FREDERICKSBURG ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 706 Caroline Street Fredericksburg, VA: 22401  (540)372-1216 (540)3 372-6587 Fax  ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA) MINUTES  August 12, 2024 8:30: a.m. e Regular Meeting Executive Plaza 601 Caroline St., Third Floor Fredericksburg, VA 22401  The Economic Development Authority of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia met in regular session on Monday, EDA. MEMBERS. PRESENT. Chair Beth Black presiding, Joel Griffin (8:34 a.m.), Anita Crossfield, Mitzi  August 12, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. at] Executive Plaza, 601 Caroline St., Third Floor. Brown, Meredith Schatz, Suzy Stone, and Kevin Hughes (via phone).  ABSENT. None.  ALSO. PRESENT. Fredericksburg VA Main Street: Chris Allen; Member of thel Public: Josh Summits; Fredericksburg Free Press: Joeyl LoMonoco; Adele Uphaus: Fredericksburg. Advance; City of Fredericksburg Community Planning and Building: John Schafer; Mike Craig; George Washington Regional Commission: Samantha Soukas; Fredericksburg Regional Continuum of Care: Cait Woodward; Megan Samples; EDA Counsel: Jackson Key; EDA. Assistant: Jordan Seurattan; Department of Economic. Development and Tourism: MC Morris, Assistant Director ofTourism; Amy Peregoy, Economic Development Manager; Victoria Matthews, Tourism Stadium, Sales Manager; Jim Gaston, Administrative Support Specialist; and City Manager:  Tim Baroody.  DETERMINATIONOF QUORUM. Anita Crossfield.  APPROVAL OFAGENDA. from Meeting (1-Griffin).  MOTION by Suzy Stone, seconded by Meredith Schatz, the agenda was approved: Ayes (6); Nays (0); Absent PUBLICCOMMENTS. Chair Black welcomed Josh Summits, the new Director of Economic Development and' Tourism for the City of Fredericksburg starting August 19, Mr. Summits looks forward  beginning his role with the City of Fredericksburg.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES.  MOTION by Meredith Schatz, seconded by Suzy Stone for the regular meeting minutes from July 8, 2024 TREASURER'S, REPORT. Mr. Hughes reminded the board FY20261 has begun. Hes stated all accounts are up- to-date. The Certificates of Deposit were opened with Shore United totaling $900.000. The current cash balance of  were approved: Ayes (6); Nays (0); Absent from Meeting (1-Griffin).    Page 2 of4 August 12, 2024  thel EDA as of July 31 is $183,213.88 He noted witht the deposit of the' Tower Project reimbursement thel board may want to consider an allocation oft the funds toward a Certificate of] Deposit. He will discuss with thel board at the  next regular meeting. OLD BUSINESS. None. NEW BUSINESS.  a. Data Center Discussion- - Tim Baroody, City Manager. Mr. Baroody informed thel board City Councill has talked recently about getting al bit more aggressive on data centers. Mayor. Devine talked about her desire to see Celebrate Virginia South further explored for this potential use. City staff! has been working ever: since that direction which was supported by the rest ofCity Council. The work] has consisted of water, sewer and electricity, which all three are required to begin a conversation related to data centers. Mr. Baroody stated only preliminary work has been completed at Celebrate Virginia South. The need now is to come back to City Council on August 27. Dominion Power: requires an offset to feasibility work tol be done to prove electricity can be brought across thei interstate from its current linei in the Cityt to support data center build-out. Conversations have begun with) Dominion' but typically, they deal with private property owners in this case the City of Fredericksburg. They will execute as study, which will take four to six months. A requirement isa $200,000 down payment to draw upon as required The study may cost less or more. Mr. Baroody talked with the City Attorney; it was determined to consult thel EDA to facilitate this work on behalfofthe City. He knows Council will consider this payment on August 27. IfCouncil approve monies, they willl look to the EDAI to move those monies forward. Thel EDA would: receive $200,0001 from the Cityi ifthey approve this action on August 27. City Council will ask thel EDA to essentially engage with] Dominion. Theyl have a generic draft template, which was passed around tot thel board. The Hylton property is also be considered as a MOTION by Meredith Schatz, seconded by Suzy Stone to pass-thru the money from City Council to thel EDA per Mr. Baroody's recommendation to facilitate with Dominion given the fact the environmental health is d. EDA Initiative. Assistance Discussion. Mr. Griffin briefed the board on the role. Thel Board discussed expanding the purview oft the EDA. Assistant role and funding. Details about the position willl be provided at b. EDA Retreat Discussion. Chair Black requested topics from the board. Thel Board discussed agenda items