Walker Downtown Development Authority

City of Walker Walker Downtown Development Authority Agenda Fire Station #2 - Upper Level 4101 Lake Michigan Drive NW Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 7:30 AM 1. Call Meeting to Order - Record Attendance 2. Approval of Minutes a) November 18, 2025 3. Rowe Virtual Presentation - Central Standale Subarea Plan 4. 2026 Streetscape Special Assessment Recommendation a) DDA Streetscape Special Assessment Billing for 2026 Memo 5. Finance Report / Budget Report a) Finance Report / Budget Report Attachment 6. Planning Updates 7. Business Relations Manager Updates 8. Other Business/Updates 9. Next Meeting Date and Time - Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 7:30 AM 10. Adjournment If you have any questions or are unable to attend a meeting, please contact Jessica Marion at 616.791.6878 Page 1 of 13  City of Walker Walker Downtown Development Authority Tuesday, November 18, 2025 7:30 AM - Fire Station #2 - Upper Level 4101 Lake Michigan Drive NW 1. Call Meeting to Order - Record Attendance The meeting was called to order by Chair Brinza at 7:30 am. Members present: D. Brinza, D. Schmalzel, R. Smith, D. Prato, C. Ludwick, and T. Sipka. Members are absent: T. Hiller, M. Grooters, A. Van Ess, J. DeGroot, and J. Banfil. Staff present: Communications Manager/DDA Business Relations Manager Nicole DiDonato, Planning Director Paula Priebe, and City Engineer Scott Conners. Guests present: Brandon Simon, Professional Engineer with Progressive and Sharlene Shineldecker Chief Operations Officer for Cherette Group. 2. Approval of Minutes Motion by R. Smith, supported by D. Prato to approve the minutes of the September 16, 2025, DDA meeting. Motion carried. Motion by R. Smith, supported by C. Ludwick to approve the minutes of the October 29, 2025, Special DDA meeting. Motion carried. 3. Standale Subarea Update Upon D. Brinza request, City Planning Director Paula Priebe provided an overview of the Central Standale Subarea Plan for DDA member Tiffany Sipka. P. Priebe explained that Rowe Professional Services, a professional consulting firm, was hired to help with the vision of the project which aims to enhance the community space in the central part of Standale. The project area is located behind Fire Station #2 on Lake Michigan Drive NW, extending from Kinney to Cummings Ave, and north to Walker Community Park. A DDA subcommittee was established earlier in the year to address specific tasks and present recommendations at the DDA monthly meetings. Rowe is currently halfway through the project, providing renderings, public feedback, and an action plan. There was discussion by members to revisit the Master Plan next year. Members reported a successful open house was held on October 29th at the Fire Station #2, but there was concern regarding the absence of GVSU representatives, highlighting a need for collaboration. There was also discussion regarding the need for collaboration with the city. D. Schmalzel reminded members that the Community Park is not part of the DDA, however there is potential for the DDA to seek City Commission approval for improvements that support the project. 4. Vista 45 Lighting and Landscape Discussion S. Conners introduced Brandon Simon, Professional Engineer with Progressive and Sharlene Shineldecker Chief Operations Officer for Cherette Group and started the discussion with two items for the DDA to consider: Page 2 of 13  1. Will Vista 45 use the same lights as the DDA 2. Should the DDA take over the maintenance of the proposed section of Vista 45? City staff recommended that the DDA to confirm with the Department of Public Works (DPW) and Everett's Landscaping, the DDA's current landscape maintenance contractor, their willingness and ability to provide maintenance services for the proposed section of Vista 45. There