---
date: 2023-05-09
title: Citywide Development Authority Minutes
source: 2023-05/2023-05-09_Citywide Development Authority_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

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CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
SUMMARY MINUTES
Tuesday, April 11, 2023 6:00 P.M.
Mark Glenn, Board Member Samantha Samuels, Board Member
Cathy Hill, Board Member Ariel Shaw, Board Member
Kalpesh Patidar, Board Member Gadson Woodall, Board Member
Vacant – Board Member

Other Guest in attendance: Alan Durham, Faculty Manager for Georgia Tech, City
Manager, Fredrick Gardiner, Kim Allonce, Economic Director and Attorney
Winston Denmark of Fincher Demark LLC.
Chairwoman Shaw called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
Board Member Dr. Hill was asked to proceed with a verbal roll call. All members
were in attendance except for Board Member Samuels and Board Member Patidar.
Board Member Dr. Hill motioned to amend the April 11, 2023 agenda to move
items from New Business: B- Economic Development Presentation and A- City
Managers Vision and Statement under old Business as A- Economic Development
Presentation and B- City Managers Vision and Statement: second by Board
Member Glenn. The motion passed unanimously.

Old Business
Economic Development
Mr. Durham of Georgia Tech Economic Development Division noted he recently
completed the residential and retail market analysis for the City’s Downtown
Development Authority and can help negotiate incentives and expressed being
available for the board with any questions. Mr. Durham noted having discussions
on expanding the Downtown Development Authority retail and housing market
analysis to include office spaces such as medical use around the hospital, more
hotels around the downtown area, and a possible convention center. Mr. Durham
explained being on the cusp of a recession, with banking slowing down with
commercial lending. However, retail is doing much better. Mr. Durham noted that
Location: Stockbridge City Hall 4640 North Henry Blvd. Levi Meeting Room Stockbridge, GA 30281
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many strip centers will become outdated as housing needs rise. The housing market
analysis suggested adding rooftops in the city and considering new zoning uses.

Board Member Glenn inquired about the consulting rates. Mr. Durham noted that
expanding what has already been completed with the market analysis would cost
around $20,000.

Chairwoman Shaw requested Mr. Durham to explain why the city does not qualify
for the grant. Mr. Durham noted that the EDRP (Economic Development Research
Program) targets rural or distressed communities that cannot afford consulting
services, and both the County and the City does not qualify as destressed or rural.
Mr. Durham expressed that once the market analysis was completed for the DDA
(Downtown Development Authority), specific tracks around the downtown area
did qualify as distressed.

Board Member Dr. Hill noted her biggest concerns are getting established,
acknowledged, recognized, coordinating, and differentiating with the County’s DA
and DDA. Board Member Hill also noted that she wanted to move forward with
effective activities that focus more on recognition for site locations and state
economic development.

Board Member Samuels arrived at 6:13 pm.

Chairwoman Shaw inquired on CID (Community Improvement Districts). Mr.
Durham noted CIDs are a self-taxing organization amongst property owners and
noted not seeing a need for the City.

City Manager Vision and Updates
Executive Session
Board Member Glenn motioned to convene Executive Session at 6:29 pm for the
Purpose of Real Estate: second by Board Member Dr. Hill. The motion passed
unanimously.

Board Member Glenn motioned to reconvene Executive Session at 7:08 pm:
second by Board Member Samuels. The motion passed unanimously.

Board Member Dr. Hill motioned to authorize Chairwoman Shaw to draft a letter
to Mayor and Council as discussed in Executive Session: second by Board
Member Samuels. The motion passed unanimously.

Approval of the March Meeting Minutes
Dr. Hill motioned to approve the March meeting minutes with corrections given to
Location: Stockbridge City Hall 4640 North Henry Blvd. Levi Meeting Room Stockbridge, GA 30281
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the staff liaison: second by Board Member Glenn. The motion passed
unanimously.

By-Laws Review and Vote
Chairwoman Shaw noted the board had until April 6, 2023 to submit any
comments and did not receive any before the due date; also noted changes can be
made by Resolution.

Attorney Denmark noted it fundamentally sets forth what the By-Laws should
have.

Board Member Glenn motioned to approve the CDA (Citywide Development
Authority) By-Laws: second by Board Member Dr. Hill. The motion passed
unanimously.

Market Video Approval and Vote
Board Member Samuels noted Spotlight withdrew their proposal.

Chairwoman Shaw noted there were three (3) proposals to choose from:
Jecorphoto, Gobi Photography and Video and EZ Spotlight, and inquired with the
board on how they wanted to move.

Board Member Glenn noted being impressed with Gobi Photography and Video.
Board Member Samuels noted liking Jecorphoto. Board Member Dr. Hill noted
Jecorphoto presented a good production and was comfortable with their pricing.
Board Member Woodall noted liking Gobi Photography and Video. Chairwoman
Shaw noted being in favor of Jecorphoto and asked the board by way of hands who
liked Jecorphoto versus Gobi Photography and Video. Board Members Hill,
Samuels and Chairwoman Shaw were in favor of Jecorphoto; Board Members
Glenn and Woodall were in favor of Gobi Photography and Video.

Board Member Samuels motioned to approve Jecorphoto as the Market Video
vendor: Second by Board Member Dr. Hill. The motion passed 4-1 with Board
Member Glenn opposing.