for the upcoming EDAI retreat including reinstatement ofthel bylaws with all the amendments, developinga press policy, clarification to the current grant program, andi reinstating the EDA vision statement. c.Sports Tourism, Agreement with UMW Athletics. Ms. Matthews provided thel Board with an update oft the Sports Tourism Pilot Program in collaboration with UMW. Athletics. Thej program resulted in 229 room reservations in Cityl hotels, and as ai result, the University received a $2,200 check. Ms. Matthews came to1 the EDA to request $5,000 from the existing Sports Tourism fund to continue thej program and execute the MOTION by Meredith Schatz, seconded by Mitzi Brown to authorize the Chair to sign the contract between Economic Development Authority and the University of] Mary Washington: Ayes (7); Nays (0).  project development: site. There was al brief question and answer segment. going toi impact the economic health in our. jurisdiction: Ayes (7); Nays (0).  the September meeting.  contract.  COMMITTEE &. LIAISON. REPORTS. a. City Relations Committee - No update.  b. InvestFXBG. Loan Committee - Chair Black stated all loans are current. Onel loan is about to graduate from the program, successfully completing thei requirements. There is one new loani in underwriting.  c.P Parking Improvements - No update.    Page 3 of4 August 12, 2024  d. Strategic Investments No update. e. Workforce Development- - No update.  f. Tourism - Ms. Browni reported ai mural subcommittee was created to determine a course ofa action for murals and locations. Ms. Brown requested] Ms. Schatz to become her backup on the murals subcommittee. Ms. g. Main Street- - Ms. Brown stated Movies ini thel Parki is on August 15 and UMW Welcome Weekend on August 31 inl Riverfront Park. The 2024 Scarecrow Fest planning is underway. Main Street released an an RFP: fort thes small area plans to makel Market Square a community: space. Main Street has received the $75,000 grant funding for the holiday lights on Caroline Street and al holiday tree for Riverfront Park. Mr. Griffin reported from thel Main Street] Retail Roundtable concerns from the: retail business owners to stay open later on certain days to drive more business. Also, Interrelationships between the retail businesses and h. Marketing and Promotions - Chair Black reported during the first meeting with thel EDT staff. They discussed hiring al PR firm and as social media campaign tol help attract a) younger audience to the city. i. Unhoused, Population - Ms. Crossfield stated she and Chair Black met with thel Fredericksburg Regional Continuum of Care Board (CoC). The CoC board agreed to work with thel EDA. During the second meeting an idea was discussed by the working group was instead ofs seeking an RFP to revisit the street outreach position, aj plan with wide community support. Thel EDA would work with thel Rappahannock Community Service Board. Assistance with funding the position for one year might bej possible. This position would be under the City of] Fredericksburg: not thel EDA. Ms. Crossfield asked Samantha Soukas with the George Washington Regional Commission andl Megan Samples with Fredericksburg Regional Continuum ofCare to speak with the board on the subject. Topics discussed are as follows: street outreach position, population, health issues, relationships with thel businesses, outlook for success, safety, partnerships with other community organizations, housing, under resourcing, city council support, workforce program, funding, Main Street collaborations, and support to businesses. Mr. Baroody willi talk with City Council oni reinstating the  Schatz agreed.  restaurants.  street outreach position. Mr. Hughes left the meeting.  STAFF REPOR7. Ms. Morris reported that the Tower Project is complete and thel EDA has recouped thei money they invested. The Chophouse, the newi restaurant in' The Publisher hotel, is now open and thel hotel itselfhas soft opened. Thei new. Director of] Economic! Development and' Tourism, Josh Summit, will start on August 19th. CHAIRSREPORT. Chair Black reminded the board oft the upcoming Fredericksburg National suite night on  September 7th.  BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS. None.  CLOSED, SESSION.  Ms. Crossfield moved for the adoption of] Resolution: 24-08, thel Economic Development Authority of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia convene ac closed meeting pursuant to Virginia Code 2.2-3711(A)(6): for thej purpose of discussion or consideration of thei investment of public funds where competition or bargaining isi involved, where, if made public initially, the financial interest of the governmental unit would be adversely affected, specifically fora MOTION by Anita Crossfield, seconded by Suzy Stone: Ayes (6); Nays (0); Absent from Meeting (1-Hughes).  sports tourism opportunity.  Where upon thei members went into closeds session.    