Downtown Development Authority Minutes

May 4, 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, Gilbert, and Hankerd

                        Members Absent:   Stehle, and McMaster

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

Approval of Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting of April 6, 2005 were approved.

Davis/Howe          m/s/p

Communications:

Hathaway reported that there were no responses to the most recent newsletter.  The asbestos education meeting was not well attended and reflected that the issue was more personally motivated than grounded in broader community concerns.

Citizen Comments:

None

Financial Status:

A. Operational Budget

            Checking                                                          $                5,195.46
            Savings                                                             $                9,249.92
            Total                                                                 $                14,445.38

B.  Development Plan Budget

            Total Funds ’03-’05                                            $             120,463.98
            Funds Expended/Committed                               $               97,806.77
            Available Funds                                                 $               22,657.21
            Planned Projects                                               $                1,650.00
            Administration                                                   $                       0.00
            Contingency/Reserve                                         $               21,007.21

Items of Business:

A.  Payment of Bills:

The following expenses were authorized for payment:

            A.  Organizational Expenses:

                        Shiawassee Regional Chamber Of Commerce     $    2,500.00
                        Saginaw Valley Rehabilitation Center                   $       535.00
                        Mid-Michigan Turf Care-maintenance                  $       105.00
                        Owosso Amphitheater Association                       $       175.00
                        City of Owosso-Exec. Dir. Salary                        $    3,000.00
                        2005 Visitor’s Guide Advertisement                     $       300.00
                                                                                    Total:    $    6,615.00

B.  Tax Increment Development Plan Expenses:

            Nash Nurseries                                                  $     $405.00
                        City of Owosso Tax Increment Lease Payment     $ 252,470.00
                        SET, Owosso Schools, RESD Reimbursements    $   86,268.45
                                                                                    Total:    $ 339,143.45

            Gilbert/Hankerd          m/s/p
 

B.  Focus Owosso—Downtown Coordinator Report:

It was reported that the response to the advertisement has been good with six contacts for additional information and three applications submitted. The deadline is May 13^th.  Focus Owosso met again and reaffirmed its desire to stay organized and manage the new position.  They have excused Phil Hathaway from voting on the candidate selection but committed him to the interviews.

C.  Hotel Owosso Progress Report:

The demolition has proceeded without incident and is ahead of schedule.  There have been no change orders and the costs remain $70,000 below the budget originally established for the work.  The job should be completed in mid-May.  The developers meet with a State of Michigan project team to review the tax incentive package necessary for the project to move ahead.

D. Neighborhoods in Progress Planning Team Report:

A planning team of 15 individuals representing a cross-section of businesses, residents, cultural institutions, foundations, and local leaders met to discuss the Cool Cities application and refine the existing goals of the Downtown Development Plan.  The refinements centered about attracting talent, spurring innovation, fostering diversity and creating the environment for the downtown to anchor a more prosperous region.  The downtown will be visited in late May for an evaluation of the projects and people involved with retaining and attracting more people to the downtown.  The $100,000 grant would be applied to improved architecture to the new structure at Washington and Main Streets.

E. Web Page:

Two more cost proposals must be received before proceeding with the decision.

F. Retail Retention:

George Ramos reports that another small retail outlet is expected to open but could not reveal its product line or location while business plans are evolving.

G.  Farmer’s Market Lot:

The DDA’s involvement with financial support for the Farmer’s Market will co-pay the lot paving costs and the upgrades to open spaces and new light posts.  The obligations are for the 2005-06 fiscal year, with most of the improvements happening in mid-May of this fiscal year.

Member and Citizen Comments:

After noting the Girl Scouts flower bed planting event for May 21^st, Mayor Davis asked that the City temporarily close the curb lanes of Main Street to offer additional safety for the children. 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 a.m.

____________________________________
Philip B. Hathaway, Secretary-Treasurer