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Bessemer DDA elects Dave Osier chair, directs RFP for pickleball-court membrane and approves financials
Summary
At its Jan. 14 meeting the Downtown Development Authority elected Dave Osier chair and Dan Whitburn vice-chair, instructed the City Manager to prepare an RFP for a pickleball-court membrane, and approved the board’s financial report by roll-call vote.
The Downtown Development Authority for the City of Bessemer convened a regular meeting in Council Chambers on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, and elected Dave Osier as chair and Dan Whitburn as vice-chair. The board also approved routine business including the 2026 meeting schedule and the financial report, and directed the City Manager to prepare an RFP for a pickleball-court membrane.
The meeting opened at 6:00 p.m. with Chairman Dave Osier calling roll and declaring a quorum. Member Beach moved, and Serwe supported, to nominate Dave Osier as chair; the motion carried. Member Serwe moved, and Stevens supported, to nominate Dan Whitburn as vice-chair; that motion also carried. The agenda was approved as amended to add an Old Business item on an event trailer, and the Nov. 12, 2025 regular meeting minutes were approved.
On Old Business the board approved the 2026 meeting schedule on a motion by Serwe, supported by Beach. During an update on the planned pickleball courts, Serwe moved and Beach supported a motion directing City Manager Lake to prepare a request for proposals for sealed bids to install the court membrane; the motion carried. Members discussed supplier and specification issues but did not adopt further technical details at this meeting.
Other Old Business items were discussed but not acted on: members asked staff to research solar tree lights for Sophie Street (brands and seasonal color options), to solicit vendor information and pricing for replacing highway banners (vinyl vs. metal), and to return with insurance and purchase options for an event trailer. City Manager Lake summarized those follow-ups and said the details would be presented at the next meeting.
During New Business, Member Burt moved and Stevens supported approval of the financial report as presented. The board took a roll-call vote: ayes—Osier, Swanson, Stevens, Serwe, Whitburn, Pulido, Beach and Burt; absent—Bartlett. The motion carried. City Manager Lake also reviewed the DDA’s 2025 annual report and led a general discussion of possible projects for 2026, including the pickleball court, event trailer, farmer’s market and downtown events, updating the Industrial Park sign, use of DNR grant funds for projects, and a motorized trail sign listing businesses and locations; no action was taken on these proposals at this meeting.
There was no public comment. Member Serwe moved, and Burt supported, to adjourn at 7:23 p.m.; the motion carried. The board will consider the items identified for further information at its next meeting.
