DIDA Works Towards Creating a Mini-Strategic Plan to Implement Blueprint
IRONWOOD, MI - by Jackie Lutey - Saturday, October 30, 2010 - A Regular meeting of the DIDA was held on Thursday, October 28, 2010, in the Community Development Conference Room on the second Floor of the Municipal Memorial Building, Ironwood, Michigan.
1. Call to Order - The meeting was called to order at 8:00 AM by Acting Chairman Joe Karius.
2. Recording of the Roll - DIDA Secretary Jane Bowman recorded the roll. Members attending the meeting were: Joe Karius (Vice-Chairman); Tom Williams; Eva Smith-Furgason; Gail Johnston; Jim Albert; Lee-Ann Garske; and Matt Weber. Rick Tippett and Mayor Bob Burchell were excused. City Staff on hand included: Ironwood's new Community Development Director Merritt Bussiere; DIDA Secretary Jane Bowman; and Code Enforcement Officer Jason Alonen. Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce's new director, Donna Scorse attended the meeting to officially introduce herself to the Authority. In addition to my report, the meeting was covered by Jon Hawley of the Daily Globe.
3. Consider approval of the September 23, 2010 Regular Meeting Minutes and Special Meeting Minutes of October 7, 2010 - Acting Chairman Karius asked for a motion to approve the minutes from both meetings. Tom Williams made the motion. Matt Weber supported Williams' motion. Karius asked for discussion.
"Hearing none, I'll call for a vote." Karius said, "All in favor say aye... (all members responded) all opposed, say something."
The Authority unanimously passed the motion to approve the minutes.
4. Approval of the Docket - The DIDA unanimously approved the Docket as presented.
5. Citizens wishing to address the Authority on Agenda Items (3 Minute Limit) - No citizens stepped forward to address the Authority.
6. Audience: Donna Scorse, Chamber Director - "First of all," Ms. Scorse addressed the Authority, "I did want all of you to know that it's extremely important to the Chamber to work with all of you. I don't need a voting position, but I certainly would like to be involved in your meetings, because I really think we need to work hand-in-hand."
"The Chamber is looking at -- obviously, and I've made public statements about this -- ways to increase our visibility; our productiveness, if you will; ways in which we can be a much better Chamber for the community. Currently, we will be taking out a full-page ad in the Globe that will come out just around prior to Thanksgiving. We're opening up that page to merchants that want to be able to advertise just prior to 'Black Friday.' It will be sponsored by the Chamber."
"We are bringing in 'After Business,' or 'Business After Five,' if you will, every month collaborating with Hurley on that. Our first one will be November 18th. It will be the third Thursday of every month. This one will be held at the Maplewood Steakhouse. This is obviously a wonderful networking opportunity."
"We are also bringing in a series of business workshops. The first series will consist of three. The first one will be January, March and June. These are presented by facilitators from downstate. These are held locally, here in Ironwood. There will be more public information on those, but they are set, the facilitators are ready to go."
"The second series of workshops will be picked up in the fall and commencing through the winter. It really is our intention to look at ways in which we can increase 'added value' to our members. It is without question our primary focus to work and collaborate with all of you; all of the agencies; all of the organizations that can help our area look at economic growth and to sustain all of our employment, and of course to increase that as well. I'm here for you to work with you and you need to let me know what I can do and how I can help facilitate anything that you might be entertaining. Thank-you."
Joe Karius responded to Ms. Scorse's address by saying, "I don't know if anyone else has a comment, but I've been on the DIDA for longer than any of you and our relationship with the Chamber has been distant, is that fair Jane?"
"That's very fair!" Bowman responded.
"And I don't mean that negatively or positively -- there's just been a gap. On a few occasions we've talked about contacting the Chamber to do something and it's just not been very tight or very open. It may be our fault, it doesn't make any difference. But it looks like we have a new start and I think the programs -- bringing in the business facilitators and things like that -- is good for downtown and it's good for the community. So I'm wondering if we should do something a little, you know, maybe appoint one person from this board to be the liaison with the Chamber so that we have constant contact -- someone that would talk to Donna all the time -- once a month and then report back, or if Donna can't make it here... How does that strike you?"
Tom Williams responded with a grin, "It makes way too much sense!"
The members briefly discussed the benefits of having such a liaison and Lee-Ann Garske agreed to take on that position.
Jim Albert asked Ms. Scorse if the upcoming business workshops would be available to non-members of the Chamber.
