Corridor Improvement Authority

CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING November 19, 2008– 5:30 P.M. CITY CENTER – ROOM 201 Approved Dan Crombez called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Members present at roll call: Daniel Crombez, Salvatore D’Angelo, Mary Marcinak, Angela Freeman, and Rose Tocco. Members absent: Denice Gerstenberg excused, Doug Skrzyniarz excused Also in attendance: Luke Bonner, Economic Development Manager; Jim Buhlinger, City Treasurer, Teresa Jarzab, Recording Secretary Motion to Approve the Agenda Moved by Marcinak, supported by D’Angelo, to approve the agenda as presented. Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried. Motion to Approve the April 23, 2008 Minutes Moved by Marcinak, supported by D’Angelo, to approve the minutes from April 23, 2008. Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried. Election of Officers Motion to Approve Dan Crombez as Chairperson Moved by Marcinak, supported by D’Angelo, to approve Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried. Motion to Approve Salvatore D’Angelo as Vice Chairperson Moved by Marcinak, supported by D’Angelo, to approve Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried. Motion to Approve Rose Tocco as Secretary Moved by Marcinak, supported by D’Angelo, to approve Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried. Motion to Approve Doug Skrzyniarz as Treasurer Moved by Marcinak, supported by D’Angelo, to approve Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried. Approve the Façade Reimbursement Agreement between the City of Sterling Heights Corridor Improvement Authority and SBA Realty LLC (Najor’s Liquor and Deli) Mr. Bonner presented the first application to the Corridor Improvement Authority. Mr. Bonner advised the committee that the sign is not included in the application. Mr. Bonner shared with the committee the façade drawings for the applicant. Ms. Marcinak questioned who owns the building next to them; Mr. Bonner responded that they own both buildings. Ms. Marcinak questioned whether or not the completion dates set forth in the agreement are flexible. Mr. Bonner stated that they would have to follow the building departments guidelines. Ms. Marcinak questioned whether the permit fees could be considered as part of the 25%, Ms. Freeman stated that yes they would be. Mr. Bonner stated that they are not apart of the grant. Ms Freeman questioned if the signage would be mandatory with this program. Mr. Bonner responded that he was recently made aware that the City passed an ordinance that anytime anyone did an exterior alteration they would have to automatically bring their sign into conformance. Their sign is not apart of this application, and upgrades to the sign would put them over their total maximum grant amount. Motion to approve the Façade Reimbursement Agreement between the City of Sterling Heights Corridor Improvement Authority and SBA Realty LLC (Najor’s Liquor and Deli) Motion by Marcinak, supported by D’Angelo, to approve Ayes: All Nays: None Abstained: Freeman Motion carried. Updates Mr. Bonner shared with the committee the drawings for the old Ping On restaurant. Discussion followed about the new owners, and the site improvements. Mr. Bonner suggested that we start a before and after storybook of the corridor improvements projects as they are completed and use it as a marketing tool. Ms. Tocco asked what was going into the old Jim Muir building. Ms. Marcinak was notified about the public meeting for the Planning Commission. Ms. Marcinak wanted to know why the committee wasn’t notified for the Planning Commission meeting, not because the would be an approving authority, but she thought it was a “slap in the face and a kick in the ass” that they were not notified. Ms Marcinak stated that the committee members should have been able to attend the meeting if they wanted to. Mr. Bonner apologized for not letting them know about the meeting and explained that the use is an acceptable use, and the plan came together so quickly that he didn’t really have a chance notify the committee. Ms. Marcinak explained that a Gas Station, retail shops, a retail strip center, where going in on the Van Dyke Side, as well as a used car dealer on the 19 Mile Road side. Discussion with all members ensued. Ms. Marcinak requested that the committee be notified if anything was going on in the Corridor Area. Mr. Bonner replied that he would do so and apologized to the committee for not watching the other meeting agendas and notifying them. Mr. Bonner reminded everyone that, we do have the façade program in place and any new developments must follow these guidelines. Mr. Bonner also updated the committee on the old Riverland Amusement Park development. General discussion about the building in the flood area followed. Mr. Bonner updated the committee that we have a pending application from Four Seasons Car Wash. Discussion followed about Four Seasons, Sterling Restaurant the self-serve car wash on Utica Road and the Round a bout. Mr. Bonner discussed some marketing events that we could possibly due in the spring. Discussion followed about what kind of events we could do in the corridor. Mr. Bonner suggested that after the December CIA meeting that we go to Ms. Tocco’s Restaurant and invite other local businesspersons from the Corridor. Committee agreed that would be a great idea. Old Business None Board Members Report None Public Comments None Adjournment Moved by Marcinak, supported by Tocco to adjourn. Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m. TJ Minutes Approved 3/11/09 Rose Tocco, Secretary