DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY DEPOT THURSDAY MAY 7 2015 A

ACROSS THE BRIDGE FOUNDATION ED ABSTRACT NARRATIVE ORGANIZATION DOWNTOWN
AUTHORIZED MEETING TIME PATTERNS FALLSPRING DOWNTOWN CAMPUS M
BROWNFIELDS REVOLVING LOAN FUND (BRLF) LOAN APPLICATION DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT

BYLAWS DAHLONEGA DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY DAHLONEGA GEORGIA ARTICLE I
CASS CITY DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES OCTOBER 8 2019
CITY OF EVART DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MASTER PLAN INTRODUCTION

Development Area Citizens Council


DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Depot

Thursday, May 7, 2015


A meeting of the Downtown Development Authority was convened in open and public session at 12:20 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, 2015.


Members Present: Board Members Sharon Carlson, Patty Donovan, Christine Felde, Bruce Feuerstein, Ron Gunderson, Katherine Henry, Dick Outman and Wendy Rode

Members Absent: Board Member Terry Conley


Consent Agenda


  1. Approval of agenda

  2. Approval of April 2, 2015 minutes

  3. Review and approve financial statements


Board Member Gunderson made a motion to approve the consent agenda, supported by Board Member Donovan.


Ayes: Board Members Carlson, Donovan, Felde, Feuerstein, Gunderson, Henry, Outman and Rode.

Nays: None


Business Agenda


  1. Election of Officers


Board Member Rode made a motion to table the election of officers until the next meeting, supported by Board Member Gunderson.


Ayes: Board Members Carlson, Donovan, Felde, Feuerstein, Gunderson, Henry, Outman and Rode.

Nays: None


b) Approval of FY 2015/16 Budget


Board Member Donovan made a motion to approve the FY 2015/16 Budget, supported by Board Member Rode.


Ayes: Board Members Carlson, Donovan, Felde, Feuerstein, Henry, Outman and Rode.

Nays: None


Abstain: Board Member Gunderson.


c) Appointment of Patty Donovan


Board Member Felde made a motion to recommend to the city council the appointment of Patty Donovan to the DDA Board, supported by Board Member Feuerstein.


Ayes: Board Members Carlson, Donovan, Felde, Feuerstein, Gunderson, Henry, Outman and Rode.

Nays: None


Presentation – Lynee Wells


Lynee Wells, Williams & Works, went over the presentation with the DDA Board.


Discussion followed on the presentation with members of the board and audience. The accepted recommendations will be incorporated in the final presentation.


Electrolux Property


City Manager Bruce Brown stated the Electrolux property is a four acre parcel in the downtown area. He met with the senior vice-counsel from Charlotte, North Carolina. They wanted to decide what to do with the property. The property is owned by Electrolux. Most of the subsurface was left. There are environmental problems. Some chemicals are in the ground. There is pollution in the wells on site. If there is liability for any damage that may happen, that is resting with Electrolux. The city could get the property if they were assuming the liability. The city has declined. There is an easement with the city to use the surface for a park. There is $75,000 to help with planning and development. There is a $50,000 grant with the GACF, with the interest to maintain the property. They needed to do something to break the log jam. The city had a master plan done by MC Smith in Grand Rapids some time ago. It is basically an open space with features. Electrolux does not want anything to impact the subsurface. He is having the plan redone. Electrolux will approve the plan. They want a zoning district for this property. He wrote one called passive recreation for acceptable uses. Two things will go to Electrolux this month. They are doing due diligence regarding their responsibility. They will turn it over to the city and remove the fence. The city will maintain the surface and find funds for development. If they sell the property, the city investment would be lost. He does not feel anyone would purchase it. If the city begins the development, it will strengthen the relationship with Electrolux. Electrolux was very open to their ideas. They will monitor the site for five years. He doesn’t think the environmental issues are as significant as they think they are. At the end of five years, they may be willing to turn the property over to the city. They will be able to move forward.


Board Member Gunderson stated DEQ and Electrolux will do samples for five years. Everything below has been capped and there is new fill. The five years will start on May 30.

Public Comments


Bonita Steele, 404 W. Main, stated it seems it may be understandable that after the plan passed, the DDA can take property. It says the city may take private property. It does not say they would work with them. In 1983 the DDA was formed and council was given authority under Act 197, except to levy the two mills in taxes. There was a resolution. If they want to levy the two mills now, they could go back to the council. The proposed plan says they no longer have to go to council on page 15-8. The final decision shall be with the DDA Board. In the January and April minutes, it talks about the ability to levy. This is too small of an area. All of them want what is best, and the DDA does not need the ability to levy. That is the trouble with the plan. The plan from 1983 does not have the ability to levy. The board should have a resident, or they must own property, like Bruce or Christine. They do not have that authority. They should get the board in line with the act. She hopes there doesn’t have to be a big hearing. The two mills does not have to be hidden, or be there. She doesn’t think she should have to pay more taxes because she is in the district.


Board Member Feuerstein stated this group (DDA) cannot raise taxes or take property, except with approval of the city council.


Ms. Wells stated she could add a caveat, council can amend the language to make it crystal clear, as it has to follow the State act.


Ms. Steele stated they could have an email list so they could get minutes, discussion. Those in the district should be able to get the information. Let them be a part of it.


Board Member Feuerstein left the meeting at 1:40 p.m.


Board Member Outman left the meeting at 1:55 p.m.


Sam Mason asked what could be done to offer tax credits, free buildings, like Rayborns? Offer buildings with a tax exemption from three to five years. Spectrum Health, Mercy and St. Mary’s are leasing. They don’t want to move out. Give people an incentive to want to come to this town. That will draw in more people. It all happened with medical because of tax exemptions.


City Manager Brown stated the city can’t abate in the State of Michigan for retail, just industrial. The hospital is under a different tax structure. They must convince a private investor that it is worth taking the risk.


Board Member Comments


There were no additional board member comments.




Next Meeting


The next meeting will be held on Thursday, June 4, 2015 at noon at the depot.


Adjournment


Board Member Gunderson made a motion to adjourn the meeting, supported by Board Member Donovan.


Ayes: Board Members Carlson, Donovan, Felde, Feuerstein, Gunderson, Henry, Outman and Rode

Nays: None


The meeting was adjourned at 2:02 p.m.


Respectfully submitted,


Kareen J. Thomas, City Clerk



DOWNTOWN AUSTIN BIBLIOGRAPHY COMPILED BY MICHAEL KNOX CITY OF
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY DEPOT THURSDAY MARCH 5 2015 A
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY DEPOT THURSDAY MAY 7 2015 A


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