'd like to give you another ninety-four thousand next year. [1:01:14, 1:01:34]: because we have you see the same things that I see on a daily basis. There are businesses out there that need it. So whatever we need to do in terms of the committee, in terms of outreach, knocking on doors, sending out information, but we got to get the information out to these businesses. So that amount comes down significantly. [1:01:33, 1:01:40]: to be our success by the end of the year is to get it as close to zero uh as we can. Thank you. [1:01:41, 1:01:56]: Thank you, sir. And I wholeheartedly agree, which is a great segue to the next phase of the uh uh program updates, which is I'm sorry, Roger, can I say something go ahead Lisa after Councilman Alexander um and hopefully Cira can um [1:01:56, 1:01:59]: kind of support me on this, but um [1:01:59, 1:02:05]: You know, what we've found out through our national and state contacts is that um [1:02:06, 1:02:07]: A lot of [1:02:07, 1:02:10]: communities are not seeing use. [1:02:10, 1:02:12]: Of the um [1:02:12, 1:02:14]: facade grant funding right now. [1:02:15, 1:02:17]: And that's as a result of the pandemic. [1:02:18, 1:02:21]: Um, it turns out that business owners are saying [1:02:21, 1:02:30]: We've got other, you know, bigger fish to fry. We're not talking about fixing up the front of the building right now. And so since the money was just sitting there. [1:02:30, 1:02:31]: Um [1:02:32, 1:02:35]: The national main street center and [1:02:35, 1:02:36]: Uh DCA [1:02:37, 1:02:41]: Have made suggestions of how you can use that money in different ways. [1:02:41, 1:02:45]: To help your local businesses during this transition period. [1:02:45, 1:02:48]: Um, so you know, we might have to rethink. [1:02:49, 1:02:52]: How the money is going to go out into the community. [1:02:52, 1:03:02]: Um, and not just focus on what we remember from three years ago. Cause it was working great back then in in a lot of communities, but a lot of things have changed and we have to be able to pivot um. [1:03:03, 1:03:05]: Along with them, so um [1:03:05, 1:03:06]: You know [1:03:06, 1:03:11]: If Kira's not able to give an example of how the money is used, we've heard some suggestions. [1:03:11, 1:03:15]: Then maybe that's something we can find out and send you more information about it. [1:03:17, 1:03:17]: Um [1:03:18, 1:03:20]: I can actually give some examples. [1:03:21, 1:03:27]: Some communities have converted these particular funds for a temporary basis into [1:03:27, 1:03:30]: micro loans and or grants. [1:03:30, 1:03:32]: They've also [1:03:33, 1:03:36]: Um created programs that [1:03:36, 1:03:39]: Асистню бізнес. [1:03:39, 1:03:41]: With opening, for example. [1:03:42, 1:03:44]: Utility deposit assistance. [1:03:45, 1:03:46]: Um [1:03:46, 1:03:51]: Building permit assistance, um, fire inspection, you know, some [1:03:51, 1:03:56]: For example, restaurants have to have very expensive. [1:03:56, 1:04:03]: Um fire prevention measures added to their um building structures. So the [1:04:03, 1:04:04]: Um [1:04:04, 1:04:21]: not irrigation, but um water prevent the where the water comes down. Sprinkler system sprinkler system. Thank you, Councilman Alexander. Sprinkler systems. You know, those types of things that are very costly for a new business to open. [1:04:22, 1:04:32]: And must have, those are the types of things that these types of funds have been used utilized for to assist those new business owners in. [1:04:33, 1:04:40]: um being able to open and to maintain their businesses that first few years of life. So [1:04:41, 1:04:44]: Um being creative with those funds, I'm I'm not saying [1:04:45, 1:04:52]: Get rid of the facade grant program, but there are ways to utilize those funds in different ways. [1:04:52, 1:04:58]: that can also assist new businesses and entrepreneurs that are coming into your downtown district. [1:04:59, 1:05:00]: That aren't necessarily [1:05:01, 1:05:02]: A facade grant. [1:05:02, 1:05:05]: Um and then once [1:05:05, 1:05:10]: you have some momentum with regard to new businesses coming into your district. [1:05:10, 1:05:12]: You can return back to [1:05:12, 1:05:19]: financing facades because you are seeing that you've got new businesses that are up and running. [1:05:19, 1:05:22]: Now let's start working on the exterior of your building. [1:05:23, 1:05:26]: So there are a lot of programs. There's the Boost program that [1:05:26, 1:05:32]: Um has been very successful across the state that um gives small business owners um [1:05:33, 1:05:36]: Initial operating cost and things like that. So [1:05:36, 1:05:43]: Um, we'd be happy to bring some of those examples from across the state for you all to look at. [1:05:43, 1:05:46]: