Good morning everyone.

The time is now 9.16.

We are going to get our community development committee started this morning.

Great to see you all.

Uh item one today is a resolution approving a resolution awarding a contract with CND Hughes Incorporated for sidewalk and ADA rack repair at various locations.

In 2026, an amount of 735,825 and five cents with a total not to exceed amount of eight hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars is their motion.

Thank you.

So move support.

Moved and supporting Ms.

Arvey.

Um, yes, this is our uh reported deficiency contract.

So we have our systematic contract to f to fix sidewalks.

This is when someone calls and there's a concern or a trip hazard, and we go out intentionally to inspect and remediate those deficiencies.

Wonderful.

Any questions, colleagues?

Saying none, all in favor.

Aye.

Motion carries.

Item number two this morning is a resolution awarding a contract with Cat Skill Remedio Contracting Services Inc.

for improvements to Keno Shea and Plaster Creek Trails and the amount of 306,208 and 95 cents with a total not to exceed amount of 590,000.

So support.

We've just supported Ms.

Irvin, did you want to share more information on this one?

Sure.

This project they'll be self-performing all of the work.

Uh this is tied to some erosion that was noted along Plaster Creek about seven years ago.

Um it has taken time for design and also permitting through Eagle and uh U.S.

fish and wildlife.

So we're excited to get this done and the bank stabilized.

Absolutely.

Do you know how long that will take?

Um it is about a quarter of a million dollar project, so we're probably talking three months, it's probably a season.

Thank you.

There is no more questions.

All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item number three this morning is a resolution awarding a contract with Nago Construction Inc.

for traffic calming at various locations.

2025-1.

Um I need some what is that uh signify 2025-1?

Disregards at the type of referencing a certain contract.

Okay.

Okay, various locations and amount of 258,200 and 50 cents with a total not to exceed amount of 450,000.

Is there motion?

Moved and supported.

Any comments on this, Ms.

Irving?

Sure.

These are several um traffic calming measures being implemented through mobile gr.

Um there are five of them in the second ward and four in the third ward.

There are also some ball bouts.

These are all focused on uh safety for all users and slowing traffic in areas where there have been um speeding concerns and complaints that have been followed up with mobile gr.

Wonderful.

Um, how do you all uh go through the process of prioritizing which uh intersections or areas?

I know this is a big top big question for a lot of folks.

Could you talk a little bit more about how you get to this point?

Sure.

And I anticipate because we've had this question a lot, and you all are really diligent.

And I wanted to make sure that I brought you the fellow that does that work.

So this is John Bartlett, he's our city traffic engineer, and he's gonna help you out.

Mr.

Bartlett, nice to see you.

Good morning, Commissioners.

Nice to see you too.

Um, so this is sort of a two-part answer.

So this project before you today is um a combination of things that came from our previous iteration of traffic calming.

So uh neighborhoods came to us with concerns about speeding.

We implement uh certain easy to implement uh solutions such as speed humps and things like that with an on-call contract, so those kind of happen as we are available.

These types of designs require more engineering to make sure drainage and grades at intersections are maintained so they go through our engineering department.

So this is sort of a combination of the last two or three years of these uh intersections where we determine neighborhood traffic coming or neighborhood traffic circles are necessary, put into a package to save costs for economy of scale, and that's what's before you today.

In terms of prioritization of projects, we are trying to transition our neighborhood traffic calming program into a proactive program.

So we've got a new evaluation criteria that looks at what we are calling neighborhood features, so proximity to bike facilities, proximity to sidewalk, proximity to elderly housing, schools, parks, things like that, as our first look at where tra where neighborhoods would benefit from traffic calming or lower speeds and not just using existing speeds and counts as as the first um or as the only criteria that we're looking looking at.

So the from that project we would again rank all the neighborhoods in the city, and then we would go to those neighborhoods with potential solutions, get feedback from them, alter the designs, and then be bringing projects to you in that manner.

Um and then currently that program would uh anticipate doing the top two streets or neighborhoods within each ward each year, so that you would see a balance of of those traffic calming funds being spent in each ward.

That's an exciting transition to be more proactive with that.

Thank you so much.

Yep.

Do you have an idea of when that that initiative will roll out or that?

We should be so we've been collecting data and we've got that scoring matrix sort of in place now, and so we should be going out to those first six neighborhoods this spring.

