[0:00] All right, so we will begin our meeting 6:05 and we will stand for a pledge of

[0:05] allegiance.

[0:10] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

[0:15] republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[0:22] justice for all.

[0:28] We'll do roll call. >> Yes, Mayor Jacobs.

[0:31] » Here. >> Chairperson Taylor.

[0:34] » Here. >> Vice Chair Bedoun.

[0:37] » Here.

[0:39] » Uh Secretary Walkonus.

[0:42] Sure to be absent.

[0:46] Dr. Hyder. >> Here.

[0:48] » Uh Trustee Berry. >> Here.

[0:50] » Dr. Nazaretti. >> Here.

[0:51] » [clears throat] >> Trustee Perridor.

[0:53] » Here. >> All right, you do have a quorum today.

[0:56] Making you a quorum of seven. Thank you. >> Okay.

[1:01] Uh approval of agenda. >> I move to approve the agenda as

[1:06] presented. >> I second.

[1:09] » All right, so we have a motion by Mayor Jacobs, seconded by

[1:14] Trustee Hyder. Any discussion by the table?

[1:18] All in favor. >> Aye.

[1:20] » Any opposed? All right, that will carry. We have a presentation today. City

[1:25] Manager Tim Gibbons has joined us. Welcome.

[1:28] » Thank you, Mayor. Um yeah, just stopping back by to check

[1:31] in about um our search for a replacement community development director and DDA

[1:36] director. Uh as we all are dreading, uh Mr. Miller

[1:40] is retiring at the end of the month and um we have faced a need to replace him.

[1:44] It is not been an easy solution. Um Matt carries on uh three very important

[1:49] roles. One of them is DDA director, the other is our community development

[1:52] director, and runs our building department. Um and Uh, it as a planner

[1:56] as well. Um and this is what this is is from McKenna. So, um, we initially

[2:00] sought to replace someone who could do all three of those things. And, um, we

[2:04] asked Trustee Peredar to participate in what we what we thought were the best

[2:08] candidates available for the job, and really just weren't able to find someone

[2:11] that would fit and perform all three of these roles. Um, you know, uh, so,

[2:16] really we've been spending after finding out that with one person just couldn't

[2:20] replace all the things that he does. Matt has unique talents that are unique

[2:24] to the position we created for him. Um,

[2:28] really we're going to have to solve it in the aggregate. We're going to have to

[2:30] find individuals who can do parts of really the three roles he carries on.

[2:34] So, um, we put our heads together and thought, um, really the to present the

[2:38] board with two options today. One I prefer the most is one to continue to

[2:41] exist within the current cost-sharing agreement, allow us to appoint a DDA

[2:45] director, um, subject to your approval, um, which I'll get a little further

[2:50] into, and continue to carry out that agreement providing the same level of

[2:53] service we did, but just more in the aggregate. Not just one person doing all

[2:57] three of those roles, but we appoint a director and then that director would

[2:59] have the ability to utilize all the city services that come with it. They already

[3:03] do. You know, continue to use our technology, office space, access to a

[3:06] planner, access to economic assistance with grant writing, assistance with all

[3:10] those skills that Matt uniquely brought all in one package, really sort of

[3:14] create them all together with city services in combination. Um,

[3:18] so, um, it the agreement doesn't say that I have to appoint one person to do

[3:22] all of the jobs I said. It just says that we have to provide a DDA director.

[3:26] At the last meeting it was clear to me that the board contemplated promoting

[3:30] uh, or making John Prosch the director to to bump him up. I'm more than

[3:33] amenable to that. And then and then if that is something that the board is

[3:38] inclined to, I'd request that if they choose this option is to go with that

[3:42] and give me some type of voter uh, some type of verbalization or vote of support

[3:46] for John, and that would take me to feeling like I I could appoint him to to

[3:50] carry out that role. Then John would continue to be able to work out of the

[3:52] city, use all the resources and the and things that come with that, and be

[3:56] successful. Um and then we would just find other

[4:00] pieces for the other missing pieces really around the city side. The other

[4:03] pieces for this are really just from someone to run building, someone to do

[4:06] economic development on the city side and assist and can assist John.

[4:10] Um so um that's really kind of my option one. That's what I prefer. It's what I

[4:14] think the best course is. I think the city and the DDA both mutually benefit a

[4:18] lot from working more together than separate. There's a lot of costs that

[4:21] the DDA would have to bear to reestablish itself on its own. Um I'll

[4:25] learn a lot of connection to the city that the city would lose that it wants,

[4:28] especially at such a critical time for the DDA. We've got a lot of properties

[4:31] that I think being cohesive and together on is very important. Um so that's

[4:35] really option one. We continue to maintain the agreement. I provide an

[4:38] acceptable director to the DDA board. We use the city services and we move

[4:42] forward as is. Um the other option would be the

[4:45] contract allows the DDA to volunteer to discontinue the agreement with a 30-day

[4:48] notice. So just coming out of tonight, um you know, if you want to go in your

[4:52] own direction, appoint who you want, and um kind of um distance yourself from

[4:56] this cost sharing. Certainly it's it's contemplated within the agreement and I

[4:59] don't want to take that off the table. And no matter what you do, the city is

[5:01] supportive of the DDA. We'll be here to support the DDA in whatever mechanism. I

[5:05] do think this current agreement is the preferable way to do so.

[5:09] Um there's just so much we can provide as a large municipality

[5:12] um with all the services we do on a daily basis for the rest of the city

[5:15] that the DDA can continue to enjoy. Um you know, even during Matt's time, the

[5:18] ability to utilize communications, uh a planner, and all those things to assist

[5:22] in projects that the DDA has always been available and extremely beneficial to

[5:26] his success in the pro in this uh position. So

[5:29] um just really what I'm looking for tonight

[5:31] is one, um

[5:34] short of a commitment to stay within the cost sharing agreement with a new

[5:36] director. Two, um you know, an indication of your

[5:40] preference for director. If it if if if I was picking up uh the thought at the

[5:45] last meeting that if it that that John would be an acceptable director, gladly

[5:49] would take a recommendation for his appointment through the agreement and

[5:53] the city. Or third, if you choose to discontinue the

[5:56] contract cost-sharing agreement, just let me

[5:59] know. Um, but glad to answer any questions. Um,

[6:04] any specifics I'm here for, but I do think it's way in our benefit to

[6:08] continue to maintain this cooperative agreement. Um, and I you know, I don't

[6:12] think it has to be dependent on one person doing all of those things for all

[6:15] of us to benefit. I think we can piecemeal it together and be just as

[6:17] successful. Um, a little more difficult without Mr.

[6:20] Miller, but he does make things easier and we'll just get by without.

[6:25] » So, I have a question. >> Yes.

[6:26] » Do you see it if John takes the position as a part-time or a full-time position?

[6:32] » Uh, it'd be part-time. >> Okay.

[6:34] » Um, but then that would allow us to take some of those resources and apply them

[6:37] to other parts. But really, you know, Matt's position, if you look at what the

[6:43] DDA was funding and the total cost of that position, it was a third.

