001Yeah. Yes. >> Um I apologize that we did not earlier but we would like a motion. >> Okay. >> To move the brownfield discussion to earlier in the so >> Okay. Would you like it moved to 9A or do you want it earlier than that? I'm thinking push it to number. >> Sure. >> Well, it has to be after number six. >> Oh, after the Yeah. Okay. >> Or or 60. All right. Yeah, we could do that. Okay. DDA board. um DDA board annual meeting. >> We actually move that also because >> okay yield. >> Okay. Agenda item number six, the consent agenda. motion. >> I will make a motion to approve agenda items 6 A, B, C, and D, including receiving and filing all of the presented reports. And with the agenda with the
002motion um as amended, moving the brownfield up to after the consent agenda and the annual public meeting moved after the brownfield discussion. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I >> We need a second. >> Oh, sorry. Second that motion. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Okay. Motion carries. >> All right. >> Brownfield. Brownfield redevelopment authority. You gentlemen are here for that. I suppose someone could take the podium. >> So just to present why the judge is here again. Is there was some potential misunderstanding of what was presented at the last uh meeting. So, they're here to clarify the years and the dollars that were discussed. >> You're welcome. Thank you for having >> You're welcome. You're welcome to stay on that tractor. >> We can move this part to the end. And I
003mean, you know, it's going to be a quick one though. Go Lions. Thank you for moving us up on the agenda and having a series. As we were preparing for um the village council meeting, there were some last minute questions about the duration of the reimbursement. Um and so we kind of hit pause and just said we want to make sure everybody's on the same page. The brownfield plan uh before you is the same plan that was here when I spoke to you last. Uh the question came up in terms of the term of reimbursement. Um the first year under the plan of proposed capture is 2027. So we essentially have kind of a 2-year delay before cap taxes are actually being captured and reimbursed to the developer. Um we have that term of 15
004years of tiff reimbursement. Uh and then by the statute allows the brownfield authority which is through the county to capture up to five years after reimbursement to be deposited into a local brownfield revolving fund. So that um although it was in the plan uh I don't know that anybody necessarily picked up on that until Friday before the the Tuesday meeting that we were scheduled to be on. So, uh, there were some questions. We talked through that with Joe and the city's or the village's attorney. Um, and Jess, uh, and we, um, we kind of all came to the same conclusion, but we wanted to be transparent about that, make sure everybody fully understood the brownfield plan has a duration of 22 years, and that's how we got to the 22-year duration to allow for the
005county brownfield uh, involving fund capture at the end of reimbursement to development. So no numbers in terms of eligible activities have changed from what was before you. Uh we haven't changed the term of reimbursement to the developer but we did want to clarify that term of reimbursement in the plan. >> Okay. >> So happy to answer any questions but again want to be transparent through that whole process and make sure everybody fully understands what the request was. So, it's 22 years from this year, and that's where the confusion came in, >> right? There's essentially a two-year delay, right? This would be the base year, and there's no capture, and then obviously they have to go out and build the project. So, the first year of capture would be 2027. So, uh, and one other point
006I should say, um, I I think at least, um, Joe had made the comment, all of the base value that the DDA is capturing remains coming to the DDA. Um, so even any increment between now and 2027 that occurs, the DDA will see that benefit. The the taxes only capture the incremental. So any base value being generated is going to go to the DDA. So you'll continue to receive what you received today. Uh and up to 2027 from that point the incremental increase will be captured May 1st to the developer. The county would capture five years in their revolving fund at the tail end of that and then all of that increments back to the >> D. I think >> quick clarification the two years are at the beginning so 26 27 >> correct >>
007so then we're looking at plus 15 plus so >> thank you sorry >> yeah no that's that's why we're back here we just want to make sure everybody understands that >> yeah Joe >> I'll go there There's only one. [Music] [Laughter] >> So going back to let me plain speak a little bit for some of the conversations I've had like with Rod Charles for instance, you know, it wasn't until Friday that I realized the current capture stays in place. My argument even even before I knew that was let's say you're capturing a thousand a year 15 years from now you've given up 15,000 but in year one your capture is 141. Well, come to find out the what you're capturing now, it doesn't go away. It just stays. So whether you do anything or not,
008you know, your your capture is going to stay in place for the next 15 years. But what the confusing came back in August, I had a resolution that was from the county sent to me and had all these things involved county brownfield redevelopment authority and they're capturing a fee not to exceed 15% annual capture and they're going to collect up to 100% of the eligible cost for the fee. There was all these costs in this resolution that was simply coming to me that were going to eventually go to council. And so I questioned those. I sent it off to Bob and he connected with Jared and I, Mr. Hansen from Oakland County Brownfield. And so they were working on it, working on it. Then the new resolution shows up a couple weeks ago and it
009doesn't have any of that in there. Like, oh, okay. It's been worked out. That's not in here anymore. Well, but it's in the plan. It's It's being And it probably always was in the plan. >> It was. >> It just was before it was taken out like a red letter, you know, and now it wasn't and it was only once I dropped off the package to council members like, oh, there's a 22. And I wasn't sure because I was out of state last month's EPA meeting how much that was talked about. We didn't want to go forward and just adopted last week, even if council on the slides said, "Oh, okay. Well, we're fine with that and did it." I want to make sure the DA was fully aware of that and understood that. So,
010we're back to here. But again, you're not up until that day. I even thought they were forgoing their current revenue for those 15 years. Not the case. It's kind of when the DDA was drawn. They drew a line. The village just stuck that line forward in the DDA with all that captured. And that's what's happened over the last 30 some years. Same thing here. They're drawn a line. You could continue the DDA will get what they're getting. And then over the next 22ish years, as if it must come, then they would come on board. was 140 141,000 in year one this expires. So like I said, even using the argument with Brad that >> year one when we start collecting. >> Yeah. The way the DA collects. Yes. >> Okay. So in 2047 we can
011expect 14,000. >> Yes. So even you argue with Rod years as a lovely where's you're not catching even a thousand I don't think but it's in there somewhere but it's small. In 15 years you put up 15,000 but then in the first year later you get 141. So, you know, give up 15, get 140. I buy that ticket all day long. So, even now it extends out a few more years because of the the brownfield authority and the statute allowing the county to capture some of those. And one of the things mentioned that Mr. Hans from the county said they've redone their fee structures. So, recently they've reviewed some of the brownfield plans that they have around the county and the fees they were collecting on those to help them cover the cost and they
012haven't been collecting enough to cover those costs. So, those fees have been adjusted upward. Um but nevertheless they have cost to avoid those costs the village would have to do its own brownfield authority do all that and collect all those taxes do all those dispersements nobody here wants to do that. So those costs that the county has in operating that and and running that authority is has to be paid somehow and that's how they do it is we're paying back end of the capture for the developers but the developers basically still roughly the same. So that's an additional five years basically on the on the end of that >> I would say so but I I was looking at a seven initially counting the first two years that are >> yeah we're essentially doing capture
013for two years and the project starts to capture allows for build out so I'm assuming there will be some partial um you know bumps for construction so the DA would receive that and then 2027 would be the first year and then at the tail end of that is that revolving Okay. >> Which is not for the benefit of the developer. It's where we're hoping county to fund the program and they're authority program >> which could also from the revolving fund standpoint I feel awkward sitting here talking but so uh from the revolving fund that could also potentially be used for a project here in the village. uh other brownfield projects, >> other future brownfield projects. Um the fee uh the fees are limited. The amount of fees that the county captures are limited to depends
014on the number of active projects they have in the county. Uh and then they split that proportionally against all the projects that they're capturing. >> So these are estimates. They could be actuals could be less on a per project basis. Um and then the from the projection in front of you, if inflation increases and the property tax bill goes up, it could actually be reimbured sooner. So, it's the lesser of the dollar amount or full reimbursement is what the plan will provide for. So, we have a 2% escalator in there. Obviously, in the past few years, it's been five. You can rewind time and see the years when things went backwards. So, um, two is kind of just an acceptable conservative estimate at this point, right? >> So, we don't need to do anything. It's
