DDA Meeting May 11, 2022 (Audio Only)

Detailed briefing

Harbor Springs DDA Meeting — May 11, 2022 ATTENDEES: Roll call included Tim Napa, Matt Noguera, Jody Ewing, Amy Giller, Nikki Law, Cora Smith, Rocky Badoun, Rachel Marford, and Ella Ruddy. • The DDA held its first public information meeting of 2022 and reviewed its funding outlook. Projected 2022 TIF capture was reported at $91,826.46, excluding a projected $50,552 capture from Emmet County. The DDA also receives a $45,900 annual special assessment and projected about $5,000 in event income. Taxes and assessments had not yet been collected and were expected in June. • Members reported that downtown lighting had been converted to LED fixtures and globes, at a stated cost of $19,449. Main Street tree-garden irrigation was installed, with begonias, soil and mulch planned for a May 25 planting. The board discussed asking the National Honor Society to help plant and provide regular weeding/trash checks, potentially for a smaller donation than last year. • The Merchants Walkway fountain and deteriorated brick surface were being removed and replaced initially with concrete. Speakers cited safety hazards, failed brick, drainage concerns, and limited funds. Residents raised concerns about loss of decorative materials, maintenance, noise, trash and the lack of a completed final design. The DDA said future options such as planters, seating, landscaping, decorative surface treatments, or a low-maintenance fountain could still be considered; existing plumbing was expected to remain available. • Concrete installation for the walkway was expected the following week, but the schedule was uncertain because of contractor and equipment issues. The DDA said it was seeking backup options if the planned installer could not proceed. • The board discussed updating downtown directory kiosks and considered adding a QR code linking to business information or a map. Kiosk edits were on a tight three-week production schedule, while the website map was said to show dots without street lines. Staff and members agreed to explore a workable link rather than promise an immediate solution. • The TIF renewal committee had met twice and planned a survey asking businesses and residents about desired downtown projects and support needs. A merchant meeting was announced for June 1 at 8 a.m. at The Pier. The boardwalk-ramp grant request was denied, but another MEDC grant may be pursued and City Council was expected to discuss funding options. Worth watching: • Whether walkway concrete installation proceeds on schedule and what permanent design and maintenance plan follows. • Whether the TIF survey, merchant input and required notices produce a completed renewal plan before the stated September notice deadline. • The recorded outcome and implementation of the motion to raise the director’s paid hours from 20 to 25 per week; the transcript does not state the vote result. Upcoming: Merchant meeting, June 1 at 8 a.m. at The Pier; Main Street tree-garden planting, May 25 at 10:30 a.m. Why it matters: The DDA is using downtown tax-increment and assessment revenue for immediate maintenance projects while shaping its next multi-year development plan.

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