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BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING (BDA)
BDA Office @ 2113 W. Vienna Rd. ~ Wednesday, April 8th, 2015 ~ 5:00P.M.
MINUTES
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Roll Call: Present: Michelle Voorheis, Cheri Johnston by conference call, Nancy Belill, Peter Chargo, Jim Kiser, Brian Smith Absent: Gerald Stadler Guests: Frank Lemieux
Pledge of Vice Chairman Voorheis opened the meeting with the pledge of allegiance, welcomed
Allegiance guests.
Agenda Changes
& Adoption None – All yes Agenda adopted
Previous Minutes: Minutes for Wednesday, March 11, 2015 reviewed. Motion made by Belill, second by Chargo to accept the minutes as presented. All Yes, Motion Passed.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer’s report adopted as presented.
Bills: Motion made by Belill, second by Chargo to approve the bills to be paid in the amount of $3,079.91. Roll Call Vote: All Yes, Motion Passed
Note: The treasurer’s report total bills includes previously paid bills for this month that have been pre-approved and budgeted as well as new bills presented at this meeting after the month end report was completed.
Visitors/Public
Comments:
Correspondence:
Committee Reports: I-69 Trade Corridor – Voorheis – Discussion regarding continued membership – bill due for $3,000.00. Voorheis will make contact and bring back information regarding benefit for the BDA to remain as a member to the next meeting. Also, A workshop is scheduled by the Michigan Downtown Association for “Strengthening Downtowns”. Motion made by Johnston, second by Chargo to approve the amount of $225.00 for up to three people to attend the workshop by MDA on April 17th. Roll Call Vote: All Yes. Motion Passed.
Trolley Line Trail/Bike Path – Mowl provided the board with an update on the progress of the Lake Rd. parking lot and mini-park. An application for sponsors is being developed to find funding for the map and signage. As soon as weather permits, excavation will start on the parking lot.
Beautification Project: Discussion included the cost for installation of the butterfly sculpture at Bridge Park. Chargo advised having Taylor handle the installation at a reduced cost than what C.R.E. Welding quoted of $5,000.00. Taylor had not provided a bid for consideration at this time. Motion made by Belill, second by Johnston to accept the quote from C.R.E. Welding and provide for the delivery, installation and lighting in
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the amount of $5,000.00. Roll Call Vote, 4 yes, 1 no (Chargo) 1 obstain (Voorheis) Motion Passed
Grant Awards - Mowl informed the Board that $4,000.00 has been promised in grant awards for the Bridge Park butterfly sculpture and butterfly bench. A meeting with the Clio Rotary is also promising as they are considering donating $1,500.00 for sponsorship to go toward the Butterfly bench and garden.
Project Coordinator - The board discussed the request from Johnston to consider hiring her as an independent contractor and project coordinator for the Beautification project.
Since the project is an ongoing and time consuming project growing more each year, Johnston feels that her time spent should be compensated and the bylaws of the BDA do provide for this type of contract with a current board member. Chargo advised that Johnston actively look for a gardener that can handle the coordination of the project in the future. Motion made by Belill, second by Smith to pay Johnston as an independent contractor for the BDA, 10% of the Beautification budget in the amount of $2,500.00 for the current year 2015. Roll Call Vote, 4 yes, 1 no (Chargo), 1 - Obstain (Johnston).
Master Plan - No report
Moore Property – Mowl reported that a conversation with Mrs. Moore sounds promising, however, she is working with her attorney to confirm she will be able to receive the tax deduction.
Acheson Memorial – There were some minor changes made to the sign and it has been ordered and will be completed by the end of May.
Linden Rd. Pipeline – Frank Lemieux is waiting for a summary from the County that provides information concerning several weak areas in the township.
Unfinished Business: BDA Board appointment: Voorheis introduced and welcomed new board member Brian Smith. Smith lives in the township and works in Public Relations with Kelly Services.
Inventory of Barn – Johnston will follow up with reporting on the inventory of the barn to include pictures.
Mowing /Snow Removal – Discussion regarding hiring a mowing company to handle the mowing this year verses having our gardeners mow. Kiser provided a comparison and suggested there was savings in having our employees do the mowing. Chargo stated
that there was just too much work involved in overseeing employees and all the equipment and maintenance concerns. Motion made by Johnston, second by Chargo to
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hire Dun-rite Lawn service to handle the mowing and snow removal for one season from April 2015 to March 31 2016. Roll Call Vote: All Yes, Motion Passed
New Business: Election of officers – replacements for Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary were needed upon the resignation of Vern Curtis and resignation of Randy Taylor.
Voorheis opened elections with nominations for Chairman. Motion made by Johnston to nominate Michelle Voorheis, second by Belill, with no further nominations, nominations were closed. All Yes to elect Michelle Voorheis as Chairman. Motion Passed
Voorheis called for nominations for the office of Vice Chairman. Motion made by Chargo to nominate Jerry Stadler. No second required. With no further nominations, nominations were closed. All Yes, to elect Jerry Stadler as Vice Chairman. Motion Passed
Voorheis called for nominations for the office of Secretary. Motion made by Belill to nominate Cheri Johnston for Secretary. No second required. With no further nominations, nominations were closed. All Yes, to elect Cheri Johnson as Secretary. Motion Passed.
New Bank Signors – Motion made by Chargo, second by Belill to name Cheri Johnston, Nancy Belill, Gerald Stadler, and Michelle Voorheis as the new check signors for the Vienna Township Business Development Authority. All Yes, Motion Passed
Board Comments: None
Announcements Frank Lemieux shared with the board of a meeting regarding the Shriner Project, that acknowledged the BDA as “saving their project” due to the promise of providing funding toward the feasibility study.
Report from office: Monday, April 6th was the ribbon cutting for Applebees.
Saturday, April 18th is a Walmart hiring fair 10am – 3pm.
Thursday, April 30th is National Pay It Forward Day and the High School HOPE club is having a food drive to benefit area church pantries from 9am – 2pm.
Saturday, May 2nd – Glen Arbor Join Hands Day with Clio and Vienna Twp. BDA. Volunteers and donations needed. Motion made by Belill, second by Chargo to provide a donation of $250.00 to Glen Arbor to use for food and monetary donations to the charitable groups that participate in clean up day. Roll Call Vote, All Yes, Motion Passed. Voorheis offered to personally donate cases of water - Thank you.
Saturday, May 23 – Freedom 4 Veterans Run at Veterans Park.
Adjourn: Motion made by Chargo, second by Voorheis to adjourn the meeting at 7:40pm All Yes, Motion Passed
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Cheri Johnston, Secretary Submitted by Janet Mowl