June 14, 2023 Harbor Springs DDA Meeting

Detailed briefing

HARBOR SPRINGS DDA MEETING — June 14, 2023 ATTENDEES: Jody Eubank, Matt Bughera, Amy Gillard, Cora Smith, Rocky Beidoun, Sarah Eschelbrenner, and Gail Brown. • The DDA approved three sets of minutes: the May 10 regular meeting, closed-session minutes, and the May 31 special meeting. No opposition was recorded for those approvals. • The board approved OHM engineering/design and bid-phase services for the Merchants Walkway redesign at a total cost of $20,600. The motion passed by roll call, though the transcript does not provide a reliable vote tally. The approved scope includes engineering and handling the bid process, not construction management. • Members said the walkway project has grown beyond its earlier, more limited concept. Engineering is intended to address walkways, walls, drainage, utilities, and potential future lighting or water features. Construction costs are still unknown, and the board discussed potentially building the work in phases. A future project manager, if used, would be an additional cost. • The board discussed the need for written approval from the Nolans before work on walls associated with their property. If approval is not received, the board said it could bid the pedestrian-walkway work without including those walls. Members suggested another follow-up with a response deadline. • Staff reported that the DDA's 2023 projected TIF capture is about $94,465.35. The DDA renewed its TIF and development plans for 2023-2038. Current priorities include sidewalk maintenance, the Merchants Walkway, Third Street lighting, Main Street tree gardens, wayfinding, downtown promotion, and Ice Fest. • Third Street light repairs were previously authorized up to $2,400. The contractor had said work would occur this month, but the board had not confirmed whether repairs were complete. Kiosk directory panels were finished and expected to be installed by the end of the month, possibly after July 4. The board discussed using a May 1 deadline for future printed-directory updates. Worth watching: • Whether the Nolans provide written approval for wall work and whether a deadline is set. • The final construction estimate, project phasing, and any future construction-management cost for Merchants Walkway. • Whether the National Honor Society provides a maintenance schedule for the Main Street tree gardens; staff said it would not recommend a donation if maintenance is not performed. Upcoming: No July DDA meeting; the board said it will meet again in August. Rachel Morford agreed to run meetings until a new director is found. Why it matters: The DDA is committing to design and bidding for a major downtown safety and streetscape project while its leadership transition and final project costs remain unresolved.

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