Town of Wise Economic Development Authority Thursday, July 11,2024 6:00 PM-501 West Main Street Wise, Virginia 24293 Meeting Minutes  MEMBERS PRESENT: Jennifer Sturgill-Mullins, Chairman Cory Dotson, Vice-Chairman Valerie Lawson, Treasurer Bonnie Aker Brandi Cox Bill Thompson TOWN STAFF PRESENT: Reagan Walsh, Secretary 1. CALLTOORDER: 2. ROLLCALL:  MEMBERS ABSENT: Rachel Helton  Chairman Sturgill-Mullins called the meeting to order.  Secretary Walsh called the roll. It was determined that a quorum was present. 3.1. Nomination and Election of Chairman to Serve until 7/31/2025  3. NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF OTICIRSICIANRMANVCEANBERA  Director) Lawson made ai motion to nominate Director Jennifer Sturgill-Mullins to serve as Chairman until 7/31/2025 with a second by Director. Aker. Motioned carried 5-0 with Director Sturgill-Mullins abstaining. Director Lawson made ai motion to nominate Director Cory Dotson to serve as Vice-Chairman until 7/31/2025 with a second by Director Cox. Motion carried 5-0 with Director Dotson abstaining.  3.2 Nomination and Election ofVice-Chairman to Serve until 7/31/2025  3.3 Nomination and Election ofTreasurer to Serve until 7/31/2025  Director Thompson made ai motion to nominate Director Valerie Lawson to serve as Treasurer until 7/31/2025 with a second by Director Cox. Motion carried 5-0 with Director Lawson abstaining.  4. APPOINTMENT OFSKCRETARYTOSIRVTE UNTIL731/2025  TreasurerLawson made a motion to nominate Town Planner, Reagan Walsh, to serve as Secretary until    TOWEDA Regular Meeting Minutes  2024/07/11 Page/2of4  7/31/2025 with a second by Director. Aker. Motion carried 6-0.  . ESTABLISH DATE, TIME, ANDLOCATION OF REGULARLY SCHEDULED! MEETINGS The directors discussed potential meeting dates and times and settled on the second Thursday of each: month 5:00 p.m. ini the council chambers at the Wise Municipal Building. A motion was made to time by Director Cox with a second by Director Dotson. Motion carried 6-0. 6. REVIEW AND APROVALOFMEFTING MINUTES-JUNE 13. 2024:  at  change the meeting  Director Cox made a motion to approve the. June 13, 2024, meeting minutes with a second Director. Aker.  Motion carried 6-0. 7. PUBLIC EXPRESSION:  by  No one from the public was present for public expression. Chairman Sturgill-Mullins dispensed with  expression.  public  8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 8.1. EDA RESOLUTION #1, 2024  "A RESOLUTION OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE TOWN OF VIRGINIA ESTABLISHING THE COMMUNITY BUSINESS BILLBOARD PROGRAM: FOR FY2024-2025 WISE, The directors discussed the draft program guidelines and: recommended some changes be made to the criteria and program guidelines. Vice-Chairman Dotson made ai motion to table EDA Resolution #1, 2024 scoring pending changes, with a second by Director Thompson. Motion carried 6-0. The following resolution, EDA  AND. ALLOCATING $15,000.00 FOR PROGRAM EXPENSES"  Resolution #2, 2024 will now be] EDA Resolution #1, 2024.  9. NEW BUSINESS:  9.1. EDA RESOLUTION #2, 2024  "A RESOLUTION OF THE ECONOMICI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE TOWN OF WISE, The directors discussed sponsoring CreatorCon 2024. The organizers of CreatorCon requested a donation of $2,500.00. Secretary Walsh explained that ifthel EDA chooses to donate to the event, iti is important that there be some representation from the EDA at the event. The directors felt that it would be best to sponsor the event at the lower sponsorship level of$1,000.00 since it was unsure ifany ofthe directors would be ablei to attend. This would also allow time for those who can attend to experience the event to see ifthe EDA should sponsor next year's event at al higher sponsorship level. Director Thompson made ai motion to sponsor CreatorCon 2024 ini the amount of$1,000.00 with as second by TreasurerLawson. Motion carried 6-0. This resolution is approved as EDA RESOLUTION: #1,2024 due to the original EDA RESOLUTION: #1 being tabled to the next meeting.  