was discussion on whether the proposed lighting would face the road or the pedestrian pathways, the height of the poles currently proposed are at 20 feet, as well as the center islands and traffic circles will be fully concrete for low maintenance with no grass. Street tress will be planted every 40 to 50 feet alongside planting beds featuring grass and low maintenance perennials. D.Schmalzel explained the process for establishing a special assessment district, presenting two options: amending the existing district or creating a new special assessment district specifically for this project to simplify assessment calculations. He emphasized that while the process for establishing a new district would be lengthy, it would be feasible to execute and the best course of action. He stated that establishing a new district involves multiple steps, including approving resolutions from the DDA and the City Commission, holding a public hearing, and cost calculations for maintenance. Motion by D. Schmalzel, supported by D. Prato that assuming all conditions are satisfied, the DDA would consider establishing a special assessment district for the maintenance of the portion of Vista 45 currently being proposed. Motion carried. 5. Business Relations Manager Updates N. DiDonato stated that they have hired AAA Lawncare for the holiday streetlighting on Lake Michigan Drive from Kinney to Cummings. She also provided members with a report of activity tracked within the Standale area for the month of October using the Placer AI system. She reviewed the month's collected data, analyzing the trends and their correlation with specific events. 6. Planning Updates P. Priebe mentioned that the rezoning for 3791 Lake Michigan Drive was finalized and that Popeye's plans to submit in December for the Planning Commission to review their plans at a January meeting. 7. Other Business/Updates - None 8. Next Meeting Date and Time Following discussion among members, the next meeting originally scheduled for December 16, 2025 has been rescheduled to Tuesday, January 20, 2026. 9. Adjournment - Motion by D. Prato, supported by R. Smith, to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 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 13 Page 4 of 13  October 2025: Walker Placer AI Civic Report Standale DDA Visitor Highlights • Standale DDA had 592,930 visits in October 2025, making it one of the most actively visited locations in the City • The area experienced a MoM growth of 5.3% compared to September 2025. • YoY , Standale experienced a 1.4% increase in visits, representing modest but steady long-term growth. • The three-year trend is slightly negative at -2.6%. Possible Reason Behind Numbers? • GVSU home football games in October drew significant crowds for rivalries and special events like Family Day and Kids Day • In general, GVSU football game attendance is up, with Family Day posting attendance above 15,000 and regular games consistently above 12,000 spectators, which could have helped drive increased local business traffic Other Important Numbers for October 2025: • Out-of-Market Visitors: 242.1K (+2.1% YOY) • Out-of-Market Visits: 592.4K (+1.3% YOY) • Highest Daytime Total: Sat, Oct 4: 30K • Highest daytime total in 2025 = Thurs Aug 21: 35K (GVSU move in week) • Average Daytime Totals: 19k Page 5 of 13  Top Places Visited by Out-of-Market Visitors Top Non-Chain Visits by Out-of-Market Visitors Page 6 of 13 Page 7 of 13  CITY OF WALKER DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE &TREASURY MEMORANDUM Date: January 13, 2026 TO: Walker Downtown Redevelopment Management Board (DDA Board) From: Dan DeVries, Walker Finance Director/Treasurer RE: DDA Streetscape Special Assessment Billing for 2026 The DDA Streetscape Special Assessment Maintenance District (SAD) was established in 2022 by Walker