And just get some ideas from and maybe it's something that [1:05:47, 1:05:51]: We come up with in our own community that's a necessity. [1:05:52, 1:05:55]: We have one fourteen that is going to be [1:05:55, 1:05:58]: ready, you know, completed by the end of the year. [1:05:58, 1:06:01]: Perhaps there is a way that we can utilize. [1:06:01, 1:06:10]: some of those funds as incentives for business to locate in our downtown. Um, so we can get together and put our heads together and try to figure out. [1:06:11, 1:06:19]: What is the best use for those funds in this particular moment in time? And then look for future. [1:06:19, 1:06:21]: um continuation. [1:06:21, 1:06:23]: Of a facade grant program because right now [1:06:23, 1:06:28]: The priority is not making the outside of my building look pretty. Right now is [1:06:29, 1:06:31]: The priority is let me stay open. [1:06:31, 1:06:39]: for another six months so that I can maintain this business and be a contributor to our community. [1:06:40, 1:06:42]: And I just wanted to add, um [1:06:42, 1:06:51]: Be even though we have the opportunity to do this, it's very generous, but it's not considered to be wasteful, you know. [1:06:52, 1:07:00]: I've seen some businesses recently that um, you know, they opened up as COVID preneurs, which is a big trend right now. [1:07:01, 1:07:15]: Um, but they're not necessarily um sustainable. So we do want to be careful how we are issuing the funds so that it's worth it to us as a community. You know, we want to help get our downtown up and running. [1:07:15, 1:07:18]: But we don't want sort of a fly by night, you see. [1:07:20, 1:07:24]: Exactly. Exactly. So, you know, they're gonna have to definite [1:07:24, 1:07:26]: Some thought and um [1:07:26, 1:07:27]: Strategic planning. [1:07:28, 1:07:31]: Would need to go into that um sort of repurposing. [1:07:32, 1:07:37]: But I think that it is definitely something that the DDA might want to consider. [1:07:38, 1:07:40]: All right, thank you. Barber, I see your hand up. [1:07:42, 1:08:01]: I had two, I guess, unrelated questions. Now the first question I had regarding the facade grant was, um, how does that tie into design standards? Have we developed design standards yet, you know, for aesthetics in the downtown or one had nothing to do with the other? [1:08:04, 1:08:10]: I I guess I'm Are you asking me or who are you asking? Just in just in general. [1:08:10, 1:08:12]: And you know what I mean? Like [1:08:12, 1:08:22]: If we're helping to fund the facade or or updates to the exterior of a of a building and simultaneously we have desires to have a cohesive look. [1:08:23, 1:08:25]: you know, in that area. [1:08:26, 1:08:28]: How are the two working together? [1:08:29, 1:08:33]: That is I was just gonna say that that was something that we thought would be [1:08:34, 1:08:46]: handled in the um new iteration of our UDC that the um city is currently working on. Some of those items have been addressed, but um Main Street staff [1:08:47, 1:08:53]: Um, does have um a few items that we would like to tweak a bit in what has been proposed. [1:08:53, 1:08:54]: So [1:08:55, 1:08:58]: The answer is kind of yes and no. Yes, there have been some. [1:08:58, 1:09:03]: Um, measures put in place to create some uniformity. [1:09:03, 1:09:04]: But [1:09:04, 1:09:05]: There are some [1:09:05, 1:09:10]: Um, I guess some fine points that need to be ironed out with regard to [1:09:11, 1:09:16]: Downtown specifically the historic district part of downtown. [1:09:17, 1:09:21]: that we would like to see um changed from what is currently [1:09:21, 1:09:24]: being um included in the UDC. [1:09:24, 1:09:25]: Okay. [1:09:25, 1:09:27]: Thank you. My second question, um [1:09:28, 1:09:41]: Councilman, I totally I'm all on board with how can we, you know, spend those funds. My question regarding repurposing those funds is if the council approves a certain budget for facade. [1:09:42, 1:09:50]: That's been given to us. Do we have the authority to say, okay, well, they gave us 25,000 for the side, but we're gonna repurpose that for [1:09:51, 1:09:53]: utilities and and operating expenses. Is that [1:09:54, 1:09:57]: We had the leverage to to do that, councilman? I don't know. [1:09:58, 1:10:18]: I think that's something that we'd have to ask legal. That's a legal question. So I'm not one to answer that question. Uh it sounds like a good idea, but it certainly need would need need to be uh vetted by the legal council to make sure whatever the G D D A rules are in the intergovernmental agreement is with the city. So uh I would ask the defer. [1:10:18, 1:10:20]: that question to legal counsel. [1:10:21, 1:10:25]: Okay. Cause I think it's a great idea too. So it