015just so we understand and then can do. We still have to go to village council because we've already approved it as presented. >> Yeah. We just wanted to make sure full transparency everybody knew what they were approving at that point in time and answer any questions that might come up. >> Okay. Thank you. Any other board member questions? >> I think it would just be if there's any concerns now understanding that it's not just the 15 years. I think that's why they're here. >> So if there's no concerns then we can move on. >> I don't have any concerns. I think it's we're without this we're not developing and so um you know I think it's a like Joe said it's kind of a no-brainer in terms of developing that property and and kind of
016getting rid of uh g getting some uh mid-range um mid-range affordable housing in here. I think it's going to make a whole lot of sense. And then, you know, it's going to increase the tax revenue even though it's down the road. Uh we wouldn't have had that revenue if if we weren't developing it. So, >> okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> It's really exciting stuff. Google the notes. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, we'll put it right back on. >> Okay. Uh the DDA board annual meeting, is that you? >> So, I have not been part of the annual meeting in the past. Um however, on this page here in your packet, it shows what is stated within our bylaws. Um within that it's talking about board member appointments which we don't have any at
017this time. Voting on the chairperson and vice chairperson that is not applicable at this time. Um so it's assessing yearly goals and accomplishments and performing strategic planning for the upcoming year. I again have not been part of this in the past. I'm looking for a little bit of guidance on how you've worked through this process in the past, if this is the appropriate timing to do these activities or if this needs to be modified within our bylaws. >> What are the terms? I I can't read. >> So, this page >> this page here talks about everyone's terms. >> Thank you. >> Yep. So, we don't have anyone that's talked at this Do we need to open the meeting like or is this just part I don't know if we have to have like a special
018>> well the only part is the board member appointment I not really sure why board member appointments are in there because all board member appointments by statute are perview of the council president >> right >> now of course you guys can know people and you can recommend people and maybe that's part of that discussion I guess an internal discussion of hey you have some vacancies and you guys can you have some applicants here and there but basically all even DDA all the other boards go to the council president but yeah internal discussions of members that you're aware of and things like that and open discussion amongst yourself encouraging those to join I guess is part of that needs to be rephrased to like committee appointments because I think that >> I believe that was the
019intent >> okay >> as opposed to us appointing new new members once a year because I know when we're working on this it could have just been me not appropriately. >> Um not not pointing fingers. I just haven't been a part of this before. I mean because at the at this point we've been recommending board members and recommending committee members as they have been throughout the year. So are you suggesting that >> us? So I'm saying like so >> Oh, so what committees are we going to be on because we don't have anywhere on like >> like for council you are appointed to a committee and we're on the listing of whatever whatever the years are. >> We don't have that here. So I think the intent behind this and I could be wrong is
020for us as board members to be hey Ashley's going to be on a board committee. >> Okay. >> But that could I think we need to clarify that. So maybe this leads into a discussion of clarifying bylaws. >> Well, I don't think that's we just cleaned these up a couple years ago. So I think just when we come across something like this that's nebulous that >> Okay. Do you think that the timing is appropriate for strategic planning? >> I mean we barely have a quorum. I wouldn't >> Right. So do we want to pause this and bring it back next month? >> I would bring it back. after or committee because we are discussing it next or work committee. Okay. >> Right. That's what we talked about. But >> I think we were talking about
021evaluations at next committee, >> right? Which are supposed to align with the strategic plan. So maybe with the next bring it up next time and we can try to see or committee can have some recommendations. >> And I think that does a little bit go into what John was talking about. are our is our action plan that we've been working off of the ones that we want to continue to work off of. So, if I'm hearing what you're saying, we should get to or have those recommendations come to November's board meeting and then we can solidify that. >> I mean, >> yeah, that sounds reasonable. >> Okay. >> And see if we can clean up this article for the next meeting or draft somebody. >> Thank you. Also, I'm not on the board composition. So,
022does that mean I can't [Music] >> It's Kelsey. >> You're Kelsey Cook. >> Okay. Any further discussion on that? All right. Moving along to financials. Um we have financial statements and revenue expenditures reports and the bills for September. >> Motion to approve financials AMB. Um uh bills in for September 2025 in the amount amount of $23,4438. >> Second. >> Okay. Can you roll call, please? >> Yes. All right. Uh Peach Holtz, >> he's absent. >> Okay. Here. Yep. Skip, skip, skip. All right. Marie Powers, >> uh, yes. >> Um, Ashley Ross, >> yes. >> Jacob Nosia, >> yes. >> Jay Choy, >> yes. >> Melissa Canales, yes. >> Okay. Approved. >> The DDA reports, the or committee report. I don't know if we have anybody from the or committee. I >> Oh, you are. Oh,
023excuse me. Yes, of course. >> But a first time ever been a long time. Um discussions on trolley. We talked about the sidewalk repairs that are happening. So that should be a short inconvenience. Um gazebo renovations have started the day we met. Next month we are going to look at the employee review. So we'll have a recommendation for the board hopefully by the Jan December or January meeting. We're looking at the processes that we've done in the past. Um as well as looking at budget. There was some discussion about moving the review period to align with our fiscal. Um, typically we've been doing it either by date of hire and or on a calendar year basis for the review. So then we would always have to be amending our budget. So we'll have some recommendations
024next month. Grants we'll discuss later in the agenda. Um and then next meeting we'll start the process because by the bylaws the or committee makes recommendations about um our executive director review. I should say executive director only because that's the only person that reports to us. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh EV committee. Would you mind doing that one Kimberly since I missed it or >> not? So we had um Joe Ferrari. he came in and spoke to us about the tax captures and what we capture from a BDA standpoint just as an educational component. Um we also talked about the different um strategies or areas of focus that the EV committee wanted to look at over the next couple months like what is our purpose? Um let's see. Oh, we had a gentleman Jake who
025he's a newer member. He's uh suggested having a theme to our city. Um so having something that kind of really draws and differentiates our city. His recommendation was uh playing on Oxford as the sister city to Oxford, England and doing something Shakespeare related. Um, and then we talked a little bit about um, open real estate spaces and how we could potentially purpose those into different areas of focus. So, incubator spaces or moving different um, current currently located organizations, potentially relocating them to maybe an open real estate space and then utilizing a current um, space. So, like what we do with market Yeah. Okay. So, I'll leave it at that. >> Okay. Is that it? >> Thank you. Uh promo committee. >> So, we just met today. >> I was going to say we don't have
026a sheet in here, do we? >> No, we just met. We just met this morning. So, we don't have the minutes put together. So, our apologies on that one. We will get that in our next board meeting as an amended piece. But do you want to speak just high level of what we talked about? >> Um yes. So we talked about um we did like a scarecrow fest recap. We did then we talked about witches night super and sweet. Um we talked about some ideas for small business Saturday. And then we heard feedback this last year that a lot of businesses are very slow in the first quarter. And so we kind of came up with an idea for an event um to do like in February like a playoff. Yeah. Olympics because the Olympics
027are coming up and so kind of started to talk about that. >> Yeah. We spent quite a bit of time talking about cross promotion also within the businesses. So, one of the things that we've received feedback on is the D-Day is great and wonderful, of course, but um people like to see businesses supporting other businesses instead of just us always being the ones kind of going and promoting for the businesses. So, we had talked about it at our last debomb meeting around having business owners kind of pair up or partner up and help support, you know, the other business. Something that may maybe doesn't seem logical. So, for one of the examples was Scott from Sick Pizza going into like Whimsy and the art studio and kind of saying, "Oh, this place is amazing and
