Downtown Development Authority

Meeting Minutes

Thursday, June 12, 2003

Attending: Bud Anscomb, Randy Bierlein, Jerry Blohm, Wayne Bronner, Mike Galsterer, Dave Johnston, Leone Koester, Art Loeffler, Bill Mossner, Gary Rummel

Unable to attend: John Benson, Judy Keller, Al Zehnder

Also attending were Kathy Hayden, Bob Stroebel, Charlie Graham, Sheila Stamiris.

There was no public input.

The minutes of the May 8, 2003, meeting were approved as written. Blohm moved; Anscomb seconded.

Accounts Payable for month ending May 31, 2003 were approved. The Finance report for May 2003 was received.

Project Updates. Stamiris provided updates on construction projects. The restroom renovation project at the Visitor Center totaled $68,424 with the DDA share equaling $34,212 (less than the $37,500 originally approved.)

Specific trade work continues on the Platz projects. Punchlists for the brick and landscaping are pending completion. The lack of progress on the fountain project is frustrating due the required sequencing of tasks and unseasonably cool temperatures. Stamiris is hopeful the fountain will be running by the 4^th of July. DPW will be working with the landscaper and irrigation contractor to assure a good impression for the Bavarian Festival weekend.

The SpringHill Suites/MEDC project has exceeded the total number of jobs created by 2 (total 17) and the DDA/City will be provided the full grant of $150,000 from the CDBG storm sewer financing.

The City has received notice that an individual is suing for a trip and fall at Cass Street and Main during the construction of the storm sewer. The suit is being handled on behalf of the City by an attorney appointed by the MML (the City’s liability insurer.)

Banner located at Nickless and Main Street. Member Leone Koester submitted a petition signed by 29 persons requesting the removal of the banner base and base at this location. Koester commented:

This is the third time she is asking for this action – her feelings have not changed;

Growth on North Main has been great since the neighborhood was first developed. A new strip center is to be constructed; many students use the intersection at lunchtime.

The short distance between Genesee and Main and Nickless and Main compounds turning actions due to reduced time to make the desired turn.

"Close calls" at the intersection are neither constant nor frequent, but they do happen;

Turning south onto Main from Nickless is a dangerous as turning north; and

In her opinion, the liability is there for an impending accident.

Guest Kathy Hayden also commented:

The new strip center will add another driveway to Nickless;

She suspects that many former users now avoid the intersection due to poor site lines;

Upset that schools use this route for buses, as well;

The post office employees do not use this street for access due to the condition; and

The intersection is intimidating to older people.

Bob Stroebel clarified that he was attending the meeting as a citizen. He added that there are physical elements decreasing visibility north and south of the intersection. He suggests altering the banner base to allow a "window" of sorts in the site line.

Stamiris commented that both Police Chiefs Petteys and Mawer have stated that the situation is acceptable. Sheriff Charlie Brown has made no comment.

DDA discussion members noted:

The south turn movement is "probably harder" than the north due to the tree. Should it be removed?

The #1 issue in this discussion is not the banner base. Recent growth in 20 years has changed the way the intersection is used and what impacts the use of this intersection. This major traffic zone on Main is not slowing down. With or without the banner located there, the Post Office will generate traffic. The short distance between Main and Genesee and Main and Nickless is the bigger problem.

No matter what is removed (i.e. banner or trees), the intersection will never be safe. Removing the banner will not make the intersection safer.

Intersection is dangerous per personal use experience. Removing the base does not change traffic patterns on Main Street.

"A lot" is happening in this intersection. Alteration to the base may be more expensive than removing it.

Are there other amenities that have a problem? The TAC might have an opinion; we should ask them. If this is a safety hazard, we need to correct quickly. The process is important and we need to follow it.

Charlie Graham advised that the TAC will ask the Police Chief for a recommendation. Stroebel would like a cost identified to alter the structure. Koester feels that an alternation to lower the structure may be alright.

The DDA requests that the TAC review the condition and give an opinion. Blohm moved; Mossner seconded.

Harry Potter Property 915 Flint Street. Stamiris recommends that after review of the original DDA maps, zoning codes, tax records and other documents and following discussion with City staff, 915 Flint Street (currently owned by Mr.and Mrs. Potter) was not intended to be a property within the DDA district and therefore should not be considered part of the district.

