DDA Meeting 8.9.2023

Detailed briefing

Harbor Springs Downtown Development Authority — August 9, 2023 • The DDA approved two sets of prior meeting minutes. It also approved hiring Becky Goodman as DDA director at $35 per hour for 20 to 25 hours per week. The hiring committee said Goodman brings city and DDA experience from the City of Petoskey and could enter the role without extensive training. The board said she is not available until the first of the year. • To bridge that gap, the DDA appointed Rachel as acting director. The board said Rachel has already been handling some responsibilities and will track her hours so payment can be moved from the appropriate funding source. • The Merchants Walkway project is still awaiting a full survey. The board said OHM cannot complete the full mockup until that survey is finished. Members discussed asking the consultant to share the design at 50%, 75%, and 100% completion, allowing the board to flag design or budget concerns before final plans are complete. The chair said she would contact Vanessa about the survey timing and phased review process. • A property owner warned that uneven steps and grade changes at the walkway could create injury and liability risks, especially after snowfall. The owner said the owners may chain off the walkway by November 1 or the first snowfall if the safety issue is not corrected. A city representative said he would inspect the steps in the next couple of days, evaluate whether an additional step is needed for compliance, and consider markings and signs. Discussion also indicated the area could be closed as a construction site during winter. • Financial staff reported few changes from the prior month. Property-tax/TIF capture was expected to exceed the $62,000 estimate, potentially reaching about $65,000 to $68,000. Legal costs are above budget because of emergency walkway work, title work, and surveys; staff said the budget could be amended at year-end. • The board also discussed downtown flower-bed maintenance. Members said deadheading had been needed and some locations were not receiving water. Follow-up was planned with the National Honor Society contact and Lucas. Worth watching: • Whether the full Merchants Walkway survey is completed and when the design mockup becomes available. • Whether the steps are promptly corrected or marked, and whether the walkway is closed for winter construction/safety. • Follow-through on communication with adjacent owners and publication of project materials. Upcoming: Survey, design-review, safety, and construction timing remain to be determined. Why it matters: The DDA is filling a leadership gap while facing time-sensitive walkway safety, liability, design, and budget questions.

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