Board Meeting Minutes - October
Downtown Chattanooga Alliance
Board of Directors Meeting
October 18, 2023 - 2:00pm
Location: 850 Market St 2nd Floor Conference Room
Call to Order
Kelly Fitzgerald, Chair of the DCA, called the meeting to order. DCA Board Members attending were Keeli Crewe, Kevin Love, Todd Philips, Tom Marshall, Councilman Darin Ledford, Susan Harris, Adam Kinsey and Gordon Stalans. Also, in attendance was DCA Executive Director, Steve Brookes.
Not attending were Brandy Burgans, Councilwoman Dotley, Rep. Greg Martin and Donald O’Connor.
1. Approval of Minutes
The DCA Board of Directors approved the September 13, 2023 Executive Committee Minutes and the August 16, 2023 Board of Directors Minutes.
2. DCA Renewal
Kelly went over the renewal process for the BID (Downtown Chattanooga Alliance). Steve told the Board that the funds for hiring Jim Kennedy to do a third-party review would come out of other line items in the budget where money was not spent.
Keeli commented that she wants to make sure that there is a greater reach to all stake holders so that the data is thorough and worthwhile.
Keeli Crewe made the motion to hire Jim Kennedy at a not to exceed cost of $12,000 to lead the formal evaluation. Adam Kinsey seconded, and the Board vote was unanimous.
3. DCA Stake Holder’s Meeting
Steve and Kelly gave a review of the Stake Holder’s Meeting at STEAM that was held on . There was a great turn out of CPD and the City staff. During the meeting Steve gave an overview to the group of what the DCA has accomplished this past year.
4. Home Bar Meeting Recap
Steve, along with Councilwoman Raquetta Dotley, Ellis Smith and CPD met with the ownership of the new Home Bar. Ownership wants to hear any issues, no matter how small, so that they can address this quickly and thoroughly.
5. Trash Service
There was a discussion of the trash service on City Streets. Steve told the Board that businesses that don’t have dumpsters have issues with large amounts of debris on the sidewalk. The City supplies trash bins but for larger businesses that is not an appropriate solution. Steve is having continued discussions with the City.
6. Public Safety Meeting and Baseline Services
Steve has a baseline services meeting with the City next week and all City Departments will be there. On November 9ththere is a Downtown Operations Working Group meeting. The mayor wants to meet monthly to hear progress on the baseline services agreement.
Three main areas of focus for public safety are the downtown youth issue, problems with single serve beer and more enforcement of homeless downtown.
7. Finance Committee Update
Gordon gave an update on the DCA finances. The DCA currently has roughly $400,000 in total cash with $182,000 in operating accounts. There should be sufficient funds for the rest of the year.
8. Executive Director Update
Steve went over the baseline services agreement. Most of the agreement is being met but the focus needs to be on public safety items not being met. The mayor is committed to increasing police force downtown to meet the agreement.
Public Comments
Meeting Adjourned