Organization Is Key For Members of DDA

The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) board convened Monday during its regular meeting, held for the first time in the building it owns at 139 West Washington Street. Board members reviewed a plethora of information geared toward getting the authority organized.

In an effort to streamline its meetings and procedural process, the board approved and adopted a new packet format taking cues from the manner in which the city of Monticello handles its monthly meetings.

DDA Chairman Judy Hunsucker noted that a new format was needed to make meetings faster and more efficient, a welcomed change as Monday’s meeting exceeded three and a half hours prior to an executive session for personnel.

A copy of the approved agenda, reports from each of the four committees, and treasurer’s report are to be submitted to the DDA office by noon on the Thursday prior to the meeting date in order for the completed packets to be compiled for a Friday pickup by board members.

Additionally, board members voted to approve limiting each committee’s presentation during meetings to six minutes with an effective date of September 14, the DDA’s next meeting which will feature guest speakers from the Department of Community Affairs (DCA).

Treasurer Wendell Yoder presented the monthly report reflecting a balance of $58,009 and a tentative 2020-2021 budget that reflected a deficit of $47,299. Though the treasurer’s report was approved the budget was not.

Mr. Yoder said the budget was compiled from a 2019-2020 budget worksheet he located in the files. The current and former budgets show the only income for the organization as funds allocated from the city government in the amount of $30,000. Previously the DDA received funds from leasing the building it currently occupies.

The review of the budget led to much discussion about the DDA’s fiscal fitness as board members posed several questions to City Manager Angela Redding, who was in attendance.

“We are behind so we need guidance on what we need,” said Chairman Hunsucker to the city manager in reference to the organization being delinquent on documents needing to be submitted to the DCA and the MainStreet Program.

Mr. Yoder asked about the status of the 2018 and 2019 audits of the organization. Mrs. Redding reported that the 2018 audit had been completed and that the 2019 audit was in the process.

Mrs. Redding noted that in her previous experience the DDA has been an extension of the city with the two not being separate. Amidst the process of streamlining some other city matters, the city manager said she will seek recommendations from the auditors as well as complete some research of her own.

During the budget discussions, it was noted that the insurance rate at 139 West Washington would likely be reduced now that the building will once again be occupied. Board member Gail Harrell also suggested that the board seek bids for the organization’s accounting services, a new line item in the budget, in the spirit of fairness.

Mr. Yoder also suggested the organization purchase a desktop for the office and outfit it with a web-based Quick Books program at an estimated cost of $50 per month. Chairman Hunsucker said she has a laptop that she is willing to donate to the organization. The board approved the Quick Books purchase.

The four committees, administrative, design, promotions, and economic vitality were reallocated. Mmes. Harrell and Hunsucker will remain on administrative; Amanda Edge and Mr. Yoder will join Virginia Spalter and Towonder Dennis on design; Dayana Barrigan will join Ms. Spalter and Ms. Dennis on promotions; and the chairman and treasurer will remain on economic.

The board spent a considerable amount of time discussing the role of secretary for the organization. Current secretary Mrs. Spalter said that she was “feeling frustrated like her voice was not being heard on any level” in that position while also serving on the design/promotions committee and working full time. She spoke about submitting her resignation to the board but still willing to volunteer for the organization outside of serving on the board.

Mrs. Harrell reassured her that she was being heard and that she was vital to the organization. The board decided to discuss the personnel matter during executive session. As a result of that executive session, Mrs. Spalter shall remain on the DDA board while retaining the title of secretary with assistance in that role.

During the Director’s Update, Michele Celani told board members that she would submit grant applications to Tri-County EMC and Georgia Power for funds relative to the Four Corners Mural and Art Alle projects. She also noted that an in-kind donation was being sought from Benjamin Moore for 75 gallons of paint to use for the projects and that a federal tax identification number was all that was needed for the program. (Mr. Yoder said that he had identified two tax IDs for the organization.)

To that extent, the director said that she would prefer not to apply for the Vibrant Communities grant with a deadline of this Friday. The application process is highly competitive and the director felt that due to time constraints she didn’t feel like the application would yield their best effort at this time.

With regard to the local art projects, the board approved a “Welcome” mural at 139 West Washington Street while also approving an initial rendering of the mural completed by local artist Tamara Hasse. Ms. Edge also gave approval for a mural on her building.

Mrs. Celani also reported that the DDA’s website required its annual renewal for a $25 fee; The Monticello News has extended the invitation for the organization to have a monthly column; communications to the Chamber of Commerce should be done through the directors of each organization.

She reported on meetings attended as the newly appointed director that included the Chamber of Commerce on the issue of parking on the Square; Monticello City Council where she received approval to place 2D and 3D art at City Hall; Bank of Monticello gave permission for the DDA to use a portion of its Operations Building for a mural; and Eugene Benton permitted the DDA to use part of 133 West Washington for 2D and 3D art.

The next meeting of the DDA will be Monday, Sept. 14 at 5 p.m. at 139 West Washington Street.