Downtown Development Authority Minutes
March 2, 2005 - 7:45am
Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce
Chairman Wright called the meeting to order at &;48
a.m.
Members Present:
Mayor Davis, Wright, Gonyou, McMaster, Stehle, Oliver, Howe, Hankerd and
Gilbert
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Ex. Dir. Hathaway,
Ramos, Jerry Knox, J. Horvath, Constine and Steve Gill
Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the
meeting of February 2, 2005 were approved.
Oliver/McMaster m/s/p
Communications: Mayor Davis
introduced the new member, John Hankerd
Citizens Comments: None
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............................... $ 116,977.72
Funds Expended/Committed..................
$ 97,806.77
Available
Funds.................................... $ 19,170.95
Planned
Projects.................................. $ 1,650.00
Administration
.................................. $ 0.00
Contingency/Reserve ..........................
$ 17,520.95
C. The City Audit
was reviewed and accepted for the record of DDA financial transactions
from July 1,
2003 to June
30, 2004.
Oliver/Gilbert m/s/p
Items of Business.
A. Payment of
Bills:
The following
expenses were authorized for payment:
A.
Organizational Expenses:
Shiawassee Rehabilitation
Center $ 535.00
Focus
Owosso $ 2,800.00
B. Tax Increment
Development Plan Expenses:
None
Howe/Gilbert m/s/p
B. Focus
Owosso
Report:
Bill Gilbert
reported that Focus Owosso adopted a budget for a downtown
coordinator’s position. The projected budget shows growth from last
year’s $26,000 budget to $42,800 next year and an increase to 2007
to $56,000. The position is projected to be on an independent
contract basis for someone who is already established as a private
consultant or on payroll with a marketing-based business. The
objective is to reach a half-time position status relative to hours
of work (1,000 hours per year). The position would be publicly
advertised
and filled starting July 1, 2005. The office location, if not a
home office or with a marketing firm, could be at the
Paymaster
Building.
Bill stated that
two DDA budget actions would be necessary for the proposal to work.
The first is $3,000 in seed money from this year’s DDA budget and
the second is an allocation from the tax increment development plan
budget beginning at $5,000 for FY ’05-’06 and growing to $8,000 in
FY 07’-’08. Additionally it is contemplated that the multi-year
operational budget of the DDA would increase to $11,000 per year and
increase as the DDA operation budget grows at $300 per year.
On the first
matter of $3,000 seed money from this year’s budget, the amount was
approved with a motion from Member Oliver and support from Member
Gonyou:
Ayes: 6
(McMaster, Oliver, Wright, Davis, Gonyou, and Hankerd)
Nays: 0
Abstentions: 3 (Stehle, Howe and Gilbert)
Motion adopted
6-0.
C. 2005-2006 Budget
Adoption:
Ex. Director
Hathaway submitted a proposed budget for 2005-06. It began with a
reference to the DDA Development Plan, and a proposed Work Program.
The budget numbers reflect the Tax Increment Finance Plan projects
and assumptions for city co-payment for nearly all of them. The
City budgeting process is underway; therefore, the DDA budget
adoption is an unofficial act of support until the City complete is
own evaluation of ability to complete these projects. The budget
allocations for holiday lighting and downtown security are lessened
from previous years to permit a higher allocation for contingency
expenditures. Too many initiatives are in the work plan to
sufficiently cover the potential higher costs involved over what are
now just estimates. The budget includes the $5,000 allocation for
the Downtown Coordinator’s position.
The budget,
attached to these minutes by reference was adopted
Oliver/Gonyou
m/s/p
D. Hotel Demolition:
Ex. Dir.
Hathaway estimated the demolition to begin the week of April 18th
with a 60-day allowance for the contractor to have the building
down. With concerns raised about Curwood Festival and business
interference, it was explained that the work could begin earlier if
the contractor can mobilize equipment faster; also the demolition
contractor who offered the initial estimate for the work said it was
a 30-day task.
E. Web Page:
Mayor Davis and
Phil Hathaway will review the Web Page proposals and offer a
recommendation to the DDA at a forthcoming meeting.
F. Retail Retention:
Ex. Dir.
Hathaway reported that the downtown loan program that is not a DDA
budget item has been submitted for ’05-’06 Budget consideration.
The City’s Revolving Loan Budget has been submitted so that one or
two loans could be issued from a proposed $75,000 allocation.
George Ramos reported that Winer’s and Loafer’s will move to 120 N.
Washington Street in the near future. The Selleck Building is being
remodeled for a service business. There is no activity at the
Carpenter’s
Corner
Building.
G. Main Street
Trees:
A budget of
$1,000 was approved for three trees with electrical service in front
of the Comstock Inn and a trial program for twinkle lights.
H. Cool Cities:
Ex. Dir.
Hathaway explained the Cool Cities concept and asked the Board of
Directors if it would take on the role as the Local Cool Cities
Advisory Group. In partnership with the Shiawassee Arts Council and
a Cool Cities team from a year ago, the new building at Washington
and Main would have enhanced architecture and a sculpture plaza to
liven the urban lifestyle for the downtown. On a motion by Oliver
with support from Gilbert, the DDA Board of Directors agreed to
become the Advisory Group and submit a Notice of Intent for the
designation.
Ayes: 9
Nays: 0
Motion Adopted.
There being no
further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 a.m.
________________________________________
Philip B. Hathaway, Secretary-Treasurer