"Absolutely," Scorse responded, "They will be available to anyone. There is a slight charge for all of them -- it's $20 per person. There will be more information coming out about them. I've already started scheduled them. They're on customer service. They're on understanding finance, business sheets, financial statements, and basic accounting. Customer service is obviously a really important one. I've got one scheduled on retail. They're really pertinent, I think, to all of the businesses in this area and they are done by professional facilitators that are coming up from Marquette and Escanaba. I'm partnering for these workshops with the Michigan Small Business Technology Development Center (MSBTDC) which is an agency which I have been working with for over two years now, doing my small business counseling. And we have a wide array of resources available to us from downstate. So we're taking advantage of what we know and opening it up to the community."
"Just as an afterthought too, we have our Jack Frost raffle tickets on sale now. We are looking at ways to increase the Jack Frost Parade to make it a weekend of festivities. Unfortunately, I'm limited as to what I can do this year because I'm coming in so late. But there are some changes being made already. Bessemer Plywood has donated 4x8 sheets of plywood. I'll be picking those up Friday. I have all the schools, daycare centers, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities involved in this from around the region. They will be painting these. We will be putting them up in the Pocket Park. We're going to put them up around the Depot as well, and bringing that in as also the Festival of Lights Parade. We are looking at other ways of increasing visibility for this. Hopefully, maybe, we can even partner with SISU and create just a real opportunity for the area to bring in tourism and get ways to increase revenue."
"Membership drive -- our membership packets will be out by the beginning of next week. We have definitely looked at ways to again bring in 'added value.' Those are listed in the membership packets. We have looked at our rates and made some changes in this packet of information. I think the changes that we are making are good changes, but it's really, really important for me to hear from you. You're the ones out there that I need to work with, so you also need to come to me and tell me what we can do to be a more effective chamber."
Lee-Ann Garske asked if the Chamber had a full board. Scorse informed the Authority that the Chamber has made some changes to their board, but the Chamber currently doesn't have a full board. In January the Chamber intends on advertising to fill the vacancies on their board.
"I would be honored if there was anyone in this room that would want to sit on that board and help direct us into the future." Scorse said.
7. Update on Blight - Jason Alonen, Code Enforcement Officer - Code Enforcement Officer Jason Alonen told the Authority he was present at the meeting to address some questions that had come up at previous meetings. One of the issues involved the outside display of merchandise on a City street. He presented the Authority with copies of the C-2 Commercial Ordinance, and he referred to Item #8.
According to the Ordinance:
Outside display of merchandise. All provisions of Chapter 29, Division 3 shall apply except that owners of retail establishments in the C-2 District may display merchandise outdoors, in accordance with the following:
a. Merchandise shall not be placed in a manner that presents a hazard to pedestrians or vehicular traffic.
b. Merchandise shall not be placed in a manner that disrupts the flow of pedestrian traffic.
c. Merchandise that is displayed outdoors shall only be displayed outdoors during the hours of operation of the retail establishment selling the merchandise.
d. Merchandise that is displayed outdoors shall only be placed directly in front of the retail establishment that is selling the merchandise.
e. All temporary structures used for display and/or sale of goods or equipment shall first require a permit from the Planning Commission prior to the erection of the structure.
Alonen explained that the was one business downtown that was in violation of the Ordinance. He told the Authority that he went and talked to the business-owner and he also sent him a letter. He said the business-owner was given 30 days to correct the situation.
Alonen said the business-owner assured him that the situation would be corrected.
Community Development Director Bussiere explained to the Authority that an ordinance is a "work in progress," and if the ordinance isn't doing the job, it can be revisited and changed to be more effective. He suggested that the DIDA approach the Planning Commission with recommended changes if they feel they are necessary.
8. Update on Ashland Tour - Merritt Bussiere informed the full Authority that he, along with four members of the Authority (Mayor Bob Burchell, Lee-Ann Garske, Matt Weber and Jim Albert), Chamber Director Donna Scorse and City Manager Scott Erickson traveled to Ashland recently and met with representatives of the City of Ashland and the Ashland Chamber of Commerce.
He then asked the members who attended for their report.
Lee-Ann Garske said, "It was a good day -- really positive and lots of information. They met us at the Chamber. They had coffee and sweet rolls." She went on to say that they had a productive question and answer session with Ashland representatives. She said that the group discovered how the Ashland Chamber worked and how they interacted with the City of Ashland. She said, "It was really interesting."
