DDA

Minutes Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority Meeting May 20, 2026, 4:00 p.m. City Hall Commission Chambers Room 121 203 South Troy Street Royal Oak, MI 48067 Present: Jen Brown Kyle DuBuc Jay Dunstan Salvatore LoGrasso Michael Sophiea Mark Vanneste Chris Vlachos Anthony Yezbick Katheryn Stoia Thomas Markus Absent: Adrian Walker _____________________________________________________________________ 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. 5 members of the public spoke. Public comment closed at 4:17pm. 3. Approval of Minutes Moved by: Kyle DuBuc Seconded by: Jen Brown Motion to approve the minutes. Abstained: Thomas Markus - City Manager Motion Adopted 1 4. Expense Items 5. Business 5.a Center Street Parking Structure Moved by: Kyle DuBuc Seconded by: Jay Dunstan BE IT RESOLVED that the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority hereby authorizes the expenditure of up to $600,000 from reserve funds for the demolition of the existing portion of the Center Street Parking Structure; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this authorization is contingent upon the execution of a formal agreement with the City of Royal Oak establishing the Authority as a partner in the redevelopment process on terms mutually agreed upon by both parties. Motion Adopted Amendment: Moved by: Kyle DuBuc Seconded by: Jay Dunstan The amendment to the motion is: This authorization is based upon the execution of a Letter of Understanding, motion, or other mutual agreement by the Royal Oak City Commission establishing the Authority as a partner in the redevelopment process on terms mutually agreed upon by both parties. Motion Adopted Moved by: Kyle DuBuc Seconded by: Jay Dunstan BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority requests the Executive Director to explore renewing the lease with the City Commission for the retail incubator space in the Center Street Parking Structure. Motion Adopted 5.b Walk Your Wheels Replacement Signage Moved by: Kyle DuBuc Seconded by: Jay Dunstan BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority requests the Executive Director to coordinate with City Engineer Holly 2  Donoghue, the Royal Oak Police Department and the Department of Public Service on improvements to signs that make them more user friendly and in the pedestrian pathway, rather than mounted on to light posts at present. Motion Adopted 5.c Main Street Now Conference Resolution Number: Moved: Thomas Markus Seconded by: Jen Brown BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority requests the Executive Director to keep a list of people interested in attending the Main Street Now conference to be held in Detroit from May 3-5, 2027. BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority requests the Executive Director to follow the new Travel and Training Policy to recommend people to send to the Main Street Now conference in Detroit. BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority requests the Executive Director to keep track of Early Bird Registration deadline, and to maximize all financial support received from Main Street Oakland County and Main Street America for people to attend the conference, not limited to coverage of the Early Bird registration for two people; reduced Civic Leaders rate, Speaker rate, and Student rate; along with travel scholarships; and any other incentives that may become available. Motion Adopted 5.d DDA Travel and Training Policy Moved by: Anthony Yezbick Seconded by: Salvatore LoGrasso BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority approves the DDA Travel and Training Policy as presented. Motion Adopted 5.e Upcoming Training Opportunities Moved by: Thomas Markus Seconded by: Salvatore LoGrasso 3  BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority requests the Executive Director to approve Julia Kalugar to attend the virtual webinar Supporting Small Businesses on Main Street on May 14, 21, and 28, for an amount with registration not to exceed $250. BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority requests the Executive Director to approve Julia Kalugar and Isaac Kremer to attend the Main Event Awards Ceremony in Rochester on June 11, 2026 for an amount with registration and travel not to exceed $200. BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority requests the Executive Director to approve Lori London to attend the Whizbang Retail Success Summit from June 16-17, 2026, for an amount with registration and travel not to exceed $1,200. BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority requests the Executive Director to approve Julia Kalugar to attend International Placemaking Week in Detroit from June 24-26, 2026 for an amount not to exceed $800 with registration and travel. Motion Adopted 5.f Rink at Royal Oak 2026-27 Moved by: Kyle DuBuc Seconded by: Jay Dunstan BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority hereby approves the DDA Executive Director to enter in an agreement for up to $150,000 in support of The Rink at Royal Oak. Motion Adopted 5.g Holidays in Royal Oak 2026-27 Moved by: Kyle DuBuc Seconded by: Jen Brown BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority hereby approves the DDA Executive Director to enter in an agreement for up to $142,500 in support of Holidays in Royal Oak for 2026-27. Motion Adopted 5.h Retention Fund Recommendations Moved by: Kyle DuBuc Seconded by: Jen Brown 4  BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority hereby approves funding five requests that staff and committee recommend, not to exceed $48,250. Abstained: Katheryn Stoia Motion Adopted 5.i Memorial Day Breakfast at Farmers Market Moved by: Salvatore LoGrasso Seconded by: Chris Vlachos BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority hereby approves the DDA Executive Director to pay for the facility rental fee at the Royal Oak Farmers Market for the 2026 Memorial Day Breakfast. BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority hereby approves the DDA Executive Director to distribute 250 Downtown Dollars gift cards via QR code on site with a card value of $20 each. Motion Adopted 5.j Wayfinding Signage Update 5.k Facade Improvement Fund Final Payment - 319 S Washington, 510- 512 S Washington Moved by: Jay Dunstan Seconded by: Anthony Yezbick BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority hereby approves the DDA Executive Director to issue Sirrom Ventures final payment for the façade improvement project at 319 S Washington, in an amount not to exceed $9,082.20. BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority hereby approves the DDA Executive Director to issue Bill Harrison final payment for the façade improvement project at 510 – 512 S Washington, in an amount not to exceed $8,739. Motion Adopted 6. Reports 6.a Available Properties in Downtown Royal Oak 6.b Social Media Analytics - Atomic Honey - April 2026 6.c Executive Director Report 5 7. Adjournment Moved by: Anthony Yezbick Seconded by: Salvatore LoGrasso Motion to adjourn. Motion Adopted 6