Executive Meeting - March
Executive Committee Meeting Downtown Chattanooga Alliance
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Time: 2:00-3:30
Location: By Zoom
1. Call to Order
Steve Hunt, Chairman of the Chattanooga DCA, called the meeting to order. Executive Committee members attending were Charles Perry and Gordon Stalans.
Not attending was Kelly Fitzgerald.
Also present was Steve Brookes, Executive Director of the DCA.2. New Business
(a) During a discussion of delinquent assessment issues, the following points were made: i. For 2019, unpaid assessments are approximately $50,000; for 2020, unpaid assessments are approximately $154,607. ii. The next step in the collection process should be to send letters to property owners who have not paid their 2019 assessment.
1. old business
(a) Thirteen nominations have been received for E. Souchet’s seat on the board (representing a large property owner south of 4th St./Broad). A nominating committee (L. Maragnano and K. Fitzgerald) was charged with putting a replacement forward.
(b) A discussion ensued of next steps/dialogue with the four non- profits which had requested waivers.
2. new business
(a) A discussion of next steps on delinquent payments of assessments took place. The following points were made: a check should be made to determine if the list of delinquent accounts is accurate; a certified letter-reviewed by R. Ruiz -should be sent to delinquent property owners; it was agreed that any interest and penalties should be waived for property owners who have paid, but not for others who have not; and the ultimate outcome for non-payment of assessments is the placement of a lien on the property.
3. dca finance committee update
(a) For the Finance Committee, G. Stalans reviewed the financial position of the DCA as of February 28, 2021: total bank accounts approximately $656,000 including $230,000 in reserve accounts, total assets approximately $716,000, total equity approximately $663,000.
A check from the City of Chattanooga for recently submitted assessments is expected soon.
All in all, finances continue to be in “good shape.”
(b) The desirability of an expenditure plan for 2021 was discussed. Possible items to include in such a plan are a landscape master plan, activation occasions, and expenditures on public relations.
4. executive director report
S. Brookes reviewed the following matters:
(a) A clean-up of a homeless encampment behind the Lookouts baseball park took place in February. Over one ton of trash was removed at a cost of $3,900. Brooks described the outcome as a success.
(b) The Cash for Trash program will be launched around March 24th.
(c) Four proposals from public relations firms have been received. These will be reviewed by a small committee on March 11th.
(d) The first business involved in the DCA Spotlight of the Week program is Community Pie. Others will follow.
(e) A permit for the installation of Sidewalk Butlers has been received. The meeting was adjourned at 3:30.