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

         

  May 14th, 2009
Meeting Minutes [click to download PDF]
1. Call To Order
Members Present: Jerry DeGood, Auto Finance Company; Al Reurink, Modern RV Center; Lisa Golder, City of Kentwood, John Lind, Wyoming Police Department; Kip Snyder, Wyoming Police Department; Steve Karrip, Metro Motors; Aida Slogar, Lake Michigan Credit Union; Jim Leach Jr. Hobart Sales and Service; Lee Groth, South Godwin Neighborhood Association; Michelle Wisniewski, Chase; Susie Hudson, Chase; Dick Jasinski, Wisinski Group; Gary Ball, B-Quick Printing; Don Everente, Grillmasters

2. Approval of Minutes
A motion was offered with support from to approve the April 2009 minutes of the Division Avenue Business Association.

--Motion Carried—

3. Treasury Report
Gary Ball gave the Treasury Report. The current balance is $2,650.49. There are not as many members that have joined as last year. Jerry, Steve and Tom will be on the street to talk to businesses about joining DABA before the next meeting.


4. Roundtable
Jim: said that he met with the city regarding the flower pots on the light poles. The light poles are not constructed to accommodate that much weight, so the hanging pots are out of the question. He is now focusing on the flower pots on the ground. The businesses need to take care of them, because the Association can’t be responsible for all the planters. Molesta will be out to replant the pots, but some businesses may choose to do their own this year.

The trestle at 28th and Division may be done this year.


Aida: said that the account for DABA was opened at Lake Michigan Credit Union. She appreciated the support for the Relay for Cancer event. If there are any businesses that want to participate by providing give-away things for the event, they can call her.

Lori Wiersma: spoke regarding Action Wyoming. This is a faith-based non profit organization that is working on reducing gang activities through sponsoring events like last year’s sponsorship of Joseph Jennings to speak to at-risk youth. They also work with after-school programs to keep kids busy and off the streets. The summer break will be very long, and the organization is sponsoring events at the parks called the 100 Days of Summer. The website is www.100daysofsummer.net . They are hoping for additional sponsorships for camps. The will be at different parks throughout the summer.

Lisa: talked about the ITP millage failure. She said that the federal money has not gone away yet so it is possible to regroup and ask the voters again to approve the millage. The ITP is considering how to better get their message to the voters.

Also the Grand Valley Metro Council received an EPA Assessment grant for Division Avenue.

Steve: said that some of the buildings on the Avenue are looking bad. He said that he hopes Wyoming will address the property maintenance issues. We are 20 members below last years’ number.

Jim: spoke about the planters. Molesta will bill the businesses separately, but we need to know who is going to plant their own. It costs $65 for Molesta to plant. He is also looking into some of the things that Cutlerville has done to improve the area such as benches and nice looking trash cans. We would only need about 3 benches per block. It was questioned whether there are any woodshop classes that could make the benches. Jerry asked about trees. Tim Cochran is working on a grant to replace the trees. About 19 need to be replaced.

Major Lind: Discussed property maintenance and the police department. You can call if there is a property maintenance issue or graffiti.

Lee: Called 530-7300 for property maintenance for Mapleview Apartments; 14 of the 96 residents were evicted. He reported that there may be a farmers market coming to Jefferson and 36th Street, and a community garden may be started in the area. They are looking for volunteers for the Retired Senior Volunteers patrol to check for handicap compliance. National Night out is coming up. They are looking for people to patrol the neighborhood while the National Night Out events are going on.

Don: is from Grillmasters. He is on 36th Street and is looking to possibly move on Division Avenue. He attended a Leadership Grand Rapids training and is looking into the corridor improvement policies.