August 10, 2009
Scio Township Hall
Members Present: Arbour, Clark,
Members Absent: Cornish, Fox, Weaver and Rae
Others Present: Del Vecchio, Egeler, Fecho and Siddall.
The meeting began at 12:05, however, as there was not a quorum, special reports and old business were taken first and out of order.
Frank Del Vecchio advised with regard to open various open issues: parcel 25 has a sign to be raised; parcel 31 has had parking modifications and fencing resolved; parcel 32 has a settlement conference scheduled and a trial date of 1/25/10, and negotiations with the owner continues; a drainage easement has been acquired for parcel 37; parcel 38 has had a judgment entered, the property purchase has been closed, and possession occurs 1/1/10. Options to handling the property on possession are under consideration; a Phase I environmental report has been received; parcel 39’s signage has been repaired; parcels 49-51 need driveway repairs; parcels 169-170 need drainage issues addressed, and the landowner has agreed; parcel 178 has a trial date set for 10/26/09, and Court ordered facilitation will take place in advance of the trial date; parcel 181 needs additional grading; the owner of parcel 182A has agreed to drainage and grading repairs, as well as sign replacement; the owner of parcel 187 has agreed to a resolution of drainage issues.
Sheryl Siddall advised that work on the sanitary sewers has slowed work on the south side of the boulevard; however, the paving schedule has been moved up and initial paving will begin later this week. A brief discussion of the need for pavers at Arbor West to alleviate drainage problems occurred, and it was suggested that additional bids be sought as it was felt that the initial bid was too high.
Landscape Consultant’s Report:
Nancy Hedberg reported that she had placed gators on some of the trees in the medians, and that a student at UM would be used in the short term to assist in cleaning the median landscape.
Chair Arbour called the meeting to order at 12:25 PM.
Public Comment: there was none
Minutes:
Mayo moved and
There were no Road Committee minutes.
Chair’s Report: Chair Arbour had no report.
Township Manager’s Report:
Darrell Fecho raised the issue of contributing to Ann Arbor Spark. In the past, both the Township and DDA had contributed to the WDC, with the Township’s contributions ceasing after 2004, and the DDA’s ceasing after 2007 when $5000 was paid. It was suggested that Spark give a presentation to the DDA Board at the next meeting, and Darrell Fecho will arrangement it. He also reported that he had requested that Carlisle/Wortman to review setbacks along Phase IV of the boulevard project, to assure that the setbacks are set relative to the proposed road improvements.
NEW BUSINESS
It was agreed that the free lunches are over, and that participants should bring their own lunch if so desired, beginning next month.
Financial Report:
Bill Upton reported that he had updated his 2006 financial analysis with regard to prospective DDA revenues over the next twenty plus years. In so doing, it appears that the financial outlook is better than originally anticipated, due in part to improved income and revenues; unanticipated growth in taxable values; bond refinancing savings; and slower Phase III expenses than anticipated. As a consequence, where revenue shortfalls had been predicted in the 2018-19 year, this no longer appears to be the case. Further, while a basis of his projections was a 3% decrease in tax revenues, on current review, it appears instead that revenues will be flat, and there may be no decrease. Bill will revise his calculations with some different alternatives and assumptions.
The Board also briefly discussed the DDA’s prospective plans, inquiring as to whether they were in conformity to the current Board’s goals. It was suggested that the DDA review its own goals relative to adopted policies, to see what options might appear realistic given the current economic climate.
The current financial report was received from Sandy Egeler, and she noted that interest rates on DDA accounts had dropped to ½ %. The following invoices were presented for payment:
Grand Traverse Pie Company $ 91.76
Sandra J. Egeler $ 400.00
WAVE $ 282.00
Total $ 213,692.51
Holland moved seconded by Mayo, to authorize the DDA to pay the foregoing invoices. On a roll call vote, Arbour, Clark,
OLB BUSINESS
none
Adjournment:
A motion was made by
Revised 9/7/2009