[6:46] » Right. >> Um, so this kind of fits within that

[6:50] budget. We'd keep John at his current hourly rate that he's being paid through

[6:53] the DDA and give him the necessary amount of hours

[6:58] to perform the function and provide him all the assistance he needs to be

[7:02] successful. You know, if you need we we already cooperatively help with events.

[7:06] Um, you know, help with any other type of

[7:09] work that EDA needs. So, we would just continue to do that.

[7:13] » I'll I'll add a couple things. Also, I know Tim kind of broadly touched on

[7:18] the office space and the resources. When I when I took over as mayor and

[7:24] kind of pushed for some changes to get rid of the office over there, um, you

[7:30] know, we were paying 900 $900 in rent a month. We're paying electric. We're

[7:35] paying I don't know about electric, I take that

[7:38] back. Phone, copier, maintenance on copier,

[7:43] some other miscellaneous things. And that's where kind of the agreement

[7:48] that to maybe go in a different way and bring them over to City Hall came from.

[7:53] So, I think that's worked out really well and with the offer that Tim has

[7:57] made, allowing John or whoever we select, and I'm I'm

[8:02] in favor of John, but um doing that, we still save all that

[8:07] money. And we're going to save a little bit of

[8:10] money on what we were paying our our previous DDA directors.

[8:15] Not much less, but he'll be a little bit less, but again,

[8:19] we're to me, for the DDA, it's a bonus, it's a

[8:22] plus. Um

[8:24] you know, we'll have the resources, we'll still have John to run everything

[8:28] we need in downtown, and he takes care of a lot of it as

[8:32] as as it is now. Uh you know, he's right next to Matt with the Lucky Squirrel, if

[8:38] not doing more Lucky Squirrel, the Chili Cook-Offs, the

[8:42] all the events, the gardens, the water, all that stuff. Uh John does a lot of

[8:48] that now, takes that off Matt's plate anyway, so I think we wouldn't lose

[8:53] anything, we wouldn't miss a a step, and we're still probably saving money

[8:58] overall as opposed to having to go find another building for rent for for DDA

[9:03] director, plus the salary we'd have to pay them.

[9:06] So, to me, I think it's it's a win-win for

[9:09] for us and the city again. So, that's my >> it's about can we continue to provide

[9:15] the value to the DDA that I think we have been providing, and I think we can.

[9:19] Um I think and I also this cost-sharing agreement allows for the DDA to decide,

[9:24] well, in the future, now we didn't think or at least put that pressure, like,

[9:27] hey, we want value out of this. We've got 30 days notice, so

[9:30] yeah, this is the most seamless thing I think we can do, and I think you can

[9:34] just continue to keep an eye on, make sure we're providing you the value in

[9:36] this agreement, and we will do the same. We got to make sure this works for us,

[9:39] but I do think it's the absolute best direction to head. Um it's the most

[9:43] obvious solution. And and and as the mayor said, there's

[9:47] there's just a lot of things because we already have we already have IT. We

[9:52] already have computers. We already have office space. We already have a a

[9:55] contract with the kind of for planning. We have building inspectors. We have

[9:59] communications division. Um we have staff that can supplement

[10:02] because DDA doesn't always need a ton of staff, but when you need a resource all

[10:06] of a sudden to put on an event, we have a pool of people that we can easily when

[10:10] we have a cost sharing agreement that's very easy for me to articulate

[10:13] how we can be very assist easy to assist. Otherwise, it's a little bit

[10:17] barrier to doesn't mean the city wouldn't. I don't want it to be taken as

[10:20] that if you decided not to go this way we would abandon the DDA or anything

[10:24] like that, but I do think this makes it the most seamless way to proceed forward

[10:27] and uh and I I

[10:30] think John spent enough time with Matt to understand the role.

[10:33] » Question, is this a is this a something that we can

[10:37] first ask John if he wants to do this. Secondly, is this something that we can

[10:41] vote on today? We can do this? Okay. >> Yes to both.

[10:44] » Okay. >> Correct. And what I thought is it could

[10:46] be one motion to continue uh I was thinking about it in my head of course

[10:51] from the last meeting is you know, make a motion to you know, to continue the

[10:55] agreement number one and then also to support the appointment of John. You

[11:00] know, that would give you know, you agree to it and then Tim will you know,

[11:05] on the city side we're really going to kind of change GL numbers of where it

[11:08] would be paid from and it'll go to a city side GL number. So

[11:14] » Yes, that's kind of what >> The the first question he had was I

[11:16] guess does Mr. Prash >> Yeah, that's right.

[11:19] » it? I forgot I guess that would be the first

[11:22] » I'm sorry, John. >> The the first the first question.

[11:26] » Uh yes. >> Okay.

[11:27] » Okay, let me know why. Yeah, absolutely. >> So I motion that we continue the

[11:31] agreement that we have with the city and to move forward with appointing John as

[11:36] the >> DDA director.

[11:38] » director. >> I'll second that.

[11:40] » Everybody seconds >> Everybody seconds.

[11:41] » Okay.

[11:44] Motion by trustee Heiders, supported by I heard trustee Perrydorfer, so I'm

[11:49] going to put her down. Uh any discussion

[11:52] by the table? All those in favor?

[11:55] » Aye. >> Any opposed?

[11:57] All right. So, Oh, easily solved. Thank you.

[12:04] Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Tim.

[12:07] » Thank you. >> All right.

[12:12] All right, we're going to move down then to community events.

[12:17] » We don't have anything >> No community events?

[12:19] » Mhm. We'll talk about them later.

[12:21] » All right, so then we're going to go down to our consent agenda.

[12:25] Um we need a motion to approve our consent agenda.

[12:29] » I make a motion to accept. >> I second.

[12:31] » All right. So, we have a motion by trustee Perrydorfer. I'm sorry, who

[12:34] seconded? Okay, trustee Berry.

[12:38] Um any discussion from the table? Mr. Miller.

[12:43] » Um in the in the report you would see uh under legal services, when I was

[12:48] reviewing that, I actually found an error in that and uh the city was

[12:53] actually applying uh you know, the Kelly firm does the DDA uh legal services, but

[12:59] the Kelly firm also was just recently hired by the city to act as the city

[13:03] council's uh legal services. And so, we were accruing costs from Kelly services

[13:09] to the city, but they're really being charged to Kelly services to the DDA.

[13:13] So, I did catch that and a journal entry was done to reverse all those costs. So,

[13:17] just I wanted to let you know, if you if you spy legal services going crazy,

[13:23] uh then we went like that and so, um I made sure

[13:27] that it was caught and a journal entry was done to correct it. So, just in case

[13:31] anybody saw that, I wanted to get it on the record that it was caught and we did

[13:36] correct it. So. >> Very good. Thank you.

[13:38] » Just so you know. >> All right. Uh, any other discussion?

[13:43] All right. All those in favor of the motion to approve the consent agenda.

[13:47] » Aye. >> Aye.

[13:48] » Aye. >> Any opposed?

[13:50] All right. So, that motion is carried. Now, we're going to go down to our

[13:54] action items. The first being alley repaving and storm water drain. Mr.

[14:00] Miller, I'm guessing this is you. >> Yes.

