Downtown Development Authority Minutes

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City of Northville
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Council Chambers
November 15, 2005 – 8:00 AM

Present: Mayor Christopher Johnson, Kim Behmer, Margene Buckhave, David Cole, Lynda Heaton, Lou LaChance, David Larsen, Jim Long, Greg Presley, Rick Shaffner.

Absent: Jim DeHaan (excused)

Also Present: City Manager Gary Word, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Nicolette Bateson, DDA Director Lori Ward, DPW Director James Gallogly, Police Chief Jim Petres, School Board Representative Joan Wadsworth, Recording Secretary Carol Kasprowicz, Chamber of Commerce Director Jody Humphries, and Reporters from the Northville Record and the Northville Journal.

Audience Comments – None

Approval of Meeting Minutes – There being no corrections or additions, the minutes to the DDA meeting of October 18, 2005 were approved.

Hutton Park Sculpture Update – Arts Commission Chairperson Ken Naigus reviewed the status of the art sculpture to be placed in the park at Main and Hutton. The sculpture, inspired by the Walt Whitman poem, Leaves of Grass, will have palm leaves clustered in an upward stance with water flowing down the leaves into a holding basin. The installation will take place in the spring of 2006. Questions of safety were asked regarding the edges of the leaves and the pool of water at the base of the sculpture.

Edward’s Building Update – Christine Shelters, owner of Edward’s Catering, displayed drawings of proposed layout of their new location on Main Street in the old "Salutations" building. The move to the new location is expected to take place no later than early March 2006.

Questions were raised regarding the amount budgeted for assisting in the relocation of Edwards Catering and the rental income presently paid by Edward’s. Discussion of the subsequent demolition of the current building housing the Edward’s Catering business led to a request that the demolition not be done during the Easter holiday retail season.

DDA Financial Update – Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Nickie Bateson reviewed the audit report for the year ended June 30, 2005. The audit received the highest audit opinion of "unqualified." The highlights of the audit included:

• The expenditure of $425,000 for the purchase of real estate for future parking expansion (the building housing Edward’s Catering).
• The expenditure of $48,000 for an updated downtown retail market study.
• Income increase over the prior year due to improved fixed income investment earnings and tenant rent.
• Net assets amount of $1.1M.

Bateson reviewed the DDA financial report for October 2005. The format of the report had been altered to reflect the variance in percentage of the budget from a point in the previous budget year. The one significant expenditure in the current year is the commencement of a parking structure maintenance program. Through October 31, 2005, approximately $131,000 had been expended for this project. Further, the taxable value of the DDA District has increased by 7% from the prior year; two-thirds of the increase is due to new construction.

DDA Director Ward and Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Bateson recommended the creation of a DDA Finance Subcommittee to aid in the efficient and effective planning of future DDA projects. It was recommended three members of the DDA Board be appointed to the subcommittee. David Cole, Rick Shaffner, and Greg Presley offered their services. Staff prepared a list of proposed projects and all DDA members were encouraged to review and submit comments to Director Ward.

Traffic Enforcement Report – Police Chief Petres reviewed the progress made regarding the purchase and implementation of the hand-held computer traffic enforcement units. He demonstrated the features of one of the proposed units. Questions ensued regarding the time taken to enter the on-the-spot information of vehicles. It was pointed out that the purpose of the traffic enforcement units was to identify and penalize repeat offenders. It was hoped to have the system up and running in the early months of 2006.

Larsen leaves meeting at 9:05 a.m.

Motion Shaffner, seconded by Behmer to approve the purchase of three portable computer hand-held traffic enforcement units, and the development of appropriate software, from Advanced Public Safety of Deerfield Beach, Florida for half of the purchase price not to exceed $25,000. Ayes: Johnson, Behmer, Buckhave, Heaton, LaChance, Larsen, Long, Presley, Shaffner. Nays: Cole. Motion carried.

It was suggested that the DDA review the fine structure for repeat parking violators at the next DDA meeting.

Downtown Issues

• Lighting – Several electrical repairs and modifications were performed in the downtown area by the Fisher Brothers. The total cost of four items of repair was $5,982.44. Motion Presley, seconded by LaChance to approve the payment of $5,982.44 to the Fisher Brothers for electrical repairs performed in the downtown area. Motion carried unanimously.

• Parking Deck Tower Painting – The interior stairs and elevator towers in the parking decks are in need of painting and were not included in the recent parking deck maintenance contract. Ward was directed to seek bids for the painting of same.

• Maintenance Update – Ward spoke of a report being prepared that would address the issue of downtown maintenance and would ensure consistent attention to landscape items. Ideas have been generated by several staff and community members. Further data is to be acquired and recommendations will be forthcoming.

•Sidewalk Cleaning Update – Three bids will be sought for the cleaning of sidewalks in the downtown area. It is anticipated the sidewalks will be cleaned in the fall.

• Downtown Action Items – Ward reviewed the tentative schedule of action items that were identified in the Gibbs Report and the Downtown Steering Committee Report. These items were identified as being appropriate to complete without needing any input from the Beckett & Raeder study. The schedule was reviewed by the DDA members and, with a minor change, the schedule will be submitted to the City Council for information purposes.

Strategic Plan Update – DDA member Presley gave an update of the meetings conducted thus far by the Downtown Steering Committee and Beckett & Raeder regarding the formulation of the downtown strategic plan. It has been decided that an additional public workshop would be conducted once preliminary design results have been submitted by Beckett & Raeder. It is anticipated that this would occur in early January. Additionally, a mission statement has been formulated. All DDA members were encouraged to attend the next Downtown Steering Committee meeting to be held Thursday, November 17 th at 7 p.m.

Further Business – It was suggested that the issue of additional monthly meetings be pursued in light of the recent lengthy monthly meetings. It was also suggested that evening meetings be explored.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Adjournment: 9:55 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz
Recording Secretary