Next Meeting:
 8:00 AM Thursday, September 9th, 2010
 at Tommy Brann's, 4157 S. Division

         

  October 8th, 2009
Meeting Minutes [click to download PDF]
1. Call To Order
Members Present: Tommy Brann, Brann’s Steakhouse and Grille; Jerry DeGood, Auto Finance Company; Al Reurink, Modern RV Center; Lisa Golder, City of Kentwood, John Lind, Wyoming Police Department; Steve Karrip, Metro Motors; Juliette Cowall, Godwin Plumbing, Jeff Augustyn, City of Kentwood Police Department; Mike Brockheim, City of Kentwood Police Department; Tim Pomorski, Affordable Auto Service; James Leach Jr. Hobart Sales and Service; Aida Slogar, Lake Michigan Credit Union; Robert Duck, Elite Security; Tim Cochran, City of Wyoming; John Kennedy, Kennedy’s Auto

2. Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Al Reurink with support from Jerry DeGood to approve the September 10, 2009 meeting minutes.

3. Treasury Report
Jerry DeGood provided the Treasury Report. In 2009 there were 36 paid members. Two members have paid for 2010 so far. The current balance is $2,877.16. There are 14 Adopt-a-Block participants; not all of the money for these has been collected. The bill for printing for the Open House was $430.71. After discussion,

A motion was made by Jerry DeGood with support from Al Reurink to approve the $430.71 bill for the Open House.

The weed control would spend down the rest of the money that DABA has. Funds need to be collected for 2010 membership.

The members discussed the clean up and the open house. There were about 50 people that attended the open house. Many of these represented the communities—there were not as many business people in attendance as in previous years.

The clean up was also successful; the probationers were very helpful.

4. Roundtable
Juliette Cowall: said that she looked for places along Division where perennials could be planted. This will be done on a trial basis. It will be important for people to water the plants. Tm said that the plants cannot block visibility for motorists.

Aida: said that there are new LMCU branches in Jenison and Allendale. Now there are about 25 branches total. They are working with Goodwill for donations for winter clothing. Some of these will be made available to schools for children who do not have adequate winter clothing.

John Lind: No more car lots have been broken into; the prostitution problem has improved. Hotels are beginning to assist the police in identifying prostitutes. Chase Bank was robbed, but no one has been arrested.

Jeff Augustyn: Four individuals have admitted to car larcenies that have taken place in recently. Marathon at 4900 Division was robbed; cigarettes where taken—this is similar to Admiral robberies in the past. Kentwood was business alarms that can be used by businesses to attempt to stop burglaries. The city has 4 and they are available for businesses to use. The call goes right to the Police Department and they have been very effective.

Kelloggsville’s Homecoming parade is this Friday. Division may be blocked for about a half hour during the parade.

Rob Duck introduced himself. He is the operator of Elite Security, Alpha Players and Duck’s Lawn Care. He wanted to see what the association is about and is interested in being involved. He noted that in the alley behind 4317 Division there are a lot of children around after midnight that should not be there.

Lisa: Kentwood is working through budget issues, like other municipalities.

Jim: Has a contact with Holwerda’s; worked with them on getting quotes when we were looking at the planters on the light posts. There was a discussion about the funding for trees and landscaping on Division. He thought that the neighborhood association could be involved in the upkeep of the landscaping. He has spoken to Lee regarding this. Aida said to a good way to raise money that the banks have used is to ask each customer if they want to contribute a dollar toward a specific cause. People may want to contribute toward beautifying the Division Avenue area with landscaping. The banks could do this, but also other businesses could collect money as well. There would have to be a coordinated effort between the businesses.

John: said that he was concerned about the new regulations that Wyoming has for banners and other temporary signage. Car dealerships rely on these and now the city has told them they are not permitted. He thought that someone from the association was on the committee that made this decision.

Tom Brann said that no one from DABA was on the committee that discussed signage. But the Chamber of Commerce has come out against the regulations.

Tim Cochran said that they sign regulations were discussed over a long period of time several years ago. He aid that there was a sign committee task force that discussed and debated the regulations thoroughly. He suggested that anyone that is against the regulations send a letter to the city manager.

Tom suggested that a respectful letter be sent to indicate how this regulation affects the business community.

Jerry said that he went to a DDA meeting. The gateway project was discussed. The DDA is making an effort to promote shopping locally.

Jerry presented John Lind with an award for his dedication to the Division Avenue Business Association. Steve said that John has been there to assist DABA and to provide communication between the city and the association. We appreciate all his efforts and wish him well in his retirement.