N. Quarter Corridor Improvement Authority Regular Meeting

North Quarter Corridor Improvement Authority 1419 Coit Ave NE Minutes Packet Grand Rapids, MI 49505 May 19, 2022 @ 4:00 PM Culver CPA Group PRESENT: Brianna Forbes (arrived at 4:07), Kim Bode, Duane Culver, Milinda Ysasi ABSENT: Alan Hartline, Karen Kloostra OTHERS: Verah Narh-Kamara, Megan Gordon, Mandi Michelson, Kristen Bennett, Tom Tilma I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 4:00 PM by Vice-chair Kim Bode II. Public Comment on Agenda Items None. III. Minutes Approval No comments or questions were noted. Approval of Minutes from April 27, 2022 Motion to approve minutes from April 27, 2022 RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Kim Bode, Vice-chair SECONDER: Duane Culver, Member YEAS: Kim Bode, Duane Culver, Milinda Ysasi ABSENT: Alan Hartline, Karen Kloostra IV. Action Items 1. Corridor Management Contract Renewal with Megan Gordon for FY2023 Megan Gordon informed the board Chair she will not be able to renew her contract at this time. RESULT: WITHDRAWN 2. North Quarter CIA Street Furniture Project (CDBG Funding) Generated 6/1/2022 12:54 PM North Quarter Corridor Improvement Authority Meeting Full Page 2 May 19, 2022 The mobile GR team presented the project update which included the bid results, and 3 suggested purchase options for the board. The board discussed the options presented with reference to the needs of the districts and the funds available for the project. Tom Tilma informed the board the main goal is to determine how many items to put in the order, but there will be other opportunities to order more in the future. The board discussed the maintenance plan for the trash cans and noted they have received commitments from 10 business owners. Megan also added that the maintenance funds could be potentially used to support trash maintenance. The board decided to purchase 40 U-racks, 13 trash cans, 1 repair station, 9 mobile racks, and 8 metered racks. The committee will discuss adding benches later. Motion to approve the purchase of 40 U-Racks, 13 trash cans, 1 repair station, 9 mobile racks, and 8 metered racks. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Milinda Ysasi, Commissioner SECONDER: Kim Bode, Vice-chair YEAS: Brianna Forbes, Kim Bode, Duane Culver, Milinda Ysasi ABSENT: Alan Hartline, Karen Kloostra 3. Bio-Retention Islands Cleanup Request Ms. Gordon spoke to Mandi Michelson of Hum Natives and Plantscapes and the neighborhood associations about organizing island cleanup events. This item was presented as an action item, but it does not require an ask, so Verah Narh-Kamara suggested making it a discussion. The board members were supportive of the idea. Kim Bode suggested doing it once a month, instead of twice. Commissioner Ysasi supports the idea of starting small. Ms. Michelson discussed the herbicide application request with the board. She noted that when she took over the island, it was not maintained for a while and there was a population of bindweed. Ms. Michelson added that the weed treatment needs to happen before July. The board agreed to approve the herbicide application request for a not to exceed amount of $400. The committee will discuss her contract renewal and make a recommendation for the June meeting. Duane Culver suggested adding funds to Mandi’s contract for yearly bindweed treatment. Motion to approve a not to exceed the amount of $400 for islands bindweed treatment. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Duane Culver, Member SECONDER: Kim Bode, Vice-chair YEAS: Brianna Forbes, Kim Bode, Duane Culver, Milinda Ysasi ABSENT: Alan Hartline, Karen Kloostra Generated 6/1/2022 12:54 PM North Quarter Corridor Improvement Authority Meeting Full Page 3 May 19, 2022 V. Discussion Items 1. Hum Native's Contract Renewal The board discussed the contract renewal and decided to take it back to the committee for a discussion and recommendation. 1. Hum Natives Contract Discussions RESULT: DISCUSSED 2. Business Development Updates Ms. Kamara attempted to provide the business development updates for the corridor. Commissioner Ysasi would like to have some institutional knowledge passed to the new board members. She wants the board to be in a good position for development opportunities. She believes there is a lot of history and missed activation on the corridor. She has had previous conversations with Jeremiah Gracias, director of the Economic Development Department. She will pick up the conversation with him. VI. Reports 1. Design Committee Brianna Forbes and Ms. Gordon presented the reports. Ms. Bode suggested having a history of the North Quarter on the website. VII. Other Business The committee is going to repost the corridor management position. Kristen Bennett offered to help create content around the street furnishing project for the website and socials. VIII. Public Comment None. IX. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 5:40 PM by Chair, Brianna Forbes. Generated 6/1/2022 12:54 PM