Tallahassee Downtown Improvement Authority Board of Directors Monday, January 29, 2023– 12:00 PM
Board Meeting
City Hall, 300 S. Adams Street
Board members are asked to attend in person to ensure quorum.
Board Members Present Staff Present
Gus Corbella Elizabeth Emmanuel, CEO
Chris Dudley Alexis Bondi, Operations & Events Manager
Commissioner Jeremy Matlow Louis Norvell, City Attorney’s Office
Commissioner Cummings
Laurel Harbin
Scott Dick
AGENDA
- Welcome/ Meeting Called to Order – Gus Corbella (Vice Chair)
A quorum being present, the meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Gus at 12:02 P.M.
- Comments from Members of the Public (3-minute limit)- Open
There was no public comment.
- Approval of Board Minutes + Meetings December 11 Minutes
Chris motioned to move approval of the above minutes; Commissioner Cummings seconded. Board vote was unanimous in favor.
- Sculpture Update- Elizabeth Emmanuel
Elizabeth shared with the board that a fairly aggressive timeline for fundraising for the Bicentennial Sculpture is in place and that it will go before the downtown CRA soon. Master Craftsman Studio has let us know that additional professional services will have to be secure to ensure that the structure can withstand adverse weather and to tie in the lighting component. Elizabeth will go before the CRA on March 28 in hopes to secure that funding for the increased costs. Elizabeth has met with numerous Engineers, Architects, and Contractors to get quotes and gain understanding in the scope of work and additional cost. The DIA is hopeful for a September unveiling, with an installation in August, though there is still $22k to fundraise hopefully by the end of March, if the CRA funding can be secured.
So far, the project has received very positive feedback from the media and the public. A news article was written about the project and appeared on the front page of the Democrat. We have built out a page on the website to accept sponsorships electronically.
- Staff Updates- Gus Corbella
After five years of hard work and transformation, Elizabeth has decided to step down from the organization. Tallahassee Downtown now has a brand and identity, she has transformed the organization’s finances, and has been the number one cheerleader for downtown. A full list of the accomplishments over the past five years was submitted with the board documents. She will be with DIA until April 2nd. DIA will have to look into an interim CEO, and a selection committee will be made, and the strategic planning committee will help with the job description. Scott and Gus requested staff send the board a breakdown of the committees and positions.
Elizabeth submitted a resignation letter, attached to the board documents, and provided her own soundtrack for the occasion (‘Whitney Houston’s ‘I Will Always Love You’) and a cake with a
farewell message on top.
- FY 24 Budget Update (5 Minutes)
There was no representative present and staff are still waiting on information from fiscal year 2023 and an update on where we are in fiscal year 2024. Board members discussed the possibility of having an external bank account for part of the budget, though as Lou brought up, DIA’s budget is part of the City’s budget. If DIA were to do that, there would have to be an external audit, so the board needs to research all the repercussions and prerequisites for that. DIA currently has an account with Capital City Bank with a small balance- originally $1100 to start, to receive money from one of our sponsors during the pandemic. Laurel suggested that the next CEO should have experience in budgeting to ensure all options can be considered moving forward.
- Ideas and Discussion, Board Member Comments- Board
Gus brought up that Sha’Ron could give us an update on the City Charter Committee as she sits on the board for DIA’s next board meeting.
- Board Member Comments- Board
Dorothy Inman Johnson brought up the fact that she recently saw two puzzled couples walking around downtown. She asked if DIA has a walking tour guide that people can get at the restaurants and hotels? She also asked if DIA has thought about putting the trolley back in service for tours for visitors? And she asked if there is an opportunity to attract unique boutiques to the downtown area? She suggested Nic’s Toggery receive an award for being in our downtown for so long.
Chris recently had a meeting at Visit Tallahassee’s new space, and they offered to host one of our future board meetings there. He also asked that the March 11th board meeting be rescheduled as that is the week of spring break.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:42 P.M.