028great and um you know, you guys need to come here. This is a really cool place." Um so, we talked a little bit about that on whether it would make sense to help move that along by helping to partner um different businesses together or if we should let it be more organic and kind of take a step back and let the business owners lead it. So, I think we're still kind of talking through discussions. We'll take it to our debomb meeting tomorrow morning to see what business owners think about those ideas and get some feedback from them as well. just just a comment as a business owner. I think that um certainly suggesting it is is a great idea and giving examples of how businesses could work together, but I think uh our businesses do
029a pretty good job already partnering up and collaborating on different um events and promotions. So um certainly to encourage that, but I think it can't be a forced thing. I think they have to want to do that. And some businesses want to and some don't. So, >> and this was described as like a a encouragement. So, it more so like >> I go out to eat at homegrown on a regular basis. Our your grandbaby and my daughter were dancing together outside while listening to to the music. Like little things like that. Now, if I would have captured that and taken a video like, "Oh my gosh, great night at homegrown." I mean, that's gold right there. But, you know, it's it's the creating the idea to have it be intentional. Um, actually Patrick that we
030saw at the meeting that stopped in there, he owns Wood Chips that used to be in town. He does a great job doing that with other businesses. So just not a forced, but definitely an encouragement. >> Yeah. Yeah. Well, and we can improve on that. That's for sure. Yeah. Do more. >> I think just a concern was maybe a business that's not as savvy when it comes to marketing or if they are not already linked up with other businesses and are a little more on the shy side and wanting to participate, we wanted to help foster that. Certainly, we're not mandating it by any means. Um, you know, and then there was like conversation on is is the onus on the business owner to come to us and ask for that? Should we be seeking
031that out? You know, it kind of got into some conversation. So, I think more to come. That's something is on our radar. >> Okay, great. Thank you. Um, next was the design committee. And I know we have a um I was on vacation for that m for that meeting, but I know we have a sign grant um application coming up further on in the agenda for um the new bookshop. So that was on the meeting minutes. Was there anything else, Kimberly, that was a highlight? Um, yeah. So, we talked about our current grant program within the DDA and if we wanted to make changes to that. We've gotten some inquiries from businesses around some components of the facade, excuse me, the facade or um the rear entrance grants that they were asking for approval on
032it and we're just excuse me, not sure if that fits our current program. So, we ran that up to Oakland County, got some feedback on that. Um, and so now it's back at the design committee to look through all three of the applications and see if we want to make modifications, add some things around roofing or landscaping, and then bring that as a recommendation to the board. >> Okay, great. >> I think the only other thing is we did talk about some grant opportunities through SNCOG. Um, so we reviewed some of that and they're going to come back with some recommendations on that um for pedestrian safety and walkability. >> Okay, great. Uh, home and history subcommittee. I don't know if there's anyone Oh, actually, are you prepared for that? >> So, we met um
033the six and we met again um a subset of us met again today. So the biggest couple things that came out of it is our historic marker is under review with the state. So they meet in November and so we should have an answer whether or not that will be accepted next month. Beyond that it can take a long time to actually generate the historic marker. So that's in progress. We um did some clarification with needs what the home and history committee needs from the design committee to move forward with our like um big activics and wall panels around town. We started some solid planning around the village 150th and America 250 celebration. Um so the big celebration I think for us is going to be July 9th, 2026. So, no one can go out
034of town in those days. Don't tell me you have enough advanced notice. Um, but that's when we'll be opening the time capsule. The village at our meeting last week um did a formal pro proclamation to join the America 250 initiative. So we have the America 250 village 150 and then I have a suggestion later on um about the committee and the agenda. >> Okay, great. Thank you. And last but not least, the exe executive director's report. >> Thank you. So just a couple of highlights over the last month. We Jess and I took a tour of the DPW garage and workspaces and the water tower. So that was really cool. I've been with this group for about three and a half almost four years and I've never seen the water tower. So, that was really
035neat. Um, and the water filtration plant. Um, so thank you to DPW and to the village for taking time out of their day to show us that space. Um, Shop OC Main Street was here last week to highlight our community, gain some footage. We saw some of the pictures that came back. It was a really fun day. The weather was very unfriendly, but uh the group is very friendly and we got to highlight three of our businesses. It was Funky Monkey, Norah's Bridal, and Caveman and Pip. So, we're excited to see the the video footage. Um and we'll start getting some promotional materials together on our end. We also hosted a volunteer appreciation event this month. We didn't get a huge turnout, but the people that did show up had a wonderful time. It was
036at summer Sundays and it uh pizza was donated by um sick pizza. So that was wonderful and we hope to continue to have these events. We highlighted two of our volunteers that just went above and beyond this year. It was Holly Piper Pyer from our board and Scott Cree from our design committee who have really just stepped up and helped us this year. Um Scarecrow Fest was wonderful. Um, I did want to announce that I have been accepted into the MIPDM certification program and I have received a scholarship. So, I will be participating in that over the next couple years. So, um, yeah, if I start getting a little grayer, please understand why. >> And that's all I have. >> Thank you. >> Okay. uh unfinished old business, sidewalk repairs. >> Can we go back
037really quickly? I'm so sorry. Yes. I'm going to have Jess just very quickly. She put a report together for Scarecrow Fest. >> Oh, yeah. >> Very similar to what we started earlier this year. We like to share our learnings from the events and this can help us as we strategic plan for 2026. >> Yes. So, Sarah Fest was a huge success this year. um the focus was just to bring people downtown to enjoy fun family ball um activities. So, we tried to do we didn't track as well as we're trying to do this year. So, we tried to do a little bit of a comparison um just pulling from past bill runs. So, it's not totally accurate or as accurate as we could get, but there's a little background on it. We had 15 sponsors
038for this year's event. So, that gave um that donated 3,700 And then we didn't have tickets, but we did have the vendor market which brought in fees and the formal permit brought in as well. Um, we did make a profit, but there's a breakdown of expenses. And then we sent out a survey that I showed you after every event to the businesses. And a few businesses came back and said that they did it well beyond last year. um like they saw huge emphasis this year during the event. Um there were some fe we narrowed down the market a little bit this year because last year there was feedback that it was very competitive with having several of the same vendors. So we broke it down into categories and so as a result had less. Um
039so then there's feedback that we maybe shouldn't have done that. So there's that. Um but then also a few businesses suggested that next year we try and maybe do some sort of scavenger hunt during the day to get people into the businesses. So feedback >> I think just another couple notes we took a look at the process that we've used and I think we've identified a couple cost savings for future events. So instead of, for example, the the yard signs that we always have for sponsorships, we have we designed them differently this year so that we can continue to reuse them instead of getting new signs every year, which that was Jess's idea and that was phenomenal. Um, and then also doing more inind sponsorships so that we're not expending the money and then we're
040getting services. So we did that as well. So, we hope to continue to find ways to save some costs because as you can see now, certainly we're not in the business of having a profit, but um you know, it is a bit of a difference between what we spent and what we brought in for this one. I think it's worth it 100%. Um it was a wonderful event. A lot of very very positive feedback, but just from a financial standpoint, that's what it looks like. questions. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Unfinished all business. Sidewalk repairs. >> So, these are just the first two just updates regarding where we're at. They broke ground this morning for the sidewalk. It they got a lot done today. It looks like both east and west side of Verdict on
041the north side. Looks like they got into both sides. So that's exciting. Um Joe has has something to say. Get up. Um so the the intent is and we did communications last week, but the intent is to work on all of the north side and once that's complete then they'll work on all of the south side. Are you speaking about the traffic? Yep. >> Perfect. Because I not well verssed in that side of it. >> Please. No, please go ahead. So the original plan when it was approved by MDOT included all through traffic east west to have a left turn lane when the traffic company showed up Sunday afternoon to do it. They weren't comfortable with the shifting because it was going to offset folks too much from the left turn arrows and they were