[14:03] Okay. Um,

[14:05] this is regarding the alleyway behind Cafe Europe, Fatima's Bakery, the bike

[14:10] store. That alleyway there is also in very poor condition, and we had, uh,

[14:16] last year talked about we're going to continue to fix the alleyways that are

[14:19] over there. We did the one behind the eye care. This is kind of rounding the

[14:23] corner and going north. Um, but also we have a a slight flooding issue there,

[14:27] too, where water kind of flows to the west when it really should be flowing to

[14:32] the east. So, um, when the, uh, kind of Kitty's Chop Suey got rebuilt and then

[14:37] the addition was put in in that, old, uh, parking area, um, the grade was all

[14:43] kept, but it is getting sheet drainage back to those businesses, actually. And

[14:48] so, we need to fix that problem, also. Uh, so, part of our, uh, doing the alley

[14:54] repaving is that we were going to have a storm drain extension also, um, at that

[14:58] location, and it will then connect, uh, to there's existing storm drain, but we

[15:04] have to cut through the parking lot to get that to go in place. And when we put

[15:08] the, put this out for bid to have the work

[15:12] done, we did include the, um, storm water extension in that. Um, we didn't,

[15:17] I did put together, uh, request for proposal for the work to be done

[15:23] according to our purchasing policy. We actually received six um contractors

[15:28] that wanted to do work here in the city for the DDA, and um we did uh select a

[15:35] JB Contractors, which was the lowest bid, and we're required to at least make

[15:39] that recommendation unless we can disqualify them. But we we cannot

[15:43] actually. JB Contractors has done work for the city before, and we think that

[15:48] they'll be able to get the work done um in a timely fashion and within budget.

[15:53] And so uh last year when we did actually in January of this year, we established

[15:59] a budget to do these improvements, and uh we're a little over, but I always

[16:04] kind of go 10% when we do the budgeting anyway, so we had uh recommended 75,000,

[16:10] but we'll have enough to cover this cost for JB Contractors. Uh as if this does

[16:16] get approved tonight, we'll start to enter into a contract with the

[16:20] contractor, we'll get their insurances put in place, and then we'll notify all

[16:25] the businesses, and we'll start to get the work done over there in that parking

[16:29] area. So. And this is adjacent to the parking area where we seal coated and

[16:34] striped also. Excuse me, last year.

[16:37] » Approximate length of time from start to finish?

[16:40] » They're hoping actually just a couple weeks.

[16:42] » Oh, okay, good. >> So, um and last year, if you can recall,

[16:45] it was about uh 7 to 10 days to do the one alleyway. So, we're just going to

[16:49] add a little extra time to do that. >> Is there asphalt involved in this?

[16:53] » Um there will be some asphalt to repair the parking lot area.

[16:57] » Where the drain's coming in? >> Where the drain is, but then the uh

[17:00] alleyway will be cement. And so, they're cutting out asphalt and putting in

[17:04] cement in the alleyway area. >> Is there going to be extra asphalt that

[17:08] we can push over there? >> Well, we uh later on the agenda, you'll

[17:11] see we've got some something in the works for your side. Okay. Yes.

[17:16] » So, we can approve it, you know. Mhm.

[17:20] » [laughter] >> I see.

[17:23] » Does it say the total square footage of the area?

[17:26] » Uh I forget. It was in the bid.

[17:30] » The total? >> I think it was 83,127.

[17:34] » is 83,000. >> is 83,000. And then the square footage?

[17:37] » And then the square footage, I have it somewhere. One moment, please.

[17:42] If I can read it. >> It just says site size is 3750.

[17:47] » uh and the payment removal is 4800 square feet.

[17:52] So that is about that, about almost 5,000 square feet.

[17:56] » Right. >> Or that they're replacing with concrete?

[17:58] » Yes. >> How many inches of concrete are they

[18:00] going down? >> It's going to be 8-in concrete there.

[18:09] » Are they doing anything with the storm drain that's in the in the They're just

[18:13] tapping into that storm drain? >> Correct. And they'll reset it to grade,

[18:16] also.

[18:24] » I think all the specifications for the steps they're doing were all in there.

[18:28] » And then also on the last page of that that you in the RFP,

[18:33] uh was H&C Engineers did a elevation for us so that when the contractors are

[18:39] installing it then we can confirm the elevations so that we have the right

[18:42] fall so that we're getting that proper drainage in the alleyway. So it'll kind

[18:47] of go south and then it will then connect to the drain there in the alley

[18:51] and then underground over to the storm drain that's existing.

[18:56] » From the the least contractor that you've selected to the

[19:01] most expensive contractor, there's $30,000, which is

[19:04] » That's substantial. >> half of what the contract that you

[19:07] » Mhm. >> agreed to.

[19:09] » But the you know, the bottom four were in

[19:13] roughly in line. We had thought 75,000. Of course, costs go up.

[19:17] But the other two a bit high. That's all I can come up with. OCG, that number

[19:23] four contractor there, when they were our low bid for other contract for the

[19:30] alleyway by the eye glass and so I thought for sure they would

[19:35] maybe low bid again. I actually spoke with I talked to OCG companies every day

[19:40] practically. They're also the contractor in town doing the sidewalks. So I'm I

[19:45] talk to them four times a day probably. And I said, "Well, why so much?" He

[19:50] said, "Well, you know, I I put it together, but my boss wanted to give

[19:52] some wanted to make a little more money I guess." What he said. I said, "Okay,

[19:55] well, somebody is going to get the job and it's not you."

[19:59] » [laughter] >> So.

[20:03] » So it looks like about 123 yards of concrete.

[20:05] » Mhm.

[20:10] » So it's about $24,000 in concrete alone.

[20:16] » And then we have the removal, the subgrade, and then the drain extension.

[20:26] » What do we all think? Looking for a motion to go with JB

[20:30] Contractors if that's what we choose. >> If it's going to help businesses across,

[20:34] I I motion to move forward with it. >> All right, so we have a motion by Dr.

[20:39] Heider. Seconded by Trustee Bedoun.

[20:44] Any further discussion? All in favor?

[20:48] » Aye. >> Aye.

[20:49] » Any opposed? All right, that motion will carry.

[20:53] Down to the SEMCOG planning grant for the

[20:58] Kmart site. >> Yes. So

[21:02] um I was I was made aware that SEMCOG,

[21:06] which is the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, um does the board know

[21:10] what that is? It's actually it's a seven-county agency that really is a

[21:14] remitter of funds mostly for transportation projects. Um

[21:20] which they have what is called the TIP, Transportation Improvement Plan. But it

[21:24] usually it's a clearinghouse the federal federal government gives to our region

[21:29] and then they disburse it to the counties based on the TIP, the

[21:32] Transportation Improvement Program. Well, there are also um planning a a

[21:37] planning side to the organization. There's communications. There's a SEMCOG

[21:42] University. Um there's many facets of SEMCOG. The

[21:45] city is a member of SEMCOG and um we are able to then apply for grants that come

[21:52] available to the city, available to do different projects throughout the city.

