STONE MOUNTAIN MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION



STONE MOUNTAIN MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION

DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCE COMMITTEES MEETING

August 20, 2019

A joint meeting of the Development and Finance Committees of the Stone Mountain Memorial Association was held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 20, 2019, at Evergreen Conference Center, Stone Mountain Park, Stone Mountain, Georgia.

FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT

Joan Thomas, Finance Committee Chairman

Roy Roberts, Finance Committee Member

Abraham Mosley, Finance Committee

Perry Tindol, Finance Committee Member

DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT

Ray S. Smith III, Development Committee Chairman

Jeff Cown, Development Committee Member

Rey Martinez, Development Committee Member

Greg Levett, Development Committee Member

SMMA BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT

None

OTHERS PRESENT

Carolyn Meadows, SMMA Board Chairman

Bill Stephens, C.E.O.

Edna Zimmerman, Director of Finance / Administration

Bob Cowhig, Director of Planning and Development

Chief Chuck Kelley, Director of Public Safety

Becky Kelley, Director of Operations and Planning

Debbie Blihovde, Human Resources/Risk Manager

Duane Studdard, Manager

Eric Bentley, Asst. Director of State Parks and Historic Sites

Huston Webb, Staff Analyst at the Office of Planning and Budget

Josh Hilderbrant, Governor Kemp’s Office

Frank Davis, Grounds Maintenance Supervisor

Dennis Gresham, Park Maintenance & Building Services Manager

Susan Froede, Planning and Development Administrative Assistant

Richard Beckworth, Facility Maintenance Supervisor

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order.

Mr. Stephens introduced Ms. Kelley who wanted to let the Board know that Susan Froede from her department was retiring. Ms. Froede has been with SMMA for 27 years. Ms. Kelley said she was very grateful for all Ms. Froede has done for SMMA over the years.

Mr. Cowhig said that Ms. Froede had worked for him for the last 17 years at SMMA. She has been integral to the department. Ms. Kelley also introduced her management team, Richard Beckworth, Frank Davis and Dennis Gresham.

Review of Year-to-Date Financial Statements

Ms. Zimmerman reported that year-to-date revenues through July 31, 2019 were $6,151,369 compared to a budgeted amount of $6,055,700. Total operating expenses year to date were $4,409,800, compared to the budgeted amount of $4,672,918. The net operating profit before depreciation was $1,841,142 compared to a budgeted amount of $1,441,782. The year to date deficiency of revenue over expenses was $1,113,003 compared to a budgeted loss of $1,949,502.

The statement of cash flows reflects net cash provided by operating activities of $2,191,351 year to date. The net increase in cash year to date was $1,502,634. The cash and investment balance at the end of the period was $15,317,647.

There are three capital projects in progress. The first is the top of the mountain HVAC replacement with an estimated cost of $250,000.

The second capital project in progress is the top of the mountain doors replacement with an estimated cost of $190,000.

The third capital project in progress are the protective barriers with an estimated cost of $184,000.

Ms. Zimmerman updated the Board on a new accounting software the Finance Department is working to implement. The old software is Navision and will be upgraded to Business Central (Dynamics 365). The overall goal is to improve efficiency and workflow. The system is cloud based, so there will be less paperwork. It should also provide more helpful and useful information to the user departments.

Review of Bond Request for Fiscal Year 2021

Mr. Stephens told the Board that the renovation of the Evergreen Hotel was underway. The first floor has gone through demolition and is in the renovation stage. It will be completed in October. The project is a little under budget, which allows for the planning and design of the lobby and meeting space. If all goes well next March, SMMA will have renovated 334 rooms, the lobby and the meeting space will all be completely renovated. This is considered phase one of the Hotel renovation.

In phase two, the elevators and escalators need to be replaced. The HVAC system needs to be replaced. There are also electrical and plumbing issues that need to be addressed. At some point in the future, SMMA will come to the Board to request bond funds to address these issues.

