Information on each
highlighted agenda item is available by clicking on the description of that
item.
1. March 12, 2008 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda
2. Minutes from February 13, 2008 Board Meeting
3. Status Report
4. DDA Financials – February, 2008
5. DDA Meeting Schedule for March & April
6. Committee meeting minutes
- Design Committee Special Meeting
- Economic Restructuring Committee
8. February Website Usage Statistics
9. Action Items
AGENDA
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Wednesday, March 12, 2008, at 3:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, City
Hall –
1.
Roll Call
2. Approval
of the minutes from the meeting of February 13, 2008
3. Financial
Reports from February 2008
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
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY
WHICH TOOK PLACE ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2008
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL,
Denise Hufford read Roll Call.
PRESENT: DDA MEMBERS – Jenny Anderson, Mike Hayes, Jon Lynch, Jack McCandless, Sue
Rabbage, Mark Ruhle, Claudia Wallin
ABSENT: Bo Brines, Doug
Chapman, Father Fleming, Paula Liveris, Ranny Riecker, Jim Stamas
PRESENT: STAFF – Denise Hufford, Keith Baker,
Margaret Maday, Bradd Maki
PRESENT: OTHERS –
John Palen (Midland Issues), Rich Fosgitt (Wilcox
and Associates)
Wallin called the meeting to order
at 3:00 p.m.
No quorum to begin. Jon Lynch came
in after financial presentation.
1.
Financial Reports for January 2008
Maday
presented the January 2008 financial statement. Cannot approve without quorum.
2.
Reports
a)
Design Committee
Anderson
introduced Neil Hershfield, the Director of Regional Projects from Dow Chemical
to present the Riverfront Design Proposal from Hamilton Anderson Associates.
Anderson read the Action Item. Motion to approve by Hayes. Seconded by
McCandless. Baker mentioned that once the DDA approves the proposal the City
Council will need to approve. Approved unanimously.
Jon Lynch arrived during Riverfront Proposal.
Board now has quorum.
3.
Financial Reports for January 2008
Motion
to approve statements by Hayes. Seconded by Ruhle. Approved unanimously.
4.
Approval of past meeting minutes
Motion
to approve the January 9, 2008 meeting minutes by McCandless. Seconded by
Ruhle. Approved unanimously.
Wallin
discussed the Design Committee meeting minutes. Anderson liked the idea of
showing meeting minutes at Board meeting.
a)
Organization Committee
Wallin
thanked Hufford for work as Interim Director.
Baker
reported that the application process has closed for the Executive Director
search. 10 qualified candidate applications have been circulated to the
interview committee who will submit their top 5 candidates. Interviews will begin
to be scheduled in the next few weeks.
Wallin
discussed the recent Strategic Planning session held on January 30th.
Lee Rouse was the facilitator and did a great job. 25-30 people attended. There
was excellent discussion throughout the session. The DDA’s mission statement
was re-worked.
The Mission of the DDA is to enable a dynamic downtown
environment that fosters economic growth.
Each
committee will discuss and provide recommended changes to the board. The vision
statement will remain the same.
Small City Charm with Big City Choices.
Projects
and priorities were identified and voted on. Committees were given the top 4
priorities for their committee. They will look at them and report back to the
board regarding their priorities.
Wallin
thanked everyone who participated in Strategic Planning.
b)
Economic Restructuring Committee
Hayes
reported that Tri-City Nutrition, 305 E. Main St., is now open and plans a
ribbon cutting on March 21 at 11:30 am that is open to the public. Artful
Dodgers Brewing Company should open in 2008 on Main Street. Rehman James
Financial will be moving into the old Midland Area Community Foundation.
Hayes
reported 7 downtown vacancies for lease and one property for sale.
Baker
discussed two rezoning Action Items regarding property located on Buttles
across from the County Building. While the property is outside our district the
DDA can vote to provide support for rezoning, which will then go to the
Planning Commission and the Midland City Council.
Action
Item Zoning Petition No. 548 by Wilcox Professional Services. Change from
office service to downtown which would allow for mixed use function.
Recommendation from staff is to allow approval. Hayes reported that the
Economic Restructuring committee had discussed and would like to support the
request.
Motion by
Hayes. Seconded by Ruhle. Baker mentioned that there is representative
attending from Wilcox if there are any questions. Supported Unanimously
Action
Item Zoning Text Amendment No. 146A. Change from maximum height of 28 feet to
none in the Downtown Zoning District in the City of Midland Zoning Ordinance.
