Comstock Township - August 26, 2026 Downtown Development Authority Meeting

Updated 2 days ago

The Board considers a proposal for financial support for parking lot repairs at a local business owned by Tim Kearney. The board debates the challenges of funding such projects and the importance of supporting local businesses to enhance the downtown area. They also address the need for budget amendments due to the recent purchase of a weather siren. The meeting highlights the board's commitment to revitalizing the downtown area and supporting local businesses through potential grants and partnerships.

Chapters

Call to Order (00:02:27)
The meeting was officially started with a call to order.

The downtown development authority board meeting was called to order.
Pledge of Allegiance (00:02:44)
Participants stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

The attendees stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
Roll Call (00:03:11)
Roll call was conducted to confirm attendance.

Roll call was taken. Members present: Jeffrey Townsend, Keith Wilcher, Ben Martin, William Knight, Larry Rabbitt, Matt Elliot, John Scholly. John Gisler was absent but notified he would be attending a board meeting out of town.
Approval of the Agenda (00:03:48)
The agenda for the meeting was reviewed and approved.

The agenda was reviewed for any adjustments. A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda as written. The motion was carried with all in favor.
Approval of Minutes (00:04:23)
The minutes from the previous meeting were approved.

A motion was made to approve the minutes as written. The motion was seconded, and all members voted in favor, with none opposed.
Public Comment (00:04:40)
Member of the public discussed DDA responsibilities and funding opportunities.

A member of the public spoke about the importance of a cash revolving account for the DDA and how funds should be managed. He presented a letter of support and requested the DDA's participation in repaving a parking lot, offering to discuss further involvement.
Discussion on Business Cards (00:10:21)
The board discussed the purchase of business cards for chair and vice-chair members.

The necessity of business cards for the chair and vice-chair was debated, with considerations for current financial constraints. It was agreed to obtain quotes before proceeding with any purchase.
DDA Member T-Shirt Order Discussion (00:17:38)
The board discussed ordering DDA member shirts and the associated costs.

The board considered the purchase of shirts for members to wear at events. It was generally agreed that members could purchase their own shirts to save on DDA expenditures, but quotes would be obtained for consideration.
Fall Fest Planning (00:24:22)
Plans for the Fall Fest were discussed, including vendor arrangements and entertainment.

The DDA's role in coordinating greenhouse vendors, refreshments, food vendors, and live music for Fall Fest was reviewed. Members provided updates on vendor bookings and discussed the need for refreshments like ice cream and water.
Budget Allocation for Fall Festival (00:34:23)
Discussion on budgeting $1,000 for the fall festival to cover costs such as drinks, refreshments, and unexpected expenses like stickers.

A detailed discussion took place regarding the budget for the fall festival organized by the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). The members discussed the allocation of $1,000 to cover various expenses associated with the festival. This includes additional costs like stickers for signs and refreshments. The motion was made and carried to allocate this budget, with emphasis on allowing some padding for unforeseen expenditures.
Participation in Michigan Downtown Association Conference (00:37:15)
Decision on sending four board members to the MDA conference with a focus on networking and learning opportunities, including a walking tour.

The board discussed the upcoming Michigan Downtown Association (MDA) annual conference, debating the necessity and benefits of attending. It was decided that four members, including the chair, vice chair, and other key members, would attend the two-day conference. The decision included participation in the walking tour and networking opportunities, emphasizing the value of learning and establishing connections to aid in future development projects. A roll call vote was conducted to finalize this decision.
Parking Lot Repairs at Tim Kearney's Building (00:46:58)
Discussion on providing financial support for parking lot repairs at a local business, with board members recusing themselves due to conflicts of interest.

The meeting addressed the request for financial support for parking lot repairs at Tim Kearney's building. This item involved a complex discussion, including members recusing themselves due to potential conflicts of interest. The discussion highlighted the importance of supporting local businesses to improve infrastructure and drive economic growth. Various financing options and the potential impact on the budget were considered, with emphasis placed on the strategic importance of the location for community development.
Parking and Launching Plans for Kayak Businesses (01:04:12)
Discussion on parking logistics for kayakers and launch planning.

The board discussed the parking logistics for kayakers using the local area. There is a concern about where kayakers will park, as the parking lot is limited. The plan is to have kayakers park at a designated drop-off point rather than in the main parking lot. The pickup point is proposed to be near the Growler's stadium, and discussions with other entities are ongoing to facilitate this.
Parking Lot Capacity and Improvement Needs (01:05:03)
Board member discusses increased parking needs due to business success.

A board member mentioned the unexpected success of a local business, Nifty Thrifty, which has led to full parking lots. There is a need to reserve parking for handicapped access and possibly improve parking facilities in the back. The member requests assistance for a project estimated to cost close to $100,000 and mentions the need for an EGLE permit.
Discussion on DDA Funding and Business Support (01:06:09)
Debate on DDA's role in funding private businesses and tax implications.

The board had a lengthy discussion on whether the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) should fund private business projects. Concerns were raised about increased taxes and whether such initiatives would open the door for other businesses to request similar support. There is a debate over the DDA's ability to offer loans, grants, or other financial support and the potential implications for the tax base.
Strategic Planning for DDA and Business Development (01:23:25)
Suggestions for DDA's strategic approach to support businesses and enhance community value.

A suggestion was made to use DDA resources strategically to support local businesses and improve community value through grants and matching programs. The board discussed the idea of facilitating loans or grants to increase business value and promote community development. The discussion included potential partnerships with existing institutions for grant writing and funding opportunities.
Proposal to Table Discussion on Business Support (01:29:11)
The board decides to table the discussion on business support to the next meeting.

The board decided to table the ongoing discussion about business support and funding to the next meeting. Members acknowledged the need for more research and understanding of the DDA's strategic plan and legal boundaries. There is a call for board members to review the DDA master plan and prepare for the next meeting.
Budget Amendment Discussion (01:32:30)
The board discussed a budget amendment related to the development authority fund and capital expenditures for a public warning siren tower.

During this agenda item, the board reviewed a budget amendment proposal. The amendment involves increasing the development authority fund's budget to cover capital expenditures. The discussion focused on the public warning siren tower project, which had been previously voted on. The amendment ensures the budget accurately reflects the expenditure for the tower, with a roll call vote conducted to finalize the decision.
Roll Call Vote on Budget Amendment (01:33:32)
A roll call vote was conducted to approve the budget amendment for the public warning siren tower funding.

The board conducted a roll call vote to approve the budget amendment related to the public warning siren tower. Members of the board voted in favor.
Public Comments (01:34:10)
The floor was opened for public comments, but no comments were made during the allocated time.

The chair opened the floor for public comments, allowing members of the public to speak for approximately half a minute. However, there were no public comments made during this time.
Discussion on Grant Opportunities (01:34:17)
Board members discussed the need to explore grant opportunities and understand the legal and financial constraints involved.

Board members engaged in a discussion about the importance of exploring grant opportunities to support community projects. The conversation highlighted the need to understand both legal and financial constraints when considering grant applications. Mr. Rabbitt emphasized the need to know what the board can and cannot do, and the discussion included ideas on how to assist individuals and organizations seeking support.
Motion to Adjourn (01:35:11)
The meeting was adjourned following a motion and a unanimous vote by board members.

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made and seconded. The motion was carried with all present board members voting in favor. The meeting was formally adjourned with appreciation expressed for the participants' time and contributions.