Downtown Development Authority Minutes

Absent: Margene Buckhave, Rick Shaffner, Dave Larsen, Chris Johnson (all excused)

Approval of Minutes: There being no corrections or additions, the minutes of the June 11, 2002 and June 26, 2002 meetings were approved.

Jim Long spoke of his proposed development that is to be erected on property located at the northeast corner of Wing and Main Streets. He stated that, upon reflection, he has decided to proceed at a less vigorous pace and will now move "deliberately and slowly." There was nothing further to report other than confirm that the proposed development is to be a 2-story structure containing retail and office space.

Director Ward reviewed the process whereby the City and owners of the Stampeddler (Bob and Margene Buckhave) have agreed to partner in the quest for providing public restrooms in the downtown area. For building three public restrooms (separate from the building tenants’ restrooms), the Buckhaves are to be reimbursed $25,600. The arrangement also includes the rental and maintenance of the restrooms at an approximately cost of $900 per month. It was originally proposed that the Buckhaves would be reimbursed the cost of construction through the waiver of a number of parking credits that was required with a change of use in the building. City Council has rejected this approach and specified that the two transactions be separate. As the cost of constructing public restrooms was not budgeted, specific DDA action is required to effectuate payment to the Buckhaves.

- Questions were raised regarding the access to the restrooms, signage on Main and Center Streets, alternative restroom locations.

- It was pointed out that the Stampeddler location is not centrally located in the downtown area.

- Argument presented against a governmental entity being solely responsible for public restrooms.

- Clarification was made that the restrooms were constructed at the request of the City and not as an "overflow" for the patrons of the Stampeddler Building. Further clarification was made that the contract runs with the land and is binding on all successors and assigns of the property.

- A review of the findings of the restroom subcommittee that had met last year. Discussion took place on various options for restroom relief from the merchants and possible locations for additional restrooms.

Motion Presley, seconded by Heaton to approve the expenditure of $26,500 from unallocated funds for the construction of public restrooms located at the Old Church Square on Center Street, and for the rental fees as budgeted, and maintenance fees as proposed subject to review in two months. Voice vote: Yes: Heaton, Presley, DeHaan. No: LaChance, Long. Motion carried.

It was determined the subcommittee on downtown restrooms would reconvene to investigate possible locations for restrooms on Main Street.

This item was postponed for a future meeting.

Ward gave an update of the implementation of the Parking Management Plan and stated employee parking permits are slowly being issued. A brochur, with an enclosed map of downtown parking areas, had been created for downtown business owners and employees. The downtown parking committee will meet September 19^th.

The next DDA meeting is scheduled for September 10, 2002.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz

Recording Secretary