VIRGINIA SPONSORING CREATORCON2 2024"  10. MATTERS FROMSTAFF:  10.1. Virginia Economic Developers Association Membership Request    TOWEDA Regular Meeting Minutes  2024/07/11 Page/3of4  Secretary Walsh requested authorization toj join the Virginia Economic Developers Association for a of$250.00. She explained that this is a professional organization comprised of economic the state that provides valuable resources, training, and in-person events. She also provided developers information on across membership to the International Economic Development Council. The prorated amount for 2024 is $89.50 $179.00 for following years. Treasurer Lawson made ai motion to approve both requests with a second and  yearly from fee by  Director Cox. Motion carried 6-0.  10.2. International Economic Development Council Membership Request  This item was approved along with agenda item 10.1. 10.3. Department ofl Planning and Zoning Monthly Report  Secretary Walsh explained to the directors that this report is for updates for projects around town. Director Thompson asked about the scope ofthe East End Pedestrian Project. Secretary Walsh stated it was for new sidewalks from Railroad Avenue to the curve at First Church ofGod. Director Thompson stated he was that project would get funded. All the directors agreed. Director. Aker asked if, during the West Main Street hoping Pedestrian Project, would a crosswalk be added near thel Post Office. Secretary Walsh stated she was unsure and that she would check on it. She also explained that she would be submitting applications in the fall for Virginia Highway Safety Improvement Program funds. Director Dotson asked ift the new speed signs were installed Secretary Walsh discussed establishing a subcommittee for creating a microloan program. Directors Thompson and Dotson volunteered to work on this. Secretary Walsh also stated that the EDA should restart work ona a Façade Improvement Program due to the slower than anticipated progress on establishing a Virginia Main Street  VDOT or the town. Secretary Walsh stated that it was aj police department project.  by  Program.  11. MATTERS FROMT THE DIRECTORS  Director. Aker asked if designation from the Virginia Tourism Corporation would help us. Secretary Walsh stated she was unsure which organization would need to be the one to apply for designation, whether it could be the EDA, Virginia Main Street program, or the locality, but that she would check on it and to discuss their programming. Secretary Walsh stated she would look intoi it.  more provide  information  at the next meeting. Director Cox recommended that someone from VTC come to an. EDA meeting  Director Cox brought up the Small Business Development Center and that she spoke with one oft their representatives who is interested in speaking to the EDA. The directors agreed that this is a good idea. Director Cox also discussed her idea oft the EDA sponsoring Lunch and Learns for local businesses. This would be an opportunity for the EDA to host events that provide valuable information for local businesses. Vice-Chairman Dotson requested an update on the Food Truck Incubator Site. Secretary Walsh stated that money has been allocated for construction for this fiscal year and she would get an update for the directors. The directors discussed the need for more restaurants and the potential for food trucks to set up around town. Secretary Walsh stated that there is an ordinance that governs food trucks in town and that it doesn'tp prohibit food trucks generally. She stated that ifany of the directors wanted to have them set up at their businesses, to The directors briefly discussed the need for more businesses on the western end oft town. Treasurer Lawson explained that after the gas station across from town hall and the medical offices closed, other businesses in the  reach out to her for permitting.    TOWEDA Regular Meeting Minutes  2024/07/11 Page/4of4  areai noticed a significant decrease in foot traffic.  12. ADJOURNMENT  Being no further discussion, Chairman Sturgill-Mullins adjourned the meeting.  Jennifers Sturgill-Mullins! Çhairman  Secretary  I