The DDA district boundaries are described by text (i.e. "all properties fronting Flint Street and zoned B2). This property has never been zoned "B2"; therefore, it was incorrectly included. The property was included in the 2 mill levy since 1996 and is currently included in the Phase 3A special assessment district. Mr. and Mrs. Potter have paid a total of $556.89 and previous owner Praveen Manyam had paid $262.26.

The DDA moved that the DDA:

Repay the Potters $556.89 and previous owner Praveen Manyam $262.26 (for a total payment of $819.15) and to schedule the repayment of the DDA millage and Special Assessment for 2003 upon payment by the Potters;

The DDA remove the property from further rosters of DDA properties and 3A Special Assessment roll for tax years beginning 2004 because the property has been deemed ineligible according to the DDA district property description; and that

The DDA annually make the payments for the remaining amount due for Phase 3A Special Assessment based on the existing formulas. This will make "no change" to the general formula for properties classified as "off Main" in 3A.

Johnston moved; Galsterer and Rummel seconded.

Saginaw Future. Stamiris advised the board that the City had increased its contribution to Saginaw Future with the caveat that "at the end of the year", a determination would be made about the "value" of the services rendered. Benefit would be measured and costs for Saginaw Future services prorated to the City and/or the DDA.

City Beautification. Member Mossner commented that plantings of annuals are "too close" according to a recent newspaper article and that significant funds could be saved by "following the tags." Others commented that the businesses want "immediate" impact requiring closer plantings and that this was not likely to change.

Stamiris outlined the current situation with the CBC – both short of time and funds for this fiscal year. She asked for the DDA to consider a contribution because the CBC successfully raises funds for community (including the DDA district) benefit.

Blohm feels its possible for the DDA to take on "all the baskets" as flowers are a major tourism amenity. If the DDA takes on "flowers", then the CBC keeps Holiday decorations, alone. Donors may want to contribute to a "year round" program and this decision (DDA impact of about $28,000) may not be wise.

Johnston asked if the DDA was going to eventually "have it all." We need to thank the CBC folks for all the good they have done over the years.

Bronner commented that in the "olden days", contributions were healthy from major businesses. Today, with the DDA’s two mills and with heavy special assessments for streetscape, corporate discretionary funds are directed elsewhere. The CBC raises about $50,000 in non-government contributions.

Blohm added that the DDA has benefited from extremely growing SEV and we need to set priorities. He is not opposed to taking on additional expense yet we are quickly becoming the deep pocket for every new project and we tax business greatly to do it. The DDA millage needs to be removed in the next two years.

Galsterer would like to support the continuation of the CBC due to their successful fundraising. He would like to conceive a short term plan and long term plan, assured that neither the City nor the DDA would let the CBC lull. He would like the 2 mills to be removed before two years.

Blohm recommends addressing the immediate need and letting the Executive Committee discuss other solutions with the CBC.

Galsterer moved to participate with $12,000 in shared costs to the CBC with the option to allow the Executive Committee flexibility to work with the CBC; and to thank them for their continued hard work for the project. Koester seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Main Street MDOT Project. Good comments were expressed with the exception of the lack of striping at the key intersections.

Whitacre Greer. Whitacre Greer was the supplier for the "red" bricks used in the crosswalks at Cass and Main and Covered Bridge at Main and between the two restaurants. The bricks have not held up well; independent testing completed last year yielded poor results and confirmed that the bricks were substandard.

Discussions with the manufacturer had been positive with indications made that the bricks would be fully replaced at their expense. Originally scheduled to happen between March and May 2003, the manufacturer has been slow to respond. At a recent meeting in Frankenmuth, staff confirmed with the company rep that they were working with a contractor to provide the required service.

Last week, a letter was received from the CEO of WG alerting us that the bricks would not be replaced and that WG was ready to replace 1000 of the worst bricks. This is unacceptable. Stamiris requests permission to seek legal counsel.

After discussion, it was determined that she should contact the CEO and discuss options before hiring counsel. If an appropriate solution is not reached, she is to contact legal representation on behalf of the board/city.

Consumer’s Energy. Consumer’s has issued a check to pay for damages incurred by the contractor on the utility project on the hill.

Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Sheila Stamiris, Director