DDA Board Minutes

Cascade Charter Township

Downtown Development Authority
Board of Directors

August 17, 2004
Cascade Museum Building
2839 Thornapple River Dr. SE

ATTENDEES: Ron Clark, Lori Chu, Ray James, Julie Johnson, Mike Julien, Diana Kingsland and Dan Wallace.
Absences: Ronald Biermacher (expected), Township Manager Jay Cravens (expected) and Joann Noto (unexpected)
Others Attending: Assistant to the Township Manager Sandra Otey
Guests: None Present

ARTICLE 1: Call the Meeting to Order
Chairman James called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

ARTICLE 2: Approval of the Agenda
Supervisor Julien made a motion to approve the agenda submitted by staff. Vice-Chairman Clark seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

ARTICLE 3: Approval of the Minutes of May 18, 2004
Chairman James requested approval of the May 18th Minutes. Member Wallace motioned for approval, Member Chu seconded. All in favor none opposed. The minutes of May 18, 2004 passed unanimously.

ARTICLE 4: Discussion of 2005 DDA Projects - Cascade Road to Thornhills
Assistant to the Township Manager, Sandra Otey, reported on Manager Cravens' behalf. Otey referred to the August 9th memo previously distributed by Manager Cravens and asked the Board for any questions or comments to the information. Otey reported that within the packets was a copy of the Downtown Development Authority 2004 District Development Plan & Tax Increment Financing Plan for Downtown Improvements that was approved by the Township Board on August 11th. The Plan reflects finishing the improvements in the Village District (Cascade Road up to Thornhills), finish the remaining landscaping, lighting and street mast arms. Otey asked if the Board wants to move forward with the plan brought forth.

Chairman James questioned if the thirty-feet apart for the planting of trees has been done in the past and Otey confirmed this would be consistent. Other open discussion was held and Supervisor Julien reminded the Board that the Township is asking the Board if they want to proceed with the improvements, details are not being approved at this time.

Otey reviewed the three (3) items on the memorandum:
1) Sidewalks, which have been almost completed, and landscaping
2) Street lights, the plans are for fifteen (15) street lights approximately eighty-five (85) feet apart
3) Mast arms at two (2) intersections, 28th Street & Cascade Road and at 28th Street & Thornhills Dr.

Member Johnson reviewed the three (3) items and agreed with the landscaping and is assuming the landscaping will be done during the appropriate season for successful growth. Member Johnson asked if the lighting would be the same as previously done and has some concerns with the lighting. Member Johnson continued with her concerns regarding the mast arms. Otey distributed pictures of a new mast arm at 44th Street and Patterson. The board also reviewed other pictures previously distributed and expressed concern how the mast arms would look by D & W. Chairman James noted two (2) styles of mast arms: decorative or utilitarian, and asked what the Township has budgeted for. Otey indicated the budget is based on the utilitarian style of mast arms. Member Johnson asked the Board to seriously consider what type of lighting they want in the Township and how much money to invest.

Vice-Chairman Clark clarified that if the Board was to approve the plan, the architects then provide drawings and recommendations for the style of mast arms for Board approval and if the Board does not like the suggestions, they may disapprove of them. Vice-Chairman Clark stated he would like to move forward with the plan as long as the Board may approve or disapprove the suggestions from the architect.

Supervisor Julien noted that Member Johnson has a point that the power lines will always be there but believes that the mast arms may also deter someone's vision from focusing on them.

Vice-Chairman Clark motioned to move forward with the project and a decision of mast arms to be decided based on options presented by the architect and the Downtown Development Authority can reject options. Member Chu supported the motion. Member Johnson suggested the Township Design Committee become involved and make suggestions. Chairman James asked if all were in favor for Township staff to provide costs, plans and options to the Board; all were in favor, none opposed. Motion passed unanimously.

ARTICLE 5: Other Business
Chairman James asked if the Board had any other business. Member Johnson asked the Board if they read the DDA Plan that was approved and noted how different the plan is that the Township Board approved. Member Johnson noted that the Board never saw the approved plan.

Chairman James noted the next meeting would be November 16th at 7:00 p.m. Member Wallace asked if a presentation will be made at that time regarding the mast arms and Otey believes so. The Board requested a meeting prior to the November 16th meeting so they may have appropriate time to review the architect's suggestions. Supervisor Julien suggested holding a meeting in October and requests lots of mast arm designs to choose from and artist's conceptual drawings of an actual intersection.

Member Johnson requested the Board to think about smaller sidewalks since they will not be highly used. Chairman James requested the Township staff to provide widths on sidewalks and estimated costs, noting that the minimum width for a snowplow is seven-feet wide.

Article 6: Adjournment
Chairman James requested a motion for adjournment. Supervisor Julien motioned for adjournment, seconded by Member Chu. Meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lisa Hern, Recording Secretary

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