Scio Township DDA Minutes
November 12, 2007
Scio Township Hall
827 N. Zeeb Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Chairman Upton called the meeting to order at 12:08 PM.
Members Present: Arbour, Cornish, Fox, Holland (12:20), Mayo, Nielsen and Upton
Members Absent: Luckhardt and Weaver
Others Present: DeLong, Del Vecchio, Fecho, Hedberg, Siddall and Arscott (Approx. 1:00 PM)
Nielsen moved and Cornish seconded a motion to approve the minutes of October 8 as corrected and October 16, 2007 as written. The motion passed by a vote of all the members present.
The notes from the Road Committee meeting of October 25 were received and filed.
Washtenaw County Road Commission Report:
Del Vecchio gave an update on the sign relocation. He has been working on the North side of Jackson Road. He has given right of entry forms to property owners. Some have not yet been returned. Two sign replacements have been completed and invoices submitted for payment.
Del Vecchio said he would not be able to get form “B” to MDOT in November, as the courts have postponed some of hearings to December. He said that he did not expect any challenges to the necessity of the project for the need for ROW. He explained that the attorneys for some of the properties want the entire property to be purchased instead of just the necessary ROW.
Del Vecchio then produced and described the status of properties on the Phase III Progress and Condemnation Report.
Siddall said the final Phase III plans have been received from OHM and the WCRC staff is reviewing them. The WCRC will submit the plans to MDOT after their review. Siddall is working on the enhancement grant and the plan review. It will be tight to get the westbound lanes done before the end of the 2008 construction season. The staging plans currently call for traffic to continue to use the temporary surface during the ’08-’09 winter; however, if we can begin construction early enough next spring and the weather cooperates we’ll try to get traffic moved over onto the new westbound lanes before winter. A lot depends on court delays as to when the project can be bid.
Landscape Consultant’s Report:
There will be one more mowing on the Boulevard. There will be some plant replacements in the mediums of Phases I and II. This item will be discussed at the next Township Board meeting, which Hedberg plans to attend.
Chairman’s Report:
Upton described the re-bonding process. The interest that the DDA pays on older bond issues is higher than we will have to pay if the bonds are retired and reissued. This is not as complicated a process as an initial bond issue. The State does most of the work. Upton described the benefits, which are estimated to be a net of $75,000.00 to the DDA. Fecho said this issue is within our bonding limits for the year.
At approximately 12:15 PM a conference call was held between the DDA Board, the DDA Bond Counsel and the DDA Financial Advisor. Upton repeated his explanation of the re-bonding process. Attorney McGow confirmed what Upton said. A few questions were asked and answered. It was explained that the numbers were subject to change, but the re-bonding would be done if there were at least a 2% savings. This is a unique program where the saving is divided between the State Education Fund and the Scio DDA.
Upton will run out new financial projections
A copy of the resolution authorizing the refunding and pledge of the DDA to use tax increment funds to pay off the refunded bonds is attached to these minutes.
Township Manager’s Report:
Fecho distributed a letter from the AATA Board Acting Interim Executive. Director. There was some discussion, but no conclusion as to providing bus service to the Lake Stone Apartment Complex. Upton noted that the DDA is not authorized to pay to operate bus service, though it may pay for things, which could help get public transportation established (e.g. undertake studies, build structures, establish infrastructure). He also advocated that we explore the possibility of a ride-sharing program, as a possible solution to the Township’s public transportation needs. From the environmental and traffic congestion standpoints it would ne advantageous to make greater use of the vehicles that are already on the road.
Executive Director’s Report:
A Balance Sheet as of October 31, 2007 and a Cash Flow for the fiscal year through October 2007 were attached to the agenda. There were no questions. DeLong was directed to reinvest the maturing CD at the best available rate.
Other Reports:
Planning Commission Chair Arscott made a presentation leading to a discussion of a Jackson Road Corridor Economic Study. The outline of her presentation is attached and a summary of the discussion and actions taken follow:
Good economic information is needed to plan the future development of Jackson Corridor. The present Master Plan is outdated as far as the corridor is concerned. When site plans come before the Planning Commission it is hard to deal without the proper tools. Arscott summarized her presentation by making the following requests:
1. A formal representation of the DDA in the Master Plan process.
2. That the DDA consider undertaking an economic study.
3. That a sub- committee be set up to explore feasibilities and offer recommendations.
Mayo said that we need an honest opinion as to what Scio should become. We need an unbiased, outside opinion as to Scio’s best alternatives are for development in the future. We need a mechanism to promote the Township.
There was considerable discussion about what the DDA and the Township want to be. There was mention of previous studies that have been undertaken by consultants such as Plant Moran and Carlisie Wortman. Perhaps SPARK could be a good source of information.
Upton would like the DDA to participate in a study to determine objectives. At some point we have to determine where land use goes. Arbour suggested a relationship with SPARK. Fecho suggested that we should bring in landowners. Upton said the next step is to set up the sub-committee. He appointed Arbour, Cornish, Holland and Mayo and they accepted the appointments.
Old Business: Copies of agreements between the WCRC and Del Vecchio and between the DDA and Del Vecchio were attached to the agenda.
New Business:
Invoices:
WCRC $70,942.17
MCM Group, Inc. $125.00
Grand Traverse Pie Co. $131.48
Hedberg Associates $220.00
Richard A. DeLong $1,000.00
Michigan Signs $5,750.00
Total $78, 168.65
Arbour moved and Nielsen seconded a motion to pay the invoices as presented.
Roll Call: Arbour yes, Cornish yes, Fox absent, Holland yes, Luckhardt absent, Mayo yes, Nielsen yes, Upton yes, Weaver absent. The motion passed.
Discussion and audience participation: none
Adjournment: Arbour moved and Mayo seconded a motion to adjourn at 2:32 PM. The motion passed by a yes vote by all members present.
