City of Charlevoix

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Monday, August 23, 2004 -- 5:30 p.m.

Minutes

 

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Mason at 5:30 p.m.

Present: Jeannine Wallace, Fred DiMartino, Mayor Gabe Campbell, Dan Barron, John Kurtz and Hugh Mason

Absent: John Taylor, Jeff Porter and John Yaroch

Others Present: Michael Wiesner, Gerry Harsch and Val Meyerson

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

The agenda was approved as presented.

 

INQUIRY INTO POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

None.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. April 26, 2004 Meeting Minutes

The Board reviewed the April 26, 2004 minutes. Motion made by Mayor Campbell and seconded by Dan Barron to approve the April 26, 2004 minutes as submitted. Motion adopted unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

 

G) OLD BUSINESS

1. Marina Parking Area at Old Middle School

 

City Manager Michael Wiesner reviewed the proposed layout with the Board. Originally, the City was to retain three lots (lots 17, 18 and 19). The City recently received the proposed Library layout, which provided access to the new facility and the parking area from both Clinton and Mason Streets as outlined on Scheme #4.

Mayor Campbell voiced concern that vehicles might use the Library access as a short cut. He also asked if a speed bump could be placed in the drive.

Val Meyerson of the Library told the Board that the Library could redesign the parking area to have a joint lot. The Library hopes to have access to the City's lot for event overflow parking.

Chairman Mason stated the DDA is willing to work with the Library, but it did not wish to jeopardize funding for the downtown park/marina project.

City Manager Michael Wiesner proposes to build a 42 space parking lot for Marina parking. He hopes that Waterways Commission will permit the lot to be open and not require the installation of gates. If a vehicle parks in the lot without a permit, the vehicle will be ticketed.

Dan Barron asked if the City could consider building part of Scheme #4 and not develop the northern portion of the lot. The northern area could be retained as green space and developed if the Marina required more parking.

Mr. Wiesner is seeking to reconfigure the legal description of property to be sold to the Library. The City would retain an area similar to the size of the three lots originally agreed upon and the original purchase agreement would have to be amended.

The Board generally agreed that they preferred Scheme #4.

Motion made by Dan Barron and seconded by Jeannine Wallace that the DDA recommends that Council consider revising the purchase agreement with the Library to reconfigure the land to be retained by the City to encompass the land shown in scheme #4. Motion adopted unanimously.

 

2. Update on DDA Plan Revision

The DDA at its April 26th meeting participated in an exercise to look at the DDA's future goals. City Planner Gerry Harsch states the next step to the process is to develop the new plan. He'd like to hire Vic Nelheibel to update the DDA plan. Mr. Nelheibel worked with the DDA in developing their current plan. The Planning Department has been working with Charlevoix County to develop new aerials. These aerials will show new development in the DDA area. It was generally agreed that the DDA will receive additional information at its next meeting.

3. State of Michigan/Berlage walkway adjacent to Channel

Mayor Campbell asked if the DDA could try to purchase the property between Berlage's (101 Bridge Street) and the Channel. City Manager Michael Wiesner and City Planner Gerry Harsch stated that the purchase of land from the State for the Bridge Park project was very expensive. Presently, the covered walkway next to the Berlage property is in poor condition.

4. Banners

Dan Barron asked for an update on the street banners. City Planner Gerry Harsch is working on a banner prototype and hopes to have it up this Fall.

5. Speakers in Downtown Area

Dan Barron asked if it was feasible to erect speakers along Bridge Street for Venetian parade commentary and broadcast music. There is conduit along Bridge Street for the cable. City Manager Mike Wiesner stated that it was possible to look at a short term fix, speakers could be mounted on utility poles.

H) FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

DDA master plan

I) ADJOURNMENT

Motion made by Jeannine Wallace and seconded by John Kurtz to adjourn. Motion adopted.

Meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Linda Jo Weller, Recording Secretary