Board Meeting Minutes - October

Board of Directors Meeting

Downtown Chattanooga Alliance

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Time: 2:00-3:05 p.m.

Location: TN IMAX Theatre, 201 Chestnut St, 2 nd Floor Board Room, Chattanooga, TN 37402

1. Call to Order

Kelly Fitzgerald, Chair of the DCA, called the meeting to order.

Board members attending were Keeli Crewe, Steve Hunt, Adam Kinsey, Tom Marshall, Matt McGauley, Donald O’Connor, Charles Perry, Gordon Stalans, Councilman Darrin Ledford and Representative Greg Martin.

Not attending were Kevin Love, Lisa Maragnano, Darian Scott, and Councilwoman Dotley.

Also attending was Steve Brookes, Executive Director of the DCA.

The following minutes were approved: Board minutes, August 17, 2022 and Executive Committee minutes, October 12, 2022.

2. Finance Committee Update

(a) Before the meeting, G. Stalans circulated 2 financial reports. As of September 30, 2022 total assets were $754,380, total liabilities $175,625, and total equity $578,625.

A projection of the 2022 budget indicated that the fiscal year will end with a $100,000 deficit.

(b) In 2023 there will be 2 fiscal years: one running from January 1 to June 30 and another running from July 1 to June 30, 2023. This change will align the DCA fiscal year with that of the City of Chattanooga. This outcome will require a change in the by-laws.

(c) The audit of the 2020 budget is complete, showing no issues.

3. DCA Business

(a) The following individuals were elected to the Board for 3-year terms, beginning in January, 2023: Todd Phillips, Susan Harris, John Clark, Shannon Johnson and Gordon Stalans.

The Executive Committee will consist of Kelly Fitzgerald Chair, Todd Phillips Vice-Chair, Adam Kinsey Secretary, and Gordon Stalans Treasurer.

(b) There was discussion of the recent meeting with Mayor Kelly where the focus was on the increase of homelessness population and violence.

The DCA’s position is that there should be “zero tolerance” of homelessness, but that this phrase needs to be more clearly defined.

S. Brookes addressed the following strategies for addressing homelessness issues: removal of benches in problem areas (already done), opening the rest room in Miller Park from 6:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. (not yet carried out), placing covers over electrical outlets and turning off Wi-Fi, and providing more CPD resources downtown.

Other issues discussed included the need to identify worse-case individuals, training hotel staffs on how to deal with homeless individuals, and the preparation of a resource guide.

All in all, the DCA is encouraged by recent improvements in regard to homelessness issues in the district.

(c) A. Kinsey reported on the status of the Strategic Plan. Jim Kennedy has completed his interviews. A meeting with Kennedy will take place next month with the goal of completing a draft report of a 3 to 5 year plan.

Executive Director Update

S. Brookes reported that

(a) the annual meeting will take place on December 14 with speakers. Two suggestions were offered: one, to invite individuals and the wider public, who often do not attend Board meetings and two, structure the meeting around a luncheon meal.

(b) work on the landscape master plan continues with a site inventory now complete.

The meeting adjourned at 3:05.