Southtown Corridor Improvement Authority - Regular Meeting

Southtown Corridor Improvement Authority 400 Franklin Street SE Minutes Packet Grand Rapids, MI 49507 February 15, 2023 @ 11:00 AM ICCF Community Center PRESENT: Helen Harp, Darel Ross, Eric Williams, Ruben Ramos, William DeJonge, Senita Lenear ABSENT: Kristian Grant, Commissioner Nathaniel Moody OTHERS: Verah Narh Kamara, Chad Buczkowski, Kelsey Liebenow, Marcel Price (Project 49507), Dione Boles (640 Eastern), Jeanne LaSargeBono (SBDC), Ed Garner (SBDC), Qi’Shaun Coyle (SBDC) I. Call to Order - Informational Meeting Meeting was called to order at 11:02 AM by Chair Helen Harp. II. Michigan Public Act 57 Annual Report 1. Michigan Public Act 57 2022 Annual Report Verah Narh Kamara presented the annual report from the agenda packet. 2. Public Comment on Act 57 2022 Annual Report None. III. Adjournment - Informational Meeting Meeting was adjourned at 11:06 AM. IV. Call to Order - Regular Meeting Meeting was called to order at 11:06 AM by Chair Helen Harp. V. Public Comment on Agenda Items None. VI. Minutes Approval 1. Approval of Minutes from November 16, 2022 No comments or corrections were noted. Motion to approve the minutes from November 16, 2022. Generated 2/16/2023 11:29 AM Southtown Corridor Improvement Authority Meeting Full Page 2 February 15, 2023 RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Senita Lenear, Member SECONDER: Darel Ross, Secretary YEAS: Harp, Ross, Williams, Ramos, DeJonge, Lenear ABSENT: Kristian Grant, Nathaniel Moody VII. Action Items 1. Electing Board Officers for Calendar Year 2023 Slate of officers presented for vote were: Chair, Senita Lenear; Vice-Chair, Kristian Grant; Secretary, Darel Ross. Motion to approve the slate of officers. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: William DeJonge, Member SECONDER: Ruben Ramos, Member YEAS: Harp, Ross, Williams, Ramos, DeJonge, Lenear ABSENT: Kristian Grant, Nathaniel Moody 2. Approval of the 2023 Meeting Schedule The group discussed that meeting times/days may change depending on Rep. Kristian Grant’s legislative schedule. Motion to approve the 2023 meeting schedule as currently proposed. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Ruben Ramos, Member SECONDER: Helen Harp, Member YEAS: Harp, Ross, Williams, Ramos, DeJonge, Lenear ABSENT: Kristian Grant, Nathaniel Moody 3. Public Art Funding Request - Project 49507 Marcel Price presented Project 49507 to the group. Motion to allocate 15% of revenue from future budgets to support Public Art and Greenspace Activation. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Darel Ross, Secretary SECONDER: William DeJonge, Member YEAS: Harp, Ross, Williams, Ramos, DeJonge, Lenear ABSENT: Kristian Grant, Nathaniel Moody 4. Letter of Support - Southtown Lofts Generated 2/16/2023 11:29 AM Southtown Corridor Improvement Authority Meeting Full Page 3 February 15, 2023 Dione Boles explained the development project located at 640 Eastern Ave and answered questions. Motion to approve a letter of support for Southtown Lofts, located at 640 Eastern Ave SE. RESULT: APPROVED [5 TO 0] MOVER: Darel Ross, Secretary SECONDER: Eric Williams, Member YEAS: Ross, Williams, Ramos, DeJonge, Lenear ABSTAIN: Helen Harp ABSENT: Kristian Grant, Nathaniel Moody 5. Southtown Facade Improvement Program Projects No questions or comments were noted. Motion to approve the façade applications for 821 Oakdale St., 1256 Kalamazoo SE, and 906 Division S Ave. for an amount not to exceed $28,205. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Darel Ross, Secretary SECONDER: William DeJonge, Member YEAS: Harp, Ross, Williams, Ramos, DeJonge, Lenear ABSENT: Kristian Grant, Nathaniel Moody 6. SBDC Business Resource Fair - Funding Request Kelsey Liebenow introduced Ed Garner and Jeanne LaSargeBono from the Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC). They are seeking sponsorship for the GR Small Business Resource Fair. Motion to approve $2,500 sponsorship for the May 4th event to happen in Southtown. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Darel Ross, Secretary SECONDER: Eric Williams, Member YEAS: Harp, Ross, Williams, Ramos, DeJonge, Lenear ABSENT: Kristian Grant, Nathaniel Moody VIII. Reports 1. Corridor Manager and Committee Updates Ms. Liebenow gave an update on the various committees’ and business associations’ work. IX. Other Business None. Generated 2/16/2023 11:29 AM Southtown Corridor Improvement Authority Meeting Full Page 4 February 15, 2023 X. Public Comment None. XI. Adjournment Meeting was adjourned at 12:16 PM. Generated 2/16/2023 11:29 AM