042concerned about liability if someone misreads it and things like that. So if you came into town this morning it was not a left turn option and traffic was backing up greatly. U we've since been working with MD and new plan and hope to have that approved. Now the one eastbound was there >> something was there but it wasn't obvious what it was and it almost looked like >> it was blocked off. >> So people were making left both left turns and going straight from the center lane. So, so that was the uh and it's >> it was just confusing >> for someone to have looked at their plan, given the price of the plan, then showed up to do the plan, say, "Yeah, we're not comfortable with this." Because they didn't weren't aware perhaps of
043the alignment of the traffic signals. >> Yeah. >> You know, so here they are Sunday afternoon when they're setting up and they said, "We aren't comfortable striping and covering up the lines and things like that. Um so it it stayed. So the plan basically now would be as you're coming west and they've removed the sidewalk as for instance in front of Red Knaps there. Um, we'll instead of having it close from the intersection and the north heading northbound right there, we're going to move the barricade back further maybe 50 60 ft. So, if somebody's approaching from the east heading westbound, if there's only a couple cars stacked up to turn left, they will be able to then go back to the curb line and go straight to a turn right. Now, if you get too
044many cars stacked up to turn left, that whole thing won't be there. >> It's a compromise. So that's kind of how we got from here to there to here to there and but yes they were they were working out there still right the goals on this side. So >> they know kind is of the essence and whether it is >> questionable at time. So Dana >> Y thank you. >> Thank you J. >> So as of now it's anticipated to take approximately 3 to four weeks for full completion. I think that's being >> taking conservative. Yeah. No, I think it's being conservative honestly but that's just me. Um I don't want to jinx it. Um, so moving on to the gazebo just really quickly. They kicked off work last week on that. So they've been
045scraping paint, kind of getting things ready to repaint. They're going to be repainting um and doing some brick work and some um internal roof work, not the shingles, but the inside. I apologize, my background is not in um architecture. So I'm learning as we go here. But um and then they'll take a break. So, they're going to wrap everything up um by close of business on Friday because we have witches night um this Friday and then they're uh going to come back next week, mid to late next week to finish with the railings. So, that should be completed in early November. >> Okay, great. >> And the trolley. [Applause] So, >> wow, that was a long pause. >> I was waiting for Ashley to jump in. Um, so at or committee, we didn't she didn't
046review any of the details that we or committee, but the recommendation from org committee was to sell the trolley after the season concludes, which would be early 2026. Um, we have a meeting scheduled with Lake Orian on Thursday to talk about their thoughts around the program moving forward. I don't initial conversation that I had with um the assistant director last week was it's not any different than what we've talked about before and I think it's very similar to how we feel as a community is that if it's in inconsistent questionable means then they're probably not interested in moving forward. if we had a more reliable version of the trolley where we had fewer concerns, they would be more invested in that. Um, we also did talk about in the or committee talk about the potential
047of managing the trolley ourselves and not necessarily through a transportation company. I personally don't like that option. Um, but that was brought on as conversation. Um, so I think for tonight the recommendation from the or committee is to sell the trolley. So I think that is what would need to be discussed >> with no plans to replace it or is that just a separate discussion? I think the plan would be to try and secure grants to help support a new and improved program, but timing would be TBD depending on grant applications and whether we were awarded the grant or not. I think we all liked the program. We didn't want to rush in and force ourselves to be with another trolley that A isn't exactly what we need or B is another kind of financial
048disaster um for us moving forward. And so if we could make a few bucks off of our current trolley, which is a good I mean we've fixed everything on it. Um but it still is just not serving our purposes and the not drivers don't necessarily most of them don't want to drive it. The discussion around staffing our own is the only thing that we don't do or pay for anymore is actual like the driver on our payroll. So we pay not for the driver. Um but the insurance everything is through us and so the scope of the project has just changed. So we wanted to continue the program pending you know looking at grant applications and getting funding to buy a new newer trolley but it doesn't necessarily mean it would happen next year or
049the year after. >> Do you want board feedback or to this please? >> Okay. >> Yes. I would love to know where and I recognize that we don't have a full board this evening, but I would like to get a general idea if the board is in support of selling the trolley or if we want to try and >> make this run. >> I could go first. >> Okay, thank you. Uh I am in support of selling the trolley because it's given us um just a lot of headaches with the maintenance and the inconsistency. It I think it's very confusing to the public um when they don't know if it's going to be running this weekend or uh we have to put out a last minute >> notice that it's down again. So, >> um,
050however, as a business owner, I have seen the benefits of the trolley and bringing new business into our, >> um, into our town. Um, so, in that regard, I hate to see it go. I also think there's a lot of other ways we could utilize the trolley just within Oxford if we don't have a partnership with Lake Oran. And I know the uh EV committee has talked a lot about going into the various neighborhoods and doing events that way. Um and perhaps only having one weekend night where the trolley runs on some selected route. Um I'm a little uncomfortable with not knowing when that might happen. Uh that it could be a year or two or even more away. That tends to tell me that it's not going to happen when we keep pushing it
051back like that. So, um I would like to see us pursue a grant um to purchase a a newer trolley. Um but again, I I would not be opposed to selling the one that we have. Would you is your thought process to continue to run the current trolley in some capacity while we're seeking out additional funding or funding for the trolley? >> Sure. I mean, if if if it makes it that far. >> Well, I think the challenge we have right now and certainly we've had quite a few maintenance issues. I think the challenge we're having right now is having consistent drivers because uh we have some drivers who are refusing to drive the trolley um and we have some drivers that are either out of town or medical issues or whatnot. So um but
052I do agree that um our reputation as a trolley program is very low right now. Mhm. I mean, and there's certain events like the Polar Express, for example, >> that was hugely popular and I think the trolley really fits into that. >> Um, you know, the whole theme. Um, and I also like seeing it running around town because it it fits the, you know, the atmosphere that Oxford is, the quaint small town. And and I hate to just give all that up because I think it it kind of fits with our ethos and offers benefit to uh community members. I think we just need to make it a reliable, consistent product so that, you know, we don't lose our credibility with the community. Oh, it's broken again with, you know, what's wrong with them? They
053can't keep it running. So, I don't I don't have the ultimate answer, I guess, but um my vote would be to to keep a trolley in some shape or form running um with a lot of TBDs on the schedule and >> where it goes and all that. >> Yeah, Joe. So last month the Oak County City Managers Association met over in the city of Fenton because they have about 12 people in Fenton that belong in this county. So cross but part of the reason I was intrigued to go there because it was a brand new there that we all ride on. They took us around the city of Fenton. It's ran by the mass transit authority which is countyy's version of smart brand new trolley very happy driver beautiful. They have two of them and
054they're working in right now the pilot program the city of Fenton and other areas where and there's a model out there already getting started that perhaps there's conversations with smart in the county and then I know there's a lot of competing people in that arena right where maybe they maybe smart or somebody gets gets one and you reserve for these days and these weekends and other communities reserve for those days or those weekends there's just it's out there they have two of them And they're very nice. >> So they're rentable. >> So I'm gonna Can I say this really quick? >> Yeah. Go ahead, Ashley. >> MTA and their support system is different than >> it's county based. Yes. >> They also there are funders there that we do not currently have. >> Yeah. >>
055Well, I mean you mean like smart? >> No. Oh, >> I mean >> there are funders within those communities that we do not have within our community. >> Yeah. >> You mean our community being in Oxford or >> Correct. So they can have two trolleys, but there are people there that can just buy them a trolley. >> So I mean if somebody wants to buy Joe >> and I can't speak to how it came to be. I just I think you know you the funding there is different than what our models >> best friends I believe paid for MTA. >> Mhm. >> And yes, maybe there's some I'm sure there's some renumeration, let's call it from from Benton to MTA to help cover that cost while it's in town. >> Ashley, could you explain MT?