City Commission Resolution 22-649. The purpose of the SAD is to pay for “the ongoing maintenance, promotion, security, and continuing operation of the redevelopment projects within the Principal Shopping District, including lighting, irrigation, sidewalk, snow removal, decorations, and exterior ground care, including but not limited to mowing, fertilizing, weed and pest control, edging, plant maintenance and annual plantings”. The costs for these items are “assessed against the property owners in the special assessment district on a front footage basis”. The entire district contains 89 parcels, which includes 3 exempt parcels. Resolution 22-649 establishes a “not to exceed” or “capped” amount for each annual installment. The capped amount for the 2025 installment equaled $138,000. For the 2026 installment, the capped amount equals $160,000. When the SAD was established in 2022, we anticipated that the improvements which have been completed within the district over the past few years would be fully implemented by the beginning of 2026. For this reason, the annual capped assessment amount was significantly increased between the 2025 and 2026 installment years. Looking forward, the capped amount for the 2027 installment equals $165,000. The 2025 installment for SAD 205 was calculated using the following criteria: • Rate per foot = $9.50. • Ten parcels on Wilson south of Lake Michigan Dr had received their full improvements but were charged a reduced rate per foot (50%) in order to keep the total annual installment below the $138,000 cap. o A map of these 10 parcels is attached – they are shaded in light green. • The total 2025 installment billing for SAD 205 equaled $134,795.50. Page 1 of 2 Page 8 of 13 The following are proposed options for the 2026 installment for SAD 205: SAD Installment Billing Information 2025 Actual 2026 Option #1 2026 Option #2 Rate per Foot $9.50 $10.00 $10.25 Rate Increase from 2025 Billing N/A 5.26% 7.89% Rate % Charged to the “10 Parcels” 50% 100% 100% Total SAD Installment Billing $134,795.50 $155,740.00 $159,633.52 Annual Installment Capped Value per Resolution $138,000.00 $160,000.00 $160,000.00 For the 2026 installment, we could consider raising the rate per foot to $10.25 which would generate a 2026 total installment amount of $159,633.52. While this amount falls below the 2026 capped assessment amount, the increase in the rate per foot between 2025 and 2026 would equal 7.89%. We believe this percentage change is too high. Additionally, the SAD resolution caps the 2027 installment at $165,000, so we could consider a small percentage increase to the 2027 rate per foot if necessary. For these reasons, our recommendation for the 2026 installment for SAD 205 is Option #1 listed above: ➢ Rate per foot = $10.00 (5.26% increase from 2025 rate) ➢ Charge full rate per foot for the ten parcels on Wilson south of Lake Michigan Drive. ➢ Total 2026 installment billing for SAD 205 equaling $155,740. Resolution 22-649 states “commencing in 2024, the actual amount of the cost for the improvement shall be determined annually in January each year by this Commission following recommendation from the Downtown Redevelopment Management Board of the City of Walker”. In other words, this DDA Board must provide a recommended 2026 SAD installment billing amount to the Walker City Commission prior to the end of January 2026. Therefore, we are requesting that the DDA Board recommend the amount of $155,740 to the Walker City Commission as the total SAD assessment billing amount for the 2026 installment. Thank you. Dan Page 2 of 2 Page 9 of 13 Kent County Web Map December 31, 2025 0 0.0275 0.055 mi 0.11 ± Page 10 of 13  CITY OF WALKER 01/13/2026 DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY DDV STREETSCAPE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT FUND 251 ACTUAL