DDA April 28 ,2025 Minutes

VILLAGE OF ELLSWORTH DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Monday, April 28, 2025 Meeting Minutes Meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by chairperson, Mary Faculak. Members present: Mary Faculak, Lynn Spearing, Tina Sundelius, Jerry Rasmussen, Chris Randall, Chris Wallace, Heather Beem & Nate Swailes. Also Present: Members absent: Ginny McCallum. Approval of the Agenda: A motion to approve the agenda was made by Spearing, seconded by Wallace. Motion carried by unanimous consent. Approval of the Minutes: A motion to approve the meeting minutes from the February 24, 2025 meeting as presented was made by Wallace, seconded by Spearing. Motion carried by unanimous consent. Treasurer’s Report: Spearing reported that the bank balance was $14,223.07. Total includes a $3,623 Banks Township TIP Payment. Four businesses have responded to our request for Concerts on the Square sponsors. A motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report was made by Randall, seconded by Wallace. Motion carried by unanimous consent. Concerts on the Square: Grand Traverse Pallet, Mortensen’s, Ellsworth Wesleyan Church and Howard/Hannah Realty responded to our request for sponsorships. Rack cards are at Mitchell Graphics now. Hosts for the concerts were set: June 25-Drawbridge Ukulele-Wallace July 2-Tradesmen-Beem July 9-2 Beats-Sundelius July 16-Grey Wolves-Randall July 23- Country Thunder-Sundelius July 30-RPM-Faculak Aug 6-Foghorn Jazz-Spearing Aug 13 Open Mic Art Walk: The committee has not had an opportunity to meet. Banners: Banners created by the school graphics class are on display around town. Village Report: Rasmussen reported that he gathered prices on putting 7 flag poles at the tank site. The bid was over $25,000. He has talked with some veterans and they are willing to help in any way needed. He has someone drawing up plans for the project. Faculak suggested we get our students involved. Randall pointed out the many attractions in town; the little stone house, the tank, the labyrinth, and the parks that we want to highlight. Spearing will start working on a grant proposal to finance the hiring of a community information specialist to oversee improvements and promotion. Chairperson Report: Our banners will remain up at Clare & Mackinaw rest stops. The Clare welcome Center is also giving us display cases again. The visitors guide goes to the publisher this week. On June 11 there is a meeting with Circle MI at Lavender Hill to discuss an Ag Trail Tour. We need to produce some post cards of our attractions. The Chamber has gained 21 new members this year. Garage Sales on the Breezeway are being promoted for Memorial Day weekend. The mailbox at the beginning of the south end of the Breezeway is broken, she will ask Rasmussen for help with it. A meeting with the Chamber of Commerce and the East Jordan and Banks Township Historical societies was held, both societies need help. They are putting a plan in place and may need our help. Adjournment: A motion to adjourn was made by Randall, seconded by Swailes. The next regular meeting will be held May 19, 2025. _________________________________________________________on April 29, 2025 Submitted by Tina Sundelius _________________________________________________________ ______________ Mary Faculak, Chairperson Date