056I mean, can we join MTA or MTA Smart? So MTA count. >> Oh, okay. So it's by county. >> So >> Okay. >> Bar Smart. Those are much more heavily used and funded, >> right? >> Yes. >> At least it >> again they have they have different foundations that can support at the back end and help do different things that we just don't have here. Willing to accept them though. So I I and I don't know how the trolley came to be. I just >> I didn't know either. It was news to me right before that meeting that I went to really to learn it and see it. And >> I would be very interested on how everything came to be or who funded it from the back side. >> Yeah. I think funding that
057bought it, >> right? But I don't know if they got grants or >> how did they farm it up and how do they get any cost? I don't know. >> I don't know. >> Any other comments from board members? I think lack of dependability creates the trust issue which makes it so people don't want to use it or depend on it necessarily. People are worried about getting stranded. People are, you know what I mean? So I I would say getting rid of it before it completely tarnishes the reputation and makes it not something we can do in the future may be a good idea. >> And it seems like we have half a tr. >> Right. Well, and if I go out with my family and I've got my kids with me and I want
058to go down to to Lake Orian and have dinner, I don't want to have to worry about getting home and finding, you know, it's just it's not I would not take the trolley with my family due to the concerns of will it be up and running this night, >> Especially in the cold. So, the winter it's a nonoption. >> So, do we make a motion? Does someone make a motion that or do we have more to board members? Yeah, I I think that's too few people here. >> That's fair. >> Okay. >> So, we'll uh we'll postpone that discussion to next board meeting and I think I'm sure there'll be discussion within some of the committees as well. Okay. Uh new business committee member recommendation. So, we do have um a gentleman who has attended
059several of our EB committee meetings and is interested in becoming a permanent committee member. His application is in your packet. >> I'll make a motion to approve Roman Gi joining the EV committee. >> Okay, motion passes. And there was just one you said, right? Okay. >> Uh, update the current ad hoc committee. Change the home and history ad hoc to >> vote on it. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Oh, okay. All in favor? >> I opposed. >> Okay, it passes. >> Sorry. >> No, that's okay. No. uh change the home and history ad uh ad hoc committee to the America 250 village 150 ad hoc committee. Extend the ad hoc committee's lifespan through December 31st 26. >> Um this is coming out of the proclamation that the village did last week. So to have a
060formal proclamation part of the recommendations is that there is a committee dedicated to America 250. I felt we already had that since we've been doing the home in history, we've been doing 250 type celebrations. So, just to be very clear, instead of calling it home in history, I would like to change the name, which does not make it any easier, but to be very clear, this is the America 250 village 150 ad hoc committee, and it has a lifespan through December 31st, 2026. And at that point after the celebration will no longer exist. >> Okay. Do we need a >> motion to change home and history ad committee to the America 250 village 150 ad hoc committee and extend the ad hoc committee lifespan through December 31st support. Okay. Um, all in favor? I >>
061opposed. All right. Motion passes. Okay. Uh, the sign grant. Uh, there is a signed grant um in your packet from page 18, the new bookstore in town. Uh the design committee is recommending to the board a 50% grant of the quote chosen not to exceed $1,500 via the sign grant uh via a sign grant pending sign application approval by the village of Oxford. So um I'll make that into a motion. Uh, a motion to approve the sign grant application for page 18 not to exceed $1,500 up to 50% uh as quoted and it's beyond that point. So, it would be $1,500. >> Second. >> Okay. And we need a roll call for that, please. >> You got it. All right. Marie Powers, >> yes. >> Ashley Ross, >> yes. >> Jacob Nicosia, >> yes. >>
062Jay Choy, >> yes. >> Melissa Canales, yes. Okay, motion passes. Soup and sweet stroll reimbursement. >> I just wanted to bring the conversation and around the reimbursement for soup and sweet. I know we had conversation last year. I just want to um I think that the intent on having this conversation is around again we're not in the business to make a profit but we do have a budget when it comes to what we can and can't do. And with having these infrastructure projects moving into this fiscal year and into next fiscal year, the conversation was just uh around do we want to reimburse 100% of the ticket sales back to those that are participating at Super Suite or do we want to change that percentage? >> I like to hear from the Yeah. I I'll
063call I'll call on my slide. >> And just to be clear before you say anything, the intent is not for it to be, you know, 5050. Um we do recognize that there is a large cost, especially with the soup portion of it. I think last year we were able to give a larger amount than we have historically. So I'm not advocating for not doing that. I'm just curious of the thoughts around um as a board what you would like how you would like to proceed with our financial side of things. >> Okay. As board member and business owner, I have the same answer. Okay. >> Um I don't think 100% reimbursement is necessary. Um, in my viewpoint, if you're if you're at least paying for the ingredients and maybe some of the extra labor that
064goes into it, to me, that seems sufficient. Um, it as a business owner, we we view this as community out outreach. You know, being able to meet the community and interface with them and um it's always an enjoyable experience and I don't I would not be expected to make money off of it. Are you saying just for clarification 100% off what we make for ticket sales we give back based on whatever that is not that we are guaranteeing 100% that we will cover all of your expenses. >> Correct? >> Yeah. So for example, let's say we this is I'm pulling a number. This was not accurate. Let's say we made $10,000 off of ticket sales. We take that and we divide that between all of the soup makers and all of the sweet providers. And
065then last year we tiered at three levels. If you remember we had two businesses that were making inhouse suites. So we gave them a little bit more than those that were purchasing suites. So also as a business owner and a board member um so my business is different. The cost for me is not as significant. So if I per se donate pre-purchased items, a I like to do it from one of the local businesses. So, it's a cross- promotion thing in general or the craft I like to donate. I do not expect reimbursement. I view that as like an inkind advertising >> sort of thing for for myself. So, I'm more worried about, you know, acknowledging the cost for the restaurants and the bakeries that have the higher expenses. >> Okay. >> Completely agree on
066that. I mean, the soup and the sweets, some of those sweets were sweet and the soup a lot of money. So I think I think it makes sense to >> give them you know I mean where we can and give them give back that money. >> Yeah. I I don't think the the general expectation is for the uh restaurants for example to to make a profit off of soup. I mean they just want to cover their expenses. >> And in prior years they received nothing for it. >> Exactly. >> I just found that today most are very appreciative. So before >> in earlier times you would go up, you'd pay $10 and you get a spoon for everyone in your family. If I recall correctly is how they it was a per family and you
067just paid cash essentially when you got there. So it's more organized doing it this way. I like the punch cards but there's a cost that comes with those too. >> Yes. >> So you there's a lot that goes into it and like I say my my biggest concern would be more so the the restaurants themselves that are making it. If someone goes and buys a Costco tray of cookies, I mean, they shouldn't be expecting to get the same amount back that one of the bakeries would get for selling handmade cookies, >> right? >> What's what's the benefits to the flip side if the DA were to give you a fee to get sales? >> I mean, that's what we did last year. So, it's it's just a matter of, you know, it's the expenses that
068we incur and that that's less that we can do in another area. And that kind of ties back to the strategic planning for 2026. You know, this is a learning year for Jess and I and we're pulling all of the data together. So, I couldn't tell you how much we're spending or how we have how much we've spent on soup and sweet the way that we're doing it this year. We'll be able to. Um, so I don't know what that looks like. I I I'm hoping that it's not bad, but I couldn't tell you. I know that there's a lot of money that goes into it. Um, which again, we have a budget and that's that's fine. I think we just it's helping me kind of calibrate how the board would like to see things
