ARTICLE 1. Call the Meeting to Order
Chairman Wallace called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
ARTICLE 2. Approval of the Agenda
Trustee Johnson made a motion to approve the agenda
submitted by staff. Member Clark seconded the motion. The motion
passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 3. Approval of the Minutes of September 19, 2000
Member Woodrick made a motion to approve the
minutes of the September 19, 2000 meeting, as submitted by staff.
Member Kingsland seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 4. Consider Approval of Resolution Requesting
Cascade Charter Township Issue, & Pledging Tax Increment Revenues As
Security for the Payment of, Not to Exceed, $1,300,000 of Cascade
Charter Township General Obligation Limited Tax Development Bonds,
Series 2000
Township Manager Cravens gave a brief background
explanation of the need for the proposed financing. He cited the past
streetscape improvements made to 28th Street and Cascade
Road in 1996. Then noted the Series 2000 bonds being considered
tonight would be used to pay for the improvements on Old 28th
Street. Manager Cravens then turned the presentation over to Township
Attorney Wendt. Attorney Wendt reviewed the need for amending the
Township’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Plan. He further explained
the need for financing the Old 28th Street using the
incremental tax growth based bonds. Attorney Wendt noted that if the
DDA Board accepted the resolution, the competitive binds for the bonds
could be accepted for award on November 29, 2000. Attorney Wendt spent
a significant time explaining "Exhibit A" of the resolution to the DDA
Board of Directors. This exhibit showed the anticipated annual
captured tax increment revenue. The table projects a 4 percent annual
growth in the captured tax increment revenue. Attorney Wendt noted
that the actual captured tax increment revenue has been between 6 and
8 percent annually.
Member Clark asked if the DDA collects more
captured tax increment revenue, would the Township have to provide a
refund? Attorney Wendt said the Township would have refund revenue
that is not budgeted for planned project improvements. He also noted
that the District Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan
make note of this possibility, should it occur.
Member James made a motion to approve the
resolution as prepared by Attorney Wendy requesting the Township issue
and pledge tax increment revenues as security for the payment of
Township General Obligation Limited Tax Development Bonds, Series
2000. Member Clark seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Chairman asked about the interest rate the Township
would be paying on the bonds. Attorney Wendt estimated the interest
rate would not exceed 5.38 percent.
ARTICLE 5. Public Hearing (and Consider Approval) of Request
from First Wok for a Development District On-Premises Liquor License.
Manager Cravens said that several weeks ago he was
approached by Mr. Jasinski, the real estate agent for First Wok about
the availability of a Class "C" liquor license for this restaurant.
Manager Cravens was not aware of any available liquor licenses, but
suggested Mr. Jasinski contact the Michigan Liquor Control Commission
(LCC) regarding license availability. Mr. Jasinski made contact with
the LCC and learned that the only licenses that are available are
through recent changes in the Liquor Control Code which allow
development districts such as DDA’s to recommend their approval to the
local legislative body (the Township Board). The availability of these
development district on-premises licenses is very limited. As Manager
Cravens understood it, only 10 such licenses are available in the
entire state under this provision. A few of these licenses remain
available and are issued on a first come first serve basis.
To be eligible for a development district
on-premises license the business must meet certain minimum
qualifications. In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications,
State law requires a public hearing to receive any comments from
affected parties.
Member James asked if the DDA had any discretion in
the liquor license approval. Attorney Wendt responded that the DDA
Board has broad discretion. He then suggested the DDA Board open the
matter to a public hearing. Chairman Wallace then opened the public
hearing. Mr. Jasinski introduced himself and the owners of First Wok
to the DDA Board of Directors. Mr. Jasinski then stated that First Wok
has two other locations. One is in Kentwood, while the other is in
Walker. The Kentwood location presently has a liquor license, while
the Walker location does not. Trustee Johnson commented that she has
dined at the First Wok in Cascade and was very impressed with its food
and service.
Member Clark made a motion to pass the resolution
supporting First Wok’s request for a development district on-premises
liquor license. Member James seconded the motion. The motion passed
unanimously.
ARTICLE 6. Progress Report on Old 28th St.
Streetscape Construction
Manager Cravens stated progress on the Streetscape
project was being delayed due to snow. Some of the sidewalk has been
installed on the south side of Old 28th Street. Electrical
work for the streetlights and the irrigation system has also been
installed. The irrigation pipe has also been installed. Weather
permitting; the sidewalk will be completed before the end of the year.
Member Kingsland mentioned some problems with
traffic flow with the new traffic islands and the turnaround.
ARTICLE 7. Consider Approval of 2001 Meeting Schedule
Member Kingsland made a motion to approve the 2001
meeting schedule as submitted by staff. Trustee Johnson seconded the
motion. The motion passed unanimously
ARTICLE 8. Any Other Business
Chairman Wallace asked Attorney Wendt when another DDA financed
project could be undertaken. Attorney Wendt responded that based on
the schedule in Exhibit A, a new project could take place in 2004 –
2005.
Trustee Johnson asked about the status of the B-1, Village Business
zoning district amendments. Manager Cravens responded that the
amendments would be on the Planning Commission agenda in December and
considered for adoption by the Township Board later that month.
Trustee Johnson complimented the Christmas decorations on the
streetlight poles.
ARTICLE 9. Adjournment
On a motion by Member Clark and seconded by Member Clay the meeting
was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jay W. Cravens, Executive Director
