Started it's 8 48 community development committee.

Thank you all so much for being here.

We have quite a few items this morning, and I know we will breeze through them pretty quickly.

Um there's a lot of information in our packet, and it took a long time to get here.

Uh so I want to thank um a lot of the projects that are represented today and all the support of staff because I know it took years and countless hours to get us to many of the items that we'll be uh discussing and voting on this morning.

So with that, our first item is a resolution approving grant applications in the amount of two million seven hundred and twenty-five thousand to the Michigan Department of Transportation to be matched with a city share of one million one hundred dollars in connection with preventative maintenance of various bridges.

So moved.

I second uh Miss Irving.

Um, yes, so engineering department works with a bridge structural engineer to regularly inspect our bridges, and they identified some early stages of deterioration that are sufficient to warrant applications for grant funding.

So we're seeking grant funding for wealthy street bridge, bridge street bridge, and sixth street bridge.

A lot of the repairs are related to sidewalks and joints, um, some epoxy to help seal and protect from salt and water.

And this is the first step in approving for grants for fiscal year 2029.

Griffith, are there any questions?

Just happy to see it happening.

All in favor?

Aye.

Aye.

Motion carries.

Item number two is a resolution approving an agreement with MDAT for the reconstruction of Valley Avenue from a hundred feet north of First Street to Fourth Street and authorizing one million a hundred and ninety-six dollars, twenty-four dollars for the local share of costs.

So moved.

Support, Ms.

Irving.

Um, yes, this is a road reconstruction project being supported by both um drinking water state revolving funds for water main work and um state transportation urban grants from MDOT for um reconstruction of the road, including concrete curb, drainage structures, stormwater, and also bringing things to ADA compliance.

Wonderful.

All in favor?

Aye.

Aye.

Motion carries.

Item number three is a resolution awarding a contract with groundhog excavating and landscaping LLC for a placement of less service lines at various locations in the amount of one million eight hundred and ninety-three three hundred and fifty dollars with a total project cost not to exceed two million four hundred and forty-two thousand three hundred dollars.

Their motion.

So moved.

Second.

This is the ongoing efforts by our water department to replace lead water service lines here in the city of Grand Rapids.

Um, they sought DWRSRF loans in the total of 18 million, of which about 2,500,000 are available for debt forgiveness.

So they're continuing on their um strategic plan to replace all the lead water service lines here in Grand Rapids.

Wonderful.

And can you recall off the top of your head what percentage of the way through of completely uh replacing those lines?

Are we?

I'm phoning a friend.

All right, Mr.

Wayne Jurenbert.

Thank you.

Morning, Commissioner.

Good morning.

Um, we're about a third of the way through.

Um we're at about 16,800 thereabouts, and some change, some I haven't been recorded yet that have been uh replaced.

Uh when we started the process uh almost seven, eight years ago.

We were at the we're about 25,000, 26,000.

Thank you.

All in favor?

Aye.

Aye.

Motion carries.

Item number four is a resolution authorizing a lease agreement with the Martin Luther King Park Neighborhood Association for space at the MOK community center for the cost of one dollar.

Uh good morning, Laura Claypool with the Parks Department.

I'll move on to the motion.

Sorry.

No worries.

Hi.

Hi, good morning.

I'm still Laura, still with the Parks Department.

Um, this is a resolution authorizing a lease agreement with the King Park neighbors for space at the MLK Community Center.

The center was built to be um designed to be really a civic hub and a spot for the community, and so embedding the neighborhood association into the facility just further that miss it mission and the lease establishes um clear space usage, access, maintenance, and then also reflects um relationships that we have with other neighborhood organizations that use space in our parks.

Absolutely.

And I saw the note that this will um the intent here is to continue this lease at this amount, but we are aligning the lease uh uh uh the three-year lease agreements with other correct native busholes.

We would typically do a three-year lease, um, but to get all of the neighborhood associations on the same um expiration date.

We made this first one is uh a little shorter term.

So wonderful.

There are no questions, all in favor?

Aye.

Motion carries.

We are on item number five.

This is a resolution and pro approving an encroachment agreement in Lake Michigan Drive Northwest.

Some support.

All right, move to support of a serving.

Anything on this one?

Sure.

So this is connected to the soccer stadium and the agreement with GVSU and the YMCA to install a pedestrian bridge to connect the parking ramp to the YMCA.

Um, this is phase two.

Phase one commission took action to allow relocation of some utilities support to support the structural elements that needed to hold up the bridge.

So this is an encroachment agreement to cross our right-of-way.

Wonderful.

Any questions?

Saying none, all in favor.

Aye.

Motion carries.

Item number seven.

Thank you.

Item number six, not seven, not six seven.

Resolution approving an increase of four hundred and twenty-two thousand five hundred thirty-seven dollars for Eastern Railroad to and Grand River Trails East for a total not to exceed amount of six billion three hundred and fifty-eight thousand two hundred and thirty-seven dollars.

So move.

Support.

We're gonna support him, Miss Irving.

This is in support of the trail project and relocation of consumers energy um assets to make room for the trail.

