November 4, 2021 DDA Meeting

Detailed briefing

Harbor Springs DDA Meeting — November 4, 2021 ATTENDEES: Kathy Breitner, Josh Baker, Jody Eubank, Nikki Law, Deanna Mulder, Amy Gillard, and Ella Reddy were recorded present; Brian Badini was recorded absent. • The DDA approved the October meeting minutes. It then approved proceeding with a downtown lighting project estimated at $20,328: replacement globes, rewiring/removal of ballasts, and LED conversion for downtown posts. The goal is to replace inconsistent green, yellow, orange, failed, and mismatched lighting with a unified appearance. • Technical decisions on the new lights—wattage, color temperature, and dark-sky features—were assigned to the Downtown Enhancement Committee. Members asked that the committee seek input from the electric utility representative and police chief. Globes may be ordered promptly, and installation was said to be possible beginning in January. • The DDA voted to restore Third Street tree lights and pay the roughly $40 monthly cost. Discussion included resident requests to turn the lights back on, concerns about the appearance of conduit on trees, and the need for better city-DDA coordination before projects or services are changed. Staff is also pursuing a possible lighting solution for a nearby replacement tree and electrical-conduit work. • Parking enforcement remains unsettled for next summer. Staff said chalking is no longer available and camera-based enforcement is labor-intensive. About 946 parking tickets had been issued year-to-date in 2021, including 493 for three- or four-hour parking. Members discussed paid parking, kiosks, enforcement, and clearer parking maps, but made no decision. A city representative said options could be presented to City Council. • The DDA deferred action on the Murchison walkway/fountain area. One estimate was $17,364 to remove the fountain and surrounding deteriorated brick and concrete, replacing the area with standard concrete. Before proceeding, the committee will research ownership, easements, maintenance rights, the retaining wall, and design and cost alternatives. • Planning started for Ice Fest 2022, scheduled for February 11-12. Ideas include horse-and-carriage rides, interactive ice activities in Zorn Park, an escape-style downtown challenge, sled dogs, and outdoor demonstrations. The committee does not plan a chili cook-off this year, citing safety and restaurant staffing concerns. The board supported considering about $3,000 from the Ice Fest budget for larger interactive features. Worth watching: • Whether City Council advances a parking-enforcement or paid-parking proposal before the next busy season. • Whether the DDA obtains legal/property clarity before spending on the Murchison walkway. • Whether the lighting project’s final specifications address safety, appearance, and dark-sky concerns. Upcoming: The DDA plans to meet December 2; its director said she will give City Council a DDA finance and project update December 6. Why it matters: The DDA is committing funds to visible downtown improvements while still working through parking, public-space, and coordination questions that affect residents, businesses, and visitors.

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