DDA Meeting December 14, 2022

Detailed briefing

Harbor Springs DDA Meeting — December 14, 2022 • The DDA approved its November meeting minutes and approved a proposed 2023 budget for City Council consideration. The budget projects $123,025 in revenue and $119,950 in expenses and was described as balanced. It includes $50,000 for the Merchants Walkway, including $30,000 anticipated from fund balance, donations, or fundraising. • The board voted to move Merchants Walkway decision-making from the Merchants Walkway Committee back to the full DDA board. Staff will take the committee’s input to OHM, the DDA’s designer, for a long-range plan. Discussed concepts included low-maintenance gardens, resurfaced walkways, lighting, benches, signage, a water-feature wall, and possible historical features. No final design or project cost was selected. • Ice Fest planning is continuing. Rock on Ice and sleigh rides were confirmed, with Birchwood sponsoring the sleigh rides. Holy Childhood Community Center was confirmed for the event date, and Topo Nexus was identified for a children’s activity. The Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau awarded a $2,000 grant. Organizers are still seeking sponsorship selections, chili cook-off participants, and remaining insurance documentation. • The DDA is consulting the city attorney about options related to the county’s TIF capture. Board discussion referenced an estimated county capture of about $50,000 per year and possible legal costs exceeding $100,000. No decision was made on pursuing legal action; the matter will return after legal guidance is received. • A public hearing on continuing the special assessment for non-residential properties in the Central Business District was announced for December 19. Following the hearing, City Council is expected to consider a resolution on the assessment. • Tim Knapp announced his resignation from the DDA board, citing the need to prioritize work responsibilities. The DDA expects to consider officer positions in January. Members also indicated a preference for regular meetings on the second Wednesday of each month, with the formal 2023 schedule to be set in January. Worth watching: • Whether City Council approves the proposed 2023 DDA budget and continuation of the special assessment. • When OHM returns a Merchants Walkway design, budget, and implementation plan to the full board. • The city attorney’s advice on the county TIF issue and whether the DDA chooses to act on it. Upcoming: A special-assessment public hearing is scheduled for December 19; the DDA expects to set its 2023 meeting schedule and address board leadership in January. Why it matters: The board’s budget, walkway planning, event preparation, and revenue decisions will shape downtown investment and programming in 2023.

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