Next Meeting:
 8:00 AM Thursday, February 9th, 2012
 at Tommy Brann's, 4157 S. Division  [click for directions]

         

  January 12th, 2012
Meeting Minutes [click to download PDF]

1. Call To Order
Members Present: Tommy Brann, Brann’s Steakhouse and Grille; Al Reurink, Modern RV Center; Gary Ball B-Quick Printing; Lisa Golder, City of Kentwood; Tim Pomorski, Affordable Auto; Greg Warsen, Kelloggsville Public Schools; Jerry DeGood, Auto Finance; Steve, Karrip, Metro Motors; Bill Fetterhoff, Godwin Schools; Aida Slogar, Lake Michigan Credit Union; Jaime Counterman, American Cancer Society; Lindsay Simmons; Angela Goss; Kyle McClure; Brian Look, Wyoming Police Department

2. Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Reurink, with support from DeGood to approve the December minutes of the Division Avenue Business Association.

--Motion Carried—

3. Treasury Report
The Treasury has a balance of $1,470.20. The weed treating bill of $2,152 for Tuff Turf was paid.
Also reimbursement for printing will be paid.


4. Roundtable

Tom said that there are still problems with the getting maintenance work done at the Gateway project. He is still trying to get in touch with Neighborhood Ventures.
There are no lights on the flag. Tom will continue to work on this.

Billing for membership: will go out. Gary has prepared a statement to include in the membership what DABA does. He would like a motion to send this out.

A motion was made by DeGood with support from Ball, to approve sending out the billing for 2012.

--Motion Carried—

Jaime said that there is a kick off meeting coming up for Relay for Life on Tuesday January 24th at 6:00 PM at the Spartan Store YMCA. She said that Wyoming has given this event great support in the past. February 18th there will be a family snow sculpture contest at Pinery Park.

Aida: 2012 looking at more community involvement in schools with tutoring, J.A. job shadowing opportunities and the Griffins game with the class from Godwin Schools.

Bill Fetterhoff: promoting the concept of community schools in which schools are open earlier and closer later to offer time for assistance and contact with both students and families. He will have a representative attend the next DABA meeting to explain the concept of community schools.

Greg Warsen: may have a Leadership Class come to the next meeting. There are looking for volunteer opportunities in the business sector and ways they can help out businesses. Age group would be juniors and seniors. This will take place in the second semester between Feb/March and the end of the year.

Brian Look: Is our community police officer. He is assigned to Division Avenue and is trying to establish more neighborhood watches in the neighborhoods. The Police Department will be having neighborhood meetings in local places such as in South Godwin School. The Police Department is trying to be responsive to issues such as the prostitution issue to keep the situation under control. He has pamphlets available regarding the community policing efforts in Wyoming and said to call him if there are any issues.

Tom asked if DABA gets special attention. Brian said that the Department is trying to patrol the area, and that it helps to have people monitoring their own neighborhoods and calling there is something suspicious. The department is working on improving communications. The officers that are working in neighborhoods have shifts from 8 AM to 6:00 PM. Tom said the problems can occur when it is dark, and that it is important for his business that people feel safe.

There was discussion about recent muggings in the area. There was an interest to get a report from the Police Department on calls for service. This will be no problem. There was a discussion regarding the issues that occurred on 60th Street in which a youth pastor was injured. The Kent County Sheriffs Department is working on this. There was additional discussion about the affidavit for trespassers so that the police department can arrest any trespassers on a business’ property if the affidavit is on file.

Tom appreciates all the Police Department has done for DABA. He would like to see the goal of Improvement of safety in the Division Avenue area moved to the first goal on our list.


5. Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Division Avenue Business Association is scheduled for February 9, 2012.