Page 4 of4 August 12, 2024  Upon coming out of closed session.  MOTION by Anita Crossfield, to adopt Resolution 23-12, certifying the proper conduct of the closed session. MOTION by Mitzi Brown, seconded by Suzy Stone to authorize! Economic Development and Tourism to use the funds requested for: a Sports Tourism opportunity: Ayes (6); Nays (0); Absent Vote (1-Hughes). ADJOURMMENT: There being no further business to come before the Economic Development. Authority at this  Seconded by Mitzi Brown: Ayes (6); Nays (0); Absent from Meeting(-Hughes)  time, Chair Beth Black declared thei meeting officially adjourned at 10:14am.  E Anita Crossfield, Secretary    FREDERICKSBURG ECONOMIC DEVBLOPMENT AUTHORITY 706 Caroline Street Fredericksburg, VA 22401  (540)372-1216 (540)372-6587 Fax  RESOLUTIONZ4-U  CERTIFICATION OF CLOSED ECONOMICI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE  CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA MEETING  Proposed by: Crossfield Seconded by: Stone  RE: RESOLUTION 24-08 FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OFI FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA TO CONVENE A CLOSED MEETING UNDER THE VIRGINIA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACTTO DISCUSS AND CONSIDER INVESTMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR SPORTS  TOURISM OPPORTUNITY.  WHEREAS, the Virginia Freedom of Information Act authorizes public NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Economic Development  bodies tol hold closed meetings for certain limited purposes.  Authority of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia convene a closed meeting pursuant to Virginia Code 2.2-3711(A)(6) for the purpose of discussion or consideration oft the investment of public funds where competition or bargaining is involved, where, if made public initially, the financial interest of the governmental unit would be adversely affected, specifically for a  sports tourism opportunity.  DATE OF ADOPTION: AUGUST 12, 2024  VOTE: AYES: NAYS: 0 ABSENT FROM VOTE: 1(HUGHES)  CERTIFICATION:  ************** Secretary's Certificate  I,the undersigned, certify thatIam the Secretary vofthe Economic Development. AuthorityCity fFredericksburg Virginia, and that the foregoing isat true copyofResolution No. 24-08 dulyadopted at a meeting ofthe Economic Development. Awryenghayan  2024, at which a quorum  Date: 04/1612024  Secretary, EcononicDenelopment ofthe ClyofPrederielsburg Virginia  A    Page 2 of2 August 12, 2024  Given under my hand and the official seal ofthe Economic. Dnbpmmdweaae Cityof  Fredericksburg  Date: 09116/2024  Economic  22  Secretary,  Development Authority yofthe  CliyofPrederickburg Virginia    REDERICKSBURG BCONOMIC DEVBLOPMENT AUTHORITY 706 Caroline Street Fredericksburg, VA 22401  (540) 372-1216 (540) 372-6587 Fax  RESOLUTION24-0)  CERTIFICATION OF CLOSED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE  CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA MEETING  Proposed by: Crossfield Seconded by: Brown  ITISI I HEREBY RESOLVED by the Economic Development Authority of the City of WHEREAS, the Economic Development Authority of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia has this date convened a closed meeting under Virginia Code 2.2-3711(A)(6), pursuant to an affirmative recorded vote adopting Resolution 24-09 and in accordance with the provisions  Fredericksburg, Virginia, as follows:  oft the Virginia Freedom ofInformation Act; and  WHEREAS, $2.2-3712.D ofthe Code of Virginia requires a certification by this Authority that such closed meeting was conducted in conformity with Virginia law; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Economic Development Authority oft the City ofFredericksburg, Virginia hereby certifies that, to the best ofe each member's knowledge, (i) only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by Virginia law (Chapter 37 ofTitle 2.2) were heard, discussed or considered in such closed meeting, and (ii) only such public business matters as were identified in the motion by which the closed meeting was convened were. heard, discussed or considered in the closed meeting by the  Authority.  DATE OF ADOPTION: August 12, 2024  VOTE: AYES: 6NAYS: 0 ABSENT! FROM MEETING: 1  (HUGHES  CERTIFICATION:  Secretary's Certificate  Ithe undersigned, certify that Id am the Secretary.fort the Economic Development. Authority ofthe Cityof Fredericksburg, Virginia, and that the foregoing is a true copy of Resolution 24-09 duly adopted at a meeting ofthe Economic Development Authority held on August 12, 2024, at which  a quorum was, present and voted.    Page 2 of2 August 12, 2024  Given under my hand and the official seal ofthe Economic Development Authority ofthe Cityof  Fredericksburg, Virginia.  -  Date: 0911612024  -  Secretary, Economic Development Authorityofthe  ClyofPrederieksburg Virginia