Grosse Ile DDA approves 2025–26 budget, event-sponsorship program and flower contract; Ron Moran elected chair

The Grosse Ile Downtown Development Authority voted to adopt its 2025–26 budget, approve an event sponsorship program, award a hanging flower-basket contract and elect Ron Moran as chair.

The budget presentation, given by a staff member, showed roughly $16,000 — an 8% — increase in property-tax revenue and a new $54,000 grant-revenue line. The budget lists prior-year resources at $105,000, about $34,000 less than the previous year. Expenditure changes include a slight increase in director compensation and related benefits, a $15,000 reduction in a general “event supplies” line (some of which was moved into a new event-sponsorship line), and a $50,000 allocation for DDA TIF-plan and zoning updates tied to a streetscape design grant and an RFP previously released.

Capital spending in the budget includes approximately $107,000 proposed for Lions Park and $34,000 for a DDA parking-lot repaving project; staff said the Lions Park items assume the DDA receives a MEDC grant, and would require a subsequent budget amendment if a grant is awarded. The DDA also plans to maintain a $20,000 grant-fund line and a $5,000 event-supplies allotment that includes seasonal banners and a Christmas tree.

The staff presenter reported that a multi-year administrative error affected payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) collections for Island Woods Apartments on Macomb Street. The DDA collected roughly $70,000 that should have been forgiven under a state low-income senior-housing program; the DDA’s finance director corrected the error and the DDA must repay the township with interest. Staff said the payback will be stretched over five years.

Other items approved at the meeting included the minutes of Jan. 23, 2025; the January 2025 financial report; the DDA’s 2025–26 meeting calendar; and a motion to award the hanging flower-basket installation contract to J and S Gardens in an amount not to exceed $3,400. The board also approved a new DDA event-sponsorship program that sets eligibility (live music, art festivals, food-truck events, open-air markets, parades, races) and allowable reimbursable expenses (vendor fees, musicians, stages, tables, signage and marketing). Staff said the sponsorship application will be posted online and promoted via flyers and social media; applicants must submit receipts for eligible, preapproved expenses.

Board members discussed operational issues tied to several votes: difficulty finding vendors to install and water hanging baskets; historical reliance on volunteers or retired workers to water the plants; and the need to advertise a seasonal watering position. On the budget, members asked for clarity about grant contingencies and timing for larger capital projects; staff said that concrete and repaving bids are pending and that any MEDC grant award would trigger a budget amendment.

Votes at a glance - Motion to elect Ron Moran as chairman: moved by Supervisor Porcirilli, supported by Ms. Armiak; voice vote "aye"; motion carries (board voice vote recorded as in favor). - Motion to approve minutes of Jan. 23, 2025: moved by Mr. Ranley, supported by Ms. Armiak; voice vote; motion carries. - Motion to approve January 2025 financial report: moved by Mr. Anderson, supported by Ms. Stanko; voice vote; motion carries. - Motion to approve 2025–26 DDA meeting dates: moved by Mr. Jacobson, supported by Mr. Ranley; voice vote; motion carries. - Motion to award hanging flower-basket installation to J and S Gardens, amount not to exceed $3,400: moved by Mr. Anderson, supported by Ms. Stanko; voice vote; motion carries. - Motion to approve the DDA event sponsorship program: moved by Ms. Armiak, supported by Ms. Fusak; voice vote; motion carries. - Motion to approve the 2025–26 DDA budget: moved by Ms. Pusak, supported by Mr. Jacobson; voice vote; motion carries. (Recorded roll call identified Chairman Ron Moran, Supervisor Porcirilli, Mr. Anderson, Ms. Stanko, Ms. Pusak, Mr. Ranley, Ms. Armiak and Mr. Jacobson as present; Ms. Carn was excused.)

Why it matters: The budget sets aside funds for streetscape planning and Lions Park capital work and commits the DDA to repaying a multi-year PILOT overcollection. The event-sponsorship program and hanging-basket contract affect downtown appearance and the DDA’s ability to support festivals and foot traffic on Macomb Street.

What’s next: Staff will post the sponsorship application and publicize the opportunity; if the MEDC grant is awarded, the board will return to amend the budget and allocate grant money toward the Lions Park project.

Ending: The board completed its agenda items and adjourned after a public-comment period that included community questions about downtown projects and bridge limits.