069>> financially. >> If you're looking for more participation from the businesses, I think giving them more Yeah. might help. But if you're not looking for more, if we don't if we already have enough businesses, >> I think participation will fall off if you don't give them something, >> you know, to cover their certainly. I'm not advocating by any means to not give anything back. I think that's a huge benefit. >> Well, and offering the volunteers is huge, too, because that's another thing is restaurants on one of the one of the busiest nights of the year if they have to have an employee standing out there, that's also quite an expense. So, I don't believe that there were volunteers offered before. >> Oh, okay. >> So, I the these are >> just for crowd control alone
070because >> you can't sling soup and control the crowd at the same time. I I think either way this will be one of the he more heavily participated ones, but yes, I think some would fall off of this if there's not something given back. >> So, I guess from what I'm hearing, my thoughts would be let's continue to do it as we did it last year. We'll get that data put together. We can take a look at it and see where we're at and if we need to make changes, we can look at that for next year. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Sure. Excel Brothers lighting quote. >> Okay, so Ashley and I had the opportunity to sit down with Mickey to talk through the skyline lighting program. We've had this on the agenda
071before. Uh this is the official quote that they have provided to us if we were to transition to a more um permanent solution. The solution that was uh installed two years ago was not intended to be a long-term solution. Um, so this would be more in alignment with that long-term solution, looking at an 8 to 10 year lifespan with much less maintenance than what we're requiring right now. >> Now, would maintenance be a factor that's included into the quote? >> I don't I think it's under I don't know that he included the yearly maintenance costs. No, the first year is provided free >> and then it would be a yearly um kind of just double-checking and seeing if the glue is holding, if there's any bulbs out, that kind of thing. So, just really quick,
072it is a sticker shock when you look at it at the first. So, having the conversations, this is meant to be long term. We won't have the same problems. We are guaranteed to have the lightscape which I think has become a signature for >> our town at this point. I can't imagine us ever not having it. Um Mickey was really great. This wouldn't go he couldn't install it this year anyway. It's already too cold. So this is a spring install and he is willing to work with us if we wanted to split it by budget year. So however that works if we wanted to pay like half the deposit. And these are not like final numbers, but the total you're looking at almost $83,000 instead of taking $83,000 out of this fiscal year. You know,
073if we can do half July, that way we're not taking such a big hit this budget year. When you break it down by 10 years, the chances of them breaking down are so much smaller than what we have right now, especially in the winter, which is our biggest problem. Um, Even if you added in maintenance, you're talking anywhere from $600 to $800 a month over the next 10 years when you look at it. >> Um, a year, >> no, per month. So, every month if we're paying with this over the next 10 years, that's what you're looking at on on a monthly investment. >> Um, they are at least 8 to 10 years. We could get longer. They're run by an app. We can change our colors for all of the different events. like we
074just have so much more flexibility. They're on his building right now if you wanted to go take a look at it. The install um I think our business owners when we first went through some of them obviously don't want drilling. Some of the buildings can't have drilling. Maybe if they know it's a more permanent. We've tried it. We like it. Might be able to get more success. So if we can drill into the built into the masonry or into um the mortar, they're going to be even more secure where some of them right now are adhesive. So I I think if you just look at this, you're going to have that big sticker shock. But in practicality, if we want the light, he is giving us a good price. It's not a huge dollar amount
075per month, and it's way less maintenance calls, and they're pretty much guaranteed to work for the next 10 years. And they're very very local if they need to come and do repairs >> like across. >> He can do it from the comfort of his own home. >> All us. >> We all come to town. Kimberly's having a good day or bad depending on the color. Yeah. So what do you what do you need from us today? Approval of the full amount with >> he was I well I think what we could do is we wanted to present and I know you had thrown a number out before >> I did speak with Rod and said the same thing so I know that he was in favor of it but I think because we don't have
076everybody here I don't feel comfortable making such a large purchase. Mhm. >> I think if you did ask Mickey if he was fully okay with breaking it down by two budget years whether it's 6040 50/50 and if we could have that hey on March 1 this is what's due or whatever and then on July one this is what's due think we can make a really informed decision. >> Yeah. I'd like I'd like to understand our current budget if we can actually afford it. Like I I understand that this is this is a good price for what we're getting, but can we actually afford this is my my biggest question. >> So the short answer is yes, but the longer answer is it's, you know, going to the bank and taking out some money for it.
077It's not it hasn't been baked into our 25 26 budget, >> but we can we could >> do we know if we if we if we're able to split the payments into two um when we would have to pay the first payment >> for him for him to start the work in the spring. >> He's you he's pretty flexible because we're a longtime partner and we work with them >> consistently throughout the year, especially the last couple years. It's a big thing to ask somebody to flow. So that's kind of where it's like if we can just get those when he actually wants it and needs it by >> based on our budget year. If he can do that, then I think we can answer >> those questions. >> Yep. >> I agree. It's such
078an intrinsic part of our downtown now. I can't imagine not having those lights. And it would be good to get feedback as to what businesses would allow for the drilling and placement in here too because he said the gluing is not a permanent solution. It's definitely going to be more secure and require less maintenance in the coming of years which can impact >> well I think >> I will say too so the track that he showed it's like I don't think of like a stick. Right now our lights are individually placed and so you have any issues in between. They're not attached. So even with the adhesive it's better. Mhm. >> Um, so if you aren't drilling, you still have more space that's like stuck on there. But if people are good with it and
079have, you know, hey, this is permanent. It's not just a temporary thing. We can drill. >> Yeah. >> Be great. >> I think that'd be huge. >> Well, I I I assume the business owner is going to want to know. Um, given the fact that these are historic buildings, what would they what would they recommend? I mean, is the drilling really? So as long as it's not like a museum's not necessarily >> there's a reason he stays recommend your way from our design team >> architects who can help guide you on historic buildings and such. also suggest talking to your neighbors in Rochester since they string lights every year. >> They have permanent in theirs which and it's on their facade which I would never recommend but Mickey did say he can even do a
080lot of it in the mortar so you're not even actually drilling into the masonry. >> Yeah. So So why don't we reach out to Ron and come up and take a look in chat. >> Yeah. Great suggestion. >> Recommendations. >> Um, since you're talking about cost, I don't know if you guys have gotten into what you want to use your technical assistance funding for from Stroen County this fiscal year. So, that's available now. It's a new fiscal year. So, that's $10,000. You can use it for anything you want, including this project if you like. And the way that our fiscal year falls, it's technically you can get technically two technical assistance funding from us within a calendar year because our fiscal year ends in September. So, example, Royal Oak is doing a lighting project on
081Four Street and they're looking to bank their technical assistance for this current fiscal year and the next fiscal year that begin October yet this calendar year and bank them together for a larger month. So, as you're talking about lights, trolley costs, things like that, keep in mind you can use your technical assistance funding from us for any or all of these these projects. That's $10,000 within fiscal year, but technically it's 20,000 within a calendar year. >> So, just keep that in mind. >> Thank you. >> All right. Uh, last but not least, grant consultant quote. >> Yes. So, I believe it was two months ago, maybe last month, that we were talking about grants and applying for grants and it was recommended to move forward with getting a quote together for contracting out that service.
