DDA

Minutes Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority Meeting April 29, 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 Adrian Walker Nic Grochowski Jen Brown Chris Vlachos Absent: Salvatore LoGrasso _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Michael Sophiea at 4:01 pm. 2. Public Comment Public comment opened at 4:01 pm. 1 members of the public spoke. Public comment closed at 4:03 pm. 3. Approval of Minutes Moved by: Nic Grochowski Seconded by: Adrian Walker Motion to approve the minutes. Motion Adopted 4. Expense Items 5. Business 5.a Holiday Lighting 2026 1  Moved by: Adrian Walker Seconded by: Jen Brown BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority requests the Executive Director to enter into a contract with English Gardens to provide holiday lighting in 2026-27 for an amount not to exceed $387,799.47. Motion Adopted Moved by: Jay Dunstan Seconded by: Jen Brown BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority requests the Executive Director to coordinate with the Royal Oak Farmers Market on tree lighting of the roundabout tree to coordinate with their Holiday Magic program. Motion Adopted 5.b Tree Well Replacement Moved by: Kyle DuBuc Seconded by: Jay Dunstan BE IT RESOLVED, that the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority hereby authorizes the DDA Executive Director to procure materials for the pilot tree well installation in an amount not to exceed $50,000, and to contract for labor in an amount not to exceed $60,000, for a total project cost not to exceed $110,000. Motion Adopted 5.c DDA Intern Moved by: Kyle DuBuc Seconded by: Jay Dunstan BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority hereby approves the DDA Executive Director to extend an offer to Sarah Kohler for a summer internship for 11 weeks not to exceed $5,940. Motion Adopted 5.d City Institute Tour Moved by: Anthony Yezbick Seconded by: Jen Brown 2  BE IT RESOLVED, that the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority hereby authorizes Executive Director Isaac Kremer to enter into an agreement with City Institute to implement a Downtown Royal Oak Small Business Tour Series, in an amount not to exceed $6,200, inclusive of optional program enhancements. Motion Adopted 5.e 2026 Dinner Stroll Moved by: Kyle DuBuc Seconded by: Adrian Walker BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority hereby approves the DDA Executive Director to support the Dinner Stroll in 2026 for an amount up to $15,000. BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority hereby approves the DDA Executive Director to support the marketing for the Dinner Stroll in 2026 for an amount up to $7,500, after more details about the marketing tactics are provided to justify this spend. Motion Adopted 5.f Arts Beats & Eats 2026-2028 Agreement Moved by: Anthony Yezbick Seconded by: Jay Dunstan BE IT RESOLVED, that the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority hereby approves funding for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 in the annual amount of $162,500, with an additional $27,500 allocated in each of those years specifically for restaurant support, for a total annual amount of $190,000 for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that beginning in fiscal year 2028 through fiscal year 2030, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority approves funding in the annual amount of $175,000, with the intention of revisiting restaurant support funding prior to 2028. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the DDA authorizes the Executive Director to enter into a contract to support Arts, Beats and Eats consistent with the funding levels outlined above. Motion Adopted 5.g 505 S. Lafayette (Lafayette & Fifth Street) 3  Moved by: Jay Dunstan Seconded by: Kyle DuBuc BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority approves the resolution forgoing tax increment revenue capture on parcel number 72-25-21-277-001 for a period of 30 years. BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority asks for the Executive Director to coordinate improvements with the Akouri Development Group related to the Fifth Street Pedestrian Plaza, Phase 2, for the section between Washington Ave and Lafayette Ave. Director Walker abstained from the vote. Motion Adopted 5.h Fifth Street Pedestrian Improvement Project Moved by: Kyle DuBuc Seconded by: Jay Dunstan BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority requests the Executive Director to execute Contract Modification 1 and 2. Motion Adopted 5.i Centennial Commons Maintenance Moved by: Anthony Yezbick Seconded by: Adrian Walker BE IT RESOLVED, the Downtown Development Authority authorizes the Executive Director to enter into a contract with Venus Bronze Works, Inc., for annual maintenance of the “Star Dream” fountain for an amount not to exceed $12,000. Motion Adopted 5.j Recruitment and Retention Program - UPDATED Moved by: Anthony Yezbick Seconded by: Adrian Walker BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority hereby approves the DDA Executive Director with Chair to form a subcommittee to make recommendation to board on funding requests to not exceed $92,750. 4  Motion Adopted 6. Reports 6.a Available Properties 6.b DDA Executive Director Report 7. Adjournment Moved by: Anthony Yezbick Seconded by: Chris Vlachos Motion to adjourn. Motion Adopted 5