New Business
Finance & Budget Update- Gadson Woodall, Treasurer
Board Member Woodall noted the CDA (Citywide Development Authority)
received the $45,000 check from the City as a grant. Board Member Woodall gave
each board member a draft budget, and also noted creating line items to reflect
where the funding will be placed. Board Member Woodall broke down each draft
Location: Stockbridge City Hall 4640 North Henry Blvd. Levi Meeting Room Stockbridge, GA 30281
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line item:

1. Advertising- $4,000
2. Professional Fees- $5,000
3. Legal Fees- $24,000
4. Liability Insurance- $1,500
5. Marketing- $6,000
6. Public Notices- $300.00
7. Printing and Binding- $500.00
8. Travel- $300.00
9. Dues and Fees- $300.00
10.Education and Training- $500.00
11.Office Supplies- $300.00
12.Miscellaneous Expenses- $500.00
13.Hospitality- $300.00
14.Façade Grant- $1,500

Board Member Dr. Hill inquired on the Façade Grant line item. Board Member
Woodall noted the draft budget came from the DDA (Downtown Development
Authority) budget and what was given to him by the City Treasurer and noted it
could be altered.

Chairwoman Shaw noted Council for Quality Growth will be at the Merle Manders
Conference Center May 24, 2023 to give a county by county update and
encourages the board to attend.

Chairwoman Shaw inquired on how much has been spent so far. Board Member
Woodall noted $1,600.

Chairwoman Shaw requested a digital version to make changes and noted the
board needing a P.O. Box. Board Member Woodall noted he would get the P.O.
Box and Board Member Dr. Hill noted she would check the mail.

Economic Development Update – Development Authority Director
Mr. Allonce noted that an RFP for the Economic Development Strategic Plan has
been put out and will close on April 4, 2023. Mr. Allonce noted spending $60,000
on the strategic plan, which includes market data and information on the vision
process, with the goal of having all economic development partners participate in
the process. Mr. Allonce explained once the RFP is closed, the biding process will
start.

Mr.Allonce noted Council approved on April 10, 2023 at the City Council Meeting
Location: Stockbridge City Hall 4640 North Henry Blvd. Levi Meeting Room Stockbridge, GA 30281
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the use of the amphitheater’s green room for the economic development
department to host a National Small Business Week Meet and Greet on Thursday,
May 4, 2023 from 6pm-7:30pm which will include a formal invitation.

Mr. Allonce noted retaining a marketing firm named Accent Creative Group to
help with marketing collaterals and marketing strategies. Chairwoman Shaw
inquired if an RFP was put out. Mr. Allonce informed Charwoman Shaw that the
cost is under the authority of the City Manager of $50,000. Chairwoman Shaw
inquired with Mr. Denmark, City Attorney, if the board would be comfortable with
the same approach. Mr. Denmark noted the board would need to look at the city’s
purchasing policy to see if it applies to boards, and if it does, it would be a big
process.

Mr. Allonce noted presenting the Economic Development Incentive Policy to the
Mayor and Council at last month’s Council Retreat. Mr. Allonce stated the goal is
to allow time, have the Council ask any questions, and bring it back at the May 8,
2023 city council meeting for a vote.

Mr. Allonce noted working on a small business initiative with a façade grant and
will have more discussions with the Mayor and Council on what would be
included.

Board Member Dr. Hill inquired if the board should be present at city council
meetings when dealing with economic development issues. Mr. Allonce noted the
board could support the economic development department on something that may
need to be supported, or only if speaking on behalf of the department.

Mr. Allonce mentioned the office on Main Street will hold a meet and greet, and he
will provide the board with more information in the coming weeks. Mr. Allonce
also noted if the board wanted to use space, to inform the department within 24
hours’ notice. If it’s available, the space would be open until 5:30pm.

Chairwoman Shaw inquired where the board could support the economic
development department. Mr. Allonce stated the department is working on a
package that will include a few programs and initiatives, one being
entrepreneurship and work force development. Mr. Allonce noted that once the
package is completed, he will come to the board for feedback and asked the board
to attend the city council meeting to show support.

Mr. Allonce noted training through Kaufman Fast Track and will host classes for
entrepreneurship.

Location: Stockbridge City Hall 4640 North Henry Blvd. Levi Meeting Room Stockbridge, GA 30281
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Chairwoman Shaw inquired on tourism. Mr. Allonce noted the CVB (Convention
and Visitors Bureau) presented at the April 10, 2023 council meeting, and after
meeting with the Executive Director, they are working on an agreement to see
what to include.

Other Discussion
Chairwoman Shaw noted the next few meetings will include an update from the
Stem High School, guest from the ARC (Atlanta Regional Commission) and noted
possibly attending the next scheduled meeting and possibly not meeting in June.

Board Member Hill inquired on staggered terms for board members, creating an
IGA (Intergovernmental Agreement) and virtual meetings. Mr. Denmark noted
coming up with a process for staggered terms and noted not needing an IGA
(Intergovernmental Agreement) for the discussion in Executive Session. Mr.
Denmark noted that the board is only allowed to have virtual meetings when the
governor declares a state of emergency. He also noted that under open meetings
act, a member can for health reasons attend board meetings virtually only twice a
year without a doctors note or proof. A third time in that same year, will require a
doctor's note that indicates that you’re unable to appear in person.

Adjourn
Board Member Samuels made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:01pm; second
by Mr. Glenn. The motion passed unanimously.

Minutes prepared by: Randi Rainey, Deputy City Clerk
Location: Stockbridge City Hall 4060 North Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281
Levi Meeting Room

Location: Stockbridge City Hall 4640 North Henry Blvd. Levi Meeting Room Stockbridge, GA 30281