[21:58] Well, one of the one of the grants that was made available to us was really a a

[22:03] planning grant. It's it's not a huge thing, but it is a planning grant that

[22:08] we can work to put together and I made a a proposal to SEMCOG and we were awarded

[22:14] the uh grant as long as we go forward with it. Um the grant is a kind of a

[22:20] two-part and they require a local match. And the local match for this grant is

[22:26] $7,260. The total from SEMCOG, the grant amount

[22:31] is $32,740 for a total of a $40,000 grant to the

[22:36] city. So, we're taking funds and leveraging them to get more out of them,

[22:41] correct? And I don't know if you can recall about 2 years ago, we wanted to

[22:46] just survey that quadrant and we did not because it was so costly. And so, um

[22:52] part of the grant that I put together was

[22:56] let's get a survey over there and also start a process of getting a

[23:01] redevelopment plan put together for repaving at least and some other

[23:05] planning ideas. Um, if you can recall, we also had

[23:09] another grant for housing and we did kind of an overlay and I think everyone

[23:13] here, I sent a copy of our housing master plan amendment to you

[23:18] uh to really just start to focus on this lot and this block. And so the

[23:23] uh this grant will really put together a survey. It will also get all the

[23:27] property owners, which of course including Dr. Hire but the property

[23:31] owners that aren't there also. Um, for the Kmart site, the K Auto, um Mr.

[23:36] Newman's property just uh just east of the Kmart site and then all of the

[23:41] businesses that are there to get in one room to first of all make an I think we

[23:46] should at least put together a plan to make a entrance improvements

[23:51] specifically off of Middlebelt. It looks like an alleyway there. Um, but also it

[23:56] will once we have a survey, we can identify who is all the property owners

[24:00] are, how much property they own and really

[24:04] get some costs for how much it's going to cost to pave that because we have a

[24:08] lot of property owners. The city owns very little property over there.

[24:12] Um, and really start to formulate a plan

[24:16] that if one either A we're going to have to bond, will the DDA have to get bonds

[24:22] to start to repave that and put in the parking lot improvements off of

[24:25] Middlebelt. Um, this will be a plan that will be put together that we could bond

[24:29] for or at least if we do a bond, maybe we do a special assessment district

[24:35] where we know that, you know, property owner X

[24:38] has 5,600 square feet of property here that needs to be paved. They need to pay

[24:42] 5,600 square feet of this cost. And I don't know that cost, but I think

[24:48] this will be a really good step that we could of course get some, you know,

[24:52] leverage our money to utilize um to get the survey done, to everyone in

[24:58] the room to talk about that site and specifically. Um it is in the DDA and

[25:04] then I that's why I'm actually coming to you to request the match portion come

[25:08] from the DDA in the parking lot improvement line item so that we can

[25:13] start to formulate this. And it will again, I think it'll really focus on

[25:18] just this site and also how to you know, how we can get it to look better in the

[25:24] meantime. You know, Kmart is still a big portion. They're the largest property

[25:27] owner over there. And the Kmart site um they're not the

[25:32] owner. Just to clarify in case anybody's saying they bought it back or something,

[25:35] but um but that that's the largest site. Um but they also own property that is in

[25:41] the parking area, too. The lines, if you look at it, their line the property

[25:44] lines are kind of crazy over there and it was um

[25:49] never done anything great over time because there's really ribbons of

[25:53] property there owned by different property owners. And this hopefully will

[25:57] be the the first step that will we can go forward to figure out how much it's

[26:01] going to cost to repave. And also, if we have a plan put together, maybe we can

[26:05] use this plan to get somebody to give us more money to get it paved and get these

[26:09] improvements in place. And so that was my thought for applying

[26:12] for the grant um to focus on that block only. Um so the grant was for um the

[26:19] block was for uh Beachwood, Brant, and Middlebelt.

[26:23] And so I would like to ask the DDA if they would uh support the match for this

[26:28] and then the city will have to enter into an agreement with SEMCOG to

[26:33] actually start to get the funds and then we will

[26:37] um go through the process to get the survey done and then McKenna and

[26:41] Associates is a planning agency that the city has under contract that can handle

[26:46] carrying out the grant to get the survey done, to get everyone in the same room

[26:52] to talk about ideas and also make some make some ideas from everything they

[26:57] gather to put it on paper to make it look look doable and then also start to

[27:03] assign some cost to how much it would cost to improve that.

[27:07] So, that was my thought in getting the grant. Hopefully you'll support my

[27:11] request for the match and then as we go forward, John will be taking the ball

[27:17] and working with Mario and McKenna and we will be able to hopefully

[27:22] get everyone on the same page for once over there. How about that?

[27:26] » That sounds good. >> So, that's that was my plan and my hope.

[27:29] » Thank you for doing that work.

[27:31] » I'd like to make a motion. >> Second it.

[27:34] » I third it. >> [laughter]

[27:36] » All right, so we have a motion that we are going to approve the match for the

[27:41] grant by Trustee Perridon and it was seconded by everybody, I'm pretty sure.

[27:46] » I was hoping to have some more hair on by the time we started [clears throat]

[27:49] the talking. I'm losing it and it's turning white.

[27:53] » Okay. >> Okay, any discussion from the board?

[27:59] All in favor. >> Aye.

[28:01] » Aye. >> Opposed? All right, that motion will

[28:04] pass. >> And then the next step, like I said,

[28:07] I'll be going to the city council to ask that we enter into the agreement and

[28:13] start the process there. >> Thank you.

[28:15] » Awesome, thanks, Matt. All right, next item is our 2027

[28:21] downtown banners. >> Okay, I was

[28:25] again, I'm thinking off in never never land. I don't know

[28:29] where I where I think all the time. But anyways,

[28:32] um our hometown hero banners have been

[28:35] Yeah, I know. >> You do a lot of thinking.

[28:37] » I do a lot of thinking. >> [laughter]

[28:39] » Um and hopefully thinking turns into action. How about that? So, um I was

[28:43] looking at some ideas for our 2027 banners. You know, our hometown hero

[28:47] banners have been received well, but I think we've kind of run out of

[28:53] applications for we we still have a couple that

[28:56] we could put in there, but we get 40 banners and so we've done it 3 years,

[29:01] that's 120 banners we've put forward. If you can recall for this year, I worked

[29:06] with the Straight Farmhouse to get people that were killed in action that

[29:10] don't have people in town to represent them anymore and we're able to honor

[29:14] them that way. Um, but I was working with the school district in my thoughts,

[29:19] I guess when I was thinking and I talked to the superintendent of schools about

[29:23] maybe doing a student art kind of contest from the

[29:28] schools and I just put together on that second page

[29:33] you will see is that some ideas of what a banner would look like and we've got

[29:40] those there and I wasn't really picking anyone but it's just to give you an idea

[29:45] of what a banner would look like and we would have kind of the same process but

[29:50] when I was talking to the superintendent of schools, we have um

[29:55] nine schools No, we have eight schools times five,

[29:59] that's 40. So there are seven schools for Garden City Public Schools and I was

[30:03] going to work with Tipton to get the last five and I actually at the Garden

[30:08] City Business Alliance Music in the Park Tipton Academy was there. The assistant

[30:12] principal was there. So I cornered her at the Music in the Park. [laughter]

[30:16] She comes to these things probably to enjoy herself, but I cornered her

[30:20] anyways and they loved the idea also and would support kind of the same project

[30:25] and I sent her just an idea. I said the board has not approved it, but I just

[30:29] was again thinking and looking forward to next year and if if this does get

[30:34] approved, it will take a lot of coordination, but when I was speaking

[30:38] with Derek Fisher, the Garden City

[30:40] superintendent he said he will work with the art

[30:43] teachers to make the selection of the five kind of the best, you know, best

[30:47] for that school kind of deal. So, it kind of removes us and then we would

[30:51] have an application, we would have a a release. I know that there could be some

[30:56] concern about their name. I would like to do a name and the grade and the

[31:00] school. Um, but in the end, they get that. The student would get that then.