082Um, so the quote is included in the packet. If you look toward the back, that's where the financials are on page nine. And these um owners of this business are former DDA downtown directors. So they are very familiar with what it entails to be a downtown director, the things the types of projects that one DDA might be interested in. When we talked through it, um I just talked through some initial ideas around grant opportunities. they are definitely subject to change based on our strategic planning. Um so I would be looking for a motion to move forward and contract with these this organization. So on page 11 is what we talked about initially around some opportunities for grant um support for some of the projects that we are looking to do. And look there, exterior lighting.
083It's right on there. Charlie's on there. I'm not sold that we need this. I think you're learning a lot. I think that we're streamlining things. I'm not sold that we need to contract out grant writers. I mean, they could spend their phase $1,000 looking for grants and not paying anything. And maybe that John with you being here, maybe you can speak to that a little bit. Again, this is not my wheelhouse. This is not my background. I did kind of raise the question at the manager's workshop last week. Not that many people responded, but those that did respond do not do inside DDA office grants. They utilize a grant writer that's on staff within the municipality. But again, I don't know if you have any like larger scope of, you know, again, of what we're
084looking at. >> Yeah, sure. Um, so wearing two hats. So yeah, like Kimberly mentioned at our main street managers retreat, um the question was asked of the group and we had just about every main street manager there from the county. Uh the few that responded said that uh their municipality, like Kimber was saying, the city has someone on staff or someone that they contract uh with their city uh to be a grants writer because sometimes the grants that you may get into uh if you're successful require quite a bit of management. all the time in terms of compliance. So, it just depends on the complexity of of the uh the grant source you may go for. Um and then just speaking from personal experiences too, having been a downtown director as well, u writing grants
085and giving them things like that, you know, there there's different ones to pursue or look at or explore the time involved in looking at those and pursuing those uh and then the grant management of those as well that can take some time internally. So that was kind of the the feedback from the managers last week that the few responded that they have in their municipality where they have some eye they're on staff as a grants writer for the city overall which encompasses working with their downtown where they contract with some a few I think Rochester Pontiac are three that I am aware that have that built in within their their city government somehow someway and others are kind of doing it on their own when they're looking for things and it's just it's a question
086of time and capacity depending on the grants sometimes. >> Do you have any information on the ROI for >> the return on investment? >> Uh yeah, for communities that do invest the money in a grant writer is >> I don't off top of my head >> because I'm looking at the pricing and it seems very open-ended to me. I I don't know what a quote unquote typical grant is likely to really cost, you know, >> or how much time cost in the long run the time. >> There's different there's different grants from different sources. I mean, technically like some of the grant programs we offer through Genesis and Michigan State Federal Credit Union are relatively small grants. They don't take a lot of time and effort in terms of pursuing them and and then managing
087them on the local part. It's more on our side internally. Um, It just depends on the the grant source. I mean, especially federal dollars, I can tell you uh the Arbor project that Wixon is doing with us that you guys are part of the the placemaking projects. Uh because they got federal dollars as part of their project, there's a lot there that Laura, who is Kimberly's counterpart for Wix, is is doing on her part just in terms of reporting and things that they have to put in place because it's federal. And so that's one to keep in mind that anytime federal dollars are hitting the project, even if it's just $1, sometimes it opens the door that there's a lot of management and reporting and criteria that have to be tracked and managed. State programs
088sometimes can be that way, but maybe not as over the top as the federal programs. more localized programs from say an area foundation or or the county or a private individual or sponsorship. You guys know as well as I do in terms of what you have to do in terms of you know reporting and and demonstrating the impact back to a sponsor. So it's kind of a case by case basis and the only other thing I can say in terms of grants and that sometimes I've run into this many times with communities over like can we get a grant for that and sometimes my short answer is no. And it's and it's sometimes it's just >> we sometimes think of getting a grant for everything. It's like sometimes just do the fundraising for it. It
089is a lot less complex or get a sponsor or support for it than sometimes going after that grant, applying for it. No guarantee you're going to get it and then potentially have the reporting requirements that that may go for it. So, if you're looking at something like, you know, $20,000, $10,000 grant, you you kind of want to ask yourself, is it worth it? Or can we potentially raise the money uh easier by just doing some good oldfashioned fundraising, which again takes time to do, but you know, it it's it just depends on every grant scenario. But I can tell you that a lot of times federal dollars in whatever form and a lot of times state dollars that potentially you you may get those take more time in terms of capacity management and and keeping
090up with the reporting aspects versus something that may be a little bit more local or privately funded. I don't know if that really answers your question for you. >> Yeah, there's not a good ROI because you're never guaranteed. >> No, right. to do a federal program >> if it's just me takes me like a full work week. So >> anywhere from 30 to 40 hours. I think their prices are fine. The admin indirect is coming when you're doing state or federal if they're allowable, what our negotiated rates are, if they're going to be managing it. >> And there's still no promise. Um this company is not local. So I don't know if you had any suggestions about other municipalities are doing more local. We don't have the same resources that Royal Oak or Rochester do.
