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

         

  February 11th, 2010
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, Steve Karrip, Metro Motors; Juliette Cowall, Godwin Plumbing; James Leach Jr. Hobart Sales and Service; Aida Slogar, Lake Michigan Credit Union; Robert Duck, Elite Security; Tim Cochran, City of Wyoming; Jim Kubiak, Bubble Magic Laundry, Tim Reeves, Kelloggsville Public Schools; Kelloggsville Public Schools; Susie Hudson, Chase Bank; Gary Ball, B-Quick Printing; Lee Groth, South Godwin Neighborhood Association; Chris Hennessey, Java Cone; Greg Mahalick, Callander Realty; Chip LaFleur, Callander Realty; Mike Endres, Bluevortex.net; Tim Pomorski, Affordable Automotive Service; Richard Clanton, City of Kentwood

2. Approval of Minutes
There was a motion by Al Reurink with support from Jerry DeGood to approve the minutes of January 8, 2010.

--Motion Carried—
3. Treasury Report
The current balance is the DABA account is $2,743.35, and will be adding $1,170 from paid dues. There are 24 paid members and 8 Adopt-A-Block participants. We will be paying the bill for Tuff Turf of $2,151.28 for weed control between 28th and 44th Streets.

Memberships were discussed; many applications for membership were delivered and many indicated that the application and fee would be mailed in. The area on the west side of Division from 43rd to 44th Street was covered by Susie Hudson from Chase; these applications should be coming in.

4. Roundtable
Tom commented on perceptions of Division Avenue and how we have to be proactive to change the perceptions.

Lee: said that they are trying to find a way for the business community to mesh with the neighborhood; he is open for suggestions. He commented that Mapleview Apartments on Madison has changed hands and is not the problem that it used to be.

Robert Duck: said that he has a concern regarding the security service for Godwin School.

James Leach Jr: reported on the 28th Street Committee. They are looking at hiring a consultant for their 28th Street plan. Five proposals have been submitted and they have narrowed it down to 3 firms. He is working on planters for the Division area. Planters are planned around the street trees. The cost is about $50.00 each. They are looking at fundraisers to help with the expenses.

Chris Hennessey: is from Java Cone at 52nd and Eastern

Chip LaFleur: is formerly from Godwin Plumbing and is now with Callander Realty. They list several properties in the Division Avenue area. He is looking for ideas of the types of businesses the group would like to see and whether there are any plans relating to that. The Bus Rapid Transit plan for Fisher Station was mentioned. Chip said that their company has a website where information on DABA could be provided.

Miek Endres: discussed the website. He said that the DABA website is kept as up to date as many business association websites. He gets the minutes right before the meetings and sometimes an event included in the minutes has already passed. He would like to get a list of activities that can be posted on the website. Could DABA ask each month about events for the membership and provide this information to him? He said that the way to make websites more interesting to visit is to change the content. He needs information from the association to change the content.

He said that DABA could add a place on the website that payments could be made on line or donations could be accepted. He could put the membership form on line. Also he could make a rotating banner on the webpage for the various businesses that would link to the businesses’ websites. He needs someone from the association to be in communication with him. Jim Hobart said he could get the information on events to Mike. Lisa will add “items for the website” to each month’s agenda.

Mike was asked how many hits that DABA has on its website; DABA last month had 446 unique hits; this means from different computers. Chip asked if Mike could provide a map to see where all the hits are coming from. The group discussed the fees for the website. Mike said that the charge is $50.00 a month; this is already less than his regular fee. He is willing to bring it down to $45.00 per month. DABA should be paid through June 30th of this year.

Susie said that Chase might be interested in the scrolling banner; they might be able to offer coupons for opening a new account, etc. She will check with her marketing people.

Tim Cochran: said that yesterday there was an event for Shopping Locally. Contact Megan Sall at the city for more information.

He said the motorcycle place is in operation and they are looking at converting an adjacent house into a coffee shop.

The Hope Network building may have a new tenant. Vendors may be occupying some of the open areas in the back of the building, while offices would be provided in the front. The merchandise would be new rather than used, such as in a flea market.

The city is working on ordinances to deal with medical marijuana. They are looking for regulations that would prohibit its sale in storefronts.

Wyoming, Kentwood, and Gaines are working on a form based code for Division Avenue. This is related to the provision of the Bus Rapid Transit, if it is approved by the voters. Form based codes allow mixed uses and regulate the form that the buildings take rather than the uses within. It may have an impact on Division Avenue businesses if it is adopted but it probably will not be adopted unless the BRT is approved.

Aida: said that LMCU is participating again in the Relay for Life on May 14th and 15th. They will be offering finance classes. She was asked whether the credit union is considering doing more commercial loans. She responded that LMCU is a large credit union so they are already doing commercial loans, and this will continue.

Jerry: said he found some extra banners if there are some that need to be replaced this spring.