[31:05] And I think it'd be kind of a neat idea. And it will again draw people downtown

[31:09] to for all of the family, every family member that child better go see that

[31:12] banner and they can stop and visit one of our stores or restaurants while

[31:16] they're doing that. And I thought we would, you know, kind of come up Garden

[31:19] City DDA supports young artists. We'd have a, you know, a cougar paw or

[31:23] something like that saying it's the schools and then we would have their

[31:27] artwork. And then I was even trying to think that maybe the artwork could be

[31:32] uh, their favorite thing to do in Garden City.

[31:35] My only concern when I thought that, I thought, well, you know, every other kid

[31:38] will make McDonald's best place to eat in the world. So, maybe we don't want

[31:41] that. But, again, business, uh, we could do uh, trees, we could do buildings,

[31:46] something like that connected to the downtown. And then we would then go

[31:51] forward and have the banners made. I talked to

[31:56] uh, Signarama, Greg at Signarama and he thinks he can pull it off cuz all we'll

[32:02] need really is the same kind of idea and a digital image and then the digital

[32:07] image can transfer to the banner the same way we do all the uh, all the

[32:12] banners. So, I don't know, I'm I'm game for input. Of

[32:16] course, it was a thought, but I wanted to because if we're going to do this, we

[32:20] really need to start going as soon as school starts, which is less than a

[32:24] month away now. And then we'll kind of get it ready and then right after the

[32:28] holidays, you know, we'll have the art, you know, the art picked out and we'll

[32:32] start the process to get the banners printed. So, I didn't know what you

[32:35] thought. I'm open to ideas and uh let me know.

[32:40] » I love this idea personally. And do you think this would maybe be able to give

[32:45] us if we did this maybe on an every other year,

[32:48] um that would give us time to build up the Hometown Heroes again and do an

[32:51] every other year perhaps highlighting the children and then our Hometown

[32:55] Heroes? Just a thought.

[32:59] Did you by any chance talk to the superintendent about the names?

[33:03] And the school >> I did

[33:05] » did that. Okay. >> So that's something we'll have to figure

[33:08] out. Yeah, it'll be >> Cuz you're giving their full name and

[33:10] the school they go to that can be in my opinion a little dicey.

[33:14] » We would have a release on the application and and maybe we'll have the

[33:18] uh Dan Kelly, the attorney, maybe look at

[33:21] that also. Or the schools could have a policy too. I don't know exactly how it

[33:25] all works out. >> you had asked them.

[33:26] » It can simply say Jimmy, third grade. >> Well, that's what

[33:29] » Maybe not last name. >> Right, exactly. That's that's what I had

[33:33] brought up. Yeah. Yeah, anytime we do anything

[33:36] [clears throat] at the church that I work with with the kids, the parents can

[33:39] sign off so that their kids' images can be used and then they say if their name

[33:44] can be used or not, but Yeah. Last names are a little

[33:49] if you're asking. >> Yeah, we don't have to. Correct.

[33:52] » It could also be a a class project. So it could be Memorial third grade class

[34:00] putting it up. So you're not using an actual name.

[34:03] A class. Something like that. But that that's

[34:07] probably the easiest >> I just wondered if you had talked to Mr.

[34:10] Fischer about it. >> not yet.

[34:12] » I think it's a great idea. It's very interactive and it's supporting the

[34:16] young generation. I think it's great. >> I love it.

[34:20] » Good thinking. >> Thank you.

[34:22] » That's awesome. >> All right, do we have a motion then for

[34:24] this? >> I motion it.

[34:26] » All right, so Trustee Heider and it's supported by Trustee Nazerdeen. Any

[34:31] other discussion? >> It would be unanimous.

[34:34] » All those >> in favor?

[34:36] » Aye. >> Any opposed? All right, that will also

[34:39] carry. And down to the Santaland Parade sponsorship.

[34:44] » And tonight we have actually um

[34:48] Dan York from Santaland. There he is. Uh Santa himself.

[34:52] » Is Santa. >> Bringing you joy to all. Uh anyways, he

[34:56] he's here to answer any questions, but in the past we have done a

[35:00] sponsorship for that. And May, do you want to just tell the tell the board

[35:04] about the parade, what happens on parade day, the chaos and all that?

[35:09] Okay. >> Why don't you take the microphone over

[35:12] there? >> We'll take it here. It's Dan.

[35:16] » He he he knows how to use his diaphragm. >> That's what I was kind of thinking of.

[35:22] Thanks. Um well, this is the 65th year of the

[35:26] parade. The DDA has been the title sponsor, I believe since 2006. It might

[35:33] be 2009. I I get those years mixed up. Um it was basically the first same first

[35:39] year as the Kmart in town. Um the parade is put on by the Santaland

[35:44] Parade Committee, which is part of the uh Garden City Community Coalition.

[35:50] Um so, that's our 501c3. It's all volunteer.

[35:55] Uh pretty much the same thing that it's been

[35:58] uh you know, at least since I got involved, which was in the early 2000s,

[36:01] I think. Uh the JCs had done it for a while, then

[36:05] a couple of other groups did it for a couple of years, but it was originally

[36:08] the JCs parade. And um

[36:13] today we announce the the uh theme for the parade, which is '80s, an '80s

[36:17] Christmas. We we put it out there and let everybody vote on it. So, we let

[36:22] them vote for about a week and a half on it, and that's what came out of it. But,

[36:25] we've always used the DDA's money since I became a part of this as the seed

[36:30] money just to get us started. >> [clears throat]

[36:32] » Uh we don't operate at much of a profit, that's for sure. The cost of everything

[36:36] has gone up, and you'd be surprised the things we're expected to pay for. You

[36:40] know, we have insurance, we have to pay for porta-potties, we need to rent golf

[36:44] carts, although I think we may have found an out on that the last couple of

[36:47] years. Uh if you don't pay bands, they don't

[36:50] show up. High school bands don't show up for free. They need to have their buses

[36:53] at least paid for. Uh um it just goes, you know, the list of

[36:57] that kind of stuff goes on and on and on and on and on. Uh when we have Miss

[37:00] Michigan here, they expect that we make a donation to whoever Miss Michigan's

[37:05] charity is. So, you know, it costs around 26 grand, between 26 and 30, but

[37:10] closer to 26 to run this every year, which seems like a lot of money for that

[37:15] amount of time, but that it is what it is.

