Uptown Corridor Improvement Authority - Special Meeting

Uptown Corridor Improvement Authority 1106 Wealthy Street SE Minutes Packet Grand Rapids, MI 49503 June 29, 2022 @ 8:00 AM Louise Earl Butcher PRESENT: Mark Stoddard, Peter Vanderwier, Lynn Happel, Stephanie Johnson ABSENT: Joana Hively, Matthew Smith, Tamara Sytsma, Commissioner Nathaniel Moody OTHERS: Verah Narh-Kamara, Ingrid Miller. I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 8:00 AM by Chair Mark (Stanley) Stoddard II. Public Comment on Agenda Items None. III. Minutes Approval Approval of Minutes from June 1, 2022 No questions or comments were noted. Motion to approve minutes from June 1, 2022. RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Peter Vanderwier, Vice-Chair SECONDER: Stephanie Johnson, Member YEAS: Mark (Stanley) Stoddard, Peter Vanderwier, Lynn Happel, Stephanie Johnson ABSENT: Joana Hively, Matthew E. Smith, Tamara Sytsma, Nathaniel Moody IV. Action Items 1. Uptown Grand Rapids, Inc Service Agreement with the Uptown Corridor Improvement Authority. Ingrid Miller presented this item and noted that no changes were made to the new agreement. Motion to approve the Uptown Grand Rapids Inc. service agreement with the Uptown CIA. Generated 10/5/2022 12:29 PM Uptown Corridor Improvement Authority Meeting Full Page 2 June 29, 2022 RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Lynn Happel, Member SECONDER: Peter Vanderwier, Vice-Chair YEAS: Mark (Stanley) Stoddard, Peter Vanderwier, Lynn Happel, Stephanie Johnson ABSENT: Joana Hively, Matthew E. Smith, Tamara Sytsma, Nathaniel Moody 2. Business Association Memorandum of Understanding and Annual Financial Support. Ms. Miller and Mark Stoddard presented this item. Mr. Stoddard noted that this will be the 3rd year of support and the MOU has been modified with a focus on communication. The goal was to make the language simple and comprehensible. Lynn Happel asked if there is an application process involved. Ms. Miller answered no, and that the community engagement coordinator is working on distributing these funds to the associations. Motion to approve the business association’s memorandum of understanding and financial support for $2,400 per business association. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Lynn Happel, Member SECONDER: Peter Vanderwier, Vice-Chair YEAS: Mark (Stanley) Stoddard, Peter Vanderwier, Lynn Happel, Stephanie Johnson ABSENT: Joana Hively, Matthew E. Smith, Tamara Sytsma, Nathaniel Moody 3. Advertising Campaign Proposal - Well Design Peter Vanderwier presented this item to the board. He briefly discussed all the proposals received and added that 2 of them stood out. Based on the judging criteria, Well Design was selected because they were the most qualified of the 2, and their ideas aligned with the Uptown vision. Plus, their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion statement was part of the consideration. Ms. Happel asked what Dana's role will be going forward. Mr. Vanderwier answered that this is a strategic step to help Dana effectively perform her role. Ms. Miller also added that Dana will continue working on internal/ external communications. Mr. Vanderwier noted that per the proposal, there will be a separate charge for ad spending and the marketing committee will be coming to the board for support in that area. Motion to approve the Well Design proposal and service agreement for the advertising campaign in an amount not to exceed $20,000. Generated 10/5/2022 12:29 PM Uptown Corridor Improvement Authority Meeting Full Page 3 June 29, 2022 RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Stephanie Johnson, Member SECONDER: Lynn Happel, Member YEAS: Mark (Stanley) Stoddard, Peter Vanderwier, Lynn Happel, Stephanie Johnson ABSENT: Joana Hively, Matthew E. Smith, Tamara Sytsma, Nathaniel Moody 4. Eastown Lighting Upgrade Contribution Request Ms. Miller presented this item. There is a resurfacing project on Eastown and it is a good opportunity to upgrade all the lighting in the Eastown district. This request is to help offset the cost of the special assessment for businesses. Mr. Vanderwier noted that the CIA must find a way to communicate this support to the businesses in the corridor. Motion to approve the Eastown Business Association lighting upgrade contribution request for not to exceed the amount of $100,000 over the next 10 years. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Peter Vanderwier, Vice-Chair SECONDER: Stephanie Johnson, Member YEAS: Mark (Stanley) Stoddard, Peter Vanderwier, Lynn Happel, Stephanie Johnson ABSENT: Joana Hively, Matthew E. Smith, Tamara Sytsma, Nathaniel Moody 5. HR Services Contract - Cooper People Group Ms. Miller presented this item and noted that there is a need for Uptown to improve as an employer and getting professional help is one way to achieve that growth. They will assist with onboarding, and terminations and overall, give people a great employment experience. Ms. Happel suggested adding a not to exceed the amount to the motion. Motion to approve the HR services contract with Cooper Peoples Group for an amount not to exceed $4000. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Lynn Happel, Member SECONDER: Stephanie Johnson, Member YEAS: Mark (Stanley) Stoddard, Peter Vanderwier, Lynn Happel, Stephanie Johnson ABSENT: Joana Hively, Matthew E. Smith, Tamara Sytsma, Nathaniel Moody 6. Accounting Services Contract - Hungerford Nichols Ms. Ingrid presented this item and noted that this move is to ensure stability with Generated 10/5/2022 12:29 PM Uptown Corridor Improvement Authority Meeting Full Page 4 June 29, 2022 accounting and reporting, especially when there are board or staff changes. This company also has a non-profit arm so they will be helpful for all Uptown Inc.’s tax reporting. Ms. Miller noted that they have not found a way to extend the services to the business associations just yet but are working towards that objective. Motion to approve the accounting services contract with Hungerford Nichols for an amount not to exceed $12,000. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Peter Vanderwier, Vice-Chair SECONDER: Stephanie Johnson, Member YEAS: Mark (Stanley) Stoddard, Peter Vanderwier, Lynn Happel, Stephanie Johnson ABSENT: Joana Hively, Matthew E. Smith, Tamara Sytsma, Nathaniel Moody V. Other Business Mr. Vanderwier noted after the Advertising Campaign selection process, some members of the Uptown team expressed success working with Well Design. VI. Public Comment None. VII. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:51 AM by the chair, Mark Stoddard. Generated 10/5/2022 12:29 PM