DDA
Regular MeetingRoyal Oak, MI · February 25, 2026
Minutes
Minutes
Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority Meeting
February 25, 2026, 4:00 p.m.
City Hall Commission Chambers Room 121
203 South Troy Street
Royal Oak, MI 48067
Present: Anthony Yezbick
Jay Dunstan
Kyle DuBuc
Mark Vanneste
Michael Sophiea
Salvatore LoGrasso
Adrian Walker
Nic Grochowski
Jen Brown
Absent: Michael Keith
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Michael Sophiea at 4:03pm.
2. Public Comment
Public comment opened at 4:03pm. 4 members of the public spoke. Public
comment closed at 4:16pm.
3. Approval of Minutes
Moved by: Jay Dunstan
Seconded by: Adrian Walker
Motion to approve the minutes.
Motion Adopted
4. Expense Items
5. Business
5.a Trailhead Reimbursement Agreement
1
Moved by: Kyle DuBuc
Seconded by: Mark Vanneste
BE IT RESOLVED, the DDA authorizes the Executive Director to
reimburse Trailhead RO LLC pursuant to the terms of the agreement for
$380,104.08 for the current fiscal year.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the DDA authorizes the Executive Director
to seek a budget amendment and reimburse Trailhead RO LLC pursuant
to the terms of the agreement for unreimbursed items in prior fiscal years
of $87,971.
Motion Adopted
5.b Hazelton Reimbursement Agreement
Moved by: Kyle DuBuc
Seconded by: Adrian Walker
BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority,
DDA after reviewing the submitted materials hereby determines that the
provisions of the reimbursement agreement have been met and approves
the request from The Hazelton, LLC, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the DDA authorizes the Executive Director
to begin reimbursing The Hazelton LLC pursuant to the terms of the
agreement.
Motion Adopted
5.c Maintenance and Landscaping Contract
Moved by: Jay Dunstan
Seconded by: Kyle DuBuc
Call for vote on the amendment
BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority
requests the Executive Director to enter into a contract with Worry Free for
a three-year extension of their Maintenance and Landscaping Services in
downtown Royal Oak.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development
Authority requests the Executive Director to negotiate with Worry Free to
manage hours and limit the year-over year price increase -- not to exceed
$600,000 in year one.
Motion Adopted
2
Amendment:
Moved by: Jay Dunstan
Seconded by: Kyle DuBuc
Motion to amend the original motion for years 2 and 3 with a not to exceed
for year 2 at $647,000 and year 3 at $676,000.
Motion Failed
5.d Social Media Contract
Moved by: Mark Vanneste
Seconded by: Jen Brown
BE IT RESOLVED, that a select committee is recommended to interview
the top three social media contractors who have completed the RFP
process.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, to collaborate with the City Attorney’s
Office to draft a contract that can be reviewed by the board and executed
at a later date.
Motion Adopted
5.e FY 2026-27 Budget Discussion
The full board to meet for a budget session, potentially on a Saturday as
board members are available, so members can better understand current
funds. DDA Executive Director Isaac Kremer will poll board members to
get this scheduled.
6. Reports
6.a Available Downtown Properties Report
6.b DDA Executive Director Report
7. Adjournment
Moved by: Anthony Yezbick
Seconded by: Salvatore LoGrasso
Motion to adjourn.
Motion Adopted
3
Agenda
Revised Agenda
Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority
Meeting
Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 4:00 p.m.
City Hall Commission Chambers Room 121
203 South Troy Street
Royal Oak, MI 48067
Anyone planning to attend the meeting who has need of special assistance under the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) is asked to contact the city clerk’s office at 248-246-3050 at least two (2)
business days prior to the meeting.
1. Call to Order
2. Public Comment
3. Approval of Minutes
4. Expense Items
5. Business
a. Trailhead Reimbursement Agreement
Trailhead RO, LLC has submitted a request for reimbursement pursuant to the
Reimbursement Agreement. Based upon this information it appears Trailhead RO
LLC should receive a reimbursement of $380,104.08. Additionally, a refund of
overpayment in the amount of $87,971 should be paid, requiring a budget
amendment.
b. Hazelton Reimbursement Agreement
The Hazelton, LLC has submitted a request for reimbursement pursuant to the
Reimbursement Agreement. Based upon this information it appears The Hazelton,
LLC should receive a reimbursement of $116,655.66.
c. Maintenance and Landscaping Contract
Landscaping and cleanliness of the downtown have consistently been kept at high
standards. Worry Free provided the lowest cost bid on an hourly basis and knows
precisely what is required to maintain and build upon the current level of service
without needing additional guidance from city staff. For that reason and more we
recommend continuing our relationship with Worry Free for an amount to not exceed
$600,000.
d. Social Media Contract
At the December 2025 meeting of the DDA Marketing & Business Development
Committee a request was made of staff to put together an RFP for social media
management. Responses to the RFP were reviewed at the Marketing and Business
Development Committee meeting on February 2. The result was to bring forward a
proposal from Amy Gillespie for the Board to review, not to exceed $89,700 in year 1.
e. FY 2026-27 Budget Discussion
The Downtown Development Authority budget contains items that are fixed which we
have no influence over setting the levels and those that are discretionary where the
Board decides how these funds are spent. Details from prior fiscal years and
proposed revenue and expenses for the current fiscal year are summarized and
brought forward for purposes of discussion.
6. Reports
a. Available Downtown Properties Report
Deputy Director Julia Kalugar has been documenting all available space in Downtown
Royal Oak. The report documenting 54 available properties follows. As an ongoing
business process the DDA will update and present this report at monthly Board
meetings.
b. DDA Executive Director Report
7. Adjournment
Page 2 of 2
Get email alerts for Royal Oak
A daily email when new agendas and minutes are posted.