Downtown Development Authority Meeting - 2020-10-01

Detailed briefing

Downtown Development Authority Meeting — October 1, 2020 ATTENDEES: Cathy Brightner, Matt Bughera, Tim Knapp, Josh Baker, Jody Eubank, Nikki Law, Dana Mulder, Brian Badini; Jody Eubank arrived after roll call. • The DDA approved the September 10 meeting minutes after correcting the picnic-table discussion: 31 tables were requested and additional tables brought the total to 35. The board also welcomed high school student representative Keely Nash and encouraged her to share student ideas for downtown. • Halloween parade plans are canceled. Trick-or-treating hours were identified as 5:30-7:30 p.m. The Chamber also announced a sponsored skeleton display program around town, with sponsor fees stated as $125 plus tax and a planned digital map of displays. • The DDA received a $5,000 Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation grant. Downtown businesses may seek reimbursement of up to $200 for protective equipment and other COVID-related expenses. Staff had received six reimbursement requests and asked members to help spread the word. • A proposed Ladies Weekend would run Thursday, November 12 through Sunday, November 15, replacing a more concentrated Ladies Night format. The idea is to spread visits and allow appointment-based services. Open-house plans remain on hold pending Petoskey’s decision. Tree-lighting organizers are considering ways to manage space, food service, and Santa-related activities under COVID restrictions. • The board approved moving forward with a scaled-back 2021 Ice Fest only if the final budget is break-even or better. The concept discussed would use pre-carved ice sculptures, without the chili cook-off or live demonstrations. Members asked for a clearer budget that accounts for sponsorships, travel, promotion, and related costs. • Finance discussion focused on projected year-end fund balance, potential new revenue, and the cost of maintaining downtown projects. Options discussed included a millage, voluntary contributions, grants, and paid parking in the Spring Street lot. No funding option was adopted. The DDA set November 1 as a target to launch its updated website. Worth watching: • The Finance Committee is to return with millage, parking, and maintenance-cost analysis before decisions on future revenue. • DDA representatives will continue county discussions over TIF-capture revenue and the county’s proposed conditions. • Ice Fest may proceed only after a final budget shows no loss. Upcoming: Harbor Commission meeting October 14; DDA presentation to City Council October 19; next DDA meeting in November. Why it matters: The board is weighing how to preserve downtown programming and infrastructure while establishing sustainable revenue and addressing COVID-era constraints.

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