Southtown Corridor Improvement Authority - Regular Meeting

Southtown Corridor Improvement Authority 400 Franklin Street SE Minutes Packet Grand Rapids, MI 49507 May 18, 2022 @ 11:00 AM ICCF Community Center PRESENT: Helen Harp, Darel Ross, Commissioner Nathaniel Moody, Eric Williams, Reuben Ramos, Commissioner Senita Lenear ABSENT: Kristian Grant, Jonathan Farman OTHER: Tricia Chapman, Jessica Solis, James Lewis (Pinnacle Construction, 2017 Eastern Ave), Emily Petz (Zero Plus, 2017 Eastern Ave), Marcel Price (The Diatribe), Asia Horne (Liberation Saturdays), Kelsey Liebenow I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 11:06 AM by Chair Helen Harp II. Public Comment on Agenda Items None. III. Minutes Approval 1. Approval of Minutes from April 20, 2022 No corrections were noted. Motion to approve the minutes from April 20, 2022. RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Senita Lenear, Commissioner SECONDER: Darel Ross, Secretary YEAS: Harp, Ross, Moody, Williams, Lenear ABSENT: Kristian Grant, Jonathan Farman, Ruben Ramos (arrived at 11:09 AM) IV. Financial Statements 1. Interim Financial Statements as of April 30, 2022 Tricia Chapman presented the financials. Ruben Ramos arrived at 11:09 AM. Generated 6/7/2022 12:12 PM Southtown Corridor Improvement Authority Meeting Full Page 2 May 18, 2022 No corrections to the financials were noted. Motion to approve the Southtown CIA interim financial statements as of April 30, 2022. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Eric Williams, Member SECONDER: Darel Ross, Secretary YEAS: Harp, Ross, Moody, Williams, Ramos, Lenear ABSENT: Kristian Grant, Jonathan Farman V. Action Items 1. Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Exemption Certificate for Apposite Properties, LLC at 2017 Eastern Avenue SE Jessica Solis introduced the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (OPRA) exemption project located at 2017 Eastern Avenue SE. James Lewis from Pinnacle Construction and Emily Petz from Zero Plus provided a more in-depth overview as the project’s representatives. The board discussed Net Zero and Ms. Petz provided details about this. The board also discussed how the development team plans to keep the units affordable. Ms. Petz commented that the project was being submitted to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Revitalization and Placemaking Program (RAP), which requires a method for income and rent certification. Ms. Petz stated they are working with Habitat for Humanity to assist them with this for the project. Board members asked the development team to talk about local contracting. The inclusion plan submitted as part of this project indicates approximately 12% of the project costs will be spent with Minority-Owned (MBE), Women-Owned (WBE), and Micro-Local Business Enterprises (MLBE). Board members also asked about Pinnacle Construction’s previous commitment to working with MBE, WBE, and MLBE. Mr. Lewis acknowledged Pinnacle uses a set group of contractors, generally, but through the inclusion, plan is working to expand the list of contractors used to include more MBE, WBE, and MLBE contractors. Board members made suggestions to the development team regarding organizations they can reach out to in order to expand their list. Darel Ross commented on the lack of previous engagement with MBE, WBE, and MLBE contractors and initially made a motion to deny a letter of support for this project because of this. Board members discussed this motion and Commissioner Senita Lenear sought clarification from the development team about whether they would be willing to talk to their team internally about trying to increase the 12% to a higher number. Mr. Lewis commented that he would be willing to talk to his team about this. With that, Commissioner Lenear asked Mr. Ross if he would be willing to amend his Generated 6/7/2022 12:12 PM Southtown Corridor Improvement Authority Meeting Full Page 3 May 18, 2022 motion to a contingent letter of support pending a higher commitment to MBE, WBE, and MLBE contracting. Mr. Ross agreed. Helen Harp stated she wanted to provide a letter of support and supports the project with the 12% contracting commitment. Motion to approve a contingent letter of support for the 2017 Eastern Ave SE OPRA project pending a higher commitment percentage shown to the Southtown CIA board for MLBE, MBE, and WBE contracting. RESULT: ADOPTED [5 TO 1] MOVER: Darel Ross, Secretary SECONDER: Ruben Ramos, Member YEAS: Ross, Moody, Williams, Ramos, Lenear NAYS: Helen Harp ABSENT: Kristian Grant, Jonathan Farman 2. Southtown Facade Improvement Program Projects Kelsey Liebenow presented this item. Motion to approve the façade improvement program projects as described for an amount not to exceed $ 44,174. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Ruben Ramos, Member SECONDER: Darel Ross, Secretary YEAS: Harp, Ross, Moody, Williams, Ramos, Lenear ABSENT: Kristian Grant, Jonathan Farman 3. Sponsorship Request for Liberation Saturdays - MLK Park Asia Horne with Liberation Saturday presented this item. Board members discussed the sponsorship request, which was initially only for MLK Park. Board members determined they would like to support two events, one in MLK Park and the other in Garfield Park since both are near the Southtown CIA boundary. The sponsorship benefits were also discussed. Motion to approve a sponsorship request for Liberation Saturdays for both MLK and Garfield Parks, for an amount not to exceed $5,000 ($2,500 per park). Generated 6/7/2022 12:12 PM Southtown Corridor Improvement Authority Meeting Full Page 4 May 18, 2022 RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Darel Ross, Secretary SECONDER: Eric Williams, Member YEAS: Harp, Ross, Moody, Williams, Ramos, Lenear ABSENT: Kristian Grant, Jonathan Farman 4. Public Art Funding Request - Project 49507 Marcel Price presented an ongoing funding request for a public art partnership with the Diatribe. Commissioner Lenear noted the CIA budgets on an annual basis and does not do multi-year contracts. The action was withdrawn. RESULT: WITHDRAWN 5. Corridor Management Contract Renewal with Kelsey Liebenow for FY2023 Ms. Liebenow presented this item. Motion to approve the renewal of the FY2023 Corridor Management contract with Kelsey Liebenow for an amount not to exceed $ 64,000. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Darel Ross, Secretary SECONDER: Senita Lenear, Commissioner YEAS: Harp, Ross, Moody, Williams, Ramos, Lenear ABSENT: Kristian Grant, Jonathan Farman VI. Reports 1. Corridor Manager and Committees Ms. Liebenow provided these updates. VII. Other Business None. VIII. Public Comment None. IX. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned by Chair Helen Harp at 12:44 PM. Generated 6/7/2022 12:12 PM