Uptown Corridor Improvement Authority - Regular Meeting

Uptown Corridor Improvement Authority 1106 Wealthy Street SE Minutes Packet Grand Rapids, MI 49503 September 7, 2022 @ 8:00 AM Louise Earl Butcher PRESENT: Mark Stoddard, Peter Vanderwier, Mathew Smith, Tamara Sytsma, Commissioner Nathaniel Moody. ABSENT: Joana Hively, Lynn Happel, Stephanie Johnson. OTHERS: Verah Narh Kamara, Ingrid Miller, Julia Saldivia, Ken Miguel-Cipriano I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 8:35 AM by Chair Mark (Stanley) Stoddard II. Public Comment on Agenda Items None. III. Minutes Approval No comments or questions were noted. Approval of Minutes from August 3, 2022. Motion to approve minutes from August 3, 2022. RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Peter Vanderwier, Vice-Chair SECONDER: Tamara Sytsma, Member YEAS: Stoddard, Vanderwier, Smith, Sytsma, Moody ABSENT: Joana Hively, Lynn Happel, Stephanie Johnson IV. Action Items 1. Updated Public Art Application Program Ingrid Miller presented this item and informed the board the change in the program is to improve the current payment process. This revised program eliminated the reimbursement requirement of the program. Motion to approve the updated public arts program. Generated 9/19/2022 12:59 PM Uptown Corridor Improvement Authority Meeting Full Page 2 September 7, 2022 RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Tamara Sytsma, Member SECONDER: Peter Vanderwier, Vice-Chair YEAS: Stoddard, Vanderwier, Smith, Sytsma, Moody ABSENT: Joana Hively, Lynn Happel, Stephanie Johnson 2. Uptown Public Art Mural Application - East Hills Business Association Ms. Miller introduced this item and noted that it will be for 3 art installations around the district. Julia Saldivia provided some background on the Artist and the proposed installations. She added that it will be bright, colorful artwork with positive messages. Ms. Miller noted that having artwork on electric boxes makes them less likely to be tagged. The artist will be providing maintenance as well. Motion to approve the East Hills Business Association Public Art Mural application for a not to exceed amount of $2,500. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Peter Vanderwier, Vice-Chair SECONDER: Matthew E. Smith, Member YEAS: Stoddard, Vanderwier, Smith, Sytsma, Moody ABSENT: Joana Hively, Lynn Happel, Stephanie Johnson 3. Updated Bike Rack Program Ms. Miller presented this item and noted that this new program will take a district-wide approach to install bike racks in the business district. This new program will also eliminate the cost-sharing element because Uptown is now in the position to fully fund bike rack installations. Motion to approve the updated Bike Rack Program. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Tamara Sytsma, Member SECONDER: Matthew E. Smith, Member YEAS: Stoddard, Vanderwier, Smith, Sytsma, Moody ABSENT: Joana Hively, Lynn Happel, Stephanie Johnson 4. Bike Rack Program Funding Request Ms. Miller presented this item and added that this request will be supporting the new bike rack program. The funds will be used to work with the city on new bike racks and to resurface existing racks. She however added that this is not a supplement to the city's own mobility plans and projects. Generated 9/19/2022 12:59 PM Uptown Corridor Improvement Authority Meeting Full Page 3 September 7, 2022 The board discussed this request at length and had questions pertaining to the need for bike racks in the districts. The board is not convinced there is a need for a district-wide bike rack program and would like to see some data on that need. The board concluded that there is not a dire need for bike racks and would only approve new racks after an assessment or audit to determine the need. Ms. Miller added that the funds will be used for maintenance and to prioritize requests from businesses in the district. Ken Miguel-Cipriano informed the board there may be a way to collect data on bike racks within the district through parking counts. He advised the board to make a request to the Mobile GR department. He added that if there is a need for more E-scooters or parking zones, that request can be sent to the Mobile GR department. Motion to approve the Bike Rack Program funding request for a not to exceed the amount of $20,000. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Peter Vanderwier, Vice-Chair SECONDER: Matthew E. Smith, Member YEAS: Stoddard, Vanderwier, Smith, Sytsma, Moody ABSENT: Joana Hively, Lynn Happel, Stephanie Johnson 5. Bike Rack Program Application - GR Bicycle CO Ms. Miller presented this item and noted that this is a one-time request that was received 3 months ago, and this was the request that prompted a revision in the bike rack program. She added that with the newly approved program, Uptown will be taking on the entire cost of the installation. Motion to approve the Bike Rack Program application for GR Bicycle CO. for a not to exceed amount of $1,620. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Tamara Sytsma, Member SECONDER: Peter Vanderwier, Vice-Chair YEAS: Stoddard, Vanderwier, Smith, Sytsma, Moody ABSENT: Joana Hively, Lynn Happel, Stephanie Johnson 6. Shop Hop Rebrand Proposal - Lydia Writes Good Ms. Miller and Peter Vanderwier presented this item. Mr. Vanderwier noted that this move is based on the need to professionalize the marketing efforts in hopes that it Generated 9/19/2022 12:59 PM Uptown Corridor Improvement Authority Meeting Full Page 4 September 7, 2022 sustains Uptown for years to come. He highlighted that Lydia has worked with big companies and on some big campaigns. She is not only a good artist but, she has good follow-through as well. He added that the work will not only involve creating a new brand but will also help with presenting the message to the public. Ms. Miller added that Lydia will be building everything on Canva which is a very friendly app and will be easy for the entire staff to work with. They have met the Well Design team and will be collaborating on the overall Uptown experience. Motion to approve the Shop Hop rebrand proposal for Lydia Writes Good for a not to exceed amount of $9,500. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Tamara Sytsma, Member SECONDER: Matthew E. Smith, Member YEAS: Stoddard, Vanderwier, Smith, Sytsma, Moody ABSENT: Joana Hively, Lynn Happel, Stephanie Johnson 7. Annual Retreat Funding Request Ms. Miller presented this item and noted that she is waiting on quotes to book a facilitator for the retreat. She added that she will not be using the same person from last year because she is hoping to bring someone else who will present a new perspective. Motion to approve the annual retreat funding request for a not to exceed amount of $2,000. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Peter Vanderwier, Vice-Chair SECONDER: Matthew E. Smith, Member YEAS: Stoddard, Vanderwier, Smith, Sytsma, Moody ABSENT: Joana Hively, Lynn Happel, Stephanie Johnson 8. Affordable Limousine Quote Ms. Miller presented this item and noted that the quote is for 6 hours, but it may end up being 9 hours and it is for a fleet of happy trolleys. There is no final decision regarding the start time. This expense was included in the approved events budget. Motion to approve the Affordable Limousine quote for a not to exceed amount of $7,000. Generated 9/19/2022 12:59 PM Uptown Corridor Improvement Authority Meeting Full Page 5 September 7, 2022 RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Tamara Sytsma, Member SECONDER: Matthew E. Smith, Member YEAS: Stoddard, Vanderwier, Smith, Sytsma, Moody ABSENT: Joana Hively, Lynn Happel, Stephanie Johnson 9. Volunteer Celebration Funding Request Ms. Miller presented this item and noted that this expense has been budgeted for and this is to approve the spend. This will go towards food and other necessities for the celebration. Motion to approve the volunteer celebration request for a not to exceed amount of $4,000. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Peter Vanderwier, Vice-Chair SECONDER: Tamara Sytsma, Member YEAS: Stoddard, Vanderwier, Smith, Sytsma, Moody ABSENT: Joana Hively, Lynn Happel, Stephanie Johnson V. Reports The minutes and reports were discussed. 1. Committee Reports 1. Committee Meeting Notes RESULT: DISCUSSED VI. Other Business None. VII. Public Comment Ms. Miller informed the board that Uptown has received RAP funding and will be moving forward with the Eastown Gate project. Mr. Miguel-Cipriano informed the board that vinyl wrapping artwork is a good option in the future for unique artwork. There is not enough data on the actual lifetime, it is between 3-5 years. Generated 9/19/2022 12:59 PM Uptown Corridor Improvement Authority Meeting Full Page 6 September 7, 2022 VIII. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 AM by Chair, Mark Stoddard. Generated 9/19/2022 12:59 PM