See no questions, all in favor?

Aye.

Aye, motion carries.

All right, we are on item number seven now.

Um, this is a resolution approving an increase of 182,000 dollars for Grand River East Riverfront US 131 to CXX Railroad for a total not to exceed amount of 20 million twenty thousand and eight hundred and seven dollars.

So move support, we've done support.

I think we have Mr.

Stahl here for the next few items.

Yeah, good morning, commissioners.

Uh again, my name is Mike Stahl.

I'm in the engineering department.

So the this item before you is for the East Riverfront project.

So that's the the riverfront uh between the new amphitheater and the river.

And as we've been working on that project, we have found that the flood wall needs a few more repairs than what we anticipated.

So we would this item would add additional flood wall bonds from the county to that project to cover the cost of those repairs.

See no questions all in favor?

Aye.

Aye, motion carries item number eight is a resolution approving an agreement and expenditures with Pass Perfect Inc.

for architectural historian services for the Grand River revitalization project, an amount of 67,188 dollars.

So move.

Support and supported.

All right.

So in 2022, uh the city entered into an MOU with a natural resources conservation service, SHIPO, and uh a few others for mitigating for the loss of these low head dams in the Grand River.

Um these dams were deemed to be eligible to be on the National Register of Historical Places.

And so one of the stipulations of this MOU was that the city was to hire an architectural historian to record the dams as they were removed.

And so uh we solicited proposals and received one from Past Perfect Inc.

uh past Perfect Inc.

is a micro-local business enterprise, meets all of the Department of Interior qualifications for the architectural historian work.

Uh so the item before you today is to enter into an agreement for them uh for the work.

This work was previously included in the project budget, so no change in budget is requested at this time.

Wonderful.

See no questions, all in favor?

Aye.

Motion carries.

We are at an item number nine, a resolution approving an amendment to the agreement with Biosurvey Group LLC to expand the scope of work for endangered muscled work in the Grand River and authorizing additional expenditures in the amount of 156,468 dollars and eighty-four cents for a total not to exceed amount under the agreement.

Some support.

We can support it.

So there are many uh federally state threatened and endangered mussels out in the Grand River.

And so, in order to do the work in the Grand River, we had to get an incidental take permit and uh from the U.S.

fish and wildlife and permits from the state in to uh reduce impacts on mussels in the river.

So um, if you remember, we moved in 2024, we removed over 9,000 mussels out of the river, and we moved them to three different locations in the uh the Grand River.

Um there was there was an area that we did not do in 2024 because that area was right next to one of the dams.

So that we being so close to the dam is it's unsafe for snorkelers or scuba divers to be close to there, and we didn't want to risk anybody's health or safety to do that.

So we worked with the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service and the DNR to put that work off to right before we started the work.

We're gonna build an isolation area, pull that water down, and then remove the mussels.

So this work before or the resolution before you is to amend the agreement with the bio survey group uh to do the to do this work and to add the additional monitoring as requested by U.S.

Fish and Wildlife and the DNR.

Uh this work was previously the the budgeted amount was included in the previously approved project budget, so no changes to the project budget are requested at this time.

Right.

Say no questions, all in favor?

Aye.

Motion carries.

I think the last one for you this morning is a resolution approving an agreement and expenditures with the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council for the Lower Grand River Water Trail in the amount of $34,000.

So move support.

Supported.

All right, in 2023, uh the Grand Valley Metro Council submitted an application to MDNR for the lower lower Grand River Water Trail.

Uh the in 2024, MDNR did approve that application.

Uh this application, unfortunately, left a gap in our the water trail as it runs through Grand Rapids, mainly because of the dangers that are presented by the dams in the Grand River.

We obviously want nobody to traverse said dams for their their health and safety.

So in addition, we had many different uh river edge projects in the works, and now that we have we know what the river is gonna look like.

Now we have all these parks under construction, we know where the access points are.

We want to work on providing clear guidance, education, wayfinding for people that want to use this water trail and safely navigate the and enjoy the the expanded river access.

So the resolution before you would uh approve an agreement for the Grand Very Grand Valley Metro Council to work on that water trail and add in those different elements within the uh city reach.

Thank you so much.

Any questions?

Seeing none, all in favor?

Aye.

Motion carries.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Are we our n item item number 11, which is a resolution awarding a contract with Allied Mechanical Service Inc.

for LMFP surge valve replacement in the amount of 371,490 dollars with a total amount not to exceed six six hundred and eleven thousand dollars, six hundred and twenty thousand and LMFP is the Lake Michigan filtration plant.

Is there a motion?

Support and support it.

As you stated, this is a project at our water plant, and this is to replace um surge valves.

The surge valves protect the pumps and transmission main from any pressure um fluctuations, and it's part of their asset management planning to make sure they're replacing outdated equipment ahead of failure.

We love that.

Any questions?

Saying none, all in favor?

Aye.

Motion carries.

Item number 12 is a resolution approving an agreement with MDAT, the Michigan Department of Transportation for the reconstruction of Buchanan Avenue from Corrine Street to Haw Street and authorizing four million six hundred and eighteen thousand seven hundred and forty dollars for the local share of costs.