[37:18] Um like I said, we don't we don't leave

[37:20] much money in the bank every year. We spend what we bring in. We don't spend

[37:24] more than we bring in. That's for sure for certain. And uh you know, I it's

[37:28] obviously the longest-running tradition in Garden City, and with the

[37:32] chili cook-off, it's probably the largest event in Garden City. So,

[37:38] I just we're here with our handout again every

[37:40] » [laughter] >> every 2 years hoping for some help. We

[37:42] did ask for an extra $1,000 this year simply because our costs have gone up so

[37:47] much. And it is it is in the past many of the downtown Garden City Santaland

[37:52] Parade or the Garden City DDA Santaland Parade. Uh John Proch and I had spoke

[37:57] about the possibility of migrating back to downtown Garden City Santaland Parade

[38:02] because it sounds better. Uh but it was a couple of board members

[38:06] about 10 years ago that didn't think the DDA was getting enough attention with it

[38:11] being called downtown Garden City Santaland Parade. So,

[38:15] uh we're we're open to anything on that concept, but I mean, that's that's

[38:19] pretty much it. If you have any questions, I'm I'm here.

[38:22] » Mr. Miller, I would I I believe we budgeted for that, don't we?

[38:27] » Yes. Yes. >> So, it's not like this is unexpected. We

[38:31] We know what 3 years what's been coming. So, it it's

[38:36] budgeted for. >> And and it's a 2-year deal 2-year deal

[38:39] normally. >> I motion to approve.

[38:43] » I second. >> Over the 2 years, 10,000 a year.

[38:46] » Okay. Do we have a second for that? >> I second.

[38:49] » Okay. Sorry. So, we have a motion by Trustee Bedoun, seconded by Trustee

[38:54] Berry. Any discussion from the table?

[38:58] All those in favor? >> I.

[39:00] » I. >> Anyone opposed?

[39:02] All right. Thank you, Dan. Um Happy to help.

[39:08] Trade's always a favorite.

[39:11] » Thank you.

[39:17] » All right. We do have some other business. Um bylaws committee report. Um

[39:23] I know Mayor Jacobs, Trustee Peridor, and I had looked over the bylaws. And

[39:31] there were some >> a printed copy to

[39:33] » Okay. There were some changes >> If you'd like to take one out

[39:36] and pass it on. Thank you. >> Some changes suggested, so we'll look

[39:41] over those.

[39:46] » And the And the changes that the committee had discussed kind of green

[39:50] means go, red means no kind of deal. So, I did a kind of a color-coordinated

[39:55] version on that just so you would see the

[39:59] difference.

[40:08] » All right. So, do we need to go over these separately or should we just kind

[40:13] of glance at it on our own? >> How do you want to do this?

[40:16] » Well, if you would like to go through each one or I don't know who

[40:20] would like to speak on behalf of the committee.

[40:21] » did a lot of work. So, would you like to present what your thoughts were on these

[40:25] changes? >> My thoughts were

[40:29] » A lot of a lot of it's house cleaning. >> Well, it is. It is. A lot of it's just

[40:33] updating. >> Rewording

[40:34] with the changes that have come along uh >> So, for example, we're we're

[40:41] um the ordinance numbers were wrong or the act recital was wrong. We cleaned

[40:46] all that up. We also

[40:50] um changed

[40:53] some things based on how we are with the city right now, which would be

[40:58] um for example, taking out a treasurer because the city now does all the

[41:03] financials for us. So, the the treasurer position has been removed.

[41:09] Um the

[41:12] Oh, the the attendance policy because we went to quarterly, we had to change. The

[41:17] nominations, we've kind of changed because of the way

[41:21] that they've been handled. So, now that we're now we would be in compliance. The

[41:28] um >> Terms.

[41:28] » Committees, we basically don't do. So, we have made it so it is may instead of

[41:36] shall, right? You can have the committees. Um article what? Seven?

[41:42] We've added We've defined uh the city of Garden City again as the trustee of the

[41:48] financials. And then, I think there was one other

[41:53] thing that we thought was important and I probably skipped over it.

[42:00] » Or we said the amendment at the bottom there of article nine uh just a total

[42:07] membership. We took that out. It would say that or elected Make sure that

[42:10] everyone has one. And it used to You had to mail it by person, but we could use

[42:14] electronic mail now also. >> Yeah.

[42:17] » So, a lot of it was housekeeping. A lot of it

[42:21] was forced upon us by going to quarterly

[42:24] meetings and by changing the way we do business as a whole working with the

[42:30] city.

[42:33] » Makes sense.

[42:36] All right. >> I motion to move forward with uh

[42:41] » Accept these bylaws with the changes? Okay.

[42:43] » Accept the bylaws with the amendments. >> All right. So, we have a motion to

[42:46] accept the bylaws with the amendments as they're shown.

[42:49] » I'll second. >> And seconded by Trustee Bedoun. Any

[42:53] discussion from the table? All those in favor.

[42:57] » Aye. >> Aye.

[42:58] » Any opposed? Okay.

[43:01] Um shall we >> I did want to say that

[43:04] » Sorry, Matt. >> Um when I was working with Trustee

[43:07] Peridor, I did not mean to lock her in City Hall for eternity.

[43:13] » [laughter] >> But

[43:14] » Literally locked in City Hall.

[43:16] » accidentally. >> How does that happen?

[43:19] » Yeah. Yes. So, anyway, so >> [laughter]

[43:21] » we owe her at least a bit of gratitude for not coming apart. But

[43:26] when we were meeting it was after 5:00 and

[43:30] she left my office and she went down a hallway that locked her in a vestibule.

[43:36] So, she couldn't get out and she either way all the doors were locked and so and

[43:40] then of course I had stepped out of the office to come in here to set up for a

[43:43] planning commission meeting and left my phone on my desk.

[43:47] » So, then when he didn't answer is when I started the claustrophobia.

[43:50] » Oh, no. >> Anyway, so

[43:52] » How long was she in there? >> Uh

[43:54] 5-10 minutes or so. I mean, yeah. >> 5-15 minutes.

[43:57] » Maybe 10. Not banging on walls. >> Well, I was contemplating calling the

[44:01] police department cuz I didn't know what else to do.

[44:03] » Yeah. >> And and the city clerk

[44:05] » Luckily walked past and I >> banged it on the glass. Freaked him out,

[44:09] too. >> [laughter]

[44:11] » So, thank you for that effort and I apologize publicly to causing you

[44:15] consternation. >> to me. It's funny.

[44:20] » Okay, uh chili cook-off community event coming up sooner than we know.

[44:27] » Fast [clears throat] approaching on September 26th, we got all our

[44:29] applications have been approved or submitted for uh

[44:33] various things including food license, liquor license, all that stuff.

[44:38] Uh the awards have been ironed out as far as uh ordering those. Registration

[44:42] for everything is open. We're looking for chili teams. Uh if you know anybody

[44:46] that's interested in putting a team together

[44:48] and wants to be part of that, that would be great. We're looking for chili teams

[44:52] still. And we're looking for food trucks.

[44:55] We're also looking for volunteers and uh all of our equipment orders have been

[45:00] submitted. So, really we're just in the process of

[45:04] working through it and keeping planning and meeting and doing all the things. Um

[45:09] The Auto Show of Autism has agreed to operate and and facilitate the auto

[45:14] show. Uh Rick and Nikki from Rick's Custom Cycle are going to handle the

[45:18] motorcycle show again, which is great. Uh so, that makes that easy and

[45:23] » Pancake day. >> Oh, yeah. Pancake. It's International

[45:27] Pancake Day. Matthew's very excited about that cuz we're going to have

[45:30] pancakes in the morning. So, that went over well last year and

[45:33] we're going to continue to do that. And I'm working with uh Parks and Rec.

