A) CALL TO ORDER

Meeting was called to order at 5:31 p.m. by Chairman Hugh Mason.

Present: Dan Barron, Hugh Mason, Mayor Alvin Russell, Jeannine Wallace, Fred DiMartino, Mary Feindt, John Kurtz, Jeff Porter
Absent: John Taylor

B) APPROVAL OF AGENDA

The agenda was generally approved by the Board as presented.

C) INQUIRY INTO POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

None.

D) APPROVAL OF MINUTES

January 10, 2001 Regular Meeting Minutes

Motion made by Dan Barron and seconded by Jeannine Wallace to approve the minutes of the January 10, 2001 meeting as presented. Motion unanimously adopted.

E) PUBLIC INPUT, NOT RELATED TO OTHER AGENDA ITEMS

None.

F) NEW BUSINESS

Request from Keep Charlevoix Beautiful for Hanging Flowers on Light Poles

Mary Adams of Keep Charlevoix Beautiful (KCB) presented basket samples. They propose to hang trailing petunias from the 60 light poles in the downtown area. Each lamp post will have a hanging basket hanging over the sidewalk. The bottom of the basket will be approximately 10' above the sidewalk. KCB will pay for the flowers placed in the baskets. They are asking the DDA to purchase the baskets and the hanging brackets for the light poles.

Street Superintendent John Martin stated the brackets are estimated to be $110.00 each. Mr. Martin estimates that the watering of the baskets will cost $3,400.00 a season. The City presently has apparatus to water the baskets. The Board asked Mr. Martin to check with the City of Petoskey to see what size of hanging baskets they use and the hanging height of their baskets.

Jeannine Wallace asked that the baskets be painted dark green to be similar to the existing the light poles. Fred DiMartino asked that the DDA not consider placing banners in the downtown area, if the hanging baskets are placed on the light poles.

Motion made by Jeannine Wallace and seconded by Fred DiMartino to approve the concept proposed by KCB to place hanging baskets in the downtown area this Summer. The City agrees to water the plants and KCB agrees to pay for and do the planting of the baskets. Motion adopted unanimously.

Detailed cost information will be provided at the next meeting.

Request from Gerry Harsch to Possibility Change the Meeting

City Planner Gerry Harsch asked the Board to consider changing the time of the DDA meetings. Mr. Harsch proposes that the meeting be either: 1) the third Monday of each month, 2) third Wednesday of each month, or 3) the first Wednesday of each month.

John Kurtz asked the Board to consider a Monday meeting as both he and John Taylor often had conflicts with meeting held on Wednesdays in the Summer months.

Mayor Russell stated that he had a conflict with the first and third Mondays, as the City Council meets on these nights.

A suggestion of meeting on the fourth Monday of each month was made. The general consensus of the Board was to meet on the fourth Monday of each month on a trial basis.

Motion made by John Kurtz and seconded by Dan Barron to change the DDA's monthly meetings to the fourth Monday of each month. Motion adopted unanimously.

G) OLD BUSINESS

Jeff Porter asked for an update on the waterfront park plans. City Manager Michael Wiesner advised that City Council has referred the study and the gathering of public information to the DDA. The City Council has established a Committee made up of members of the City Council/DDA/City Staff to review the RFQ's from the planning and design consultants. The Committee will review the RFQ's and interview selected candidates. It is hoped that the consultant can start work on the project sometime in April.

H) FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Report of Cost -- Hanging Baskets of Flowers on Light Poles

I) ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Jeannine Wallace and seconded by Fred DiMartino to adjourn. Motion adopted.

Meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.