Wonderful.

Um any other questions from the dais?

Chair.

Um Commissioner Belshack.

Um I'm curious.

This is like an engineering question, I think.

More um there's been some discussion around ball boats in general.

Um, what are the alternatives if we didn't want to heavily engineer our streets but wanted to do something that was maybe more flexible?

So the ball belt serve two purposes.

They define the parking area, right?

People park in behind the ball belts, and they also shorten the crossing distance for pedestrians.

We see a lot of areas within the city where people are parking um uh illegal illegally essentially too close to intersections, they're not staying the proper distance from crosswalks, and it gets very dangerous with people having to step into the street and peek out around cars, right?

And again, and it's very hard to see pedestrians.

Um, so alternatives to the ball bouts.

We have a lot of streets right now that do not have those, right?

And where they're more open.

We have some areas areas, neighborhood streets where we can narrow the streets and the crossing distance is shorter.

But part of it too with the ball bouts is it makes it clear to people areas where they cannot park.

And I just think a lot of people don't have the education and don't understand the municipal code.

I don't think there's necessarily ill intent.

Um so we're trying to have our designs um speak to people so the design tells you what you can and cannot do, and you're not in a position of having to figure that out on your own.

Um, so some of the concerns with ball bouts regarding you know, we deal with the drainage and the stormwater, that's always a concern.

Most people who feel that we're taking away a parking space, the area we're taking away is not legal parking, and it's dangerous parking.

So I'm happy to entertain those questions whenever people have concerns.

I've had some very good conversations with different people in the public who just don't understand the the traffic code and what we're trying to accomplish.

So in the design, as we think about ball bouts, um, what would be the solutions if we wanted to also consider ADA compliance or bike ramps and things like that?

With on the street level, within the ball belts, yeah.

Yeah, so if we're gonna have if we're gonna have bike lanes, then those are incorporated in the design with the ball belts.

So we're not necessarily putting bikes through the ball belts because typically those are defining parking and the bikes aren't riding in the parking lane.

Um, so that doesn't necessarily come into play where we have intentionality with specific bike lanes.

We do we don't put a ball bout into the bike lane.

Um for ADA compliance, wherever there's a corner, we make sure they're ADA compliant, right?

And that is a federal requirement also that any crosswalk when we do work on a street has to be brought into ADA compliance.

So we make sure that those requirements are met.

Alright, last question, I promise.

Yeah.

Is there any GR mobile GR implication where we don't have bike lanes but could in the future, and now we've got heavy engineering that we've just paid a lot of money for for the next 30 years or etc.

Um, for instance, are we designing things now where there isn't a bike lane, but there would be in the future potentially, especially if we're re reimagining things.

We I I think I understand.

Sure.

I just jump in real quick.

I think that when I hear you talk about bull bouts and then you start talking about bike lanes, I think I know what you're getting to.

Let me see if I can explain this.

Bull bouts, um the way that you've probably seen them in GR right now.

Um, they don't have a little cross-through for a bicycle.

Is this what you're talking about?

Okay.

Hi, John.

John.

I'm gonna we can talk about it later.

It might be something later.

So much interest in your bodies of work.

So I would love to um thank you for bringing John today.

I would love to invite us back for some sort of briefing on this because I this is what we do every day in this committee.

Um, and I think a little bit more background for us and the public on all the more technical aspects of it, uh, more public FAQ will be really helpful.

Would you be willing to come back for that?

That'd be fantastic.

And just one and you're yeah, it's you're welcome to take that question.

Well, just I just want to touch base.

So there's a location in your ward specifically.

So Lake Michigan and Valley.

Um there's a roundabout there.

This last summer they went through and did Valley, and we came back and revisited that intersection and added curb extensions to that space and put the bike lanes from the lanes onto the curb, designated space between bikes and pedestrians, and so that'd be a good location to go take a look at and see exactly what types of things we can do to facilitate what you're talking about.

All right, and thank you, Chair, for the absolutely and John will show up, he'll show up and walk the streets with you.

So I have no doubt he means that.

Uh thank you so much.

And I would just say on this item, um, this uh I know there will be more uh coming um in front of us.

Uh I know in the budget process, we'll talk about even more improvements we can make in this area or investments throughout the city.

