Walker Downtown Development Authority

City of Walker Walker Downtown Development Authority Agenda City Commission Chambers 4243 Remembrance Road NW Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 7:30 AM 1. Call Meeting to Order - Record Attendance 2. Approval of Minutes a) April 18, 2023 3. Streetlighting Project Update 4. Cummings Park & Ride a) Presentation by The Rapid 5. Consider Appointment of DDA Business Relations Manager 6. Planning Updates 7. Other Business/Updates 8. Next Meeting Date and Time - June 20, 2023 at 7:30 AM 9. Adjournment If you have any questions or are unable to attend a meeting, please contact Jessica Marion at 616.791.6878 Page 1 of 6  City of Walker Walker Downtown Development Authority Tuesday, April 18, 2023 7:30 AM - City Commission Chambers 4243 Remembrance Road NW 1. Call Meeting to Order - Record Attendance The meeting was called to order by Chair D. Brinza at 7:30 am. All members were present: D. Brinza, G. Carey, P. Goodale, L. McNees, D. Schmalzel, S. Zokoe, C. Ludwick, J. DeGroot, R. Smith and T. Hiller. Also present: City Engineer Scott Conners, Communications Manager Nicole DiDonato, DPW Director Gary Postema, Planning Director Paula Priebe and Assistant City Manager Frank Wash. 2. Approval of Minutes Following review by members, the DDA meeting minutes from March 21, 2023 were approved on a motion by D. Schmalzel, with support by L. McNees. Motion carried. 3. Streetlighting Project Update Scott Conners stated they were hoping to hold a presentation today, however due to illness the presentation has been pushed to the next DDA meeting. S. Conners stated that he will work to put a meeting together of the Streetlighting Project Subcommittee so that they do not lose anymore time. He also provided the following updates: • Last month the company was able to find an innovative solution to save the shallow light bases. They will leave the bases where they are and dig around the base to place a "collar" around it. This will be an easy and effective solution. The collars will be placed on about 70% of the existing light poles. • The projected cost of the project was estimated previously at about $6 million, however the company believes they can complete the project for under $3 million. • The company is looking at a variety of different light styles that will match the same idea and theme the DDA picked out during the streetlight study. • Concrete poles are no longer being considered as the current bases are savable and the concrete poles are not esthetically pleasing. • They anticipate starting this project this fall. If the bases are in before winter hits they will be able to do the above ground work through winter. 4. DDA Staff Position Update D. Schmalzel stated that the changes discussed for the job description during the last meeting have been made. He worked with Shannon Bales, the HR Director to develop the salary range based on comparable duties and responsibilities. The subcommittee will meet to talk with interested candidates. There was discussion held. 5. Planning Updates • Paula Priebe stated they are in the early stages of planning for a Caribou Coffee in front of Meijer. They will go to the Planning Commission in the fall with construction anticipated next year. F. Wash stated that if they are approved at Page 2 of 6  the PC then the City will pick up the other half of the Ferndale Right-of-Way as it is part of the Meijer CPUD. He advised that the city will ask that this be a condition of any PC approval. • S. Conners stated that after MDOT's updated traffic signal study they are hoping to add an additional traffic signal at Vista-45 either in front of Lasalle Avenue or the Goodwill location. There was discussion held. 6. Other Business/Updates • D. Brinza stated that the next project discussed for the DDA was development of the property behind the fire station and a connection to Community Park. There was discussion held. G. Carey requested a rough drawing of what a potential path connection could look like being sensitive to something wider than a sidewalk path. • T. Hiller requested to have the DDA discuss the priority list at the next months meeting. • R. Smith thanked the DDA and City staff for the added parking by Shot's. He inquired if it would be possible for a pedestrian access across the street, in the middle of the west side of the fencing. There was discussion. • D. Schmalzel stated he is working on the budget, adjusting numbers to include the Streetlighting project and new DDA staff member. A draft of the budget will be provided at the next DDA meeting. • Nicole DiDonato stated that the following bands have been scheduled for the Summer Concert Series: Brena for June 8th, Greenbridge Band for July 13th and Kari Holmes for August 10th. 7. Next Meeting Date and Time - The next Walker Downtown Development Authority meeting is scheduled for May 16, 2023 at 7:30 AM 8. Adjournment - A motion was made by G. Carey, with support by J. DeGroot to adjourn at 8:01 AM. Motion carried. If you have any questions or are unable to attend a meeting, please contact Jessica Marion at 616.791.6878 Page 3 of 6  DAYTIME THE SCHUMAKER COMPLEX Page 4 of 6  NIGHTTIME THE SCHUMAKER COMPLEX Page 5 of 6  SIGNAGE THE SCHUMAKER COMPLEX Page 6 of 6