MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY
WHICH TOOK PLACE ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2008
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL,
Denise Hufford read Roll Call.
PRESENT: DDA MEMBERS – Jenny Anderson, Bo Brines, Mike Hayes, Jon Lynch, Jack McCandless, Marty McGuire, Ranny Riecker, Mark Ruhle, Jim Stamas, Claudia
Wallin
ABSENT: Father Fleming,
Paula Liveris, Sue Rabbage
PRESENT: STAFF – Denise Hufford, Keith Baker,
Margaret Maday, Stephanie Szostak
PRESENT: OTHERS –
John Palen (Midland Issues), Cheryl Wade (Midland Daily News), Neil Hershfield (Dow Chemical
Company)
Wallin called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
Wallin thanked outgoing Board Member, Doug Chapman for his 22
years of service on the DDA Board. He was the DDA chair for a number of years
along with serving as the Design Committee Chair. He was instrumental in the
beautification of Downtown. We greatly appreciate his service.
Wallin welcomed Marty McGuire, Director of the Dow Gardens, as
our new Board member. Marty has been with Dow Gardens for about 9 months and
mentioned the long history Dow Gardens and Downtown Midland has enjoyed.
a)
Approval of past meeting minutes
Motion
to approve the February 13, 2008 meeting minutes by Hayes. Seconded by McCandless. Approved unanimously.
b)
Financial Reports for February 2008
Maday presented the
February 2008 financial statement. Motion to approve financials by Hayes.
Seconded by Ruhle. Approved unanimously.
c)
Reports
a)
Design Committee
Anderson
discussed the recommendation for downtown benches. Design committee decided to
use the existing structure with a composite material for the top. The composite
has a 50 year warranty. The colors are mink for the bench tops with painted red
posts. This will coordinate with the wayfinding
signage. This was the most cost effective solution. Lynch was pleased to see
the use of the composite material, which will lower maintence
costs. The cost will be from $36,000-$47,000. Thank you to Thad Hallberg for his work providing the designs and color combinations.
Anderson read the action item.
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.
Seconded
by Stamas. Approved unanimously.
b)
Organization Committee
Baker
reported that the interview committee conducted six interviews and the
committee agreed on a preferred candidate. There is no announcement at this
time as he is still in negotiations with the candidate. He will send out
information as soon as it is official.
Wallin discussed
the mission statement. All the sub-committees have discussed. The Creating Cool
voted to switch the words “Enable” and “Foster”. Open for discussion. Anderson
agreed to change the two words, stating that the Design Committee also
discussed changing those words, but did not make a formal recommendation to
switch. Lynch moved to accept the updated mission statement and Anderson
clarified that the Design Committee did not change the statement, but discussed
it.
In
response to a question from McGuire, Wallin stated
that the driving force was the tone of “enable” and thought that “fosters” set
a better tone. Anderson agreed that “fosters” seemed more empowering. Hayes
discussed the strategic planning debate. Hayes thinks both words are important
and both words keep the downtown focused. Stamas
thought “fosters” is more action oriented and feels either works. McCandless agreed with Stamas.
Lynch recognizes that the mission statement is for consumption by the general
public and we need to keep in mind how people will consume the message in the
broader community. Both words are almost interchangeable.
Wallin read the
Action Item.
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 foster a dynamic downtown environment that enables economic growth.
The Downtown Development Authority Board of
Directors hereby approves the new Mission
Statement.
Riecker seconded. Approved unanimously.
c)
Economic Restructuring Committee
Hayes
reported good discussion at the Economic Restructuring meeting. Raymond James
Financial is now downtown.
Hayes
discussed availability of two properties on Ellsworth. Both houses have been
removed and are now available for development. Contact the DDA office if
interested.
The H
Hotel’s restaurants will be opening mid-May to mid-June with a grand opening
sometime in fall, 2008.
Hayes
discussed retail recruitment downtown. The Economic Restructuring committee
would like to work with Sid Allen, president of the Chamber of Commerce to
possibly hire a consultant to help downtown recruit retail and business
establishments. Budget matters were also discussed.
Hayes
reported 7 downtown vacancies for lease and one property for sale.
d)
Creating Cool Committee
Wallin reported
that the Summer of the Dragons sculpture series has 20 dragons for downtown. Nine
sponsorships are still available for $750 each. Your sponsorship is recognized
through October. Please contact the DDA office for more information.
Wallin reported
that June will be a very busy month with the dragons, the Great Lakes Loons All
Star Games and the Summer Solstice events.
e)
Midland Downtown Business Association
None
f)
Horticulturist Report
Szostak reported on
her 2008 Spring Bulb plans. 12,000 bulbs were planted in the fall. Tulips,
daffodils, and grape hyacinths will start coming up once the snow melts. Annual
display will be presented at the April meeting.
Szostak reported
that Main Street trees were pruned last month. The tree lights had to be taken
down for pruning, but they are now back in the trees. Interviews for seasonal
crews have begun.
Public Comments
None.
Old Business
None.
New Business
None.
Adjourn
There was
no further business to come before the Board. Riecker
moved that the meeting be adjourned. Hayes seconded. Meeting adjourned at 3:29
p.m.