Donna Scorse agreed with Garske. "One of the things we talked about after we had a wonderful city tour as well, was the optimism that Ashland has. It was very plain to see, visually, what they have done to take pride in their city." She said the group discussed various ways Ironwood could improve considering the grants and other things that are available to the City. She said she doesn't like the idea of copying what Ashland has done, but the visit was a "lesson learned" as to how Ironwood can work collectively to achieve the vision the City has established.
Jim Albert told the Authority that he was also impressed by the way everybody worked together to make Ashland the attraction it has become. "They are all on the same page." he said. He went on to say that everybody needs to work together -- businesses; the City and the Chamber -- because it will benefit all parties involved.
"I think seeing the Chamber and the City completely on the same page and using their 2004 Comprehensive Plan as a shared vision for where the City was going to go, and how to implement the various programs was exciting to see." Bussiere said, "It was really inspiring!"
Scorse said she was also impressed with the Chamber building and its visibility.
Albert told the Authority that he was impressed with the incubator building and the Ashland incubator system. "It's a good idea and it would be nice if we could do something like that." Albert said.
Scorse explained that she and former Community Development Director Dan Petersen attempted to implement a similar program in Ironwood but were met with some resistance. She suggested that the timing might not have been right, but she would love to see an incubator program initiated in the area. She said Ashland is very successful and she would like to try developing a similar program here in the near future.
Joe Karius suggested that a combined effort with the IIDC (Ironwood Industrial Development Corporation) might make such a program possible.
9. Annual Blueprint Benchmarks – approve and authorize submission to MSHDA - Merritt Bussiere told the Authority that the initial baseline data that was given to MSHDA weren't accurate. He explained that the overall number of businesses in downtown -- both vacant and occupied -- Ironwood is considerably higher than what was reported to MSHDA previously. He established this fact by doing a "windshield survey" of downtown Ironwood's business district.
Bussiere told the Authority that MSHDA requires the total number of businesses and housing -- both vacant and occupied -- and they also need to have the square footage measurements of those spaces within the downtown. He said it is imperative that an accurate report of these things be submitted so that both MSHDA and the City can gauge the City's progress in implementing the Blueprint Plan.
Bussiere explained that he has not finished his "windshield survey" but so far he's identified 47 retail businesses and 30 office businesses in the downtown district. He said there are 118 businesses of various types included in the survey so far. He said he felt it was useful expand the classification of businesses as either retail or office into more defined categories. Although the State is only concerned with retail and office classifications, he said having an accurate building inventory may be an asset for future endeavors. The fruits of his labor are presented below.
Bussiere said the number of vacancies, so far is sobering. He said his goal is to be as accurate as possible, and he urges anyone and everyone who is willing to help or who has additional information to please pass it along to him.
Joe Karius asked Bussiere what procedure needed to be taken to correct the misreported data. Bussiere told Karius that he will try to contact MSHDA and explain the circumstances. He said it is best to tell them the truth -- that the original data was inaccurate and that efforts to gather correct information are underway. He said he will ask them what course of action would be best to take.
Eva Smith-Furgason, who has made numerous requests to establish a building inventory, applauded Bussiere's efforts and she noted the importance of having an accurate building inventory for the downtown district. She said proper data was essential to gauge progress.
Bussiere told the Authority that Dennis Hewitt will help to determine the square footage of each of the business buildings downtown.
Jim Albert pointed out that a building inventory was required by the Blueprint Plan and he mentioned that Eva Smith-Furgason has been aggressively insisting on its creation. Smith-Furgason told the Authority that she's been in contact with Pontiac, Michigan, another city that is participating in the Blueprint Program. She said that the building inventory was essential to Pontiac's success. She also touched briefly on a program Pontiac established that was similar to an incubator program. The main difference is that Pontiac's program was designed to help local landlords fill their vacant storefronts. She said instead of leasing out city-owned buildings, the City of Pontiac works with upstart buildings using a rent subsidy as an incentive. The City of Pontiac subsides a portion of the rent to new business upstarts and in return gets a percentage of the businesses sales revenue.
Merritt Bussiere told the Authority that, based on the progress made thus far on the "windshield survery," he was confident that everything will be prepared and ready to go by the next scheduled monthly meeting.
Bussiere handed out a report of compiled data that several of the DIDA members worked on recently. The data represents business openings and closings and employment changes within the downtown area. He pointed out to the authority that there has been a positive net increase in businesses of 14 and a positive net increase of 28 jobs in the downtown.
