Downtown Development Authority Meeting — 2025-12-10

Detailed briefing

Downtown Development Authority Meeting — December 10, 2025 ATTENDEES: Mayor Graham, Brown, Sarah Brunner, Bremer, Tweeten, Maggie Lacy and Bob Tola were present; Ellison Larson was reported absent. • The DDA approved an amendment to its prior lamp-post test-color motion. Green was removed as an option, and Dragon’s Breath, described as a charcoal color, was added. The discussion indicated that the remaining test options would retain previously selected blue and black choices, though the exact color naming in the discussion was not fully clear. • The board approved a process for selecting a lamp-post color: three test posts will be painted in spring, the public will be asked to view the colors in place, and an on-site QR-code survey will allow one vote per participant. The committee recommendation was to leave the test colors up through the season so part-time residents, visitors and others can participate, then undertake broader painting in fall. • Members discussed using lamp posts at Main and Spring for the test instead of Main and State, citing traffic and pedestrian-safety concerns at the latter intersection. The discussion emphasized keeping the test posts close enough together for people to compare them with an unpainted post. The transcript does not clearly show a separate final vote on the exact location. • The annual DDA report reviewed 2025 work, including sidewalk snow removal and repairs, Fall Fest support, benches, bike racks, trash cans, flower pots, Merchants Walkway Phase One, downtown marketing, and event support. The report identified 2026 priorities including lamp-post painting, downtown maintenance, restroom maintenance support, streetscape planning, a trash-enclosure project, a website refresh and an improved shopping map. • Santa’s Workshop was announced to open Friday night, with additional dates on the following Saturdays. Organizers said volunteer help may be needed because Jody had to leave town unexpectedly. Ice Fest planning is underway, with the event set for February 6-7. • Members raised concerns about damaged AT&T and Spectrum utility boxes, including boxes reported as smashed or with exposed wires. City staff said they would check city code and agreements to determine whether maintenance requirements apply. Members discussed sending a formal attorney letter if providers do not respond. Worth watching: • Whether City Council accepts the DDA’s lamp-post testing and public-survey process. • Follow-through with AT&T and Spectrum on damaged utility infrastructure. • Whether Santa’s Workshop receives sufficient volunteer coverage. Upcoming: The DDA annual report is scheduled to be presented to City Council on December 15. Why it matters: The DDA is moving from debate to a public, in-place test for a downtown visual upgrade while continuing work on maintenance, events and downtown infrastructure.

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