A) CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 4:16 p.m. by Chairman Mason.

Members Present: Dan Barron, Fred DiMartino, Mary Feindt, John Kurtz, Hugh Mason, Mayor Russell, Jeannine Wallace, and John Taylor

Members Absent: Jeff Porter

B) APPROVAL OF AGENDA

The agenda was approved as submitted.

C) INQUIRY INTO POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

None.

D) APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. May 28, 2002 Regular Meeting Minutes
2. August 15, 2002 5:30 p.m. Special Meeting Minutes
3. August 15, 2002 7:30 p.m. Special Meeting Minutes
4. September 6, 2002 Special Meeting Minutes

Dan Barron asked that page 2 of the August 15th 7:30 p.m. minutes be amended to remove the last paragraph from the page.

Motion made by Dan Barron and seconded by Mary Feindt to approve the May 28th, August 15th 5:30 p.m. and September 6th minutes as presented and approve the August 15th 7:30 p.m. minutes as amended. Motion was adopted unanimously.

E) PUBLIC INPUT, NOT RELATED TO OTHER AGENDA ITEMS

None.


Downtown Development Authority Minutes
September 24, 2002 -- 4:10 p.m. Meeting
Page


F) NEW BUSINESS

1. Request by Chamber and KCB for Funding for Christmas Decorations

Mary Adams, representing Keep Charlevoix Beautiful, presented information on the request to purchase Christmas decorations for the downtown area. (See attached information.) The City Council has designated $12,581 toward the purchase of wreaths and lights. The project is broken down into three lighting lists -- "A," "B" and "C" and the purchase of 30 -- two-sided 36" faux wreaths with burgundy bows. An advertisement for bids has been published and bids will be received on October 3rd. The Charlevoix Chamber of Commerce and Keep Charlevoix Beautiful are asking for a DDA contribution of $7,500 for the project.

Board members asked if the lights would be used year after year. Mrs. Adams advised that the cost of removal of the lights, and the UL recommended hours for the strings of lights, prohibited the lights to be reused.

Motion made by Dan Barron seconded by Jeannine Wallace to approve $7,500 of DDA funds to be used to purchase Christmas decorations for the 2002 Christmas season. Motion adopted unanimously.

2. Request from Charlevoix Public Library Dedicated Parking

Val Myerson, Library Director for Charlevoix Public Library addressed the Board seeking to seek to open a path of communication between the Library and the DDA. The Library is looking at two options: 1) expansion of the existing facility or 2) building a new building on part of the old Middle School property. If the Library should build onto its existing building, they would lose the majority of their dedicated parking areas. Presently, the DDA has a parking area adjacent to the site. The lot is located in the rear of the Charlevoix Land Conservancy (the old Dewitt property) off Park Avenue. Would the DDA consider dedicating the use of the lot to the Library? A community forum is being held later this week on the Library expansion and its location. They hope to have a clear direction by the end of the week.

Chairman Hugh Mason stated presently, it is extremely difficult to find a spot in the lot after 9:00 a.m. If the DDA dedicates the parking in the lot to the Library, how would it be policed, who would regulate the vehicles that parked in the lot? Ms. Myerson stated that the lot could be metered to force turnover in the lot.

Mary Feindt stated that the lot is used by individuals who work in the downtown area. Jeannine Wallace stated that this is the only unmetered lot in this section of town. Her employees use it.

Dan Barron stated that he doubts the DDA would have purchased the lot if it was thought to be used as dedicated parking for the Library. He encourages the Library to look at the Middle School site.

Ms. Myerson invited the DDA Board members to attend the community forum on the Library.

Chairman Mason stated that the DDA Board wishes to work with the Library Board. But the Board is not excited with the idea of providing a dedicated parking for the Library.

G) OLD BUSINESS

H) FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

I) ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 4:34 p.m.