091So, >> yeah, too. So, um I don't in terms of that's something that I personally have not tracked in terms of local grant, you know, writing folks. I mean, they're out there. I just don't >> off the top of my head. >> I just to clarify, I did ask through Oakland County and this was provided through Michigan Downtown Association because there wasn't anything found through Oakland County. >> So, I'm wondering too, maybe we look at it a little differently. Some of these things I think we're going to look into, but like the trolley we know, we've heard from the majority of folks. We want to continue. I think we might want to look at pitching it instead of this un unknown or potential projects. We want a trolley. We know it's going to be a
092six-f figureure type project depending on whether it's federal. Like if we really want to do it right, work into the cost and then see if there's any people that would be willing to do the research on that or even if it is this company, but maybe narrow it down instead of just saying here's broad, go for it type of thing. Yeah, I think this was just to get the quote together. We had to talk about what we would be looking for so they had an idea of where they would be spending their time. >> I'd like to hear more about what what they've done in other communities and see Yeah. Like she mentioned what the ROI was on that. >> And it's never guaranteed with a grant. Yes. But, you know, if $2,000 gets us
093$100,000, then that's a no-brainer. >> Well, and John, maybe you can speak to it more, but like in just in my experience, right now is a really crummy time for grants. >> Oh, boy. Things. And so, I don't know that the state or county has, but >> yeah, it it's weird times right now. It just depends. I mean, because we know with the new state budget that some of the the grant programs that MDC offered now may be gone or or pause. So, we're still kind of waiting to see what the fallout is from that, what's going to remain. So, a lot of it depends on what you're looking for. And it might be a time where we're not relying or looking towards government sources as much but have to fine-tune our skills towards more
094of the private sector or private industry or corporate sponsors or things of that nature. Um, so you know, a breakdown that can often give in terms of mainstream communities to think about, and this is applicable for nonprofit models of downtown organizations, but it's also applicable when you think about fundraising a little bit. It's a um a third, a third, a third rule. So one third is public source funds, one third is private sector which is a broad broad swath of what could be considered private and the other third is is miscellaneous. So it may be something that you do is an event fundraiser that raises money for a specific uh cause or project. So yeah, right now the government funding both federal and state um is a little bit up in the air. So, I
095think if you're going to get into uh some of the grant funding, you might find that some of those sources are going to be more privatized or private foundations or corporations or things of that nature. Um, not to say that there aren't federal dollars or state dollars, but it's kind of a moving target right now. And and to your point, I mean, yeah, they cost $2,000 and they land $100,000. I think you got your pretty nicely. Yeah. So potentially you could just take one grand that you get your ROI back easily. So I guess keep that in mind for sure. >> Yeah, it's it's always it's always a challenge, but sometimes like you said, sometimes this just good oldfashioned fundraising sometimes potentially will get you there. when you said some neighboring communities were using a
096company like this. >> I'm not aware of any of the neighboring communities that are using a company. I just know the examples where uh those three communities where they have someone in house >> through their city government that's doing that. >> Uh flip side, we assisted uh the main street group in Pontiac actually assisted the city who was the applicant. Uh the main street group actually wrote the bulk of the grant application to SIMCO to to do a study for the west alley for pedestrian alley in downtown and then punted it over to the city to put the finishing touches on because they had to be the applicant. But the main street program actually partnered with the city to do the application to benefit a project in downtown but the city now is taking the
097lead on doing the RFPs and things like that because they're advocate but so there's different scenarios like that. Um, yeah, it could be different ways like that. Not sure I'm answering your question, but feels like I am. But to your point, I mean, yeah, the ROI doesn't take much for >> I mean, it's always it's always a risk with grant writing. I mean sometimes I mean I can even think you know our first pass of doing the public placemaking where we applied as the state with all of our main street communities going together under Oak County. We thought man this is giving them exactly everything they wanted. We didn't get it. And that's when we decided to go on our own between the county and the communities to move those public placemaking projects forward which
098you guys are included in. So we end up kind of doing it in house, you know, as as the county working with the municipalities because the grant application we pulled together we thought was so strong and and and ticked all all the buttons. We didn't get it. >> Yeah. No guarantee. >> No guarantee. So fortunately in the grand world there are no guarantees. You just never know. >> Thanks John. I'm glad it stuck around. >> Yeah. >> Is this another item we want a fuller board input on? I hate to delay everything, but >> I would say yes on a fuller board. >> I'm not really comfortable deciding. Wait for >> what does our timing look like? I mean, do we >> we don't have any specific timing. I think you know >> we can
099wait until the next board meeting board. >> I do I do like the idea of kind of pinning this to a specific >> project. Absolutely. We can certainly go back and say one time like one project we'd like for you to work on one project and see how that works. >> Excuse me. um and then make a decision from there. I certainly don't know that we would go to them, you know, with five things and say, "Here, find something for us." You know, definitely prioritize that. Um >> if we did that, would we have a better chance of them being able to pinpoint a more specific cost to doing that? I mean, >> I don't know because I think it's based on their time that's invested. So, it depends on the type of grant, like
100how long it takes for them to find something that would be suitable for our needs and then to how long it would take to actually write the grant. >> Um, I think that's where um, you know, if you're looking at the breakdown. >> Yeah, we're not going to ask them just to write one grant. I mean, if you're talking trolley, you're going federal, state, community foundations in our area. is going to be >> you don't think it's practical for us to give them that that request and they would they'd be able to come back with yeah it's going to be this number of hours it's going to you know rather than being totally open-ended on we want a grant writer but we don't know what we want you to do yet. >> I mean >>
101I think it's hard to determine how many hours it's going to take beforehand >> until we know the grant. I mean, Ashley, you you have a background and this, so I feel like you are the best person to speak to this. >> I just I don't feel with this particular company, I know you say they have DBA experience. I just don't >> I don't see it for our needs. And I guess that's more of my biggest hang-up right now is we have these specific needs. They're not local. They're not going to be down here managing it. We're going to have to report out everything anyway. I don't see this being a super big time saver. I mean, we're going to ask them to do Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan. They're in Charlotte boy, so they
102don't have that relationship already. So, if I want to save money on finding a grant, especially with local funders, I'm going to find somebody who has relationships with local funders already. >> Do we have contacts that we could reach out to to get a I don't know if quote's the right word, but to see what their assistance could be. >> What do you mean who? >> Like, do you know of people that would be? >> I would call the different city grants administrators. So, I would see if we can talk to Royal Rochester who is doing it. You know, I know you have it in house, but how is that working for you? Is there somebody that you know because they would know more of that? I mean, Well, don't we have a grant person
103within the township? Is that somebody that we could leverage? I >> It doesn't hurt to ask CJ. Um, his only experience with grant writing is in his current role, though. But he also does have some relationships with foundations, too. So, it's not I just I think for something super specific that we're looking for this company, I just didn't get the waries from even if they're MDA recommended. I mean, So, how would you So, your your recommendation is to reach out to the grant writers within the communities that are helping to support local DDAs and see if they have any recommendations on a different contracted service. Okay. >> And we're not I don't think we're in a rush. >> Okay. >> I can put you in touch with these one. >> Okay. >> And Isaac and
104Okay. Is Isaac from Royal Oak? Okay. Yeah. He said he was going to send that but I don't we never connected after. >> Southeast. >> Okay. Perfect. Thank you. >> That's good. I think you know county is going to be helpful but they're minor dollars. I I for I'm sorry I should get up. I would also put the M foundation on your radar because they did help with they did contribute towards the relocation of the historic depot in Holly. And so I'm thinking particularly for the trolley project because it impacts multiple communities. They may be interested in taking a look. >> Okay. What was the name of that? M. >> Okay. Got it. >> They're close enough they may care. >> I have had zero luck outside of that unless it's going to serve what
105you had just said. Like Holly is but it doesn't hurt to ask. Worst they're going to say is no. >> And sometimes it takes time to build relationships with these folks. Well, I think with the trolley and Fenton, I think if we have conversations with that, too, because I have a feeling that I know who the underwriters are and if we can say, hey, this would benefit that as well and we can do, you know, trolley tourism, >> regional regional trolley. >> I think just the way you couch it was it will be important. >> Yeah. Okay. Uh, so we're going to further this this discussion next month. I'm assuming. >> Yeah, I think we have some I have some action items to reach out to get more information. >> All right. Good. Great. All
106right. Uh, number 11 items move cons from consent agenda. We don't have any uh board member comments. Jay, I'll start with you. >> Um it's been really good to see all the scarecrow downtown. I think that adds a whole another flavor to our town. Just so awesome seeing it. So many comments about it. Love how our community is always trying to come together and have that. So enjoy the rest of this fall weather we're getting stuff. Yeah, especially >> go Lions. >> You stole my line. [Laughter] >> Did we miss the whole game? >> Oh, is that >> 14? >> Thank you. >> Are we winning or losing? >> Oh, good. Okay. >> We're all wearing our shirt. >> Yeah, go Lions. Okay. >> I also want to comment that the scarecrows are awesome. business
107owners did an amazing job and it looks so nice in our town and then I'm ready for our like little Hallmark town to be all prettied up for Christmas. So exciting. >> Um and also go go Lions. >> And I do want to say uh great job to you ladies. You're both absolutely wonderful. Um promo committee meeting was today. I really like that we had the good conversation about what the goals are on honing in on what what the future goals are and events and you know things for the community. So just you guys are doing a great job. Thank you. >> We'll suck in that. >> Go lions. >> All right. Meeting is adjourned. 8:35. [Music]