City of Ocean Springs

City of Ocean Springs Economic Development Council Meeting Minutes November 9, 2015 City Hall Board Room MEETING/ATTENDANCE: Present at the meeting: Mayor Connie Moran, Chris Skrmetti, Marques Thomas, Jane Hunolt and Joey Conwill CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 3:05 p.m. by Mayor Connie Moran.

MINUTES: Mayor Moran opened the meeting by reflecting on the 2015 Peter Anderson Art and Crafts Festival. Moran asked if the council received any complaints during the weekend or noticed any problems. Joey Conwill stated that she heard there was some problems about the parking lot next to Buzzy’s Breakfast Joint. The parking lot was shut down 30 minutes early. Conwill stated there is a growing issue with festival goers knowing the difference between official festival booths and non-official vendors. She stated that private owners lease their space to for outside vendors sell items and suggested that there needs to be something that differentiates official vendors from them. Chris Skrmetti stated that there is a problem with dogs at the festival. He stated that dogs can create an uncomfortable environment for themselves, other dogs and festival goers. Jane Hunolt asked for an update on the Redevelopment Authority. Moran stated that she had made a call to David Kelly and has not heard back yet. She encouraged the members of the council to review the City of Madison’s plan and make recommendations for Ocean Springs’s plan at the meeting in December.

COUNCIL FORUM: Conwill stated that the City should tap into one of the springs and create a water fountain as an attraction. She suggested that the fountain could be placed in the Depot Plaza. Skrmetti stated that our Ocean Springs Fresh Market should attract more people. He stated that there is not a lot of fresh produce offered on Saturday mornings. Mayor Moran stated that she would put in a call to Diane Claughton, who is over the Fresh Market, to think of creative ways for more people to attend so it can compete with other markets on the Coast. Motion made by Marques Thomas, seconded by Chris Skrmetti, and unanimously carried out to adjourn until 3:00 p.m. on December 6, 2015.