Downtown Development Authority Minutes

October 5, 2005 - 7:45am
Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce

Vice-Chairman Oliver called the meeting to order at 7:48 a.m.

Roll Call.          Members Present:  Mayor Davis, Hankerd, Gilbert, Oliver, Irish, Howe, Bucsi

                        Members Absent:   one vacant position, and Wright

                        Others Present:      Ex. Dir. Hathaway, Ramos, Constine, Hecox, D. Cornell, Popovitch, and Snyder

Approval of Minutes.  The minutes of the meeting of September 7, 2005 were approved.
           Hankerd/Irish          m/s/p

Communications:  Hathaway noted two letters, the first from Mrs. Couzynse dealing with the need for automatic door openers for seniors and handicappers and another from the Owosso Farmer’s Market expressing gratitude for the improvements at the Water Street lot.  A third letter addressed sidewalk signs to be referenced later in the meeting under that agenda item.

Citizen Comments:  Roger Snyder expressed his concern that the sidewalk signs represented too much regulation and that there should be no standards or requirements because the issue would take care of itself through customer feedback and peer pressure from downtown businesses.   Cindy Popovitch concurred and explained the value to her business that the sign provides her.

Financial Status.                     

A. Operational Budget.

                        Checking............................................. $         1,159.45
                        Savings................................................ $       24,977.13
                        Total.................................................... $       26,136.58

B.  Development Plan Budget.

                        No Change

Items of Business.

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

            A.  Organizational Expenses: 

A.  Organizational Expenses—

  (1) Michigan Downtown Assn-Mtg Fee.................... $      85.00
              (2) City of Owosso—Postage for newsletter............ $      50.18
              (3) Bronner’s Christmas Decorations..................... $ 2,590.00
              (4) Amperage Electric—Outlet Installations............. $    980.00
              (5) Shia Regional Chamber of Commerce.............. $ 1,500.00
               Total:.................................................................. $ 5,205.18

B.  Tax Increment Development Plan Expenses—

  (1) Nash Nurseries—Armory Lot Tree.................... $    160.00
              (2) Mich Playground & Rec’n Equipment................ $ 1,094.00
              (3) Landmark Surveying........................................ $    850.00
              (4) Spartan Fence (dumpster corral gate)............... $ 1,715.00
              (5) The Lighting Group (two parking lot lights)......... $ 4,990.00
                 Total:................................................................ $8,809.00

Hankerd, Davis    m/s/p

B. Focus Owosso Report.  Tammy Smith submitted a written report about Focus activities. 

C. Former Hotel Site.  The project remains in design phase with continued tenant recruitment.  The north wall of the Nail Boutique will be repaired in late October.  The suggestion to install a project sign on the site will be implemented subject to developer review of the proposal.

D. Sandwich Board Signs.  After a considerable discussion on the merits of the program standards and feedback from downtown interests, the sidewalk sign program was adopted for implementation, including attorney assistance with the lease-back provisions and also subject to the standards dealing with location on the sidewalk and sign size to be considered at the November meeting.

                        Hankerd, Gilbert    m/s/p

E. Retail Recruitment and Retention.  The Old World market is now open on West Main Street.  The balance of George Ramos’ (contracted retail recruiter) time has been dedicated to the Burlington building.

F. Web Page.  Doug Cornell showed the web page as it is currently established.  Many suggestions were offered from the Board members together with satisfaction for the progress made to date.  The City is transmitting documents for the page.  Linkages with other web pages was emphasized.  There was a suggestion to insert a slide show and that will be incorporated.  Focus Owosso should also review the page for the potential to have a greater presence here because the DDA’s principal emphasis is now on marketing, coordination and relationship building. 

Citizen/Member Comments.  With time constraints, Phil Hathaway asked that the discussion on Entertainment Districts await the November meeting.  Hathaway also described a few aspects of the state downtown conference in Grand Rapids with the recurring theme to establish a private investment team—a “catalytic development company”.  Additionally there was not a downtown present that did not have retail retention, support and development at or near the top of their list for their downtowns well-being and character.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 a.m.
                                                            ________________________________________
Philip B. Hathaway, Secretary-Treasurer