So for those who are watching and um are waiting to see their intersection show up, does not mean that it's not on our radar.

Um any other more comments or discussion on it on this item.

If there are not, I will call the question.

All in favor.

Aye, any opposed?

Motion carries.

Thank you all.

All right, we are on item number four today.

A resolution awarding a contract with Caterberg Verhaj Inc.

for improvements to Riverside Park, Mayor's Grove in the amount of 249,900 with a total amount not to exceed 310.

Is there a motion?

Moved.

Support.

Moved and support.

Is there any additional questions or discussion?

Sure.

Um, this this project, um, a private citizen group approached parks and wanted to fundraise in honor of Mayor Bliss.

Um they worked with parks and looked at the 2022 strategic master plan and different projects that had been proposed and planned.

And they selected this outdoor classroom and nature grove in Riverside Park and um worked through the process and made a decision to name that Mayor's Grove.

Uh naming requires that 50% of the dollars are raised by an outside organization, and they did.

They raised 150,000.

They also raised some additional money, and they contributed that towards maintenance of the park.

So an exciting project.

Wonderful.

All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item number five, a resolution approving a construction agreement from Meyer Gas Station at 300 or 3557 Patterson Avenue Southeast.

So move.

Support?

Moved and supported.

Mr.

Irvin, did you want to add anything on this one?

Sure.

This is a simple private development where the 16-inch water main has to be moved for grading.

There's no further discussion.

All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item number six is a resolution approving a contract, sorry, a construction agreement and a cost sharing agreement and accepting two sidewalk and public utility easements and three public utility easements for Pleasant Heels Development.

Support.

Moved and supported.

Just a quick explanation, both this and the next one, so we don't have to do this twice.

These are both in support of the Eastern to and Grand River Trails East and Consumers Energy.

We needed some polls moved.

This first item is moving them into an easement owned by the city.

The second item is moving them onto property owned by the city and working in collaboration with them to support our trail project.

Any questions or discussion?

Seeing none, all in favor.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Item six carries.

Item number seven, companion item is a resolution approving a consent of easement holder at 150 and Street Northwest Northwest in connection with Eastern Railroad to and Grand River Trails East.

So the support.

Moved and support is any further discussions.

All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

We are on number eight.

A resolution granting a utility easement at 60 Ant Street Northwest in connection with Eastern Railroad to and Grant River Trails East for a nominal consideration of one dollar.

Is there a motion?

So support.

Moved and supported.

Ms.

Irving.

Is there anything?

This ties to the other easement.

We're ready for the next.

Oh sorry.

That was um three of them.

Oh three, okay.

Yes.

All right.

Um all in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Okay.

Number nine.

Yeah.

Number nine is a resolution approving decertifications from the city's local street system.

A 2025 Act 51 street system reports.

There are a motion.

Support.

Moved and supported.

All right, Miss Irving.

Yes, this is an annual requirement with the state of Michigan where they track our streets that are eligible for Act 51 dollars.

And we also track those and we uh resolve between the two maps to make sure we're properly certifying roads that are still there.

We have roads that we vacate, sometimes we have new roads that are added.

So this is the normal annual report.

So question just uh in terms of practicality.

Um, after we submit this report, so we um no new streets were open.

We had a net decrease of 0.63 miles.

Um how does that equate to uh kind of people's everyday?

Does it really impact um anything in the from a practical way funding way?

It does not.

Yeah.

It does not.

I think so.

All right, any other questions or discussion?

Hearing none, all in favor.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Item number nine carries.

Item number 10 is a resolution setting March 31st, 2026 as a date to consider an ordinance rezoning of 3113 Plaza Drive Northeast from the neighborhood office services to the modern era neighborhood mixed density density residential zone district.

So support.

Moved and supported.

I am thank you.

Tyler Ken Assistant Planning Director, City of Grand Rapids.

Uh good morning, everyone.

Uh good morning, Commissioners.

Um, the project in front of you this morning is a request to rezone uh the property from NOS to um MONMDR to facilitate um roughly 30 new units of residential development.

The property is currently um utilized or at one point was utilized by uh what was called Hubatobo, which was uh uh rent uh hot tub kind of space that was then converted into a brewery at one point.

Um and it's kind of used it's useful life is is has been limited.

Um so we're excited to see potentially 30 new residential development or residential units placed on this property.