Bussiere explained that there may be ommission or mistakes in the data, and he encouraged everyone and anyone to relay any relative information they may have. He asked that businesses please contact the City offices if information about their business is incorrect. Mr. Bussiere can be reached at 906-932-5050.
Lee-Ann Garske asked if anyone knew what kind of business, if any, was now located across from the Northwinds Natural Food Co-op in the former Family Optical Center. Eva Smith-Furgason informed Garske that the building was being used as a distribution center for medical marijuana.
Grinning from ear to ear, Tom Williams asked Lee-Ann, "You haven't shopped there lately?"
Jim Albert ribbed, "She'll start now!"
Williams asked where exactly the building was. Jim Albert explained that it was the old Family Optical Building. Williams seemed surprised and he explained that his business used to be housed in that building.
10. 2010 – 2011 Blueprint Session - CD Director Bussiere handed out copies of what he called the "DIDA Downtown Blueprint Implementation 2010-2011; Recommended Path Forward."
"I really need a work plan!" Merritt told the Authority, "You know, for 2011, and I think it would help this group as well to figure out what are the priorities they'd want to see going forward in the downtown in terms of implementing the Blueprint - for the higher priority projects, a little bit of the who's going to do what, when and how. Who's going to drive the various projects? This is not a process where somebody gets everything dumped in their lap, you know, to be a project driver. There are different ways to get the work done, and be inclusive and facilitate progress on a particular project. I'm your staff support and can work with whomever on the priority projects. This is just a way to nail down a work plan with some priorities for next year. Priorities are real important and when I was a kid, every Friday night my dad took us to the Marlene Diner and it said on the menu, 'We specialize in everything!' And, you know what, the food -- whatever you ate there wasn't very good. Prioritization is important -- picking what's going to get done first, second, third -- and then 'how are we going to do it?' and 'who's going to be the driver?' That's a real important step."
He went on to suggest that a process similar to this be implemented soon to get the ball rolling and establish a workable plan.
Members of the Authority mutually agreed that creating a mini-stategic plan was the right approach and they scheduled a special workshop for Thursday, November 18th, 2010, from 8:00-9:30 AM. It was decided the workshop will focus strictly on the mini-plan and the group will try to have the meeting at Tacconelli's.
Karius asked if there was an update on the CDBG application. He said it's crucial to know where the DIDA stands before they can make any decisions. Bussiere said he will try to get Scott Erickson to attend the next meeting so that the Authority can be updated.
Before moving on, Merritt asked if there could be a permanent addition to the Agenda called "Project Updates." The Authority agreed it was a good idea.
Tom Williams asked where things stood on the Phase III Facade Grants. Jane Bowman said there are currently 27 businesses interested in having their buildings done.
11. Citizens wishing to address the Authority on items not on the Agenda. (3 Minute Limit) - No citizens were present to address the Authority.
12. Other Business - Smith-Furagason announced that she is once again doing the "Ironwood Christmas Bucks" promotion for downtown Ironwood. She asked how many of the members were familiar with them. Everyone knew what they were.
"I can't believe how many people are not familiar with them. The first year we had 27 businesses. The second year we had 33. That's quite a few businesses, that's really good coverage in terms of the variety of businesses that were covered. What that tells me is that people are not shopping downtown. If they live here. If they're here and they've never heard of these they're not shopping downtown. They're not patronizing the stores -- the retail stores that are open. Believe it or not when I compiled a list, I go to all of these different places and we have such a huge variety of businesses -- over 60 different businesses that cater to peoples' needs."
She went on to say that they are publicized. "They're in the paper! They're on the Internet. They're on the Radio. And people get them when they buy things or purchase services. And it's really sobering to see that there are still people that haven't gotten them. People who even work downtown but don't shop downtown."
The promotion is held from November 26th through January 10th. Anyone who has any questions can contact Eva at Northwind Natural Foods.
Smith-Furgason asked if the DIDA could be updated so they can possibly participate in the event.
A re-scheduled Regular meeting was scheduled for Thursday, December 2nd, 2010.
Jim Albert mentioned that there appears to be three new businesses on the West side of Aurora Street. He mentioned the D&N Liquidators in the old Pipe and Bike Shop, and he said there will be new apartments in the upper floor of the former Rat's Nest Building as well as commercial space on the ground level. He said it appears that the old Rainbow Bar was sold as well. Nobody at the meeting knew what the plans for that building are.
13. Adjournment - The meeting was adjourned after just under an hour.
