Sparta Downtown Development Authority Meeting Minutes November 12 2019

sparta downtown development authority meeting minutes november 12, 2019 160 e. division street, sparta, mi 49345 meeting called to

Sparta Downtown Development Authority
Meeting Minutes
November 12, 2019
160 E. Division Street, Sparta, MI 49345
Meeting called to order at 7:46 am by Cheslek.
Members present: Cheslek, Freeland, Jacobsen, Potter, Baker, Potes,
Lamb, Bush
Members Absent: Dougan ,Shangle
Also Present: Elizabeth Morse, Dana Quick, Chamber president; Maryann
Wright, Events President; Julius Suchy, Village Manager; Dale Bergman,
Township Supervisor, Dave Cumings, Village Councilperson
Motion by Potes, second by Baker to approve the minutes of October 8,
2019. All Approved.
Motion by Potes, second by Lamb to approve the October 16 special
meeting minutes. All Approved.
Motion by Freeland, second by Baker to approve the finance report. All
Approved.
Public Comment – None
Unfinished Business
Discussion of the Town Square update.
1.
Consensus to open the project up for partnership with a private
developer. DDA will host a Q/A session open to any interested
developer, meet on site, and allow for proposals from developers
for the DDA to consider.
2.
Styling of Town Square: discussion about cottage, shipping
container, chalet, etc. of options for the “look” of the town
square, Consensus to allow for developer to provide recommendation
and to consider an eclectic blend that works well together
aesthetically, and that it does not all need to be one cookie
cutter design/type of incubator space.
3.
Consensus the DDA would like the DDA Director and Village Manager
to manage the project with the 3rd party developer if one is
chosen by the DDA; financial investments from the DDA will be
approved by the DDA
4.
The DDA discussed the long term possibilities of utilizing the 228
E. Division vacant lot in the future with rear board walk
connectivity to these projects.
New Business
A.
Review of the proposed 2020 DDA budget. Motion by Freeland, second
by Baker to recommend the budget to the Village Council. Motion
approved 8-0.
B.
Discussion of the West Michigan Arts Council in Sparta and
subleasing the DDA office space to the entity on a month by month
basis, with a 30 day exit clause for any reason whatsoever, at a
rate of $225 per month. The WMAC is intending to be staffed 16
hours per week in the office. Consensus to proceed with approving
the lease as it fits into the goals of the DDA to bring the group
to Sparta.
C.
Discussion of the Events board of directors projections for 2020
including the Town & Country Day 2020 and 2021+ plan, as the
current carnival cannot commit to our regular 3rd weekend of July
dates. Due to the 4th of July holiday, the committee is unable to
commit to the fair being held beginning the 8th of July with
conflicts for vacations and other vendors moving the weekend. The
committee is evaluating other carnival options as contracts in
other communities opens up for 2021 that could include moving the
Town & Country Days event to any other weekend in the summer if a
carnival could commit to Sparta. Additionally, the fair committee
is evaluating moving some of the larger “country” events to the
country where there is more room to add other events, such as we
had in the past at the airport (lawn mower races and mud runs as
examples). Locations are current under investigation as is the
zoning special permit approval for this type of activity at Sparta
Township. As of today, the current footprint of Sparta Town &
Country days is intended to be the exact same (however, without
the carnival) for 2020, but with other activities to fill in the
carnival gaps.
The Events are intending to increase small activities at the Town
Square (similar to Bash at the Nash concepts) to keep regular, ongoing
foot traffic coming into the area throughout the entire season.
Replacement funding plan for Potter in the Park was discussed at
length by the Events board, and the plan was presented to DDA to
continue to reimburse for staff time of the events coordinator to the
DDA; these projections included additional marketing/ad revenue
opportunities for a new Fall guide, space activation sponsorships for
events in the Parklet throughout the season, and social media
sponsorships.
Executive Session None.
Business Director Report
Due to new requirements by Michigan legislature Act 57 of 2018, it is
required that in addition to the public meetings that each tax capture
entity must be invited to, DDA’s must post on their website every RFP
and awarded contract. The flower purchase exceeded the annual spending
amount that requires a bidding process. The RFP is listed on the
website and will be on the DDA agenda for all bids to be awarded by
the DDA board in December for 2020.
Public Comment
Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by executive
privilege at 8:45 am. Respectfully Submitted by Elizabeth Morse
Goals 2019
1) Finish 194 E. Division (siding, landscaping, water problem/ sewer
problem, roof, store front windows)
2) DTMJ Property: provide all manner of assistance for development on
vacant parcel
3) Alt Oil Property: redevelop vacant parcel
4) Assist 201 E. Division on redevelopment opportunities / retail
infill
5) Property Maintenance /Capital Improvement Plan: parking lot
repaving, large Christmas Tree, crosswalk repair, trim downtown tree
schedule, sidewalks, street lights, bricks in right of way downtown,
etc.
6) Pocket Parklet Improvements
7) Elm Street Parking: address the gravel parking area