Um with the with the overall site, um the the MON district would allow for some additional height, um up to three and a half stories.

Right now it's allowed at two and a half stories because the site is constrained by an eastman on the front portion of it.

There's um a cell tower just on the west side of it.

It it's um limited on the the amount of space available for the units, so that additional height would accommodate those additional residential units.

Thank you for that background.

I think uh Commissioner Knight was excited about Habitabah.

Um any uh questions.

I have a question, and this can be addressed when we do the hearing too, but um says we're just setting a date for this, but um there was in the notes something about if it if it wasn't zone changed, there was like it was confusing because it said 43 units could be built there, but then uh so I don't know if that was a typo and then or if if it stayed, so if it stayed as it is what's the additional amount of units, yeah.

The additional yeah, the additional actually it's 24 units that's proposed on the okay.

Maybe I write it on.

So it's three stories, 24 units.

So that additional height would give them those additional units that currently under the existing zoning um designation wouldn't allow for that additional height, limiting the number of units.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you.

Commissioner, just to clarify it's not a public hearing.

It's a it's the next meeting would be to consider the ordinance.

Okay, thank you.

Just want to make sure we're clear on that.

Thanks, Clerk.

All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

We are on number 11.

Resolution scheduling a public hearing for March 31st, 2026 to consider an obsolete property rehabilitation certificate pursuant to PA 146 of 2000 for the Gideon Project LLC at 801 Oakdale Street Southeast.

So move support moved and supported.

Um that's me.

Yeah, um, thanks, Chair.

I haven't been in the middle in a while.

I'm using just giving one way.

Yes, I will give engineering a break for a second.

Um, yeah, this item is coupled with item 12, uh, which is the district.

So we've got a district and certificate public hearings.

This is for a project at Oakdale and Eastern, uh, which is um which is kind of fun to talk about because about six months ago we went on an emerging developer tour with uh community uh between planning, economic development, and office of equity and engagement, and this project was on that stop on the tour.

So, anyways, um it's fun to see it come in.

Uh, this is the rehabilitation of four connected commercial properties by creating two main floor commercial spaces, a community space, and two second story apartments, uh, one of which will be rehabilitated and made available at a rent level attainable to a housing uh household earning uh 50% area median income.

Uh the total uh construction costs are roughly 2.1 million with 423,000 dedicated to inclusion plan goals.

This is typically a base year uh 10 uh 10-year uh base term.

Uh there's an extra year granted here for 11 years because of the housing uh component.

Um that's all I have to say.

I'm happy to take questions.

I am really excited to see this come before us.

Uh this is going to totally change.

This is about a fourth of the district at e at Oakdale and Eastern, and is really going to change the look, the feel um of that district, and support our goals of revitalizing our corridors, particularly with um local uh owners um and local developers.

So really excited to see this.

Uh, this property came uh or this project came before the Southtown CIA.

Um we were able to to award a facade grant, so there's been a lot of folks working to make this happen.

So thank you to you and your office for being part of that.

Are there any additional questions from the day?

I would uh chair if it's all right.

I just want to highlight you mentioned the 50 percent, but I was very struck that the this is uh the other ones at 80 percent AMI.

So this is a an emerging developer taking advantage of our program.

Um and they're interested in revitalizing the neighborhood and building what we would like to think of as more attainable housing in both units.

So that's I think very admirable.

Absolutely.

All right, I'll call the question.

All in favor, aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item number 12 is is it is related.

It's a resolution scheduling a public hearing for March 31st, 2026 to consider the obsolete property rehabilitation rehabilitation district pursuant to PA 146 of 2000 for the Getting Arm Project LLC at 801 Oakdale Streets.

Their motion so moved moved and supported.

Any additional questions, colleagues?

If they're none, I'll call the question.

All in favor.

Aye.

Aye.

None opposed.

Motion carries.

We are on to item number 13.

This is a resolution scheduling a public hearing on April 14th, 2026 for programmatic agreements with the Michigan State Historical Preservation Officer.

So move.

Support moved and supported.

Hello, Mr.

Tucker.

Hello, Commissioner.

Pleasure to be with you today.

This item deals with uh public notice for our requirements to uh adhere to the National Historic Preservation Act, uh, which requires us to assess and evaluate his uh impact of federal funds, particularly HUD funds on uh historic projects in the city.

