Summary
The November 13, 2024 agenda for the Suttons Bay Downtown Development Authority (DDA) called for approval of prior minutes, consideration of the 2025 DDA budget and 2025 meeting schedule, and a manager's update. The attached October 9, 2024 minutes, chaired by Bahle with members Lutke, Millns, Popke, Peterson, Wierzba, Sitkins and Young present (Derigiotis absent), show the board approved its agenda (8-0) and the May 8, 2024 minutes (8-0), heard from consultants Rob Bacigalupi and Larrea on efforts to bring Leelanau County into the DDA, and discussed relocating a planned restroom facility near the marina.
Public Comments
The November 13 agenda reserved two periods for public comment/written communication (items 6 and 10), each limited to three minutes per speaker. No specific public comments, speaker names, or written communications are recorded in the document.
Infrastructure Projects
Staff member Larrea updated the board on possibly moving the location of a new restroom building to the other side of the marina entrance. No formal vote or final decision on the relocation is recorded; the matter appears to remain under discussion.
Other Business
Consultants Rob Bacigalupi and Larrea reported on the DDA's presentation/request to the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners asking the County to consider opting into the DDA for a limited time. DDA members suggested that fact sheets be created to address misconceptions and highlight the benefits of opting in; this was a suggestion from the board rather than a final action. The November 13 agenda also listed the 2025 DDA meeting schedule as an item for consideration, with no outcome recorded in the document. The next regular meeting was announced for December 11, 2024.
Financial Summary
A proposed 2025 DDA budget was submitted for review by the committee ahead of the November meeting. The budget materials reference Downtown Development Authority revenue drawn primarily from property tax capture, interest revenue, and miscellaneous sources, with expenditures covering administrative wages, insurance, retirement contributions, engineering/legal/contractual services, and a capital outlay line tied to the new restroom project near the marina. The specific dollar figures in the submitted tables were not clearly legible in the document and are therefore not restated here. No vote on the 2025 budget is recorded.
Action Items
DDA members suggested creating fact sheets to address misconceptions about Leelanau County opting into the DDA and to emphasize the positives of doing so, following the Bacigalupi/Larrea update. The board was set to take up the 2025 budget and 2025 meeting schedule at the November 13 meeting. The next regular DDA meeting is scheduled for December 11, 2024.