Information on each
highlighted agenda item is available by clicking on the description of that
item.
1. December 12, 2007 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda
2. Minutes from November 14, 2007 Board Meeting
3. Status Report
4.
DDA Financials
5. DDA Meeting Schedule for December & January
6. Committee meeting minutes
c. Design Committee Special Meeting
d. Economic Restructuring Committee
8. November Website Usage Statistics
AGENDA
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Wednesday, December 12, 2007, at 3:00
p.m.
Council Chambers, City
Hall – Midland, Michigan
1. Roll
Call
2.
Approval of the minutes from the meeting of November
14, 2007
3.
Financial Reports from October 2007, November 2007
4. Reports
a) Design Committee Report
b) Organization Committee Report
c) Economic Restructuring Committee Report
d) Creating Cool Promotions Committee Report
e) Midland Downtown Business Association Report
5. Public
Comments
6. Old
Business
7.
New Business
Adjourn
Weather permitting; the DDA Board
will walk downtown after the official meeting is adjourned to discuss possible sites
for the kiosk signs. The public is invited to join Board and city staff on this
walk.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE DOWNTOWN
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
WHICH TOOK PLACE ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2007
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, MIDLAND, MICHIGAN
Denise Hufford read Roll Call.
PRESENT: DDA MEMBERS – Jenny Anderson, Bo Brines, Doug Chapman, Fr. Fleming,
Mike Hayes, Jon Lynch, Jack McCandless, Sue Rabbage, Ranny Riecker, Mark Ruhle,
Claudia Wallin
ABSENT: Paula Liveris,
Jim Stamas
PRESENT: STAFF – Denise Hufford, Stephanie
Szostak, Keith Baker, Margaret Maday, Bradd Maki
PRESENT: OTHERS –
Neil Hershfield
Wallin called the meeting to order
at 3:00 p.m.
Welcome to our new board member,
Fr. TJ Fleming, local pastor at St. Brigid’s Parish.
1.
Approval of past meeting minutes
Motion
to approve the October 10, 2007 meeting minutes by Brines. Seconded by Hayes.
Approved unanimously.
2. Financial Reports
for September 2007
Maday
presented the September 2007 financial statement. Motion to approve statements
by Riecker. Seconded by Hayes. Approved unanimously.
3.
Reports
a)
Design Committee
Chapman
showed the preliminary design for replacement benches for downtown. The old benches are degrading and cost to
repair is prohibitive. This new design is using metal and should wear well with
a contemporary design. Hays asked about the expense, but compared to repair
costs it will be affordable. The design ties in with the wayfinding signage.
Would like to have new benches before Great Lakes Loons All Star Game in June,
2008.
Chapman
showed design for three downtown kiosks. Features include a business listing
that is changeable. To be installed in spring 2008. Locations possibly at
Main/Ashman, Main/Rodd, by the Tridge (with Rail Trail information included).
Cost is approximately $16,000 for all three signs. Brines asked about tamper
resistance. Although they are not completely resistant they are very sturdy.
Wallin
asked the committee to vote on moving forward on ordering and installing the 3
new kiosks this spring. Motion was seconded by McCandless and approved
unanimously.
b)
Horticulture Report
Szostak
reported that the crew divided out the day lilies. Crew was also able to clean
out area behind Espresso Milano. The fall mums are starting to fade and will be
cut back and the beds cleaned for winter. Szostak presented the design for the
2008 summer plantings that includes lots of hot colors, shapes, and textures.
Szostak
thanked Dow Gardens for their generous donation of 20 flats of annuals.
c)
Organization Committee
Baker
reported that the search for an Executive Director for the DDA continues.
Committee has interviewed 3 candidates and will interview 2 more next week.
Then the committee will meet to decide if additional interviews are necessary.
There were 37 applicants with 5 applicants receiving interviews.
d)
Budget Committee
Reicker
reported that the Budget Committee met for preliminary meeting. Will meet again
in January and have all committees report to the budget committee.
e)
Economic Restructuring Committee
Hayes
reported 8 downtown vacancies for lease and one property for sale. Many
inquiries, but no firm business.
Hayes
reported the business recruitment packets have been well received and available
at the DDA office.
Baker
presented the final Redevelopment and Design Study and asked the Board to vote
on the action item:
The Downtown Development Authority Board of Directors hereby approves the adoption of the 2007 Hamilton Anderson Redevelopment and Design Study for the Downtown Development Authority.
Motion by
Reicker to approve, seconded by Hayes.
Hayes
would like to assure citizens that this is a suggested plan and that the DDA
doesn’t plan to go out and move businesses out of the way. The plan has a time
frame from 5-20 years. Baker noted that many committees are already looking at
specific projects identified in the study. The study is already being utilized.
Approved
unanimously.
f)
Creating Cool Committee
Wallin
reported on the upcoming event, Breakfast with Santa (12/1) at Ashman Court Hotel.
Tickets for Breakfast with Santa are almost sold out. Call the DDA office at
839-8433 for tickets.
The 2008
Calendar of Events is now out – over 20 events will take place downtown plus
the Farmers Market, Tunes by the Tridge and the Artist Market.
g)
Midland Downtown Business Association
Hufford
reported that the Santa Parade is this Saturday, November 17 at 10 am and the
Courthouse Lighting and Arrival of Santa is November 27 at 7 pm. A new event
will be held this year on the first three Saturdays in December – the 1st,
8th, and 15th. Downtown Midland will host free horse and
carriage rides from 12 noon – 4 pm, 25 cent hot cocoa available at Pizza Sam’s,
Daddy O’s, Espresso Milano, and the United Way Building along with strolling
carolers – a fun and festive atmosphere downtown to do all your holiday
shopping. A $5 coupon (off a $25 purchase) will be inserted into the Midland
Daily News on November 29th – many retailers are participating.
Public Comments
None.
Old Business
None.
New Business
None.
Adjourn
There was
no further business to come before the Board. Ruhle moved that the meeting be
adjourned. Reicker seconded. Meeting adjourned at 3:35 p.m.
Reports
Design Committee
-
Bench update
Organization Committee
-
Executive Director
Search
Economic Restructuring Committee
-
Space available downtown
Creating Cool Promotions Committee
-
Summer of the Dragons
Sculpture Series – Artists Needed
MDBA Report
-
Holly Jolly Days
-
Winter Sales Event
December
2007
December
5.............. Organization
Committee....................................................... 3
p.m.
December
11............ Economic
Restructuring Committee................................... 3
p.m.
December
12............ DDA Board Meeting -
Council Chambers.......................... 3
p.m.
December
18............ Creating Cool
Promotions Committee....................... 11:30
a.m.
December
18 (rescheduled from December 25)….Design Committee.............. 3 p.m.
January
2008
January
2................... Organization
Committee....................................................... 3
p.m.
January
8................... Economic
Restructuring Committee................................... 3
p.m.
January
9................... DDA Board
Meeting - Council Chambers.......................... 3
p.m.
January
15................. Creating Cool
Promotions Committee....................... 11:30
a.m.
January
22................. Design
Committee................................................................ 3
p.m.
*All DDA committee meetings are held at the DDA office at 300 Rodd
Street, Suite 201 in Downtown Midland unless otherwise noted.