DIDA Welcomes New Members

IRONWOOD, MI - Friday, July 30, 2010 - A Re-Scheduled regular meeting of the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority (DIDA) was held on Thursday, July 29, 2010, in the Women’s Club Room on the second floor of the Municipal Memorial Building, Ironwood, Michigan.

Prior to the meeting, Eva Smith-Furgason, Lee-Ann Garske, and Matthew Weber took the oath of office. Smith-Furgason was re-appointed and Garske, Weber and Tom Williams were appointed by Mayor Burchell at the last City Commission Meeting. Following the June 24th DIDA meeting, there were four openings on the Authority. Eva Smith-Furgason's and Bill Penrose's seats expired. Penrose opted not to re-apply. Cory Gresham and Chairman George Goerig both handed in resignations.

The meeting was called to order at 8:00 AM by Authority Vice-Chairman Joe Karius. Karius has assumed the role of Acting Chairman as a result of the Goerig's unexpected resignation.

DIDA Secretary Jane Bowman recorded the roll. All members were present, except for newly appointed member Tom Williams who had a scheduling conflict. He was excused. Members in attendance included: Vice-Chairman Joe Karius; Mayor Bob Burchell; Gail Johnston; Rick Tippett; re-appointed member Eva Smith-Furgason; and newly appointed members Lee-Ann Garske and Matthew Weber.

Karius suggested, for the benefit of all DIDA members (previous and new) that everybody introduce themselves. Karius started stating that he was acting chairman and that he represents the Daily Globe on McLeod Avenue. Rick Tippett was the next to speak. He explained that he represented Woodtech Buildings and Custom Home Outfitters on Douglas Boulevard. He said he's been a DIDA member for about a year. Eva Smith-Furgason introduced herself and told the members that she managed Northwind Natural Foods on Suffolk Street. Jim Albert said he represented the pool hall in Ironwood and the Superior Chronicle both located on Aurora Street. Jane Bowman explained that she was the DIDA secretary and the Assistant Community Development Director. Matt Weber told the Authority that he represented Old World Meats on the Douglas Boulevard "S" curve. Gail Johnston explained that she owned and operated Gogebic Area Thrift on the corner of Ayer and Lowell Streets. Lee-Ann Garske said she worked at Coleman Engineering on the corner of Suffolk and Ayer Streets. Bob Burchell explained that he was the Ex-Officio Member due to the fact that he was the City's Mayor.

Following the recording of the roll, the Authority unanimously approved the June 24, 2010 Regular Meeting Minutes and the Docket. Vice-Chairman Karius asked the citizens in attendance if anyone wished to address the Authority on any agenda items. Nobody wished to speak. The next order of business was to receive and place on file George Goerig’s letter of resignation. The Authority unanimously voted to do so.

Jane Bowman updated the Authority on pending Grant Application needed to implement the Blueprint Plan. She explained that she briefly met with Cathi Cole on Wednesday, and Cole told Bowman that the grant application was being reviewed by her board and that Bowman should expect the grant agreement in the mail shortly. Bowman told the Authority that she would let members know as soon as the grant is received. Mayor Burchell asked if this news should be considered to be positive. Bowman said with a smile, "She said it positively."

Karius explained to the new members that the City has a grant application to implement the Blueprint Plan for between $500,000 and $600,000 pending and that the City would have to pay a 15% match if the grant is approved. Bowman told the new members that she would try to get a copy of the application for their review.

Bowman presented an update of the Annual Blueprint Benchmarks. She explained that she was waiting for former Community Development Director Dan Petersen to get back to her with information on how he generated the figures for the initial plan. It is important to know this information in order to provide the progress report as required. Smith-Furgason said it was important to accurately assess the progress on the Blueprint Plan, and that the same methodology needed to be used so that "apples will be compared with apples." She said if different a different method is used to generate the new figures, the report could be grossly inaccurate and even damaging to the DIDA's cause. She said having accurate information wasn't only for the State's benefit, it would help the DIDA to understand just how effective the plan has been. She warned that the progress report shouldn't be viewed as merely a document to satisfy the requirements of the State, it should be considered a valuable tool that could greatly assist the DIDA in its efforts for progress.

Eva Smith-Furgason said that the "bench committee" decided that it would be pointless to make efforts to get new benches so late in the season. So, the committee has decided to wait until the grant application is approved and funding is available before attempting to provide benches for the downtown.

Jim Albert and City Manager Scott Erickson were scheduled to give a presentation showing how other communities have utilized the Blueprint Plan or plans similar to the Blueprint, and how other communities market themselves. Due to the fact that Erickson was not able to attend the meeting, and there were equipment difficulties, the presentation didn't take place. Jane Bowman told the DIDA that Erickson was willing to schedule a day trip to visit other communities to get a feel for their implementation of their respective plans. Several of the members stated interest in the idea. Albert gave the members a URL address that listed area communities and featured links to their websites. He asked that everybody visit the site and see how other communities present themselves online. He stated that Calumet was a community that members should closely examine.

Karius gave audience members the opportunity to address the Authority on non-agenda items. Nobody wished to address the Authority.

Under "Other Business" the following matters were discussed:

Jane Bowman explained that grant funding was available for a farmer's market in Downtown Ironwood. Smith-Furgason told the Authority that there simply weren't enough growers in the area and there was too much competiton from surrounding markets to make the idea feasible at this time. Karius astutely pointed out that Michigan regulations make participation by out-of-state growers a major hurdle to overcome. The general concensus is that a farmer's market was not fesible unless there was a considerable volunteer effort.
Mayor Burchell asked if the DIDA ever had discussion about dust control along the railroad grade. Karius, who was on the Authority since 2001, said he didn't recall any such discussion. Bowman said she didn't either. Burchell suggested that the DIDA might be able to apply for grants along the grade to control dust. The matter will be further discussed in the future.
Jim Albert suggested that the DIDA work closely with the SISU organizers, and as soon as possible, to prevent problems for the downtown businesses. Mayor Burchell told the Authority that he met with several area businesses owners and that the SISU group was very interested in making any changes necessary to make the event as beneficial as possible to the downtown business district. He explained that the organizers have proposed changes that would improve the race and give local businesses the best opportunity to financially benefit from the event. Karius suggested that the SISU organizers meet with the DIDA and local businesses so that issues can be ironed out.
Joe Karius asked if the Authority wished to immediately elect new officers, or wait until January when officers are normally elected. Jim Albert suggested that it might be better to wait, provided Karius was willing to continue as acting chairman. He said waiting until January would allow new members the opportunity to become better familiar with everything, and perhaps a new member might wish to step up to the plate. The Authority agreed.

With no other business to attend to, the Authority unanimously voted to adjourn. The meeting lasted 42 minutes.