is. Yeah. Mm-hmm. [1:10:25, 1:10:27]: And that's it. That's all my question. [1:10:27, 1:10:33]: Thank you. Alan, did you have anything to add to Barber's question regarding the design standards? [1:10:35, 1:10:41]: Oh no, um Kira touched on everything and just wanted to let you know that the council hasn't voted on that UDC yet. [1:10:42, 1:10:53]: Yeah, and I I would say that uh the ULDC is taking a long time because we want to get it right. Okay. We we've done an endeavor some things. I don't know if you watched the last meeting. [1:10:54, 1:10:57]: Uh where we were discussing the UDC about a month ago. [1:10:57, 1:11:00]: And we were talking about it intensely. [1:11:00, 1:11:17]: And the the council wants to have a zero tolerance in terms of violations. When somebody has the grass that's ungrown or they're not taking care of the lung, stop slapping them on the wrist. We've had enough of that because again, we wanted the penalty to be to be enough. [1:11:17, 1:11:22]: That if you didn't cut the grass and we charged you fifty dollars for not cutting the grass. [1:11:22, 1:11:30]: Then you might as well not cut the grass because you can pay fifty dollars uh one time for three months and not cut the grass. So [1:11:30, 1:11:50]: There is a fee schedule now that says that'll start off and then get$100. And then the second violation is$500. So it's punitive in that you do it one time, we're gonna tell we we the fine is this. But if you do it the second time, then it's five hundred dollars. And then you do it the third time, it's [1:11:50, 1:12:02]: even more than that. So those things being enforced and then the code enforcement has been doing a blitz along North Henry Drive or North Henry Boulevard to see whether or not [1:12:02, 1:12:06]: Uh they could uh improve some behavior and there has been some. [1:12:06, 1:12:10]: improvement in those behaviors whereas the repeat violators [1:12:10, 1:12:13]: were just had kind of grown across them to playing the game. [1:12:14, 1:12:17]: We don't want to play any more games with them and understand that. [1:12:17, 1:12:21]: Лисен, дис, вимот, а [1:12:21, 1:12:28]: You know, it's going to be dictated by what the policy is going forward. But the ULDC is going to be very intense. [1:12:29, 1:12:48]: If you got litter on the parking lot now, we're gonna be able to deal with that. You need to clean up the parking lot. We want the street sweeper going down the road down there for fine details. We're spending another$200,000 for another street sweeper. We got the first street sweeper out there to make sure that we're doing our part on our side. [1:12:49, 1:12:50]: Uh in terms of [1:12:50, 1:12:52]: How your building look, how [1:12:52, 1:12:58]: uh the overall property looks, those types of things need to be um [1:12:59, 1:13:02]: need to be held in check. And we cannot continue to [1:13:02, 1:13:07]: have lax rules as far as that's concerned and we no longer should have that. [1:13:07, 1:13:09]: uh at this point going forward. [1:13:12, 1:13:32]: All right, thank you. Um, so as far as the uh facade grant work, so our our goal is so you know, I want uh Lisa and Kira, the points you made about maybe um offering some creative alternatives to uh you know utilizing those funds, assuming that you know there's no uh legal constraint to repurposing. [1:13:32, 1:13:52]: uh that in addition to the facade grant, uh certainly not in instead of, um, I would I would welcome either of your input in you know the working session that Bob and I uh have planned for next week. And and you know I'm flexible it can either be Monday or Wednesday at five o'clock next week to um go through that. And that invitation is open to anyone [1:13:52, 1:14:12]: on this call who wants to help out with um um sort of getting that program um you know just cleaning up the the program updating it make sure it's current so that we can then go to the next step which would be to market the program to our local business community so that we can start taking advantage of um [1:14:12, 1:14:27]: you know, the grant itself, uh, which I see as you know kind of a marketing program. We probably need some collateral material, maybe some knocking on doors, uh reach out to make sure everyone's aware of the program, and then some in and and we're ready to uh process those applications. [1:14:27, 1:14:31]: And Roger, I did have another question for the Main Street. [1:14:31, 1:14:36]: Now the Main Street composed of the beautification committee. Could y'all talk about that a little bit? [1:14:37, 1:14:42]: That is coming up on our agenda. Okay, that's no okay, okay. I thought that was on the what they were doing now, sorry. [1:14:42, 1:15:02]: Very good. Actually, you know, um we we went past