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CITY OF MUSKEGON
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (DDA) /
BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (BRA)
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
April 12, 2022
The meeting was held in the City Commission Chambers. Chairperson M. Bottomley called the
meeting to order at 10:30 AM and roll was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: M. Bottomley, J. Riegler, M. Johnson Sr., M. Kleaveland, J. Moore,
H. Sytsema, L. Mikesell, S. Black, and B. Hastings,
MEMBERS ABSENT: (Members excused) J. Wallace Jr., D. Pollock,
STAFF PRESENT: P. Wills, Director of Strategic Initiatives; D. Alexander,
Downtown Manager, S. Pulos, Administrative Assistant for
Development Services, and H. Fredericksen, Event Coordinator,
OTHERS PRESENT: C. Flanders, LAF.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by H. Sytsema, second by B. Hastings, to approve the regular meeting minutes for
December 14, 2021. Voice vote, all approved.
BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BUSINESS
Agenda Item A: Update on EGLE grant for 122 W. Muskegon ( given by P. Wills)
The “Old McDonald’s” building at 122 W Muskegon is a contaminated spot where grant monies
will be used to remediate and develop. There was a delay in 2021 with the developer. The space
was originally planned to be used for residential and retail space. An extension was granted by
the State for the project for 2019-2020. The bulk of the work will be demo. J. Eckholm
connected developer with potential investors. P. Wills is confident that there will be action over
the next 12 months. There is no TIF, and no need to come in front of the DDA for any business,
but the tax capture will still come to the DDA.
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BUSINESS
Agenda Item A: Staff is asking the DDA board to review and accept the financial statement for
March 31, 2022.
Staff recommendation: To accept the March 31, 2022 financial statement.
Motion: Made by H. Sytsema, seconded by J. Moore, to accept the March 31, 2022
financial statement.
All in favor, motion passes.
Agenda Item B: Staff is asking the DDA board to consider support of the next phase of the
Watch Muskegon campaign.
Staff recommendation: Staff would suggest $10,000 in support of Watch Muskegon 2.0
media buys, either more or less.
Motion: Made by H. Sytsema, seconded by J. Moore, to contribute $10,000 for media
buys in the Watch Muskegon 2.0 campaign.
Roll Call Vote:
M. Bottomley: Yes B. Hastings: Yes J. Riegler: Yes
M. Kleaveland: Yes J. Moore: Yes H. Sytsema: Yes
M. Johnson Sr: Yes S. Black: Yes L. Mikesell: Yes
All in favor, motion passes.
Agenda Item C: Staff is requesting the DDA to partner with the Muskegon Downtown
Business Improvement District to host a social event during the Michigan Downtown
Association annual conference at the VanDyk Mortgage Convention Center Nov. 3-4.
Staff recommendation: To authorize the half the cost of hosting an MDA social event as
part of the group’s annual conference in Muskegon Nov. 3-4.
Motion: Made by J. Riegler, seconded by L. Mikesell, to authorize up to $1,500 to host a
social event for the Michigan Downtown Association members.
Roll Call Vote:
M. Bottomley: Yes B. Hastings: Yes J. Riegler: Yes
M. Kleaveland: Yes J. Moore: Yes H. Sytsema: Yes
M. Johnson Sr: Yes S. Black: Yes L. Mikesell: Yes
All in favor, motion passes.
Agenda Item D: Staff is asking the DDA board to develop a spending plan for its estimated
$120,000 in fund balance expected at the end of the 2021-22 fiscal year. The DDA needs to
spend or have a plan to spend its fund balance. The DDA law and state treasury will not allow
you to accumulate and sit on cash. Staff has provided the DDA mission statement and strategic
plan strategies from 2019 and the state law on how you can spend DDA funds.
Staff recommendation: To develop a spending plan by June 30, 2022.
Motion: None
Agenda Item E: Staff is asking the DDA board to begin discussing ongoing and sustainable
funding sources for downtown services such as snow removal, trash removal, landscaping,
marketing-promotion, parks support, event support and professional management to name a few.
Staff recommendation: To begin to map out a strategy for future downtown funding.
Motion: None
Agenda Item F: Event updates – MMM, Taste and LAF (City Clerk event staff) see below:
MMM
- Maxed out main event space with 84 booths.
- Sponsors: 10
- Tickets sold ahead of time: 105
- Total Attendees: 2,151 (min goal was 1500)
- Peak times between 11am-2pm
- Estimated income: $25,604.25
- Estimated expenses: $18,176.10
- Estimated net: $7,428.15
- Great partnership with Shamrockin' in your Shanty, St. Patty's Parade and Lumberjacks.
- Great feedback from attendees and exhibitors
- Learned a lot, would like to expand the event and hope to be able to do it again next
year!
LAF
- There is a lot in motion with LAF. This is our busiest time of the year! We are working
on ad placements, logistics, children's lane, street performers, layout, food vendors,
sponsorship, etc.
- Exhibitors Confirmed: 195 (Last year 4/12/2021 = 120 | final count 2021 via zapp =
168) We are ahead of the game!
- YTD Projected Income: $ 78,922.74
- YTD Projected Expenses: $ 74,844.16
- Secured international street artists to be part of the show this year and as part of the
Padnos Public Art Project. Announcement and press release to come in May!
Agenda Item G: Communications – two letters of support from the DDA for grants. One would
enhance bicycle paths within the district and the other would support multiple building projects
in the district with state Revitalization and Placemaking Grant funds.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None.
OTHER
None.
AJOURNMENT
11:15 am
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