DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY April 29, 2008
Dear Downtown Development Authority Trustees:
A regular meeting of the Downtown Development Authority has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 7, 2008, a 7:30 a.m. at Escanaba City Hall, Council Chambers, 410 Ludington Street, Escanaba, MI 49829. The following items will be on the agenda.
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval and /or correction of the April 2, 2008, meeting minutes
4. Approval/Adjustments to the Agenda
5. Conflict of Interest Inquiry
6. Treasurer's Report:
A. March 2008 Budget Unaudited-Discussion/Action
7. Unfinished/Old Business:
A. Downtown Façade Restoration Project (1200-1300 Block)
B. Conflict of Interest – Discussion/Action
C Delta Building Rehabilitation Project- Discussion/Action
8. New Business:
A. Pole and Street Banner Bid-Discussion/Action
B. Downtown Summer Policing Program-Discussion/Action
C. Summer Seasonal-Discussion/Action
D. Salvation Army Home Run-Discussion/Action
9. Project Updates:
A. Krusin Klassic Rib Fest
B. Wireless Downtown
10. Various Other Issues:
11. Board of Trustees/Staff Comments
12. Public Comment
13. Announcements
14. Adjournment
The Downtown Development Authority will provide all necessary, reasonable aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon five days notice to the Downtown Development Authority. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Downtown Development Authority at (906) 786-8696.
Sincerely,
Brian Moravec, D.C., Chairperson
Downtown Development Authority
DDA Meeting Agenda Explanation
March 5, 2008
Conflict of Interest Inquiry. Members will be asked to declare any conflict of interest with any agenda item.
Treasurer's Report.
8. Unfinished/Old Business:
A. Downtown Façade Restoration Project (1200-1300 Block)
In January the DDA Board authorized staff to submit a Notice of intent for nine (9) building Facades in this two block area. MSHDA has authorized $100,000 for six of the nine buildings. One project was not eligible because it was an apartment; one owner withdrew because of lack of private investment, and one advised that they will participate at another round. Preliminary estimates were for $284,819, but with the six remaining projects, the cost came in at $200,000. The funding breakdown would be as follows:
2008 MSHDA Façade Initiative $100,000
2008-09 DDA Façade Funds $ 50,000
Six Building Owners $ 50,000
$200,000
We are now requesting that the Board approve a Resolution of Support of this Application and also ask that the City Council pass a Resolution of Support at its May 15, 2008 Council meeting. The City will also be required to hold a Public Hearing as part of the Local Public participation requirements for the grant application.
B. Conflict of Interest – Discussion/Action
At the April 2, 2008 regular DDA board meeting, there was discussion on this issue and the Board decided to have staff look at the possibility of meeting with the City Council and also drafting a policy. Since our board meeting, the City Council had discussed this issue for all Boards and Commissions as well as for the Council and are continuing to work on this policy. I would suggest that we table this until the Council adopts a policy that will apply to all Boards and Commissions.
C. Delta Building Rehabilitation Project- Discussion/Action
At the March 20th, 2008, Special Board Meeting the Board authorized staff to submit a Letter of Interest to MSHDA for the 2008 Façade Initiative Program on behalf of the Delta Building Rehabilitation Project. The Letter on Interest was submitted Friday, April 25, 2008, as the deadline was April 30, 2008. The MSHDA review committee will be meeting May 12, 2008, and pending further information will hopefully authorize us to submit a full application. We are asking the DDA Board to approve a submittal of a full application at the May 7th DDA Board Meeting and requesting that the City Council also pass a Resolution at their June 03, 2008 Council Meeting. MSHDA also requires a Public Hearing on the use of these funds, which we plan on holding at the same meeting. According to MSHDA, the application is due within 60 days of authorization, but we could anticipate submitting as soon as possible.
8. New Business
A. Pole and Street Banner Bid
Staff recently went out for bids for one overhead street banner that would be placed across Ludington Street at 11th Street as well as 16 various banners that would be placed throughout Ludington Street. We received only one bid from Sign Up and the Building and Facilities Committee met on April 28, to review the concepts. (See Attached) The Committee suggested more of a “Welcome to Downtown” concept for the overhead street banner rather than a specific welcome to anglers. Since we would like to get the overhead street banner up as soon as possible, I would suggest that the Board approve the bid and than allow the committee to work with Peggy Schumann on a final design. The committee liked the pole banner concept, but suggested we consider adding more pole banners to be placed along Ludington Street. $5,000 has been budgeted for banners and flower pots. We will be purchasing four additional flower pots this year, and plants for the four pots we purchased last year. It will cost approximately $500.00. The attached bid is broken down as follows:
Overhead Street Banner $1,300
16 Pole Banners $2,051
Sub-Total $3,351
I would suggest that the DDA Board authorize the expenditure of up to
$4,500 for Pole Banners. This would allow us to add 8 or 9 more pole
banners and still fit within our budget.
