Bessemer DDA renews historical society lease, approves façade grant and agrees to reimburse city for manager time

The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) of the City of Bessemer met July 8 in council chambers and approved a bundle of administrative and small capital actions, including a lease extension for the Bessemer Area Historical Society, façade assistance for a downtown business and a new reimbursement arrangement to compensate the city for the city manager’s time on DDA responsibilities.

Chairman Osier opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. and the board approved the agenda and May 6 regular meeting minutes. In old business the board voted to reappoint Karen Stevens to a new three-year term and to pay registration and mileage for several members to attend the Michigan Downtown Association training in Marquette on Aug. 6.

The board approved renewing the society’s lease through Dec. 31, 2027, and authorized staff to solicit bids to replace the roof and insulate the ceiling of the historical society building after members discussed the furnace and roof condition. Separately, the board approved façade assistance for Tracey Maskewit of Lazy Grasshopper, authorizing up to $3,500 under the DDA façade assistance guidelines to cover exterior painting and window replacement.

Also on the consent of the board: approval of the financial report as presented; payment of a Lake’s Flower Cabin invoice for $801; purchase of up to $500 in paint to refresh Sophie Street light poles; and authorization to place a porta-potty near the pickleball courts for the remainder of the season (up to $600) and to buy pickleball code-of-conduct signs (up to $500). The board heard an update that Mr. Thull has an approved building permit to add siding to his building, with completion expected in August; no formal action was required on the permit update.

One notable governance item: the board moved, and the motion carried, to have the DDA reimburse the City of Bessemer 10% of the DDA’s annual revenue to cover city manager time spent on DDA responsibilities. The motion specifies that the exact dollar amount will be determined when the city budget is approved for the next fiscal year and that the reimbursement arrangement will expire two years from the signing date.

During public comment, Tracey Maskewit thanked the board for approving her façade assistance request and suggested a splashpad and other improvements for the pickleball courts. City Manager Lake reported that lights for the pickleball court will be installed by the end of the month and that the new highway banners were placed before the Fourth of July. The meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.

Votes at a glance: the transcript records roll-call tallies for multiple motions; where recorded the votes were unanimous among members present (AYES: Osier, Stevens, Serwe, Pulido, Beach, Burt; ABSENT: Swanson, Movrich, Whitburn).