DDA Board Meeting
January 13, 2010

A regular meeting of the Downtown Development Authority was held on Wednesday,
January 13, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at Midland City Hall. Chair Wallin presided.

Members Present: Anderson, Brines, Cline, Hayes, Liveris, Lynch, McGuire, Pomeroy, Rabbage, Riecker, Ruhle, Thompson, Wallin
Members Absent: None

The DDA minutes from the December 9, 2009 meeting were approved as submitted.
Riecker/Brines

DDA Executive Director Selina Tisdale presented the financial report from November 2009.

Financial report approved as submitted.

McGuire / Riecker

Planning and Community Development Director Keith Baker presented an overview of the Outdoor Café Proposal. After board discussion and questions were answered the public was invited to speak on the matter. Bryan McFadden of Molly’s Bistro, 134 Ashman Street in Downtown Midland, spoke in favor of the initiative and expressed his concerns for the safety of pedestrians and wait staff using the sidewalks which are also utilized by bicyclists in Downtown Midland.

Cline moved, seconded by Anderson, to approve the Outdoor Café Proposal as submitted. Further board discussion ensued. A vote was taken and the proposal failed 0:13

McGuire moved, seconded by Lynch, that the concept of outdoor dining is supported by the Downtown Development Authority and that other options for expanding outdoor dining opportunities in Downtown Midland be further studied by the Economic Sustainability Committee. A vote was taken and the motion passed 13:0.

Committee reports were presented as follows:

· Executive Committee - transition of the DDA staffing change was followed closely and development of the monthly DDA agenda.

· Economic Sustainability Committee – working with the save the Downtown Midland Post Office campaign; Outdoor Cafés proposal and considering initial budget discussions. ES is working to populate its subcommittees.

· Communications Committee – working on marketing the incubator and façade programs and making improvements to the Downtown Midland website.

· Budget and Finance Committee – working on preliminary budget issues to submit for the City budget. Reviewed the DDA’s current financial position and requested that all committees begin considering its projects for the upcoming year with moderation in mind.

· Midland Downtown Business Association – reporting on behalf of the MDBA, president Lauri Ireland reviewed downtown activities including February’s Deals at the Diamond.

No Public Comments were made.

Executive Director Selina Tisdale updated the DDA Board on the status the letter writing campaign and talks with the US Postal Service and Congressman Dave Camp’s office to oppose the potential closure of the Downtown Post Office.

DDA Executive Director Selina Tisdale reported on the status of the DDA staffing and offices moving from the Chamber of Commerce building to Midland City Hall that was taking place the first half of January.

DDA Executive Director Selina Tisdale reviewed the January and February meeting calendars and event information. All DDA meetings and most MDBA meetings will be held at Midland City Hall beginning in January.

Board member Lynch commented that Planning and Community Development Director Keith Baker’s work with the Non-Motorized Transportation committee would be a good place to effectively address the bicyclist-pedestrian safety concerns brought forward by Mr. McFadden during the Outdoor Café discussion

The meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.