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Bessemer DDA approves financials, 2024/2025 PA 57 report and holiday-light spending
Summary
At its Nov. 12 meeting the Bessemer Downtown Development Authority approved the financial report by roll call, approved its PA 57 TIF status report, authorized up to $1,000 for Sophie Street solar lights, and set the next meeting for Jan. 14, 2026.
The Downtown Development Authority of the City of Bessemer approved key administrative items at its Nov. 12 meeting, including the financial statements, the board’s 2024/2025 PA 57 of 2018 report and a limited purchase of solar Christmas lights for Sophie Street.
Member Burt moved and Whitburn supported approval of the financials as presented; a roll call vote recorded AYES—Burt, Whitburn, Stevens, Osier, Movrich, Beach; NAYS—none; ABSENT—Swanson, Bartlett, Pulido. During discussion members asked staff to research questions about snow plowing and to return with answers at the next meeting.
The board also moved to approve the DDA’s 2024/2025 PA 57 of 2018 Report as presented; the motion was moved by Beach and supported by Burt and the motion carried (detailed vote not specified in the minutes). The PA 57 report is the annual status update on the authority’s tax increment financing plan.
Separately, Whitburn moved and Stevens supported a motion to purchase up to $1,000 in solar white Christmas lights for Sophie Street if the lights are not already available; that motion carried. City Manager Lake also shared information about Small Business Saturday on Nov. 29 and the board discussed the possibility of downtown events modeled on other cities; no event plan or expenditures for events were adopted at this meeting.
The board set the next regular DDA meeting for Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, at 6 p.m. and agreed to vote on the full 2026 meeting schedule when all members are present. An item about an event trailer was discussed and deferred pending more information. Public comment included one statement from Ms. Jerabek about a potential new downtown business.
The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
