Westside Corridor Improvement Authority - Regular Meeting

Westside Corridor Improvement Authority 415 Leonard Street NW Minutes Packet Grand Rapids, MI 49504 February 3, 2023 @ 9:00 AM 415 Leonard Street NW PRESENT: Dave Shaffer, Lisa Haynes, Johnny Brann, Commissioner Jon O’Connor (9:00 AM - 9:48 AM), Daniel Grinwis, Brent Gibson ABSENT: Aaron Jenks OTHER: Verah Narh Kamara, Chad Buczkowski, Juan Torres (COGR), Brad Veneklase (644 Bridge), Chad Fisk (Backlot), David Meikle (Backlot) I. Call to Order - Informational Meeting as Required by Act 57 of 2018 The meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM by Chair Dave Shaffer. II. FY 2022 Annual Financial Report Verah Narh Kamara presented the Michigan Public Act 57 2022 Annual Report. 1. Public Comment on Annual Financial Report None. 2. Adjournment - Informational Meeting The meeting was adjourned at 9:03 AM. III. Call to Order - Regular Meeting The meeting was called to order at 9:04 AM by Chair Dave Shaffer. IV. Public Comment on Agenda Items None V. Minutes Approval 1. Approval of Minutes from December 2, 2022 No corrections or comments were made. Motion to approve the minutes from December 2, 2022. RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Jon O’Connor, Member SECONDER: Lisa Haynes, Vice-Chair YEAS: Shaffer, Haynes, Brann, O’Connor, Jenks, Grinwis, Gibson VI. Action Items Generated 2/8/2023 02:14 PM Westside Corridor Improvement Authority Meeting Full Page 2 February 3, 2023 1. Business Improvement Program Application Ms. Kamara presented the application and Brad Veneklase from 644 Bridge Street, LLC to answer questions. Motion to approve the Business Improvement Grant Application for 644 Bridge Street LLC for a total of $7,947. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Jon O’Connor, Member SECONDER: Johnny Brann, Secretary YEAS: Shaffer, Haynes, Brann, O’Connor, Jenks, Grinwis, Gibson 2. Bike Rack Request - Kusterer Brauhaus Ms. Kamara presented the proposal from the agenda packet. Motion to approve the bike rack proposal for an amount not to exceed $3,000. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Jon O’Connor, Member SECONDER: Johnny Brann, Secretary YEAS: Shaffer, Haynes, Brann, O’Connor, Jenks, Grinwis, Gibson 3. Banner Maintenance Approval Daniel Grinwis presented the Banner Maintenance estimate and explained the life-span of the banners. Motion to approve the Banner Maintenance proposal for an estimate up to an amount of $15,000. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Jon O’Connor, Member SECONDER: Johnny Brann, Secretary YEAS: Shaffer, Haynes, Brann, O’Connor, Jenks, Grinwis, Gibson Commissioner Jon O’Connor left at 9:48 AM. VII. Discussion Items i. Facade Improvement Program Guidelines Review Board has decided to pause Façade grants for the rest of this fiscal year. ii. Highway Ramp Beautification MDOT needs a landscape plan before this could advance any further. If Parks department is unable to do this, a 3rd party gardening/landscaping company would have to be hired. Motion to approve up to $5,000 for a landscape plan. Generated 2/8/2023 02:14 PM Westside Corridor Improvement Authority Meeting Full Page 3 February 3, 2023 RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Daniel Grinwis, Member SECONDER: Johnny Brann, Secretary YEAS: Shaffer, Haynes, Brann, O’Connor, Jenks, Grinwis, Gibson ABSENT: O’Connor iii. Gateway Signs-Fulton, Bridge, Leonard Design Committee is hoping to get some DDA sharing in design and procurement. iv. Property Acquisition to resell for Future Acquisition The Board discussed the positives and negatives of acquiring property. v. Crosswalks- Funding for Rapid Flashing Beacon The Board is willing to help others fund crosswalks, not fully fund crosswalks on its own. vi. Coordination with the Zoo and Neighborhood Groups for Events Hoping to invite the Zoo to present their new Master Plan to this Board. The group would like to create more synergy for events enhanced with Retail enticements. VIII. Reports None IX. Other Business i. Road Construction on Leonard - Updates Juan Torres presented the 2024 road construction project to happen on Leonard, spanning from Powers Street to Alpine. ii. 648 Bridge development project Motion to add 648 Bridge Street development project to the agenda. RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Lisa Haynes, Vice-Chair SECONDER: Jon O’Connor, Commissioner YEAS: Shaffer, Haynes, Brann, O’Connor, Jenks, Grinwis, Gibson Chad Fisk and David Meikle of The Backlot, presented their vision for a 3rd Backlot location in the state of Michigan at 648 Bridge Street NW. Motion made to adopt a letter of support for The Backlot’s plans for development at 648 Bridge St NW. Generated 2/8/2023 02:14 PM Westside Corridor Improvement Authority Meeting Full Page 4 February 3, 2023 RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Lisa Haynes, Vice-Chair SECONDER: Jon O’Connor, Commissioner YEAS: Shaffer, Haynes, Brann, O’Connor, Jenks, Grinwis, Gibson iii. Meeting Schedule Mr. Shaffer talked about the group’s desire to meet quarterly. Motion to cancel the June, September, and November 2023 meeting. RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Lisa Haynes, Vice-Chair SECONDER: Jon O’Connor, Commissioner YEAS: Shaffer, Haynes, Brann, Jenks, Grinwis, Gibson X. Public Comment None. XI. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 AM. Generated 2/8/2023 02:14 PM