Downtown Development Authority

Meeting Minutes -- Unapproved

January 9, 2003

Attending: Wayne Bronner, Bill Mossner, Art Loeffler, Gary Rummel, Leone Koester, Randy Bierlein, Bud Anscomb

Absent: John Benson, Jerry Blohm, Mike Galsterer, Dave Johnston, Judy Keller, Al Zehnder.

Also attending were Jamie Furbush (Chamber), Charlie Graham and Sheila Stamiris.

There was no public input.

Stamiris reports that Frankenmuth has received a "mini-grant’ for the purpose of planning an artist in residence project through the Michigan Association of Community Arts Agencies. The proposed project is the photographic event called "A Day in the Life of Frankenmuth." More information will be forthcoming.

The minutes of the DDA meeting of December 12, 2002, were approved. Rummel moved; Loeffler seconded.

The Finance report for December 31, 2002, was unavailable. Accounts Payable for December 25, 2002, was approved. Loeffler moved; Anscomb seconded. The Annual Report, prepared annually for the state and the taxing jurisdiction and published in the newspaper was received.

Meeting dates for 2003 were approved. Each meeting date follows the regular schedule: 2^nd Thursday of each month at 1:45 in City Hall Council Chambers. Rummel moved; Koester seconded.

There were no committee reports.

MDOT T21 Grant. Stamiris updated the board on recent activities with the grant. In summary, the State has offered to allow the City to purchase lights for Weiss Street provided it complies with the 40% match. This action allows the $250,000 grant to be used in Frankenmuth as intended and to allow the State to keep consistent with its matching funds policy.

After discussion, the DDA approved moving forward as proposed by MDOT. Bierlein moved; Anscomb seconded. These general concepts support the decision:

The Weiss Street project is scheduled. The DDA will spend funds on that project sometime in the future therefore the issue is more of "timing" than of "funding source."

The style of lighting purchased (the 30 foot blue with fixture) has been used in other phases. The width of the street is wide and requires a tall light (blended with pedestrian lights) to provide the preferred lumens (level of lighting) in the area. These lights require 6 to 9 month production lead time. This style is a "non-controversial" choice – it is utilitarian more than decorative.

The purchase of Weiss Street lights fully uses all of the available grant money and leaves none "on the table."

In other project activities, the completion of the mast arm project at Jefferson and Main is still scheduled by the end of February. Consumer’s Energy representatives have not responded to the most recent communication from Stamiris.

The EDC has requested that staff initiate the process to change zoning on the 15 acres on North Main for the Business Park. It has also asked that construction plans be completed for the sanitary sewer line from Franklin.

The DDA received the report for the Annual TIF report to the City and Director’s notes.

Furbush commented that the Black Forest Restaurant will reopen under Sullivan Catering, who will open as banquet rooms and catering service with the option to open the first floor for restaurant service sometime soon.

Graham invited members to an Open House to welcome new Police Chief Don Mawer and his wife, Linda, on January 26, 2003 from 3 to 5 at the Township Hall.

Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Unapproved

Sheila Stamiris, Director