Chairman Wright called the meeting to order at
7:50 a.m.
Roll Call.
Members Present:
Mayor Davis, Wright, Gonyou, McMaster, Stehle, Oliver, Howe, and Gilbert
Members Absent:
Nicevski (excused)
Others Present:
Ex. Dir. Hathaway, Ramos, Vaughn, Cornell, J. Knox, R.
Snyder, M. Bruff, K. Wolf, S. Burwell, J. Horvath, Constine, and
Schneider
Approval of Minutes. The minutes of the meeting of
January 5, 2005 were
approved Davis/Gonyou m/s/p
Communications:
Hathaway
distributed a press release that explained the transfer of the 3,300
feet of river frontage between the Oakwood Bridge and the Washington
Street Bridge from the Tuscola, Saginaw Bay Railway to the City. The
land includes all the river frontage embankments and 15 to 25 feet of
level ground next to the embankments sufficient to construct a walking
and biking trail. This is another community improvement along the river
that will add to quality of life and provide another venue for downtown
events and activities at the 1225 Steam Railroading Institute and
Museum.
The
Curwood Festival parking lot and street closing proposals were
distributed. Also the Michigan Downtown Association liquor license
position statement was explained with a clear need for more local
control on the issuance and terms of liquor licenses. A change in state
policy is needed for the downtown’s entertainment district to grow and
prosper.
Financial Status.
A. Operational Budget
Checking............................................. $ 3,409.44
Savings................................................ $
15,403.37
Total.................................................... $
18,812.77
B. Development Plan Budget
Total Funds
’03-’05............................... $ 124,302.72
Funds Expended/Committed..................
$ 85,344.03
Available
Funds.................................... $ 38,958.69
Planned
Projects.................................. $ 34,250.00
Administration
.................................. $ 2,030.00
Contingency/Reserve ..........................
$ 2,678.69
Items of Business.
A. Payment of Bills.
The
following expenses were authorized for payment:
A
Organizational Expenses:
None
B Tax
Increment Development Plan Expenses:
City of Owosso for Development Plan Administration
$3,522.03
McMaster/Gilbert m/s/p
B. Wolf Communications
Web Page Presentation.
Katie Wolf of Wolf Communications presented her company’s web page
services and examples of client work. Questions and answers followed.
One more service provider wishes to introduce himself to the DDA and
that will be scheduled in March. After that a committee of DDA members
will meet to recommend to the full Board a service provider.
C. By-Laws. It was moved by Member Stehle with support from
Member Gilbert to change the By-Laws as presented in the
January 5, 2005 minutes
to permit three excused absences in a year.
Roll Call: Ayes: 8
Nays: 0
Motion Adopted
D. Hotel Demolition.
Ex. Dir. Hathaway presented the demolition work area map and explained
the details of the demolition specifications. The schedule is dependent
on the State of
Michigan’s contract signature for the grant funds. No actions were
required.
E. Focus Owosso Report
and Contract.
Jim Howe explained the Focus Owosso 2005 program calendar and
it is the same as last year’s format. There are potential changes in
the organization once again with consideration of a promotion
coordinator position. Member Howe requested a renewal of the contract.
A $5,300 contract was renewed for a six-month period (to
June 20, 2005) on a
Motion by Member Oliver with support from Member Gonyou.
Motion adopted: 8 Ayes; 0 Nays
F. Consideration of
Downtown Coordinator Position.
Focus Owosso
established a committee to make a recommendation on a downtown
coordinator’s position. In its first meeting the committee reviewed
duties, office location, time needs, and budgets. To date it was
decided to look upon it as a part-time position either as a temporary
employee or as a contracted service.
Funding sources were reviewed and include the objective to
use a portion of the tax increment financing budget ($5,000). A July
2004 amendment to the DDA Act allows that use. The DDA could provide an
additional $3,000 in seed money from its operational budget and raise
the annual allocation to Focus Owosso as well. One of the expectations
for the position would be to raise the annual participation levels from
the business district from its current budget of $3,500 to
$6,000-$7,000. In total a budget allocation for the position raises a
contractual services budget of $25,000 to $30,000. There are other
revenues in the Focus Owosso budget from the car show and flower basket
program. The Argus Press continues to offer administrative support that
is also a valued source of soft match to the budget.
The DDA will continue to receive reports on the committee’s
work. Focus
Owosso will meet in February to take on their recommendations. If the
process goes well a promoter could be acquired by the start of the
fiscal year on July 1.
G. North Ball Street
Parking Mall—100 Block.
DDA members were shown a parking mall for the 100 block of
N. Ball Street. The
improvements are in the 2005-06 capital improvements budget, but had
never been reviewed in map form. The parking mall increases the parking
in front of Burlington Furniture with use of diagonal space and indents
the parking on the west side. Costs are still in review. A vault in
front of Burlington raises the cost considerably. In the early 1980’s a
similar layout was accomplished in the 100 Block of S. Ball Street and
it works very well.
H. Twinkle Light Pilot
Project.
The holiday lights on the street, together with the rooftop lights and
the wreath lights are all the same bulb size and the illumination on the
streetscape does not offer any contrasts. One way to alter that
condition is to consider using the smaller bulbs on the trees. Because
of the larger street frontage section it was decided to conduct a pilot
installation in front of the Comstock Inn. Three trees would also have
to be bought to replace those that were removed in the M-21 street
reconstruction. Some electrical work is involved to re-establish the
duplex outlets at the base of three trees. Hathaway is to bring costs
to the next meeting for evaluation and approval.
I. Retail Recruitment
and Retention Report.
George Ramos reported
on the sale of the
Selleck
Office
Supply
Building
to a retail owner-occupant. The type of business has not been
disclosed. There is a small retail outlet opening for February in the
100 Block of N. Ball Street. The store is called Queenies and they will
sell women’s accessories. The potential purchase of Carpenter’s Corner
to continue that store’s concept did not go through.
Citizen’s Comments. Mike
Bruff initiated a discussion of the conditions of downtown building
occupancy, especially retail sales outlets. He said he was aware of two
more store closings and felt the downtown was headed into a position of
having service business occupancies without any retail. The discussion
proceeded to many viewpoints without resolution. It was noted that the
efforts to secure retail occupants was still the greatest priority of
the DDA and it is demonstrated in the emphasis of the parking system to
serve that type of customer first. The contract with George Ramos is
also a commitment to retail-type businesses. Chairperson Wright stated
that this discussion was beneficial and should continue.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 a.m.
_______________________________
Philip B. Hathaway, Secretary/Treasurer