Mr. Stephens next talked about the Campground renovation. SMMA was given $5,000,000 in general obligation bonds from the State of Georgia for the Campground. The roads have not been repaved since 1962. SMMA is in the planning stage. The campground, which is a huge money maker, has 400 plus sites and needs substantial work. This project will probably take two to 2-3 phases to complete. SMMA will come to the Board to request bond funds to address these issues.

SMMA may also need to renovate the Campground Visitors Center. It has not been updated since the 1960s.

Discussion of Potential Ordinance for Shareable Docking Devices

Mr. Stephens talked to the Board about a potential ordinance concerning shareable docking devices. This refers to e-scooters. They are popping up everywhere. They are all over the downtown area. The concept is that you get on one, put in your credit card, then leave it wherever you are when you are finished riding the e-scooter.

Mr. Stephens said that Chief Kelley was going to discuss the proposed ordinance concerning the e-scooters and the Board would vote on it next month. Chief Kelley informed the Board that with the e-scooters you are not required to wear a helmet like you are with a bicycle. The medical centers are seeing a lot of head trauma due to e-scooters. In Atlanta, the riders must also ride in the street with the cars and are getting hit by cars. A lot of cities have ordinances that prohibit the e-scooters. The Park is also at capacity on the weekends with walkers and bicyclists. Adding e-scooters would cause problems.

Chief Kelley gave the Board members a copy of the draft ordinance proposal.

Update on Strategic Planning

Mr. Stephens told the Board he had been instructed by the Governors Office to look at the Strategic Plan and update it for a four-year period. All Agencies and Authorities must do a Strategic Plan. It is due September 6th.

Ms. Kelley told the Board our Strategic Plan is up to date through this year. SMMA has new guidance from the Governor and needs to make sure our Strategic Plan is in line with the State. Ms. Kelley told the Board SMMA would like to submit an updated Strategic Plan by September 6th, then re-assess to create a more detailed revised plan.

Update on Grants

Ms. Kelly informed the Board SMMA was looking at some grants that will help us improve our Park services for our guests. One is the Recreation Trail Grant administered by DNR. Annually, thousands of people walk into the Park from the town of Stone Mountain. A trail connection to the city would enhance the guest access and experience.

Another potential grant is through the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program. This is a conservation focused program. SMMA is a conservation agent for the 3400-acre park. The last grant is the Georgia Emergency Management Administration Terrorism Protection. This would be used for the bollard system and fencing.

Updates

Mr. Studdard updated the Board on the Wayfinding Project. The first phase is completed. This encompasses directional and monument signs. Phase two will include a reader board at Jefferson Davis Road, as you enter the park. The reader board will assist with directing guests to parking areas and attractions. Phase three will include a visitor’s center, a mobile app and interpretive signs on the trails.

The Olympic Tennis Center site, which SMMA swapped with Gwinnett County for property that is contiguous to the park, has been cleared. Gwinnett county is going to re-develop that property into a mixed-use site. Amazon has 95 acres which they are developing less than a mile from the former Olympic Tennis Center. A hotel is also being built across the street from this property. Mr. Studdard informed the Board that SMMA has also learned that 131 apartments are being built in the old Target parking lot.

Ms. Kelley informed the Board that the application has been submitted for the Washington King Bridge to be on the National Historical Registry and hopefully we will know soon if it is accepted.

Mr. Stephens informed the Board that the City of Atlanta is building a Peace Park in Vinings and the Nobel Foundation is moving their headquarters to Atlanta. There is a French Monument Foundation delegation coming to Atlanta to see the Peace Park and they have asked to come to Stone Mountain Park. They will be here Thursday afternoon.

Mr. Stephens told the Board the Skyride will be down due to routine maintenance from September 3rd - 7th.

Ms. Meadows passed out an updated list of committee assignments.

Meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m.

Notes taken by

Debbie Blihovde

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download