The public comment is set for April 14th and will last for a duration between March 31st and April 29.

Thank you.

Will there because I looked at the agenda packet and didn't see a ton of supporting details for folks who did want to look over this and attend the public hearing?

Um can you tell me more about would there be a presentation then or how how do folks know um to connect this hearing with uh whatever materials and investments that yeah on April 14th, uh we will uh we will we will host that we will help set opening that that opening meeting and we will post it on the website.

It's also posted in El Vicero uh and uh in live to notify residents that that this is an opportunity for them to speak.

It is also posted on our website.

Any additional questions, colleagues?

All right, hearing now, call the question.

All in favor, aye.

Any opposed motion carries?

Thank you.

Um item number 14 is a resolution scheduling a public hearing on April 14th, 2026 for the draft fiscal year 2027, consolidated housing and community development annual action plan, neighborhood investment plan funding recommendations.

So support moved and supported.

Yes, uh this uh schedules a public hearing on April 14th uh that deals with the consolidated uh housing and community development action plan, which is due to housing and urban development um in May.

This plan uh operationalizes the city's neighborhood investment plan that you all uh have recommended.

You have eight outcomes that this plan supports, and the uh the presentation for the actual funding recommendations will come before this body on March 31st, um, and it will provide recommendations for all of the federal funds that community development administers as well as state and local funds.

Those funds include community development block grant, home ESG, our opioid settlement dollars, uh affordable housing fund dollars, um, and the public comment period is scheduled between March 31st and April 29, and we will be before you on May 12th with the with the final recommendations for your final approval on those recommendations.

Thank you.

Clark, can you remind me who's on that subcommittee?

Or unless Mr.

Tucker, you remember?

Uh Commissioner Belchek, uh, Commissioner Asasi and uh Commissioner Kilgore are on that work group.

Wonderful.

Any additional questions or discussion?

Hearing none?

All in favor?

Aye, aye.

Aye.

None opposed motion carries.

Chair.

My apologies, Chair and Clerk.

Um, item six, can we confirm that we covered item six?

And it may have been my error with us moving through the three um easements.

Um, but I feel like possibly we did seven and eight twice.

Just want to make sure we've covered all of our work today.

Yeah, one second.

We may have missed your correct there was two we did back to back.

Okay.

And she came back in with seven and eight.

Explaining.

So we didn't seven.

Okay.

She yes, she did.

Perfect.

You just when you gave your explanation.

I thought it might be my fault.

Thank you.

I was listening to you.

Commissioner, can you uh use your microphones?

I'm so sorry.

Okay.

Um, yeah, you did say sit number six, but when she gave her explanation, she said these two that are companioned is seven and eight, and she read off the description of that.

So you did hit it.

Clark, can you confirm that?

Yeah, I think we should confirm that now that I look at it because I think the construction agreement for the sidewalk and public utility, isn't that for the Habitat for Humanity?

Yes.

Yeah, so I don't I don't know that we actually discussed the that one.

Clerk will double check for us.

Oh, I see.

We were going fast.

She read it out.

Yeah.

She gave the descriptions for seven and eight.

Yeah.

All right, we'll check that and then um if that is when you go back, we will.

If not, then we will adjourn.

So we'll give one second for Clerk to confirm that.

Hopefully, right meeting.

Uh tag our comms people be like.

Yeah.

That would be good.

Go back.

Usually um it'll say right here after you um uncheck that is she not on um is Janessa downstairs.

I'm gonna have to follow a friend.

Okay.

Would there be would there be anything inappropriate about simply doing item six one more time just in case?

I think that's safe.

Yeah.

All right, let's uh go back to item number six.

We'll read it out and take a vote.

Um number six is a resolution approving a construction agreement and a cost-sharing agreement, accepting two sidewalk and public utility easements and three public utility easements for Pleasant Hills development.

So movement support moved and supporting.

Is there any additional discussion or background needed on this?

This is a development with Habitat for Humanity, adding 20 housing units.

They are adding water and sewer for their residents.

Um the city is also entering into a cost sharing agreement for some combined sewer separations to add stormwater on on the street.

So working with the developer to complete that work.

Very wonderful.

Any additional questions?

Hearing none, all in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

All right, that we are adjourned to 944.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I think we're I think we're fine.