Downtown Development Authority Minutes

April 6, 2005 - 7:45am
Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce

Chairman Wright called the meeting to order at 7:48 a.m.

Roll Call.          Members Present:  Mayor Davis, Wright, Gonyou, Oliver, Howe,

                        Members Absent   Stehle (ex), McMaster (ex), and Gilbert

                        Others Present:     Ex. Dir. Hathaway, Ramos, R. Snyder, J. Horvath, J. Borgstrom, Constine, and J. Schneider

Approval of Minutes.    The minutes of the meeting of March 2, 2005 were approved.

Oliver/Davis          m/s/p

Communications:         None

Citizen Comments:      Roger Snyder expressed his preferences for the use of the land at the hotel site and talked about property taxes.

            Joe Borgstrom of the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership explained the advantages of consolidating the promotional efforts away from Focus Owosso to within the DDA.

Financial Status.

A. Operational Budget

            Checking                           $                     2,476.89
            Savings                              $                   14,237.20
            Total                                  $                   16,714.09
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

Items of Business.

A.  Payment of Bills.   The following expenses were authorized for payment:

            A.  Organizational Expenses:

                        Shiawassee Regional Chamber Of Commerce  $1,500.00
                        City Of Owosso—Audit and Advertisements         $738.00

B.  Tax Increment Development Plan Expenses:

            None

Howe/Gonyou m/s/p

B. Focus Owosso Report.  DDA members discussed the downtown coordinator’s position and supported the proposed structure of the interview committee to be those who participated in the Focus Owosso Task Force group with the addition of Dawn Gonyou. 

                        Davis/Oliver   m/s/p

On related matters this year’s Appreciation Breakfast results about the position were read with special attention paid to the overwhelming support for the concept.  There were many comments about the need for additional funding.  George Ramos added that the scope of the job exceeded any one individual’s ability to carry out the list of tasks and that it would be better to hire an organization or firm to conduct the work.  It was explained that the tasks were subordinate to the primary obligation of establishing relationships with the downtown businesses, together with time, energy and creativity, and that all possible candidates, including organizations, will be considered to fill the position.

D. Hotel Demolition.  The demolition company—North American Dismantling Inc of Lapeer, will mobilize on Friday, April 8^th and begin demolition on Monday, April 11^th.  The demolition is a four-day process with an additional three weeks of loading out the rubble.  Another week is projected for backfilling the basement area with sand and a final 6-inch layer of crushed limestone.  The asbestos management plan was discussed and members were reassured that the public health and safety plan and specifications were sufficient to conduct business about the site and throughout the downtown without the concerns expressed by an individual at Monday’s Council meeting.

E. Web Page.   The web page presenters (4 companies) are still in evaluation with the projected cost of a basic web page estimated at $2,000 to $2,500. 

F. Retail Retention.   George Ramos clarified that the Winers and Loafers store is a relocation, not a closure as indicated in a media headline.  The name may change as the partnership has dissolved; however this is a relocation to N. Washington Street with added products and services offered through the larger space. They will reopen some time in April.

            In other news the young adult coffee house – The Hub -- has closed because business was slow.

G.  Heritage Footbridge Landscaping.  A maintenance agreement with Mid-Michigan Turf at $35.00 per hour was authorized for the 2005 growing season.

                        Gonyou/Howe    m/s/p

H.  TSB Trail.  The James Miner trail connector on the TSB property is closer to reality with the new submittal of cost estimates to MDOT—at their request.  DDA Board members were reminded of the commitment to help fund the trail’s installation for either engineering or construction costs. 

H.  Cool Cities.  The City was invited to submit a full application for a Cool Cities grant called the Neighborhoods in Progress Program.  This is a welcome invitation because the funding will be dedicated to the replacement structure and parking facility at the former hotel site.  The project developers explain that the cost of a new building requires more input in both this format and the tax incentives they currently seek. 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 a.m.

Philip B. Hathaway, Secretary-Treasurer