B. Downtown Summer Policing Program
In the 2008-09 budget we budgeted $8,000 down from $12,500 in 2007-08. We have discussed a more targeted approach to the
Downtown Summer Patrol looking at problem areas and more of an evening start, around 8:00 p.m. We would work closely with Public Safety on what is the best use of time and days for our patrols. I would suggest we pursue this approach for this summer and then look closely at the effectiveness for next year’s budget. There have been several positive comments about the Summer Policing Program at our recent downtown informational meetings.
C. Summer Seasonal
For several years the concept of sharing a summer seasonal
employee with the City has been discussed. Currently we spend
about $1,600 each summer for lawn maintenance at Center Court and Farmer’s Market. For about $3,000 we would have a Seasonal for 40 hours per week. The City would also pay around $3,000. This would include wages and the rental of a city truck. The DDA would have to purchase a mower and trimmer for an amount of approximately $400.00. The total amount including the rental of the city vehicle would be $3,400.00. The City would only ask that this employee empty the garbage cans on Ludington Street on Mondays and Fridays and perform other odd jobs that may pop up in the DDA District. We could use the employee for keeping all the parking lots cleaned and weeded, as well as watering the flowers at the Lincoln and Ludington intersection and also the flower pots downtown. The west end area could also be maintained as many property owners are inconsistent with mowing, general weeding, and cleaning of debris on Ludington Street sidewalk and alleys. The tree grates around the trees on Ludington Street could also be maintained. I would suggest we pull the additional funds in the amount of $1,900 from the Summer Patrol line item. This would still allow $6,100 toward patrols.
I would suggest we move forward with this recommendation. The City is willing to partner with this effort an we are already spending at least half on maintenance of only two areas. We would still encourage property owners to be more responsible for their own property, but I also believe this position will go along way in improving the general image of the downtown.
D. Salvation Army Home Run
The second Salvation Army Home Run will take place on May 24,
2008. In the past the DDA has provided the sitters on Saturday and the food on Friday evening for the spaghetti dinner. The total cost should be approximately $500 or less.
Dear Downtown Development Authority Trustees:
A regular meeting of the Downtown Development Authority has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 7, 2008, a 7:30 a.m. at Escanaba City Hall, Council Chambers, 410 Ludington Street, Escanaba, MI 49829. The following items will be on the agenda.
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval and /or correction of the April 2, 2008, meeting minutes
4. Approval/Adjustments to the Agenda
5. Conflict of Interest Inquiry
6. Treasurer's Report:
A. March 2008 Budget Unaudited-Discussion/Action
7. Unfinished/Old Business:
A. Downtown Façade Restoration Project (1200-1300 Block)
B. Conflict of Interest – Discussion/Action
C Delta Building Rehabilitation Project- Discussion/Action
8. New Business:
A. Pole and Street Banner Bid-Discussion/Action
B. Downtown Summer Policing Program-Discussion/Action
C. Summer Seasonal-Discussion/Action
D. Salvation Army Home Run-Discussion/Action
9. Project Updates:
A. Krusin Klassic Rib Fest
B. Wireless Downtown
10. Various Other Issues:
11. Board of Trustees/Staff Comments
12. Public Comment
13. Announcements
14. Adjournment
The Downtown Development Authority will provide all necessary, reasonable aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon five days notice to the Downtown Development Authority. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Downtown Development Authority at (906) 786-8696.
Sincerely,
Brian Moravec, D.C., Chairperson
Downtown Development Authority
DDA Meeting Agenda Explanation
March 5, 2008
Conflict of Interest Inquiry. Members will be asked to declare any conflict of interest with any agenda item.
Treasurer's Report.
8. Unfinished/Old Business:
A. Downtown Façade Restoration Project (1200-1300 Block)
In January the DDA Board authorized staff to submit a Notice of intent for nine (9) building Facades in this two block area. MSHDA has authorized $100,000 for six of the nine buildings. One project was not eligible because it was an apartment; one owner withdrew because of lack of private investment, and one advised that they will participate at another round. Preliminary estimates were for $284,819, but with the six remaining projects, the cost came in at $200,000. The funding breakdown would be as follows:
2008 MSHDA Façade Initiative $100,000
2008-09 DDA Façade Funds $ 50,000
Six Building Owners $ 50,000
$200,000
We are now requesting that the Board approve a Resolution of Support of this Application and also ask that the City Council pass a Resolution of Support at its May 15, 2008 Council meeting. The City will also be required to hold a Public Hearing as part of the Local Public participation requirements for the grant application.
