Kentwood Committees & Boards
Economic Development Corporation (Back to index)
Minutes for 10/18/2005
MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
October 18, 2005
Members Present: Chandran, Gaffin, VanDerHeide, Clanton, DeBruyn, Zwarensteyn.
Members Absent: Gabrielse, Frazier and Fredrick
Others Present: Lisa Golder, Economic Development Planner; Phil Tietz, Kentwood Finance
President Chandran called the meeting to order at 7:05 A.M.
2. Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by DeBruyn with support from Zwarensteyn to approve minutes of September 20, 2005.
--MOTION CARRIED?
3. Financial Report
The financial report was reviewed by Mr. Tietz. A total of $227,000 is available for Revolving Loan Fund loans. The city will be hiring a financial consultant to assist them in maximizing their investments.
A motion was made with support from to accept the financial report.
--MOTION CARRIED?
Discussion ensued about the city?s RLF program; the city has worked in the past with Kent Commerce Bank. Dave Veen in no longer at Kent Commerce but is now at Republic Bank. EDC member Bob Frazier is with Bank One; possibly he could give us a contact there to discuss the loan program. Lisa met with the Fifth Third representative last year.
Lisa said that the Press is working on a story about DJ Vander Slik. She answered some questions form the press about the program and about his loan. Lisa is not sure whether DJ has been contacted by the press or not. Dave asked about the suggestion of having DJ?s Lawn Service maintain the area around the city signs. Lisa said she discussed with the Mayor but he is not sure he is in favor of this. He was concerned that other vendors of the city may want advertisement.
VJ asked about the general state of economic health of the city, given the recent news regarding Delphi and their suppliers. He wanted to know how the city could get a handle on what is happening. Evert suggested a roundtable discussion with experts in various fields to discuss this. Much of the data that is available from traditional sources in not regional, and wouldn?t be specific to Kentwood. Lody said that on December 12th there is going to be an economic outlook session. It will likely indicate that automotive is not doing well and that disposable income will be decreased due to increased minimum payments on credit cards. Heating, fuel and food costs are also expected to rise.
An informational breakfast or lunch meeting was discussed. It was suggested that some one from the Reymann Group be asked, from the homebuilders association, from the realtors, commercial developers, etc.
The roundtable would be held in February of 2006. A 90 minute session was recommended. Discussion ensued about how big or small the gathering should be. A morning meeting was suggested. Evert will take the lead on making the contacts. He said he will approach people to just report on how the various industries are doing. The participants would not have to prepare too much for this and they should be willing to participate. He will report back at the next EDC meeting but he will be out of the country in January.
4. Brownfield Redevelopment Authority?schedule update
The public hearing for the establishment of the Brownfield Authority will take place on November 15th at the City Commission meeting. The EDC is invited to attend since the EDC will be the Brownfield Authority. This will only establish the Authority but the Commissioners could also appoint the EDC as the Authority Board and adopt bylaws if they wish. It is not anticipated that there will be any problems with the approval of the Authority.
5. Awards/Flags for businesses receiving tax abatements
Lisa said that the Mayor has directed the EDC to hand out flags to businesses that have received a tax abatement in appreciation for their investment in the community. The Mayor thought that the EDC would like to contact the companies and hand out the flags personally. A list of the businesses receiving tax abatement was provided. Lisa wanted to know if anyone had a preference for which business they would like to give an award to.
Dave said that this was confusing, why did the EDC have to make these appointments. Why doesn?t Lisa make the appointments and let the EDC say whether they could come. Lisa said that the Mayor though that this would be a good project for the EDC to do on their own. Discussion ensued about the best way to hand out flags. Lisa said that we would have to make sure the company was in good standing with the city before we give them a flag.
The EDC also discussed giving awards to the expanding businesses. Lisa and Richard had been to some recent ribbon-cutting events where the Chamber of Commerce had given a plaque and the city did not give out any award. Maybe a flag could be given to these types of companies, too. But some of these companies were not in a position to have a flag; a plaque may be more appropriate. After much discussion it was decided that Lisa would set up a meeting with each of the tax abatement recipients and then contact all the EDC members to see if anyone would like to attend.
Lody suggested the city look into preparing medallions to fit into various types of awards and these could be given out as needed. A flag could be given to a company that has a flagpole. Lisa will look into the types of awards that would be given. It may have to be bid through Purchasing.
Dave asked if we had received an application for a loan from the businesses at the corner of Division and 44th Street. Lisa said we had not.
6. Banners for Division Avenue businesses.
Lisa explained how the Division Avenue businesses were interested in buying new banners. The city of Wyoming matched the businesses contributions toward the banners. One block near 44th and Division paid for their portion of the banner, but no banners were placed because there is not a light pole to put the banner on in this location. The EDC may possibly want to participate in helping the business community purchase the banners. The city may also possibly provide additional lighting along Division through the city?s Street Lighting Fund. The EDC said they would be in favor of making a contribution toward the banners.
The EDC discussed the issue of 44th Street and how the businesses have been negatively affected by the construction work that is taking place. It was suggested to a large ad be taken out that lists the name and addresses of the businesses on 44th Street to Eastern and on Division Avenue and encourage shoppers to come back to 44th Street and to patronize these businesses. Lisa will prepare the ad and have it placed in the Advance and the Press right around the time that 44th Street is reopened, toward the end of November.
The next meeting of the Kentwood EDC is scheduled for November 15th 2005.