DDA Meeting 2.4.2021

Detailed briefing

DDA Meeting — February 4, 2021 • The DDA approved the January 7 meeting minutes. Members also noted that restaurants had reopened for indoor dining at 25% capacity, while DDA meetings would remain electronic under the current state epidemic order. • Ice Fest planning is ahead of budget projections. The event had 43 sponsored small sculptures, plus a $1,500 Ice Throne sponsorship and a $1,000 Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau sponsorship. Staff projected $17,750 in income, $10,230 in expenses and $7,520 in net income. Members agreed Margo and Nikki could select a larger interactive sculpture option, such as a photo opportunity, rather than add several more small sculptures. • Media coverage was planned with 9&10 News for the afternoon of February 12 and morning segments on February 17. Members emphasized keeping the later coverage if possible, even if weather affects the sculptures, and recruiting businesses and volunteers for the early-morning interviews. • The DDA supported Marina Park fire pits for Ice Fest Saturday and Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. Staff and volunteers would provide supervision, with firewood donations and borrowed pits under discussion. Safety follow-through includes maintaining the required 12-inch clearance from the ground, preventing pits from sinking into snow, and addressing icy conditions around the fire areas. Alcohol consumption in the designated fire-pit area was allowed only for the President’s Day/Ice Fest weekend. • Members supported asking City Council to create a broader Marina Park committee led by staff and including representation from relevant boards and the public. Its charge would include short-term park improvements and longer-range planning coordinated with the future harbormaster building and waterfront plans. The timing and funding of the larger marina building project remain uncertain. • The Downtown Enhancement Committee will continue work on outdoor dining and potential employee parking at the Spring Street lot. Staff will seek restaurant feedback on outdoor-dining needs. For the lot, the committee will develop potential pricing and survey businesses before moving forward; possible deed restrictions also need review. Worth watching: • Whether Ice Fest fire-pit safety, wood supply and supervision details are finalized before the event. • Whether City Council forms the proposed Marina Park committee and how it coordinates with existing marina plans. • Business response to potential paid employee parking in the Spring Street lot. Upcoming: Tree-grate bids are scheduled to open February 24; the next DDA meeting is March 4 on Zoom. Why it matters: The DDA is using near-term event activity and project planning to support downtown businesses while shaping longer-term waterfront and infrastructure decisions.

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