MEMBERS: Mr. Brian Barnard, Chair; Mr. Mike Ready,
Vice-Chair; Mr. Jonathan Eady, Ms. Danielle
Miller, Ms. Laura McCanless, and Mr. Art Vinson. Mr. Ray
Wilson was absent.
STAFF: Michelle Middleton, Associate Clerk; Marcia
Brooks, City Clerk; Matthew Pepper, City Manager
and DDA Secretary/Treasurer.
GUESTS: No guests were in attendance.
OPENING: At 7:02 PM, Mr. Barnard called the meeting
to order.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Upon motion of Mr. Eady,
seconded by Ms. Miller, the minutes for the
meetings held on October 27, 2020 and December 1, 2020 were
approved. The vote was 6 – 0.
THE CITY GREENSPACE: The DDA continued their previous
discussions on how to implement low-cost
capital improvements to help cultivate commercial activity
on the city-owned greenspace. The DDA
focused on the city’s revival of the farmer’s market. The
DDA reviewed their previous ideas for parking
including developing a designated parking area located off
E. Clark Street. The DDA also discussed
approaching the City Council about receiving the deeds to
the greenspace properties as part of the
process to implement the recommended capital improvements.
Mr. Barnard will develop the visual component for the
proposal and Mr. Pepper will develop the written
description. The DDA will share the proposal with the Mayor
and Council prior to the February 15th
Council Meeting.
Mr. Pepper introduced Michelle Middleton, the city’s new
Associate Clerk. He explained that Ms.
Middleton will be responsible for managing the market’s
operations. He stated that she would be
attending the next few DDA meetings as the city prepares for
the opening of the market in the spring.
OTHER BUSINESS: Ms. Miller shared with the DDA that
Oxford College is beginning work on a feasibility
study for the Forney Property (102 Pierce Street). Ms.
Miller explained that the garden would be
preserved as part of the renovation of the home. Ms.
McCanless asked whether Oxford College would
consider developing a botanical garden at the site. Ms.
Miller responded that she would share that idea
with her team.
ADJOURNMENT: Upon motion of Mr. Vinson, seconded by
Mr. Ready, the Authority adjourned the
meeting at 8:05 PM. The vote was 6 – 0.
Submitted by:
Matthew Pepper, Secretary/Treasurer