that. It was on the agenda, but I put it under the Main Street Advisory Board updates and I neglected to call it out. So Kira, do you mind? Um I think you're leading up the beautification committee for the joint uh DDA MSAB. Um do you want to provide an update? [1:15:02, 1:15:03]: [4504.5, 4516.3]: I'm sure we met, I think um two weeks ago now, might be just one week ago. Um, but we did discuss, we're we're kind of breaking down downtown beautification into [1:15:16, 1:15:20]: different um I guess areas of impact. [1:15:21, 1:15:24]: And we have, you know, discussed um [1:15:24, 1:15:28]: beautification in banners and um [1:15:28, 1:15:32]: furniture and um I guess bringing um [1:15:32, 1:15:36]: Objects into the downtown that will help enhance the overall [1:15:37, 1:15:38]: Um, vibe of the downtown. [1:15:39, 1:15:42]: We just recently at our last meeting discussed. [1:15:42, 1:15:50]: Lighting and how lighting impacts the downtown, how it creates an a certain atmosphere, mood, a feeling of safety. [1:15:51, 1:15:52]: And brings uniqueness. [1:15:53, 1:15:54]: to a downtown space. [1:15:55, 1:15:56]: And [1:15:56, 1:16:01]: We are going to be looking at ways to bring lighting into the downtown. [1:16:02, 1:16:04]: That will be cost effective and [1:16:04, 1:16:06]: Kind of change the [1:16:06, 1:16:07]: The downtown feel. [1:16:08, 1:16:16]: Um we will be meeting on um looking at how to activate the downtown in our next meeting. So our [1:16:16, 1:16:18]: Members have some homework to go out and [1:16:18, 1:16:20]: Um, think about [1:16:21, 1:16:24]: Find examples of andor brainstorm on. [1:16:24, 1:16:26]: Activating the downtown district. [1:16:27, 1:16:27]: Without [1:16:28, 1:16:29]: Bringing an event. [1:16:30, 1:16:33]: That is always a big challenge on how you [1:16:33, 1:16:37]: Activate your downtown space, get people interested in coming downtown. [1:16:38, 1:16:42]: Get people um used to coming down and creating a certain atmosphere. [1:16:43, 1:16:47]: And bringing vibrancy to your downtown area without [1:16:47, 1:16:52]: actually bringing an event. So that has been the challenge that has been issued too. [1:16:52, 1:16:57]: our beautification committee and I look forward to hearing what they have come up with. [1:17:00, 1:17:03]: Any questions or comments for Kira on the beatification? [1:17:06, 1:17:11]: All right. And any any further questions or comments regarding the uh facade grant updates? [1:17:14, 1:17:20]: All right. Um we'll move on to city staff updates. So um Mr. Peterson, we'll give you the floor. [1:17:23, 1:17:24]: Thank you very much, Roger. [1:17:25, 1:17:33]: Um, I mentioned this during the presentation. The community improvement district feasibility feasibility study was improved last night. [1:17:34, 1:17:39]: And um that's great for economic development. What we're trying to do, that's a gateway into downtown. [1:17:40, 1:17:44]: Um and that's the only staff update. My other updates on I'm later on in the agenda. [1:17:45, 1:17:48]: Um, so that's it for the um the city staff update. [1:17:49, 1:17:54]: Very good. Any um any um any questions for um for Alan? [1:17:56, 1:17:58]: Well, well, Roger, one more thing. Um [1:17:59, 1:18:00]: And I I mentioned this before. [1:18:01, 1:18:05]: Um and previous meetings and I mentioned it during the the presentation. [1:18:06, 1:18:09]: Well, not presentation, but when you discuss the market study. [1:18:09, 1:18:10]: Um [1:18:10, 1:18:15]: Placer, Georgia Power uh sent us the Placer reports. I think Roger sent that to the group, right? [1:18:16, 1:18:22]: Yes. Okay. We're trying to get Georgia Power to come to the March 15th meeting. [1:18:22, 1:18:25]: so that they can explain what all that means. [1:18:27, 1:18:47]: Um and let me a correction. I don't believe I've sent it out to the DDA because I was needing kind of confirmation that we would have someone to interpret what those reports mean because I reviewed them and it was a lot of information. Yeah, it yeah, it's it's a lot. We're we're working on them on Georgia Power coming on March the 15th. Right. Um [1:18:47, 1:18:52]: So just just just giving everyone a heads up. It's um if you look at it. [1:18:52, 1:18:54]: It's a lot of information. It can be confusing. [1:18:54, 1:18:59]: But it's it's good information. So just just giving everyone a heads up about that next meeting. [1:19:00, 1:19:18]: All right, so thank you for mentioning that. Um I will send I will go ahead and forward it to the DDA um with with the caveat that I don't I probably have as many questions as you might have once you start reviewing the information and and thank you Alan for for making the arrangements to have someone review that with us in our next