Benton Harbor DDA adds backup signatory, reviews downtown projects and homelessness response

The Benton Harbor Downtown Development Authority unanimously approved adding a backup signatory for two financial accounts and heard several updates on downtown projects, park maintenance and homelessness, the DDA said at its October meeting (date not specified).

The board voted to appoint Richard Roberts as an additional signatory for the Berrien Community Foundation fund designated for restoration of the Benton Harbor State Theater and separately approved adding Roberts as a signatory on the DDA’s Huntington Bank checking account. Both motions passed unanimously by the four members present.

The approvals were procedural measures the DDA said are meant to ensure there is an available backup signer for grant and donation disbursements related to the State Theater restoration and for routine DDA banking. The board also voted to authorize one of its members, Richard Hensel, to pursue grant requests and fundraising for the welcoming center and other DDA activities; that motion passed by unanimous vote.

Treasurer Linda Allen, identified in the meeting as a DDA member handling bank matters, texted the board a current account balance during the meeting. The transcript’s numeric rendering of that figure was unclear; the board recorded that a balance…