[45:36] They're going to handle all the kids activities for us

[45:40] along with the open houses from the police and fire and the DPW.

[45:45] » Chili being cooked at on site? >> Mhm.

[45:48] » It is? >> Yeah.

[45:50] Yeah, those teams are there 7:00 in the morning, I think.

[45:53] » They get it started there. >> sooner.

[45:55] » Yes. >> And it's all cooked on site. We got some

[45:58] judges from an outside source. They're part of a international food tasting

[46:03] company judges. >> own

[46:05] equipment or it's on-site? >> It's all on-site. Any team that comes to

[46:10] cook brings all their own equipment. >> bring their own cooking equipment.

[46:12] » Yeah. >> [snorts]

[46:14] » We provide what? The crackers, uh spoons, bowls, cups.

[46:22] » The bare minimum, but the propane is on whom?

[46:25] » That's on the teams. >> Okay.

[46:27] » Yeah. >> John, I have a question about that. Um

[46:31] and I don't remember from last year. Do you do Do you want to offer an online

[46:35] sign-up for volunteers like the parade? Okay, cuz I thought I saw that, but I

[46:39] wasn't sure. I just think that reaches a lot more

[46:42] people. >> Yeah.

[46:44] » You want to do it that way for sure. >> Yeah, we're trying to do all the

[46:46] majority of all things electronically now. It's easier to track it and, you

[46:51] know, monitor it and spreadsheet it.

[46:53] » You have to give us old folks options. >> I'll I'll ask the questions and fill it

[46:58] in for you.

[47:02] Any other questions? >> I don't know whether permitting that

[47:06] Wasn't it SEMCOG that did that drone survey for us?

[47:11] Um and did they said like 5,000 people had visited the the chili cook-off. I

[47:16] don't know how they count, but they came up with the number of somewhere around

[47:19] 5,000 people wandering around there during the event.

[47:24] » A little bit of a correction. It's actually It was through SEMCOG again

[47:29] actually. And I don't know if you remember I gave out to the board that

[47:33] map with the dots that said where everyone came from. It's through a

[47:36] company called Placer AI. And it is a digital company that

[47:42] utilizes actually pings from phones. And it uses So, if your phone is there,

[47:49] Placer AI knows this. And what was kind of neat about it is that it told us how

[47:53] many people kind of in general who who who were there. It even does age range,

[47:57] where they came from, where the phone's registered to. All this information, all

[48:01] this public data that's out there that this Placer AI use it. I mean,

[48:06] uh you know, this is you carry a phone, it

[48:09] just comes you know, you think it's listening. I think it does actually, but

[48:13] but what was what was great about that um

[48:16] is that we we started to see where everyone was coming from and that we

[48:19] could you know, we could start to really get a good count of how many people were

[48:23] there and it was just you know, we're handling a lot of people in one day in

[48:27] one place coming to Garden City. I think it's important. And it was actually the

[48:30] first time we were able to, you know, use that data and go from there. And

[48:34] actually, John and I went to the Michigan Downtown Association conference

[48:39] and they gave a whole session on AI Placer AI. And I thought, well,

[48:44] I'll fill out the form and get it. Why not? And so we did it. And you know,

[48:47] they want a specific event so that they can use that data and look for a

[48:51] specific time frame and what it all tells us. And that was I think a really

[48:56] good report we got. >> Very cool. And they're going to continue

[48:59] to do that? >> We if we make the request after we have

[49:02] the event, yes. >> Oh, okay.

[49:04] All right, very cool. >> But they can do it in past in time?

[49:08] » Well, no, um yes, they can look back and and get the

[49:12] data from the day that it occurred. Yes. Because we may I made the request a

[49:17] month or two after, correct? And and they

[49:21] it's stored somewhere. I don't know where. In in a data center somewhere, I

[49:24] guess. >> I'm always watching.

[49:26] » Always. >> Always watching.

[49:28] » I'm worried about one of the kids last year.

[49:30] » Companies going to be all of the judges this year?

[49:34] » We have a title sponsor that's we're we're allowing that title sponsor to

[49:38] choose two of their own judges. So, if you have a certain

[49:43] commitment as a sponsor, then we let you pick a judge and send a judge or come

[49:48] yourself or whatever. So. >> Anybody that has judged it knows it's a

[49:53] uh I consider it way better to let someone

[49:56] else do it. I did it the one year. It's a lot of

[49:59] chili to eat and try to sample, judge, and sample, and

[50:03] uh I'm I'm really happy I'm not in it. And

[50:06] » [clears throat] >> outside company can have all the eaters

[50:10] they want. >> Yes, but this year Batcheller Group is

[50:12] our sponsor again. We had a 2-year agreement uh from last year, and they've

[50:16] submitted their check for the title sponsorship. Uh we're looking for any

[50:20] sponsors all the time. So, anyone who would like to uh do a sponsorship, we'll

[50:24] be glad to uh put your name out there and be a sponsor for the event. So.

[50:30] » Is there a minimum amount you look for for sponsorship?

[50:34] » What it is. >> Uh I think we have a $100 sponsor, and

[50:37] then it goes to 250, and then up from there.

[50:42] » Each level gives you more visibility. >> Okay.

[50:47] All right. Uh how about the Hometown Hero banners?

[50:51] » We kind of talked about a little bit. Just so you know, they're all up, all

[50:54] 40. And uh you know, we had a terrible windstorms, and actually they all held.

[51:00] So, I think it was a a good I think it was a great The next morning I drove by,

[51:04] I'm like, "Oh boy." Uh and they all held. So, I was really happy about that.

[51:07] And I talked to Gary Carter and uh gave him kudos. They were latched on really

[51:13] well. So, um that's good. I mean, cuz it's a little bit of a liability. You

[51:16] know, it's on a you know, it's a sail on a pole. You know, that could cause us

[51:20] some issues. So, correct. >> Flying on anyone's windshield.

[51:23] » Correct. So, uh they all held. So, I think that was great. So.

[51:25] » Right. Uh then com- Is that community shed or shred?

[51:28] » Shed, actually. I If you go by the Lucky Squirrel area, you will notice a shed

[51:34] there now. Um the community shed Um we were able to get a uh

[51:39] First of all, I asked OCG, even though they weren't our um low bidder, but I

[51:44] did ask if they would donate concrete for a shed.

[51:48] And they did. So, I I'm giving them kudos for that. OCG, they're in town

[51:53] pouring tons and tons of concrete, and they um donated the to the DDA a shed

[51:58] pad for us. So, I thought it was very kind of them. And then we were able to

[52:01] get a Tuff Shed um at a deeply discounted price um because we'd bought

[52:07] another one over at the Radcliffe Center. And so, we were able to get one

[52:10] for about $4,200, a shed that is going to be at at place. And it actually was

[52:16] built in place Tuff Shed Corporation, and it's going to hold all of our

[52:21] pylons, uh banners, the chili cups, uh uh tents, all of that. You know, we're

[52:28] working on food truck Fridays also in that area. We have those canopy tents

[52:32] that we put up around the under the picnic tables. All of that, we're just

[52:36] kind of making it a little uh place that will store those the material for our

[52:40] community events. And uh it looks very good. If you go down Central Street,

[52:44] take a look at that. And I just want to let you know it's there. So, if you're

[52:47] going by thinking, "Where did this come from?" That's where it came from. And

[52:50] we'll be able to I think it'll expedite it expedite at the end of these events.