meeting. [1:19:21, 1:19:41]: All right. Next up we have uh city council updates. So Councilman Alexander, thank you again for uh serving as our liaison. So do you have any updates you want to share with the DDA from council? Well the first thing, I'm I'm glad that um you know we're here to work and uh that we want to make sure that we do everything necessary. [1:19:41, 1:19:43]: to move downtown forward. [1:19:43, 1:19:51]: The one thing about me, I don't like to just meet to talk. I like to see action following what we do. [1:19:51, 1:20:05]: You know, we can come to this meeting every single day, every single month and be like, okay, we're gonna do this. No, that's not how I work. I wanna see some results at the end of the year, some tangible results. And the tangible results begin with. [1:20:05, 1:20:08]: And I challenge the council the same way. [1:20:08, 1:20:11]: Economic development does not happen in a vacuum. [1:20:12, 1:20:18]: Mr. Peterson is the economic development director, but every last one of us are economic development. [1:20:18, 1:20:22]: And how economic development works is on relationships. [1:20:22, 1:20:36]: Who do you know that you can pick up the phone and tell about the opportunities in downtown Stockbridge? Who do you know? And at the end of the year, how many opportunities or tours have you given? [1:20:36, 1:20:41]: of the downtown area, your area that we're trying to attract people to. And I think [1:20:42, 1:20:43]: You know, we need to make sure that we're [1:20:44, 1:21:01]: uh invested uh into um the thing like we were doing, which is the economic summit that we had here where we have business people come to Merrill Manders, meet, show them the interest. Right now, how many do you all know that we had a hundred million dollars in investment? [1:21:02, 1:21:05]: coming to downtown. How many raise your hand. How many people knew that? [1:21:07, 1:21:14]: Let me tell you how. Okay. The amphitheater is twenty-three million dollars. The council invested twenty-three million dollars. [1:21:14, 1:21:18]: The it see, let me under help you to understand this. [1:21:18, 1:21:38]: I love Patty LaBelle, but it's not about Patty LaBelle. It's about who Patty brings into town. Okay. All of the acts, the dancing, the music and all of that. If at the end of the day it does not bring a new restaurant or a bookstore or a clothing store or a bank or financial institution. [1:21:39, 1:21:52]: It was all for not. That's$23 million. Did you know that we just got awarded the new STEM School Science, Technology, and Engineering and Mathematics$45 million project? [1:21:52, 1:21:56]: You know, from the very first day that I took office in the school. [1:21:56, 1:21:58]: I rema in in in uh [1:21:58, 1:22:03]: I reminded the school board that there had not been a significant project. [1:22:03, 1:22:06]: Located in the city of Stockbridge and forever and a day. [1:22:06, 1:22:09]: And at every opportunity during my course of service. [1:22:10, 1:22:11]: I wanted to reach out to them. [1:22:11, 1:22:13]: To let them know how interested we were. [1:22:14, 1:22:16]: When they built the Fairview [1:22:17, 1:22:17]: Um [1:22:18, 1:22:20]: Culture art art center. [1:22:20, 1:22:23]: I was disappointed that that project didn't come to Stockbridge. [1:22:23, 1:22:24]: But in the end. [1:22:25, 1:22:28]: You know what, it was delayed, but it was not denied. [1:22:28, 1:22:48]: If you don't understand how significant that's going to be, that's a$45 million project, a three-story, absolutely beautiful state-of-the-art building coming to downtown, where all of the best educational facilities, all of the students, the brightest and the best, will be coming from all over Henry County. As you know, [1:22:48, 1:22:55]: know schools dictate economic development. Unfortunately, a lot of the schools in Stockbridge aren't highly rated. [1:22:55, 1:23:07]: this will give us the highest rated school in the community to draw economic development. So when the businesses start to look at the schools, they'll be able to look at this new state of the art school. [1:23:08, 1:23:17]: are in our downtown. They're gonna refurbish Stockbridge Elementary with a new gymnasium there. They'll be creating beautification. [1:23:17, 1:23:20]: And they'll be tying in hopefully. [1:23:20, 1:23:23]: uh to our amphitheater. The proposal that I'm trying to [1:23:23, 1:23:27]: Work through the board with and the council is to have a pedestrian bridge. [1:23:27, 1:23:29]: Go from one side of North Henry. [1:23:29, 1:23:40]: connecting the amphitheater to the um cult through the to the STEM school. So imagine that if you've been down 85 and you drive that 85 and you drive [1:23:40, 1:23:41]: Down and you see