B. Conflict of Interest – Discussion/Action
At the April 2, 2008 regular DDA board meeting, there was discussion on this issue and the Board decided to have staff look at the possibility of meeting with the City Council and also drafting a policy. Since our board meeting, the City Council had discussed this issue for all Boards and Commissions as well as for the Council and are continuing to work on this policy. I would suggest that we table this until the Council adopts a policy that will apply to all Boards and Commissions.
C. Delta Building Rehabilitation Project- Discussion/Action
At the March 20th, 2008, Special Board Meeting the Board authorized staff to submit a Letter of Interest to MSHDA for the 2008 Façade Initiative Program on behalf of the Delta Building Rehabilitation Project. The Letter on Interest was submitted Friday, April 25, 2008, as the deadline was April 30, 2008. The MSHDA review committee will be meeting May 12, 2008, and pending further information will hopefully authorize us to submit a full application. We are asking the DDA Board to approve a submittal of a full application at the May 7th DDA Board Meeting and requesting that the City Council also pass a Resolution at their June 03, 2008 Council Meeting. MSHDA also requires a Public Hearing on the use of these funds, which we plan on holding at the same meeting. According to MSHDA, the application is due within 60 days of authorization, but we could anticipate submitting as soon as possible.
8. New Business
A. Pole and Street Banner Bid
Staff recently went out for bids for one overhead street banner that would be placed across Ludington Street at 11th Street as well as 16 various banners that would be placed throughout Ludington Street. We received only one bid from Sign Up and the Building and Facilities Committee met on April 28, to review the concepts. (See Attached) The Committee suggested more of a “Welcome to Downtown” concept for the overhead street banner rather than a specific welcome to anglers. Since we would like to get the overhead street banner up as soon as possible, I would suggest that the Board approve the bid and than allow the committee to work with Peggy Schumann on a final design. The committee liked the pole banner concept, but suggested we consider adding more pole banners to be placed along Ludington Street. $5,000 has been budgeted for banners and flower pots. We will be purchasing four additional flower pots this year, and plants for the four pots we purchased last year. It will cost approximately $500.00. The attached bid is broken down as follows:
Overhead Street Banner $1,300
16 Pole Banners $2,051
Sub-Total $3,351
I would suggest that the DDA Board authorize the expenditure of up to
$4,500 for Pole Banners. This would allow us to add 8 or 9 more pole
banners and still fit within our budget.
B. Downtown Summer Policing Program
In the 2008-09 budget we budgeted $8,000 down from $12,500 in 2007-08. We have discussed a more targeted approach to the
Downtown Summer Patrol looking at problem areas and more of an evening start, around 8:00 p.m. We would work closely with Public Safety on what is the best use of time and days for our patrols. I would suggest we pursue this approach for this summer and then look closely at the effectiveness for next year’s budget. There have been several positive comments about the Summer Policing Program at our recent downtown informational meetings.
C. Summer Seasonal
For several years the concept of sharing a summer seasonal
employee with the City has been discussed. Currently we spend
about $1,600 each summer for lawn maintenance at Center Court and Farmer’s Market. For about $3,000 we would have a Seasonal for 40 hours per week. The City would also pay around $3,000. This would include wages and the rental of a city truck. The DDA would have to purchase a mower and trimmer for an amount of approximately $400.00. The total amount including the rental of the city vehicle would be $3,400.00. The City would only ask that this employee empty the garbage cans on Ludington Street on Mondays and Fridays and perform other odd jobs that may pop up in the DDA District. We could use the employee for keeping all the parking lots cleaned and weeded, as well as watering the flowers at the Lincoln and Ludington intersection and also the flower pots downtown. The west end area could also be maintained as many property owners are inconsistent with mowing, general weeding, and cleaning of debris on Ludington Street sidewalk and alleys. The tree grates around the trees on Ludington Street could also be maintained. I would suggest we pull the additional funds in the amount of $1,900 from the Summer Patrol line item. This would still allow $6,100 toward patrols.
I would suggest we move forward with this recommendation. The City is willing to partner with this effort an we are already spending at least half on maintenance of only two areas. We would still encourage property owners to be more responsible for their own property, but I also believe this position will go along way in improving the general image of the downtown.
D. Salvation Army Home Run
The second Salvation Army Home Run will take place on May 24,
2008. In the past the DDA has provided the sitters on Saturday and the food on Friday evening for the spaghetti dinner. The total cost should be approximately $500 or less.
posted by DDA @ 1:38 PM
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