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Alma DDA Meeting - January 4, 2007
Date: January 4, 2007
Alma Downtown Development Authority Alma, Michigan January 4, 2007 The regular meeting of the Alma Downtown Development Authority (ADDA) was called to order at 12:00 noon by Chairperson Shafley at The Book Shoppe 316 N State Street. PRESENT: Solomon, Kline, Shafley, Comer, Dancer, Ahern, Freed. ABSENT: Kolar, Lowe, Stacey. ALSO PRESENT: A. Ripley. Motion by Solomon, supported by Kline to approve the minutes of the last regular meeting of December 7, 2006 as submitted. YES: Solomon, Kline, Shafley, Comer, Dancer, Ahern, Freed. NO: None. Public Input & Discussion: • None. No AAA meeting in December 2006 Upcoming events: • New and Business Improvement Awards will be January 12th at 7:00am in Ithaca. • The Chamber dinner is January 27th at 6:00pm at Shifters. Silent Auction Packages are still needed. Alma DDA Financials • Under Property Taxes the $816 dollars is the amount the Alma DDA owes after prorating the taxes paid by Capital National Bank. Board has asked that the DDA go before the Board of Review to see if the property assessment can be lowered. Director’s Report: Façade Grant Application • The application for the project was delivered on December 15, 2006 and Tom Durkee our Community Assistance Team representative, visited the building again on December 19, 2006. • The project looks promising, so the next step is to complete an environmental review and get the project ready to bid. One remaining issue is with the project having to use Davis-Beacon. • Member Kline – Will the amount that is required under Davis-Beacon make the project no further ahead then just doing the work locally without the grant? The amount that is required by Davis-Beacon isn’t known or what a contractor would charge without using the grant. • A quote was received from Advanced Glass for some replacement windows. For double hung windows the cost including installation is $550 pre window. If the grant is not cost effective the DDA Board may be able to do the project piece by piece. Riverfront Demolition • Mackenzie Environmental has completed Phase I of the Riverfront Demolition on December 29, 2006. • The second phase will begin once Alma Iron and Meal has moved to their new location on Williams Street. • The City is again under negotiations from the remaining properties. Downtown Streetscape Application • On December 18, 2006 staff submitted an updated cost estimate and narrative, based on the discussions with MDOT staff. • The new information included new engineering costs estimates for removing the light bases and the pedestrian canopy of the project. The narrative was expanded to describe the economics happening in the area and the effect it is having on the general fund, which affects the City’s ability to provide match dollars. • The MDOT review committee is suppose to meet again in January. Alma Renaissance Downtown Apartment Rehab • The Alma Renaissance Project is completed and they have their occupancy permit. The Director has completed two income verifications for new tenants in the four rehabbed units. • The Ed Thomas Project at 301 E Superior Street is the next apartment project. The demolition for the project went out for bid on January 3, 2007 with an opening for January 17, 2007. • Board discussed the $2,000 the board pledged to the project back in 2004. The board will honor the pledge with two conditions. The first the payment will not be made until the project is completed. Second that we have a timeline for completion of the project, so the project doesn’t hang out there for another year. • If there are to be anymore façade grants the Director suggests that they be a maximum of $500. Director will being proposed forms and guidelines to February’s meeting. Other Business: Kline – The former site of the middle school could be a great place to start a community garden, until something can be done with the land. The Director will check with the city to see if there is any zoning. Most likely there would need to be a gardening group, like the herb garden group at the Alma Public Library and agreement with the Alma Public Schools for use and upkeep of the garden. Solomon – There is a group out trying to sell advertising for a Magic Show and they say it is for the Salvation Army, but the Salvation Army has no connection with them. • Adjournment 12:50 pm YES: Solomon, Kline, Shafley, Comer, Dancer, Ahern, Freed. NO: None. ______________________________________ Aeric Ripley, DDA Director/Asst. City Manager
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