[52:55] You know, we're going over to DPW to Radcliffe, over to the park, taking

[53:00] stuff back. Maybe we can kind of start to centralize it there. We do have our

[53:03] storage at DPW that will hold larger things, but

[53:07] » What size is the shed? >> It is 10 by 10. I think 10 by 10. Yeah.

[53:12] It's not huge, but it'll hold a lot of stuff.

[53:13] » What's the stuff that you need to fit in there that you have?

[53:16] » Yes. So, the pylons actually we have pylons that stack. So, that that's good.

[53:20] We're hoping they'll all fit in there, and we we found a uh shelf just um over

[53:25] at Radcliffe that was not being used, and we put in there, too, to hold

[53:28] things. So. >> All right. So, that kind of morphs right

[53:32] into the next one, Lucky Squirrel update.

[53:36] » Yes. >> Yeah, the next one September September

[53:37] 19th. It's already full. Uh so, we're taking people for the waiting list.

[53:42] Um as you may or may not know the July event was

[53:47] um we decided to play it safe and cancel that due to the air quality at the time.

[53:53] » [clears throat] >> Uh still showing some terrible unhealthy

[53:56] and there's a lot of elderly people that you know worked that event and

[54:01] we just didn't want to have that thought of liability cuz we

[54:04] kept the event going. So uh those those events are pretty hard to

[54:08] reschedule due to the fact that these vendors are usually planned out for the

[54:13] full summer all weekends. So uh we just did not host it. But

[54:18] September's ready to go. Um

[54:21] the feedback from most of those vendors is it's one of the the bigger better

[54:25] ones for them for their business around the area. So it's great.

[54:30] » All right. Side note, Ann Arbor chose to have their event the same day and they

[54:35] had nine respiratory runs that day.

[54:40] Because of the air quality. So it was I think it was great that we canceled.

[54:43] » for sure. >> It was a hard choice.

[54:46] » Yes. Oh yeah, for sure. All right. Last but not least in that

[54:50] category is our lighting repairs. >> Still waiting on delivery of the light

[54:55] poles. They said by the end of August. >> still the ones that were knocked down

[54:59] » by the by the drivers, yeah. >> Three light poles from last winter,

[55:02] that's correct. >> had talked about maybe having some on

[55:05] hand. Maybe that's not a bad idea in light of how long it takes to get them.

[55:10] » We're just concerned about having them there and then they change something and

[55:13] then we have obsolete parts. That is our only concern.

[55:16] » Did they give a reason for the delay? >> Just take I don't know.

[55:19] » They probably over They probably order from overseas.

[55:22] » Oh, maybe. >> We also correct

[55:25] I didn't think of that, but I'm sure. Also we're working with our municipal

[55:30] insurance carrier. So we're getting most of the costs are being covered by

[55:34] insurance, but then in turn they're going after the driver's insurance if

[55:38] they have it to get us made whole, get the insurance company made whole also.

[55:44] So it takes some time also that part to go through MMRMA, our municipal risk

[55:49] management company. >> Okay.

[55:54] Maybe we'll have better news about that next time we meet.

[55:56] » Yes, though I'll be up and ready to go. >> Okay. All right, public comments. Oh, I

[56:01] see Council member Gold back there. You have anything?

[56:05] No. And then you have nothing else to add? All right, uh director report I

[56:09] think Matt have you covered everything or is there anything else you'd like to

[56:12] add? >> I did want to of course thank the board

[56:14] uh for my confidence in me and uh to kind of start a new path for the DDA and

[56:21] um I will miss everyone. I won't be far. I live in Westland so I won't be very

[56:25] far away but I'm planning to kind of go there and also Florida so I'll be in and

[56:29] out. You'll see me still. >> We'll be missing you as well.

[56:32] » All right. Thank you. >> We'll miss you for sure.

[56:34] All right, uh trustee board comments. I guess we can start down at the end with

[56:38] the mayor. >> Uh I don't have anything other than uh I

[56:42] want to thank Mr. Miller for all his time and effort and

[56:46] uh everything he's done for us and uh um I'll I'll just speak for DDA cuz I'm

[56:52] sure we'll speak again as uh we go into the uh city council stuff but uh thank

[56:58] you for everything you've done and uh we appreciate it and congratulations to Mr.

[57:02] Proch for uh stepping up and being appointed as

[57:06] the new director and good luck and you know

[57:10] we'll support you the same way we supported Matt.

[57:13] » Absolutely. >> Great.

[57:14] » All right, trustee Berry. >> I'd like to say the same thing, you

[57:17] know, we're going to miss you and um if you ever change your mind come

[57:20] on back. >> I'm sure.

[57:22] » yeah, congratulations Sean. >> All right, trustee Bedoun.

[57:27] » Yes, we're all going to say the same thing but no, you you did a lot, you

[57:30] know, a lot of people were afraid of this whole merge and everything, but

[57:35] you showed it otherwise that it was a great idea and now I'm sure

[57:39] it's going to be a hard feet, you know, to replace, but

[57:44] I'm sure John will do a great job, too. >> All right. I will I will also add to all

[57:50] those comments, but thanks Matt for everything. So many innovative things

[57:54] you've brought here and it's changed the city for the better. So thank you and I

[57:58] know John will pick up where you left off.

[58:02] » Well, and I'm sure Mr. Miller will answer Mr. Brosius' phone call.

[58:06] » Absolutely. >> Yes.

[58:09] » All right. >> Yes.

[58:11] » So I I'm going to say the same thing. Matt's

[58:14] done a lot for the DDA, but he's also done a lot for Garden City. So we're

[58:19] we're going to miss you on as many levels as we can. I also wanted to say

[58:24] that the grand reopening for Family Heating & Cooling was fabulous. That

[58:30] building is >> It's beautiful.

[58:33] » stunning. Stunning. So and I've noticed now other

[58:37] places around them are start starting to go, I need to spruce up a little bit. So

[58:44] it's a great thing for Family and it's a great thing for Garden City.

[58:47] » Domino effect. >> Yes, absolutely. Absolutely.

[58:50] » And they and they did take advantage of the architectural fees if you recall the

[58:54] grant and so again we're seeing it real bricks and mortar in motion.

[58:59] » Yep. >> That's all.

[59:02] » Again, ditto to everything that was said and thank

[59:05] you and and looking forward to John to making it

[59:09] making better better and the better. >> Okay.

[59:13] » And the best. >> Okay.

[59:14] » And the best. >> Same like everyone said, looking forward

[59:16] to John to work with you and enjoy Florida as much as you can.

[59:19] » Right. Thank you. >> All right. Unless there's anything else,

[59:23] we'll close our session at 7:05 with our next meeting being October 20th.

[59:31] » October, wow.

[59:34] I don't want to think about October. It's a long time, huh?

August 3, 2026 DDA Board Meeting

Transcript