BUDGET Estimated Actual BALANCE BALANCE BALANCE BALANCE BALANCE FYE 06/30/2026 AS OF AS OF AS OF AS OF AS OF Approved Estimated GL NUMBER DESCRIPTION 06/30/2021 06/30/2022 06/30/2023 06/30/2024 06/30/2025 06/30/2026 06/30/2026 REVENUES 251-000-454.000 CURRENT REVENUE-SAD PRINCIPAL 136,264.73 121,951.52 129,484.24 119,600.25 140,918.25 159,000.00 155,740.00 251-000-474.000 INTEREST ON SAD ROLLS 1,452.77 1,006.94 634.24 1,136.54 768.99 600.00 600.00 251-000-665.000 INTEREST ON INVESTMENTS 9.43 0.00 2,124.62 4,259.77 3,379.43 2,500.00 2,500.00 251-000-676.100 REIMB FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE REPAIRS 0.00 12,705.46 8,144.41 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 251-000-684.900 TRANSFER FROM FUND EQUITY 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 TOTAL REVENUES 137,726.93 135,663.92 140,387.51 124,996.56 145,066.67 162,100.00 158,840.00 EXPENDITURES 251-574-730.000 POSTAGE 33.58 38.69 150.48 49.92 48.34 60.00 60.00 251-574-807.200 LANDSCAPING - CONTRACTED MAINTENANCE 56,759.32 51,761.05 64,329.77 88,104.10 85,024.77 95,000.00 90,000.00 251-574-807.500 FIBER LINE MISS DIG STAKINGS/MAINT 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3,000.00 500.00 251-574-920.100 UTILITIES - ELECTRIC 2,923.29 2,528.53 2,548.20 2,306.18 4,479.34 3,500.00 6,500.00 251-574-920.350 UTILITIES - WATER - IRRIGATION 19,084.34 13,166.61 16,373.02 21,583.39 11,309.28 24,000.00 20,000.00 251-574-934.000 REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE 766.64 0.00 695.00 1,386.60 5,013.41 3,000.00 3,000.00 251-574-934.050 REPAIR & MAINT - STREETLIGHTS 0.00 2,484.10 1,359.08 666.12 0.00 5,000.00 2,500.00 251-574-934.100 REPAIR & MAINT - IRRIGATION 17,896.49 29,863.15 8,248.92 23,442.00 25,208.95 35,000.00 25,000.00 Page 11 of 13 251-574-960.000 MISCELLANEOUS EXPENDITURE 20.00 0.08 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 251-574-962.100 REIMBURSEMENT - CITY INCURRED EXPENSES 43,940.49 22,732.70 29,227.01 22,762.25 16,761.94 30,000.00 25,000.00 251-574-976.495 EQUIPMENT PURCHASE-SIDEWALK PLOW 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 10,066.00 0.00 0.00 TOTAL EXPENDITURES 141,424.15 122,574.91 122,931.48 160,300.56 157,912.03 198,560.00 172,560.00 SUMMARY TOTAL REVENUES 137,726.93 135,663.92 140,387.51 124,996.56 145,066.67 162,100.00 158,840.00 TOTAL EXPENDITURES 141,424.15 122,574.91 122,931.48 160,300.56 157,912.03 198,560.00 172,560.00 NET OF REVENUES OVER (UNDER) EXPENDITURES (3,697.22) 13,089.01 17,456.03 (35,304.00) (12,845.36) (36,460.00) (13,720.00) FUND BALANCE AT FISCAL YEAR END (PER AUDIT) 130,781.00 143,870.00 161,325.00 126,021.00 113,178.00 FUND BALANCE AT FISCAL YEAR END (ESTIMATED) 76,718.00 99,458.00 SPECIAL ASSESSMENT BILLING (SAD #205) Actual Amount Billed 129,366.25 128,843.75 135,795.50 159,000.00 155,740.00 Maximum Amount Allowed per Resolution 129,366.25 134,000.00 138,000.00 160,000.00 160,000.00 Difference (Actual vs Max Allowed) 0.00 (5,156.25) (2,204.50) (1,000.00) (4,260.00) Rate Charged per Foot $9.50 $9.50 $9.50 $10.00 Percentage Change from Prior Year 0.00% 0.00% 5.26% Maximum Amount Allowed per Resolution Year Max SAD Amount Year Max SAD Amount 2024 134,000 2034 218,000 2025 138,000 2035 225,000 2026 160,000 2036 248,000 2027 165,000 2037 256,000 2028 170,000 2038 264,000 2029 175,000 2039 272,000 2030 180,000 2040 280,000 2031 199,000 2041 288,000 2032 205,000 2042 297,000 2033 211,000  Page 12 of 13 WALKER DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FUND 01/13/ — Revenues and Expenditures Budget to Actual Month # 2026 DDV Fiscal Year End June 30, 2026 6 AMENDED Variance General Ledger # Account Name FY 2025/26 Budget Budget /(Negative) REVENUES 248-000-404.000 Property Tax Collections $770,000.00 $385,000.00 $563,819.33 $178, 248—000—665000 Interest on Investments $85,000.00 $42,500.00 $60,561.99 819.33 $18,061. TOTAL Revenues $855,000.00 $427,500.00 $624,381.32 99 $196, 881.32 EXPENDITURES — 248-572—705000 Salaries DDA $40,500.00 $20,250.00 $20,010.12 $239.88 — 248—572—712000 FICA Expense Payroll Tax $3,098.00 $1,549.00 $1,491.00 $58.00 248-572-713.000 Employee Insurance—Health/Dentl/Life/Dis $4,500.00 $2,250.00 $2,001.65 $248.35 248-572-713.100 Retirement Health Savings Contribution $850.00 $425.00 $400.20 $24.80 248—572—714000 Pension Exp—401ADefined Contribution $3,300.00 $1,650.00 $1,600.82 $49.18 248—572—727000 Office Supplies $500.00 $250.00 $0.00 $250.00 248—572—807.400 M45 Tunnel Maintenance $15,000.00 $7,500.00 $3,030.75 $4,469.25 248—572—826000 DDA Legal Expenses $15,000.00 $7,500.00 $0.00 $7,500.00 248-572-827.100 Engineering Services $2,000.00 $1,000.00 $0.00 $1,000.00 248-572—894000 Special Events / Promotional $10,000.00 $5,000.00 $4,910.74 $89.26 248—572—938200 Special Assessments—Streetscape $2,600.00 $1,300.00 $0.00 $1,300.00 248-572—956150 Computer Software Maint Fee $13,000.00 $6,500.00 $0.00 $6,500.00 248—572—961 .000 Training / Conferences $1,400.00 $700.00 $0.00 $700.00 248—572—961.100 Memberships & Dues $300.00 $150.00 $250.00 ($100.00) — 248-572-964.1OO Prop Tax Refunds MTT/STC Order Changes $1,000.00 $500.00 $133.49 $366.51 248-572-984020 Development Plan Projects $100,000.00 $50,000.00 $79,045.75 ($29, TOTAL Expenditures $213,048.00 $106,524.00 $112,874.52 045.75) ($6,350. 52) Revenues Over / (Under) Expenditures $641,952.00 $320,976.00 $511,506.80 $190, Transfer from Fund Equit 530.80 CASH BALANCE — — 248—000—001.100 Cash Operating Macatawa Bank $31,821.56 — — 248—000-001.105 Cash TIFA Accounts Macatawa Bank $2,938,917.40 TOTAL Cash Balance at 12/31/2025 $2,970,738.96 LESS: Project Commitments $0.00 ADD: Project Payments to Date $0.00 AVAILABLE Cash Balance at 12/31/2025 $2,970,738.96 FUND BALANCE (AUDITED) Fund Balance (Audited) at 06/30/2025 $2,459,232.00 Page 1 of 1  Page 13 of 13 WALKER DDA STREETSCAPE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT FUND 01/13/ — Revenues and Expenditures Budget to Actual Month # 2026 DDV Fiscal Year End June 30, 2026 6 — DDA Fund 251 Jul 2025 December 20 AMENDED 25 Variance General Ledger # Account Name FY 2025/26 Budget Bud et /(Negative) REVENUES 251-000-454000 Current Revenue—SAD Principal $159,000.00 $79,500.00 $0.00 ($79, 251—000—474000 Interest on SAD Rolls $600.00 $300.00 $28.39 500.00) ($271.61) 251—000-665000 Interest on Investments $2,500.00 $1,250.00 $1,447.00 $197.00 TOTAL Revenues $162,100.00 $81,050.00 $1,475.39 ($79, 574.61) EXPENDITURES 251—574-730000 Postage $60.00 $30.00 $0.00 $30.00 — 251—574-807.200 Landscaping Contracted Maintenance $95,000.00 $47,500.00 $28,428.00 $19,072. 251—574—807.500 Fiber Line Miss Dig Stakings/Maint $3,000.00 $1,500.00 $0.00 00 $1,500.00 251—574-920.100 - Utilities Electric $1,750.00 $3,500.00 $2,269.43 ($519.43) - — 251-574-920.350 Utilities Water Irrigation $24,000.00 $12,000.00 $4,784.70 $7,215.30 251-574—934000 Repairs & Maintenance $3,000.00 $1,500.00 $0.00 $1,500.00 — 251—574—934050 Repairs & Maint Streetlights $5,000.00 $2,500.00 $3,762.53 ($1,262. — 251-574-934.100 Repairs & Maint Irrigation $35,000.00 $17,500.00 $4,986.00 53) $12,514. — 251—574—962.100 Reimbursement City Incurred Expenses $30,000.00 $15,000.00 $0.00 00 $15,000. TOTAL Expenditures $198,560.00 $99,280.00 $44,230.66 00 $55,049. 34 251—000684.900 Revenues Over / (Under) Expenditures ($36,460.00) ($18,230.00) ($42,755.27) ($24,525 Transfer from Fund Equit .27) CASH BALANCE 251-000-001.1OO - - Cash Operating Macatawa Bank $461.42 251-000—001.350 - Cash Independent Bank $79,330.36 TOTAL Cash Balance at 12/31/2025 $79,791.78 LESS: Project Commitments $0.00 AVAILABLE Cash Balance at 12/31/2025 $79,791.78 FUND BALANCE (AUDITED) Fund Balance (Audited) at 06/30/2025 $113,178.00 Page 1 of 1