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Board approves up to $2 million cash advance to DDA, tentatively declares Special Projects No. 55 SAD and moves forward with bond counsel for island-club paving
Summary
The board approved a DDA cash advance of up to $2 million, authorized an intent resolution to establish Special Projects No. 55 SAD and approved bond counsel engagement for the Island Club Paving SAD; a bond counsel item for a pathway SAD was discussed but not acted on.
The Charter Township of Commerce Board of Trustees on Feb. 10 approved a cash advance of up to $2,000,000 from the Debt Service Fund to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and took several preliminary financing steps tied to special-assessment districts (SADs).
Treasurer Molly Phillips presented the DDA request. The motion to approve a cash advance up to $2,000,000 carried, with Trustee Robert Long voting No. Phillips said the advance was requested on behalf of the DDA; the board did not specify repayment or timing details in the motion, and Trustee Long recorded his opposition on the meeting floor.
The board also approved a resolution tentatively declaring its intent to establish Special Projects No. 55 SAD to follow required public-notice and statutory steps. Separately, the board approved engaging bond counsel for the Island Club Paving SAD so the Township can issue bonds to finance that project. A proposed bond-counsel engagement for a Pathway SAD (described during discussion as the Pathway Millage/Pathway Bond SAD) was debated but no action was taken; Township Attorney Hans Rentrop and trustees said bond counsel and the financial advisor should explain services and timing before the board proceeds.
Other finance-related approvals during the meeting included purchase approvals for infrastructure and equipment: grinder pumps for the sewer system (not to exceed $132,000), an access-control system for the wastewater treatment plant ($10,675 plus $1,200 annual subscription), and four Stryker power stair chairs for ambulances (not to exceed $81,000). The board approved the gifts and purchases as part of consent motions or specific motions; several were unanimous while the DDA cash advance vote recorded one No vote.
Treasurer Phillips said a financial advisor will attend the March 2026 meeting; Rentrop suggested bond counsel could attend to explain why counsel is needed earlier in the process. The board did not finalize millage or bond issuance steps in the Feb. 10 meeting.
