N. Quarter Corridor Improvement Authority Regular Meeting

North Quarter Corridor Improvement Authority 1419 Coit Ave NE Minutes Packet Grand Rapids, MI 49505 February 17, 2022 @ 4:00 PM Culver CPA Group PRESENT: Kim Bode (Remote), Brianna Forbes, Michael Lomonaco, Duane Culver, Alan Hartline, Commissioner Milinda Ysasi ABSENT: Karen Kloostra, Rachel Posthumus OTHERS: Verah Narh-Kamara, Ken Miguel-Cipriano, Tom Tilma, Kristin Bennett, Tricia Chapman I. Call to Order - Informational Meeting as Required by Act 57 The informational meeting was called to order by Chair, Brianna Forbes II. FY2021 Annual Financial Report Verah Narh-Kamara presented this item. 1. Public Comment on Annual Financial Report Alan Hartline wanted to know how the TIF revenue accumulates interest. Tricia Chapman explained all the CIA TIF funds are invested but there are strict limitations on those investments. Every CIA gets a piece of the interest on those investments every year. 2. Adjournment - Informational Meeting The informational meeting was adjourned at 4:11 pm. III. Call to Order - Regular Meeting The regular meeting was called to order at 4:11 pm. IV. Public Comment on Agenda Items Commissioner Ysasi suggested the board do a quick introduction since there are new board members in attendance. The commissioner will reach out to Karen Kloostra, the newly appointed board member to make sure she receives all the information needed to attend the meeting. V. Minutes Approval Generated 3/2/2022 12:52 PM North Quarter Corridor Improvement Authority Meeting Full Page 2 February 17, 2022 1. Approval of Minutes from January 20, 2022 No corrections were noted. Motion to approve minutes from January 20, 2022. RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Milinda Ysasi, Commissioner SECONDER: Duane Culver, Secretary YEAS: Forbes, Lomonaco, Culver, Hartline, Ysasi ABSENT: Kim Bode, Karen Kloostra, Rachel Posthumus VI. Action Items 1. North Quarter Facade Improvement Program Project Ms. Kamara presented this item to the board and noted this will be a review and recommendation due to the lack of a committee process. The board reviewed the application and recommended it for approval. Motion to approve façade program project application for Quinn and Tuites Irish Pub for a total of $5000.00 RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Michael Lomonaco SECONDER: Duane Culver, Secretary YEAS: Forbes, Lomonaco, Culver, Hartline, Ysasi ABSENT: Kim Bode, Karen Kloostra, Rachel Posthumus VII. Presentations 1. North Quarter Street Furniture Project (CDBG Funding) The Mobile GR team, Tom Tilma and Kristin Bennett presented the street furniture project. Ms. Bennett mentioned the project is being funded by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) which was awarded in late 2018 and needs to be expanded by September. These funds were earmarked to support street furnishings and support local businesses. The North Quarter CIA board was interested in projects beyond bike parking since they have other revenue sources that could be used for maintenance. The team presented a map with all the screened locations for the project. They also presented design and color variations for the bike racks and trash cans. Mobile GR is ready to move forward with purchasing and would like to know the board’s preference on the types of street furnishing. Since CIA funds cannot be used for maintenance purposes, the Mobile GR team would require the North Quarter board to develop a maintenance plan for the project. Michael Lomonaco suggested a similar approach to what is being done by the Westside CIA, engaging businesses in the corridor about paying for the trash can maintenance. Generated 3/2/2022 12:52 PM North Quarter Corridor Improvement Authority Meeting Full Page 3 February 17, 2022 Ken Miguel-Cipriano added the Rapid is about to roll out a project which will involve replacing bus shelters and trash cans at the bus stops. These trash cans will be maintained by the Rapid and will not be the CIA’s responsibility. Mr. Hartline suggests future street furnishing projects should consider the Sparrows coffee shop because that area has significantly developed. Ms. Bennett added that CDBG projects can only go up to Dean Street. Tom would like the board’s input on the old benches at the bus stop. They are in the way of the new projects and the community needs to get rid of them to make way for the Rapid bus shelters. VIII. Discussion Items 1. Committee members’ update Ms. Kamara provided an update on the committee member search. She suggested the board put together one committee to review everything and eventually add other committees. Brianna Forbes, Ms. Bode, and Mr. Lomonaco have volunteered to join the design committee. 2. Corridor Manager search update Ms. Kamara and Ms. Forbes presented this item. The Adhoc committee held an initial interview and had two good candidates. They would like the board to meet the two applicants and to recommend one for the position. Ms. Kamara added the committee considers their TIF revenue when making the corridor manager decision. Duane Culver noted the board was hoping the position will be able to bring in other sources of funding such as grants and sponsorship to supplement the TIF revenue. Mr. Lomonaco added the Westside CIA did not have a corridor manager but decided to invest funds back into the community to demonstrate value. Ms. Bode suggested using the Westside model as a case study and replicating it at the Westside. She is open to having more conversations with Mr. Lomonaco to discuss further. 3. MEDC Match on Main Reimbursement program discussion Ms. Forbes presented this item. She believes the timeline for the grant is very short and she is personally not able to make the application. Ms. Kamara noted there may be another round in the future and the board can work on submitting an application for that round. IX. Reports The Adhoc committee meeting notes were provided by Brianna Forbes during the meeting. X. Other Business Generated 3/2/2022 12:52 PM North Quarter Corridor Improvement Authority Meeting Full Page 4 February 17, 2022 Ms. Bode is mapping out a promotional packet for committees and will be presenting it for board approval when it is ready. XI. Public Comment None. XII. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned by Chair, Brianna Forbes at 5:40 pm. Generated 3/2/2022 12:52 PM