Comstock Township - January 28, 2026 Downtown Development Authority Meeting

Updated 1 day ago

Board members gathered Wednesday, January 28, to discuss DDA administrative items and strategic planning. The Authority reviewed the DDA budget, which includes recent expenditures and upcoming projects. The board highlights the importance of beautification and maintenance, while also considering new economic development initiatives. They explore potential redevelopment sites and discuss the strategy for enhancing the district. The meeting concludes with discussions on upcoming events and the election of board officers.

Chapters

Approval of the Agenda (00:01:52)
The agenda for the meeting was approved with one correction after a motion and a second.

The meeting began with the approval of the agenda. A motion was made to approve the agenda with a correction, which was seconded. The vote was called, and the motion passed with all in favor.
Approval of Minutes (00:02:26)
Minutes from the previous meeting were approved without changes after a motion and a second.

The minutes from the previous meeting were brought up for approval. There were no comments or corrections, and a motion to approve the minutes was made and seconded. The motion passed with all members voting in favor.
Public Comment (00:02:43)
No public comments were made at this time.

The floor was opened for public comment, inviting anyone to step up to the podium and address the DDA. However, there were no comments from the public, and the meeting proceeded to the next agenda item.
DDA Budget Report (00:02:58)
The DDA budget was reviewed, noting recent expenditures and future project plans.

Steve presented the DDA budget, noting that the only recent activity was a payment to a contractor. He mentioned that more projects and contracts would start soon and highlighted the need to balance the budget using the fund balance carryover. A motion was made and passed to approve the revenue and expenditure report.
DDA Annual Report Presentation (00:04:15)
The annual report for the DDA was discussed and prepared for presentation to the Township Board.

The annual report for the Comstock DDA was discussed, highlighting its purpose to inform the public and community about the DDA's activities. The report, which is the third year of such an initiative, will be presented to the Township Board, and members were invited to attend. It includes goals, mission statements, and key activities of the DDA.
DDA Activity and Projects Update (00:05:53)
Updates on various DDA activities, including beautification, events, and economic development projects.

The meeting continued with updates on DDA activities. The beautification committee reported on flower baskets and holiday decorations. Events like National Night Out and P Fest were highlighted. Economic development updates included riverfront redevelopment efforts, facade improvement grants, and state grant applications. The focus remains on growing the DDA's role and impact.
Discussion on Future Strategic Goals and Projects (00:09:11)
A discussion was held on identifying new strategic goals and projects for the DDA.

A discussion was held regarding the strategic goals and future projects of the DDA. With less focus on the riverfront redevelopment, new potential projects were considered, including redevelopment sites and improvement projects. Members were encouraged to think about impactful projects that could stimulate growth and development.
Committee Structure and Meeting Format Discussion (00:10:55)
Consideration of changing the committee structure and meeting format to improve efficiency.

The board discussed possibly changing the committee structure and meeting format to make meetings more efficient and involve all members in discussions about projects. The idea was to integrate committee discussions into regular meetings to streamline efforts and make better use of board members' time.
Committee Involvement and Agenda Structure (00:37:05)
Discussion on increasing committee involvement and structuring agendas for effective meetings.

The board discussed the importance of having committee members more involved in meetings and ensuring that agenda topics are well-defined. Suggestions were made to have committee members do more legwork to present content during meetings, which could then be included in the meeting packets. This would help ensure that all members are informed and can handle business efficiently during meetings.
RFP Contract and Performance Evaluation (00:38:18)
Focus on signing an RFP contract and evaluating contractor performance over multi-year programs.

The board discussed the need to finalize an RFP contract and considered whether to implement performance evaluations for contractors. They talked about conducting meetings to gather feedback on what worked well and what did not, often referred to as 'roses and thorns' sessions, to improve future contracts and avoid recurring issues.
Homeless Committee and DDA Collaboration (00:41:00)
Initial meeting of the Homeless Committee and potential collaboration with the DDA to share insights.

The Homeless Committee held its first meeting privately and plans for the second meeting to be in session. The board discussed how the DDA could gather insights to present to the committee, sharing experiences and helping the committee get up to speed with the current issues they are facing.
Beautification Project and Consultant Involvement (00:43:00)
Discussion on the beautification project and the role of consultants in managing and improving it.

The board discussed the ongoing beautification project, highlighting the need for better coordination among designers, contractors, and consultants. They emphasized the importance of having a consultant oversee the project to ensure that all elements, such as flower placement and maintenance, are effectively managed.
Financial Sustainability and TIF Growth (00:48:00)
Concerns about financial sustainability and strategies to increase TIF revenue for future projects.

The board expressed concerns about the current financial sustainability, noting that reliance solely on TIF revenue without additional funding sources is not viable long-term. They discussed potential strategies to increase TIF revenue, including expanding business size and exploring grants.
Strategic Planning and Project Prioritization (01:00:00)
Strategic planning session to prioritize projects that can increase revenue and community support.

The board began strategic planning discussions, aiming to prioritize projects that have the potential to increase TIF revenue and community support. They plan to evaluate and rank potential projects, seeking community feedback and focusing on initiatives with significant financial and community impact.
Events and Community Involvement (01:05:00)
Overview of planned community events and the board's involvement, including Memorial Day and Fall Fest.

The board discussed their involvement in upcoming community events such as Memorial Day and Fall Fest. They considered ideas like the Paddle and Pour event and incorporating a flea market or garage sale into Fall Fest to increase community engagement.
Discussion on Liability Coverage for Events (01:06:20)
Discussion about the requirement for liability coverage at events like the farmer's market.

Members discussed the issue of liability coverage being required for events such as the farmer's market. It was mentioned that Parks and Recreation requires it and the need to discuss this further when planning for future events like the Fall Fest.
Election of Officers (01:06:49)
Election of officers for positions of chair, vice chair, and secretary was conducted.

The board discussed the election of officers, with Sandra, Jeffrey, and Evan currently holding the positions of chair, vice-chair, and secretary respectively. Members were open to others stepping up for these roles but agreed to maintain the current officers. A motion was made and passed to keep the positions as they are.
Michigan Downtown Association Spring Workshop (01:08:56)
Discussion on attending the Michigan Downtown Association Spring Workshop in East Lansing.

The board discussed the Michigan Downtown Association Spring Workshop, with a proposal for Steve to attend on behalf of the DDA. The workshop is a one-day event, with the first day involving legislative meetings. A motion was made and passed to send Steve to the workshop.
Community Events and Involvement (01:16:00)
Discussion on promoting community involvement through events like fishing tournaments and parades.

The board discussed various community events to promote involvement, such as fishing tournaments and parades. Matt from Mainstream wants to organize fishing tournaments, and there was a suggestion to incorporate school bands and other activities to enhance community engagement.
Downtown Development and Support (01:19:34)
Discussion on downtown development projects and support for local businesses and initiatives.

Tim discussed their foundation's efforts to support downtown development, including building a canoe launch and encouraging investments in the area. The board expressed support for these initiatives and discussed ways to collaborate for downtown improvements.
Marketing and Community Engagement Strategies (01:24:02)
Discussion on strategies for marketing the DDA and engaging the community.

The board brainstormed strategies for marketing the DDA and engaging the community, such as using QR codes at events, holding town hall meetings, and increasing name recognition. The importance of creating events that resonate with the community to garner support was emphasized.
Adjournment (01:31:02)
The meeting was adjourned following a motion and vote.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, which was seconded and passed. Members expressed enthusiasm for the discussions and looked forward to implementing the strategies discussed.