DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF OXFORD
Minutes
– February 23, 2021
MEMBERS: Mr. Brian Barnard, Chair; Mr. Mike Ready, Vice-Chair; Mr.
Jonathan Eady, Ms. Danielle Miller, Ms. Laura McCanless, Mr. Art Vinson, and Mr.
Ray Wilson.
STAFF: Matthew Pepper, City Manager and DDA Secretary/Treasurer.
GUESTS: No guests were in attendance.
OPENING: At 7:00 PM, Mr. Barnard called the meeting to order.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Upon motion of Mr. Eady, seconded by Mr. Ready,
the minutes for the meeting held on January 26, 2021 were approved as amended.
The vote was 7 – 0.
THE CITY GREENSPACE: Mr.
Barnard and Mr. Ready shared the details of their conversation with the City
Council regarding the DDA’s proposal for recommended improvements to the city
greenspace. They presented the proposal at the February 15th City Council
Meeting. During the discussion, they reported that the City Council was
supportive of the idea to make the proposed capital improvements to the
greenspace. However, the City Council did not express a desire to convey the properties
making up the greenspace to the DDA.
After the City Council meeting,
Mr. Barnard and Mr. Ready followed up with Mayor Eady about the DDA’s
recommendations for the proposed improvements. From their conversation, Mr.
Barnard and Mr. Ready understood that the city would retain ownership of the
greenspace properties and the DDA would fund the proposed improvements. The
City Council will continue the discussion surrounding the greenspace at their
March 1st meeting.
The DDA expressed concerns with
making the proposed capital improvements to the greenspace without a
contractual right to make improvements to city-owned land. They further
discussed that the contractual rights could come in the form of a lease,
license, or title. The DDA agreed that approaching the City Council with a
request for a license for access to the greenspace is the most practical
option.
The DDA further agreed that they
would not hire a landscape architect to design the space. Rather, the DDA could
choose the necessary design elements for the fencing, signage, picnic tables,
and other improvements.
OTHER BUSINESS: The DDA
did not discuss any items related to other business.
ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Barnard adjourned the meeting at 8:06 PM.
Submitted by:
Matthew Pepper, Secretary/Treasurer