Summary
The Suttons Bay Village Downtown Development Authority's September 9, 2026 agenda centered on an update regarding the marina/public restroom construction project, following the DDA's November 12, 2025 meeting where the 2026 budget and meeting schedule were approved. Chairperson Bahle presided over the earlier meeting, with the board later receiving a report (VSB-2026-21) from staff recommending reaffirmation of budgetary support for the restroom project via roll call vote.
Public Comments
At the November 12, 2025 meeting, Bill Perkins spoke regarding EV charging stations. Bill Crackel spoke regarding the marina restroom and later returned to state his dislike of the proposed bathroom style. No formal board response to these comments was recorded.
Infrastructure Projects
The DDA's major infrastructure focus is the new public restroom/marina facility. Manager Rob Larrea reported the bulk of the 2026 budget's expenses relate to this construction. The project also includes installation of "A Dock" and other marina improvements. Per the September 2026 staff report, a June bid process resulted in a low bid of approximately $1,325,000, roughly $400,000 over the original cost estimate due to rising construction material costs. Despite lacking a quorum to fully discuss the increase, the DDA deferred to its prior decision to proceed. The project has broken ground and is undergoing dewatering to address a high water table before pouring footings; this is not expected to delay the project, with an opening targeted for May 2027. Staff noted the DDA partnered with the marina to secure funding for the project. The recommended action for the September meeting was a motion for the DDA to reaffirm its budgetary support of the project, to be decided by roll call vote.
Other Business
The board approved a 2026 meeting schedule consisting of five meeting dates rather than monthly meetings, with special meetings to be scheduled as needed (Bahle moved, Lutke seconded, carried 7-0). The next regular meeting was originally set for November 11, 2026, but needs to be rescheduled since it falls on Veterans Day.
Financial Summary
The 2026 DDA budget was approved for recommendation (Bahle moved, Popke seconded, carried, Ayes: 7, Nays: 0), with expenses driven mainly by the restroom/marina construction. The bid for the project came in at approximately $1,325,000, about $400,000 above the cost estimate. Staff indicated the 2027 budget would be presented to the DDA for review, with a goal of October consideration deemed too ambitious; the board is instead scheduled to review and recommend the 2027 budget in November for adoption by the Village Council, the body with legislative authority to approve it.
Action Items
Chairperson Bahle requested that each board member be provided a copy of the adopted DDA plan, with discussion placed on the February agenda. Staff is to prepare the 2027 budget for DDA review and recommendation to the Village Council, targeted for the November meeting. The DDA is to take a roll call vote on reaffirming budgetary support for the restroom/marina project as recommended in the September 2026 staff report. The November 12, 2025 minutes were not included in that meeting's packet and were to be placed on a subsequent agenda for approval.