DDA Sees Welcome Mural Rendering
Tamara Haase was present at the Downtown Development Authority’s (DDA) regular meeting Monday to present her initial rendering of the Welcome Mural to authority board members.
Mrs. Haase is a local artist that has been commissioned to paint several murals locally as well as statewide. She was selected to complete the mural designated for placement on the 139 West Washington building side that faces Hwy. 83 south. In presenting her design to authority members, she said inclusion of commonly known facets of the community were important as residents may identify but tourists may not readily know.
Once the artistic rendering is complete and approved, Mrs. Haase is looking to begin the painting process in April with hopes of good weather.
She anticipates the process taking between four to six weeks working five days a week. Parking should not be a problem as space will only be needed for her van and a lift. In regards to her contract with the authority, the artist said she was looking to receive at least bi-weekly payments once the painting begins.
Authority members heard from each of the directors they employ.
Wanda Cummings of The Shoppes of Monticello gave a brief report that included a good report of December sales with merchants now transitioning from holiday to Valentine wares. She also reported that four new spaces within the Shoppes had been created with one new space already occupied. The new Shoppes hours were also announced as Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Thursdays.
DDA Director Michele Celani noted a change in her office hours with eight hour work days planned two days per week and a half day planned on another. Her initial contract with DDA includes 20 hours per week. Work on the authority’s website and logo are currently in the works and should be complete by the month’s end, she said.
With regards to the mural art program, $9,000 plus has been collected for the projects with an additional pledge of $1,000. To that end, she announced that the Art Alley project was selected to be featured on the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail and that the Commerce Mural, that will be featured on the Bank of Monticello Operations Building, has received grant funding. The Funderburg Mural project is ready for feedback, the director announced, while the youth initiatives are underway. A Mother’s Day luncheon and Tour of Homes event is planned for May.
Authority members took action to approve joining the local Chamber of Commerce for 2021 by a vote of 3-2 with Chairman Wendell Yoder casting the tie-breaker vote. The discussion began with Vice Chairman Judy Hunsucker presenting the authority with a bill from the COC for some $200 in promotions work completed in 2020 and a letter requesting payment of last year’s membership fee. The vice chairman said that DDA had not requested to join the COC last year and didn’t understand where the payment of the past year’s fees was coming from. She said that the authority was planning to hire a social media coordinator that will complete the tasks that the COC did with posting events so was there really no need to join the chamber.
Authority member Towonder Dennis, a former COC board member, noted that the COC does more than post events for businesses.
“They are part of the community and we should work together,” said Mrs. Dennis. “If $200 could bring us together then that’s a small price to pay.”
Mrs. Dennis made a motion to join the COC which was seconded by member Virginia Spalter who joined the meeting via Zoom. Dayana Barragan also joined the meeting via Zoom.
Members also discussed the Shoppes joining the COC. Director Cummings said that she had already paid for a Shoppes membership with personal funds. In addition to approving the DDA to join the COC at $125 for 2021, the authority voted to reimburse Mrs. Cummings $50 COC fee she paid.
Authority members took action to implement a new insurance policy on the 139 West Washington building with Auto Owners Insurance at a rate of $1,736 per year. Following some research and three different bids, the company selected had a higher building replacement value and the lowest premium of all the bids obtained.
Members approved putting forth the $1,500 deposit fee to begin the Commerce Mural.
Angela Hardy was announced as the most recent façade grant receipient.
Authority members had some discussion and reviewed bids for replacing the HVAC units, some of the windows and the back entrance at 139 West Washington Street but did not take any action. Also discussed was closing off the DDA office area from the Shoppes with a complete wall enclosure.
Chairman Yoder noted that the monthly financials still needed some consolidating but that the authority was currently under budget with the Shoppes contributing $4,000 per month from rental fees. The chairman said that he planned to make a presentation to the City Council on Tuesday about the removal of some trees off the Square.
The authority members entered into an executive session for the purpose of personnel and real estate.
