Minutes of the DDA meeting on March 12, 2007 (as amended)
Scio Township Hall
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103
Chairman Upton called the meeting to order at 12:04 P.M.
Members Present: Colvin, Cornish, Luckhardt Mayo, Nielsen and Weaver and Upton
Member absent: Fox and Holland
Others present: Del Vecchio, Fecho, Hedberg and Siddall
Weaver moved and Mayo seconded a motion to approve the minutes of February 12, 2007. The motion passed by a vote of all of the members present.
Notes from the Road Committee meeting of February 22, 2007 were received and filed.
Washtenaw County Road Commission Report:
Siddall said there have been some minor design changes to Phase III. She also mentioned that restaging would be needed due to the sewer replacement. The problem is the depth of the sewer and poor soil in the area. A temporary road will have to be constructed. The staging reflects the revised plan.
At this point Upton described why additional design costs were recommended. Upton also discussed the recommendations allocating sewer construction cost between the DDA and the Township.
There was some discussion about the need to increase the design costs.
Colvin moved and Weaver supported a motion to increase the design contract with OHM by an amount not to exceed $56,000.
Roll Call: Colvin yes, Cornish yes, Fox absent, Holland absent, Luckhardt yes, Mayo yes, Nielsen yes, Upton yes, Weaver yes. The motion passed.
Upton said he would send Nielsen a memo describing the sewer cost agreement so that Nielsen could present it to the Township Board.
Siddall mentioned that the landscaping enhancement grant has been submitted. There is no promise that the grant will be approved, but the State is aware of the request.
Del Vecchio described how an attorney for several of the property owners has requested “super” variances. He feels this is an unjustified request. He believes the attorney is looking for more “customers”.
Del Vecchio said that consultant Lewan is reviewing mitigation plans, so that Del Vecchio can move forward with ROW acquisition.
Del Vecchio also said the DDA contract with the WCRC for ROW services would probably run over the agreed amount of $120,000. by $16,000 for this fiscal year. He suggested a budget amount of $140,000. for the next fiscal year. He explained the reasons why the costs of providing ROW services have increased (i.e.: wages and benefits, variances, mitigation, attorney involvement, consultant reviews and ZBA approvals etc.) Questions from Board members and explanations followed.
At this point Upton explained his concerns that the bond dollars must be spent by 2009 and that the project must be done on a timely enough basis to retain our HPPP grant.
Del Vecchio then passed out the Phase III parcel acquisition status report and described the progress made, parcel-by-parcel, since the previous DDA meeting.
Landscape Consultant’s Report:
Hedberg said the enhancement grant application had been submitted.
Request for Jackson Boulevard landscape maintenance were sent to six vendors and one more vendor was added at their request. Only two of the vendors submitted bids. Hedberg explained the bid information to the Township Board on February 28th and said she favored the low bid from Tee to Green of $13,700. Based on a three-year contract.
At this point there was some discussion about Jackson Boulevard crossings, snow removal, ordinance revision related to snow removal and liability issues.
Chairman’s Report:
Upton suggested that the next DDA meeting be postponed for April 9th to April 16th.
There was no objection and DeLong said he would post a notice of the change.
Upton then appointed Cornish to be the nominating committee Chairman for election of DDA officers at the annual meeting on April 16, 2007.
Upton said the other items that where to be included in his report had been covered.
Township Manager’s Report:
Fecho passed out copies of the proposed 2007-08 DDA budget (attached). He explained the format and discussed the line items. Upton supplemented the discussion. There was some discussion about the budget by members of the Board.
Fecho described some property value changes and there was some further discussion about taxes.
Upton then explained how the budget was devised.
Cornish moved and Weaver seconded a motion to approve the budget as presented.
Roll Call: Colvin yes, Cornish yes, Fox absent, Holland absent, Luckhardt yes, Mayo yes, Nielsen yes, Upton yes, Weaver yes. The motion passed.
Executive Director’s Report:
Financial reports for the fiscal year through February 2007 and current bank statement summaries were included with the March agenda. DeLong asked if there were any questions. There were none.
Other Reports: None
Old Business: None
New Business:
Invoices:
Ann Arbor Spark $5,000.00
Hedberg Associates $620.00
Bendznski & Co. $21,101.95
US Bank 2002 Bond Prin. $300,000.00
US Bank 2002 Bond Int. $130,356.25
Panera Bread $116.89
Carlisle/Wortman $341.00
The Bank of New York $300.00
Richard A. DeLong $800.00
Total $459,636.00
Nielsen moved and Luckhardt seconded a motion to approve payment of the invoices as presented.
Roll Call: Colvin yes, Cornish yes, Fox absent, Holland absent, Luckhardt yes, Mayo yes, Nielsen yes, Upton yes, Weaver yes. The motion passed.
Discussion and audience participation: None
Adjournment: Luckhardt moved to adjourn the meeting at 2:00 PM. Mayo seconded the motion. The motion passed by a yes vote of all the members present.
