Downtown Development Authority Meeting - 2020-05-07

Detailed briefing

Downtown Development Authority Meeting — May 7, 2020 - The DDA approved its March 5 meeting minutes after discussing a correction to how remote attendance was recorded. The meeting was held remotely, with repeated discussion of audio and public-access issues. - COVID-19 updates included the May 7 resumption of residential construction and real-estate work. Members reported cancellations of the Memorial Day parade, car show, and Blessing of the Fleet party, while saying the Blessing itself would occur. City Council was expected to make a final decision on July 4 activities at its June 1 meeting. The status of future state restrictions remained uncertain. - The farmers market was expected to open as an essential activity with presales, booths spaced apart, no hot food, handwashing stations, and use of additional space through Zorn Park. Staff said the planned layout allowed roughly 195 people, and police would be present. The city also created designated curbside pickup parking spaces for businesses offering curbside service. - The Main Street tree-base project remained on track for fall construction. The revised schedule called for bid notices May 12-13, a June 8 pre-bid meeting, June 10 bid opening, June 16 award, September 14 construction start, and October 31 completion target. The bid scope was described as replacing all trees, installing electrical conduit and sidewalk junction boxes, and using a revised layout with 38 uniformly placed trees. Brick detail and irrigation were included as alternates. - Jody Eubank agreed to serve as DDA treasurer. The board also discussed establishing regular financial-review meetings involving Jody, Tim Knapp, staff, and city finance personnel. Kathy Brightner and Amy Gillard volunteered to review bylaw changes concerning officer positions, terms, and election timing. - Members discussed updating downtown wayfinding directories, a possible switch of parking signs near the Methodist Church and Third Street, and alternatives for rebuilding the DDA website. No final choice was made on a web vendor or platform. The Merchant Walkway committee was to be reconvened, while city staff planned to explore an appeal after MDOT declined use of a drainage area for the Harbor Way bike path. Worth watching: - Whether City Council separates a decision on July 4 fireworks from decisions on the parade and art show; fundraising for fireworks was described as time-sensitive. - Tree-base bids, project cost, and the final tree-species selection. - Follow-through on finance oversight, bylaw revisions, website planning, and Merchant Walkway work. Upcoming: Tree-base bid notices were scheduled for May 12-13; City Council’s July 4 decision was expected June 1. Why it matters: The DDA is balancing pandemic-era downtown operations with major streetscape planning and board-governance work.

No open public follow-ups are linked to this meeting yet.