The meeting was called to order at 6:37 p.m. by Chairman Mason

I. Roll Call of Members Present

DDA Members Dan Barron, Mayor Campbell, Fred DiMartino, John Kurtz, Hugh Mason, Jeff Porter, John Taylor, Jeannine Wallace, and John Yaroch

II. Inquiry Regarding Possible Conflicts of Interest

None.

III. Approval of Minutes

February 23, 2004 Joint Meeting Minutes

Motion made by Mayor Campbell and seconded by John Taylor to approve the February 23, 2004 City Council and DDA joint meeting minutes and February 23, 2004 DDA minutes as presented. Motion adopted unanimously by voice vote.

III. General Business

Charlevoix Public Library - Request for DDA Support

Val Meyerson, Library Director met with the Board to seek additional support for the Charlevoix Public Library's building project. Two options were discussed. Option 1 - DDA would contribute $30,000 a year for 20 years to the Library reducing the amount of millage the Library would ask in the millage election to $7.8±. Option 2 - the DDA lease the ten lots to the Library for $1 per year for 99 years.

Chairman Mason reminded the Board that the DDA would need receive approval from the City Council to extend the life of the DDA.

Presently, the Library brings approximately 200 people into the downtown area six days a week. The new facility will have the potential to bring an estimated 400 people into the downtown area seven days a week. DDA members discussed available options. The possibility of having the DDA sponsor a room in the facility was also discussed.

Motion made by John Kurtz and seconded Jeannine Wallace to contribute $30,000 a year to the Charlevoix Public Library for the next twenty years, contingent that the City Council extends the DDA's term.

Motion adopted by the following yea and nay vote:

Yeas: Dan Barron, Mayor Campbell, Fred DiMartino, John Kurtz, Hugh Mason, Jeff Porter, John Taylor, Jeannine Wallace, and John Yaroch
Nays: None.
Motion carried.

This is Our Town, Inc. -- Discussion Proposed WalMart Development

Robert Hoffman, President of this is Our Town Inc. addressed the Board on their goal to stop the development of a WalMart store in Charlevoix. The group feels that the if a WalMart store opens in Charlevoix Township it will be detrimental to not only the downtown economy but other local businesses too.

John Winn invited Board members to attend a meeting on April 15th to hear Al Norman, an anti-WalMart activist and urged members to attend the Charlevoix Township Planning Commission meeting scheduled for April 28th at which time the WalMart development plan will be discussed. He advised the Board that the proposed WalMart building and parking area will encompass the area bounded by the drawbridge, Bridge Street, Antrim Street and Grant Street. Local cities and townships are being asked to consider adopting ordinances limiting the size of stores to under 50,000 square feet. The City of West Branch has had 10 stores close since WalMart opened. Over 3200 persons have signed a petition voicing their opposition to a WalMart being placed in Charlevoix.

DDA Board members voiced concerns of WalMart's impact upon the downtown area.

Robert Hofffman asked for the DDA to take a stand on the issue and make a financial commitment to This Is Our Town Inc. and support their grass roots movement.

City Manager Mike Wiesner asked the Board to seek advice from the City Attorney to see if the DDA can financially support This Is Our Town Inc.

Motion made by Mayor Campbell and seconded by Fred DiMartino to contribute $5,000 to This Is Our Town, Inc., contingent upon the City Attorney's review that the DDA can make such a contribution.

Motion adopted by the following yea and nay vote:

Yeas: Dan Barron, Mayor Campbell, Fred DiMartino, John Kurtz, Hugh Mason, Jeff Porter, John Taylor, Jeannine Wallace, and John Yaroch
Nays: None.
Motion carried.

Motion made by Dan Barron to ask Charlevoix township to require an economic impact statement study and traffic impact study by a firm chosen by the City and Township and paid for by WalMart to do a study of how the project is going to affect the City and the surrounding area. The traffic study is to reflect peak traffic flows. Motion seconded by John Yaroch.

Motion adopted by the following yea and nay vote:

Yeas: Dan Barron, Mayor Campbell, Fred DiMartino, John Kurtz, Hugh Mason, Jeff Porter, John Taylor, Jeannine Wallace, and John Yaroch
Nays: None.
Motion carried.

Motion made by Dan Barron and seconded by Mayor Campbell requesting Charlevoix Township investigate the legal ability to restrict a retail establishment to no greater than 40,000 square feet.

Motion adopted by the following yea and nay vote:

Yeas: Dan Barron, Mayor Campbell, Fred DiMartino, John Kurtz, Hugh Mason, Jeff Porter, John Taylor, Jeannine Wallace, and John Yaroch
Nays: None.
Motion carried.

IV. Adjourn

Motion made by Fred DiMartino and seconded by Jeannine Wallace to adjourn. Motion adopted unanimously by voice vote.

Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

Respectively Submitted by
Linda Jo A. Weller, Recording Secretary