Uptown Corridor Improvement Authority - Regular Meeting

Uptown Corridor Improvement Authority 1106 Wealthy Street SE Minutes Packet Grand Rapids, MI 49503 June 1, 2022 @ 8:00 AM Louise Earl Butcher PRESENT: Mark Stoddard, Peter Vanderwier, Joana Hively, Lynn Happel (Arrived at 8:14 AM), Matthew Smith, Tamara Sytsma, Commissioner Nathaniel Moody ABSENT: Stephanie Johnson OTHERS: Verah Narh-Kamara, Kaylan Kelly (GROW) 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 May 4, 2022 No questions or comments were noted. Motion to approve minutes from May 4, 2022 RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Peter Vanderwier, Vice-Chair SECONDER: Joana Hively, Secretary YEAS: Stoddard, Vanderwier, Hively, Smith, Sytsma, Moody ABSENT: Lynn Happel, Stephanie Johnson IV. Financial Statements 1. Interim Financial Statements as of April 30, 2022 No comments or questions were noted. Motion to approve the list of expenditures from July 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022 Generated 6/14/2022 01:23 PM Uptown Corridor Improvement Authority Meeting Full Page 2 June 1, 2022 RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Joana Hively, Secretary SECONDER: Peter Vanderwier, Vice-Chair YEAS: Stoddard, Vanderwier, Hively, Smith, Sytsma, Moody ABSENT: Lynn Happel, Stephanie Johnson V. Action Items 1. Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Adoption No questions or comments were noted. Motion to adopt the fiscal year 2023 budget. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Peter Vanderwier, Vice-Chair SECONDER: Nathaniel Moody, Commissioner YEAS: Stoddard, Vanderwier, Hively, Smith, Sytsma, Moody ABSENT: Lynn Happel, Stephanie Johnson 2. 2022-23 Sponsorship Request Ingrid Miller presented this item. She noted that this initiative is to support community building and hopes the business associations will be able to draw people to the district. Tamara Sytsma asked if there are an application and or criteria for how funds are spent. Peter Vanderwier answered the marketing committee can work on criteria. Motion to approve the sponsorship request as presented. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Tamara Sytsma, Member SECONDER: Peter Vanderwier, Vice-Chair YEAS: Stoddard, Vanderwier, Hively, Smith, Sytsma, Moody ABSENT: Lynn Happel, Stephanie Johnson Lynn Happel arrived at 8:14 AM. 3. Request to Recommend a Development Area Liquor License for Quarantinos, located at 1444 Lake Dr. SE The board had questions about the budget that was presented with the application. The overall budget did not match the list of expenditures. Matthew Smith noted that he went through the process quite recently and it gets very complicated at the state level. He advised the applicants to get their numbers in line before the state-level reviews begin. The board approved the development liquor license request with some advice to the Generated 6/14/2022 01:23 PM Uptown Corridor Improvement Authority Meeting Full Page 3 June 1, 2022 applicant to work on their numbers before the state review process. Motion to approve the development liquor license request for Quarantinos with advice that they work on the budget presented before the state review. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Lynn Happel, Member SECONDER: Peter Vanderwier, Vice-Chair YEAS: Stoddard, Vanderwier, Hively, Happel, Smith, Sytsma, Moody ABSENT: Stephanie Johnson 4. Advertising Campaign Request for Proposals Ms. Miller and Mr. Vanderwier presented this item. They said the marketing committee is ready to professionalize this area of work for Uptown and is seeking real professionals who will present a value match. Megan Coburn with the marketing committee helped to draft the proposal. Lynn Happel inquired about the duration of the plan. Mr. Vanderwier answered it will be for a one-year term but there is a potential to increase that upon evaluation of the intended outcomes. Motion to approve the advertising campaign Request for Proposals. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Joana Hively, Secretary SECONDER: Lynn Happel, Member YEAS: Stoddard, Vanderwier, Hively, Happel, Smith, Sytsma, Moody ABSENT: Stephanie Johnson 5. Facade Improvement Program Design Assistance Application for 1515 Lake Drive Ingrid Miller presented this item and noted the designs will include building classrooms at the back of the building and commercial space in front. Ms. Happel asked if a guitar studio requires a special land use permit. Ms. Miller said she advised the applicant on the design preferences of the Uptown board and suggested they apply for special land use for the classrooms. She also informed him that foot traffic is very crucial on that side of town and should be prioritized in their designs. Motion to approve the design service assistance program application for 1515 Lake Dr. Generated 6/14/2022 01:23 PM Uptown Corridor Improvement Authority Meeting Full Page 4 June 1, 2022 RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Peter Vanderwier, Vice-Chair SECONDER: Matthew E. Smith, Member YEAS: Stoddard, Vanderwier, Hively, Happel, Smith, Sytsma, Moody ABSENT: Stephanie Johnson VI. Reports Ms. Miller noted that Uptown has hired a new Community Engagement Coordinator, Julia Saldivia. She has been a very helpful addition to the team, and she is doing a lot of work in Eastown. The design committee has new committee members from Eastown who have been very helpful in helping shape the pedestrian lighting improvement program being used for the RAP grant application. 2. Business Development Committee Ms. Miller provided a report on the Business Development mixer organized in partnership with Urban League. She said the committee received great feedback and a lot of connections were made. She noted there were several Wealthy Street businesses in attendance. 3. Marketing Committee Mr. Vanderwier presented the marketing report. He noted the committee is working on rack cards with QR codes for the airports. Uptown has received inquiries from hotels and the airport regarding marketing materials. The committee will be coming forward with a financial ask from the board very soon. He also added the new marketing committee members have been great and are very eager to provide feedback. VII. Other Business 1. Ms. Happel expressed her appreciation to Commissioner Nathaniel Moody for picking up the concerns of the Eastown Community and Business Associations and for helping address the code violations with the Hookah lounge. 2. Ms. Sytsma noted some businesses on Wealthy Street are closing and there are a few more that may be an on the urge. 3. Kaylan Kelly introduced herself as a Business Development Officer with GROW. Kayla Kelly VIII. Public Comment Generated 6/14/2022 01:23 PM Uptown Corridor Improvement Authority Meeting Full Page 5 June 1, 2022 None. IX. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 AM by Chair, Mark Stoddard. Generated 6/14/2022 01:23 PM