So move support.

Ms.

Irving.

Yep.

So this reconstruction project um is going to include um asphalt, raised bike lanes, inset parking, concrete curb and gutter, water main replacement, storm sewer, infiltration basins, um, ADA compliance, street trees.

So a very big reconstruction of this section of road, and it is being um funded both by a grant um through MDA and through the drinking water revolving fund.

Seeing no questions, all in favor?

Aye.

Motion carries.

Item number 13.

A resolution awarding a contract with Montgomery Excavating LLC for reconstruction of Yukannon, sorry, apologies, reconstruction of Butterworth Street from West City Limits to O'Brien Road in the amount of three million two hundred and forty-one thousand six hundred and thirty-one dollars and three cents with a total amount not to exceed four million four hundred and eighty-one thousand one hundred and ninety-five dollars.

Support.

We've been supported.

So Butterworth Street has been a street as a city that we've wanted to improve for a while.

We have a lot of stormwater challenges, so we did quite a bit of study, also working with private landowner owners to really really look at the entire water watershed.

We were able to get a grant from EPA to support that stormwater work.

And then we're also reconstructing the road to deal with some vertical alignments that make visibility difficult at some drives to try to um improve safety for everyone.

This road supports our riverbank run.

This road also supports access to our public works facilities for yard waste recycling.

So it's one that I think everyone drives on at least once a year.

So it'll be nice if it's improved for the city.

Thank you so much.

All in favor?

Aye.

It's a resolution to schedule a public hearing on April 14th, 2026 for the 528 Bridge Street Northwest redevelopment project loaded located at 528 and 532 Bridge Street Northwest.

Is there a motion?

So moved.

Support.

Thank you, Commissioner.

Uh good morning.

This is a former rail depot at Seward and Bridge.

Uh this is the renovation for um excuse me for traditional brownfield TIFF.

So this is one of the first brownfield plans we've seen in a while that is seeking um traditional TIFF, so prior to housing TIFF, right?

So just delet that delineation.

Uh the renovation will house the headquarters for advantage real estate, as well as provide another commercial space uh in the sizable building.

Uh the total development costs are 2.7 million with approximately 710,000 being dedicated to those traditional activities, including demolition, site prep, and infrastructure improvements.

And one of the things that we're currently negotiating and which was approved and supported by the Brownfield Authority is a cost-sharing agreement between the DDA, the city, and the developer to activate or an incorporate a sidewalk along Seward.

Um so if you can picture that, it's it's not there.

Um so we're leveraging private investment to uh hopefully add more accessibility through our sidewalk infrastructure.

Happy to take any questions.

Are there any questions, colleagues?

All right, seeing none, all in favor.

Aye, aye.

Motion carries.

Item number 15 is a resolution scheduling a public hearing on April 14, 2026 to consider an application for a 12-year industrial facilities exemption certificate pursuant to PA 198 of 1974 for Falk at 1782 Northridge Avenue Northwest and the Walker View Industrial Park.

So move support.

Moved and supported.

Thank you.

Uh, this is for Falk Sheet Metal LLC, which is not uh to be confused with what you saw last October for uh Falk Material Wool.

Uh Falk is really expanding in the industrial uh uh district.

I'm sorry, the 425 district that we partner with Walker on.

Um so this is expansion to the tune of 5.4 million for uh additional uh space on an existing building.

So it's about 130 square 130,000 square feet.

Uh they're adding about 50,000 uh to continue increasing capacity for their fabrication of sheet metal.

Thank you.

All in favor?

Aye.

Motion carries.

Our last item this morning is item number 16, a resolution authorizing the publication of and setting April 14, 2026 as the date to consider an ordinance establishing the Dean Kendall House, located at 2350 Leonard Street Northwest as a historic landmark.

So move.

Support.

Good morning.

Morning.

Rhonda Baker with the planning department.

Uh it's always a high, isn't it?

Yeah.

I'm the historic preservation specialist.

I've been working with uh the Patis family who owns the property back in 24.

You approved the study committee to be established.

They've been working um pretty hard on that, and they are back for formal designation of their property as a historic landmark.

I'm here to answer any questions you might have about that.

This is the owner Frank Pattis.

He wanted to say a few words as well.

Good morning.

I would just like to thank all the commissioners for considering uh my home is a you know, you know, a landmark and uh the the time you've put into it.

I really appreciate it, especially Rhonda and all her help.

Thank you.

Thanks for being here.

And thank you, Miss Baker.

Colleagues, any questions on this item?

I'll just say thank you.

Um, this is this is a designated kind of place in our neighborhood on Leonard, and so um I know that a lot of conversations happened around the property.

Baker colleagues any questions on this item I'll just say thank you um this is this is this is a designated kind of place in our neighborhood on Leonard and so um I know that a lot of conversations happened around the property uh West Grand's been paying attention so um I I look forward to seeing all the results of everything in the hearing thank you thank you with that all in favor aye motion carries thank you and with that we will adjourn at 909