Baker explained the history of the height restriction. Economic Restructuring
Committee has reviewed and supported the petition. The Planning Commission is
looking for a specific height instead of none.
Motion by
Hayes. Seconded by Rabbage. Supported Unanimously.
Hayes
asked for questions from the Economic Restructuring minutes from January
meeting. No questions.
c)
Creating Cool Committee
Wallin
discussed the issue of withdrawing membership in the Michigan Main Street
Program. Issue has been discussed at Organization meetings, Strategic Planning,
and Creating Cool meetings. Reasons to withdraw include the costs associated
with the program, staff time to administer, inflexibility of some of the
services, and the advancement of our DDA program.
Lynch
included some information regarding the history of the program and the way the
program has changed and become less suited to Midland’s needs.
A motion
to approve the Action Item to withdraw from the program was made by Wallin.
Seconded by Rabbage. Approved Unanimously. This motion will now go to Midland
City Council for final approval.
Wallin
reported that the 2008 Summer Sculpture Series theme will be Summer of the Dragons.
18 artists have submitted designs, including 3 from local high schools. Dragon
sponsorships for $750 are now available. Please contact the DDA office for more
information.
Creating
Cool minutes were shown. No questions.
d)
Midland Downtown Business Association
Hufford
reported that the MDBA’s indoor sidewalk sale, Deals at the Diamond, was a
great success. With 42 retailers and over 1,500 shoppers both the businesses
and the stadium were very pleased with the turnout for the day. Discussion has
already begun about holding the event again next year.
The MDBA
Board would like to extend an open invitation to all DDA Board members to
attend any of their meetings. The next meeting is February19th at 8:30 am in
the DDA Board room. Following meetings will be held on the 2nd
Thursday of the month at 9 am at Pizza Sam’s.
Public Comments
None.
Old Business
None.
New Business
Baker
reported that the tree lighting downtown has been removed for tree trimming,
but it will return soon. The Mark Putnam Bridge Lighting has been completed for
security reasons, safety, and to illuminate the mural. The project came in
under budget. Some graffiti has occurred so hopefully the new lighting will
deter other damage.
Staff is
proceeding with the purchase of the kiosks which should be installed this
Spring. The one placed at the Farmers Market will be temporarily relocated
during any upcoming Riverfront development.
Wallin
asked about the walkabout to decide on placement of the kiosks. Baker responded
that the weather didn’t cooperate so staff will plan to re-schedule during
better weather.
Wallin
asked about a flower presentation. Baker reported that Stephanie will present
her 2008 flower design at the March board meeting.
Adjourn
There was
no further business to come before the Board. Hayes moved that the meeting be
adjourned. Rabbage seconded. Meeting adjourned at 3:55 p.m.
Reports
Design Committee
-
Bench Action Item
-
Riverfront Proposal
Update
-
Spring Flower
Design, Stephanie Szostak
Organization Committee
-
Executive
Director Search, Keith Baker
-
Mission Statement
Action Item
Economic Restructuring Committee
-
Space available
downtown
Creating Cool Promotions Committee
-
Summer of the Dragons
Sculpture Series – Sponsors Needed
MDBA Report
March
2008
March
5..................... Organization
Committee....................................................... 3
p.m.
March
11................... Economic
Restructuring Committee................................... 3
p.m.
March
12................... DDA Board
Meeting - Council Chambers.......................... 3
p.m.
March
18................... Creating Cool
Promotions Committee....................... 11:30
a.m.
March
25................... Design
Committee................................................................ 3
p.m.
April
2008
April
2....................... Organization
Committee....................................................... 3
p.m.
April
8....................... Economic
Restructuring Committee................................... 3
p.m.
April
9....................... DDA Board
Meeting - Council Chambers.......................... 3
p.m.
April
15..................... Creating Cool
Promotions Committee....................... 11:30
a.m.
April
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.
ACTION
ITEM
The
Downtown Development Authority Design Committee has decided on a bench design,
material, and color for the new downtown Midland benches. There are 97 benches
to be replaced. The estimated cost to replace the current benches with new
composite material and repaint the posts is $36,000-$47,000.
The Downtown Development
Authority Board of Directors hereby approves the new bench design, material and color and authorizes
the Design Committee to send out Requests for Bid Proposals.
ACTION
ITEM
The
Midland Downtown Development Authority has decided to update its Mission
Statement. The new mission statement will be:
The Mission of the Downtown
Development Authority is to enable a dynamic downtown environment that fosters
economic growth.
The Downtown Development
Authority Board of Directors hereby approves the new Mission Statement.