Mount Clemens approves agreement to provide DDA executive director services and extends DDA plan

The Mount Clemens City Commission voted Monday to approve an agreement authorizing the city to provide executive director, website and social media marketing services to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), and to authorize the mayor and city clerk to sign the agreement.

City staff said the services will be provided at a reduced cost compared with hiring a standalone executive director; the agreement includes a 30-day termination clause for the DDA and a 128-day termination clause for the city. Staff (Brian Tingley) told the commission the arrangement should increase collaboration between the DDA and city administration, free up marketing staff to focus on events, and allow the city to help develop an annual DDA work program aligned with the budget and development plan.

In the same meeting the commission adopted an ordinance to extend the DDA plan, noting that without the extension (the plan as written would have expired on 06/30/2021) the DDA could no longer capture tax increment revenues or operate. Several commissioners asked the DDA and staff to emphasize business attraction and retention, and to consider enhanced downtown security measures if outdoor dining and public amenities expand.

What it means: the agreement shifts day-to-day DDA administrative duties to city staff on a fee basis while preserving the DDA’s ability to operate. Staff also noted continued exploration of a potential partnership with Macomb County for targeted economic development resources.

What’s next: implementation steps include on-boarding a CDAM fellow (Kate Bell was referenced as assisting through the following September) and developing a work program with the DDA board. The city said the agreement structure includes termination options if the arrangement does not meet expectations.

Votes: the agreement and the DDA plan extension were both approved by roll call votes.