HomeMy WebLinkAbout10- 12- 23 Downtown lansing Inc, Board Meeting MinutesDowntown Lansing Inc.
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
October 12, 2023
Board Members Present: J. Es�ll, J. Durham, T. Carter, K. Dorshimer, JV Anderton, J. Hinze, J. Pugh, J. Flores.
Board Advisors Present: Samantha Benson, Old Town Execu�ve Director and Patricia Spitzley, Lansing City
Council
Staff Present: Cathleen Edgerly, Shakayla Zoss, Julie Reinhart
Guest: Tiny Bit of Wood
MINUTES
I. Call to Order: Mee�ng called to order at 11:30 a.m. by J. Es�ll
II. Special Guests: Megan from Tiny Bit of Wood visited to talk about her new business space and handmade
wood products that she will be selling downtown in 2024.
III. Correspondence: None
IV. Consent Agenda Approval: Karl moved to approve the consent agenda. JV seconded. MOTION PASSED
unanimously.
V. Samantha Benson Reported on Old Town updates: Sam introduced herself as the new Execu�ve Director
of the OTCA. They now also have an AmeriCorps member also in office and welcomed 2 new board
members Brianna and Karen. The Old Town Fall cleanup will take place Saturday. The OTCA’s Silver Gala will
be held Saturday this week. Tickets are s�ll on sale!
VI. Director’s Report: In addi�on to what’s included in the report in the Board packet, C. Edgerly updated the
board on the upcoming council commitee mee�ng to discuss the proposed assessment resolu�on.
S. Zoss shared the marke�ng report and holiday event plant.
President’s Report: J. Es�ll shared how wonderful it has been to have Shakayla for being on board.
VII. Ac�on/Discussion Items:
Advent House Update: C. Edgerly reported previous approval on contribu�on and provided a background
for new board members on how the collabora�ve agreement with the city was started. Out of 60k needed
for the whole year, 30k is commited. Advent House will be coordina�ng a mee�ng with the City HRCS
Dept. for funding remainder of contract, bringing on new partners, and repor�ng on work to date. Edward
is main contact at Advent House. Discussion was held amongst the board regarding teams hours. C. Edgerly
will share Edward’s contact informa�on with the full board in case you see assistance is needed.
Comerica Grant: Tatse awarded last month $10k small business grant through DLI. C. Edgerly provided a
brief background on how the Comerica Small Business Grant was started, 3 grants awarded to date. A press
release has been sent out announcing the award and how it’s suppor�ng Tatse.
Holiday Season Updates:
a. TOTS: Shakayla reported 24 businesses signed up, ac�vi�es are planned. Volunteers needed. October
27th.
b. Marke�ng guide: Shakayla reviewed the Marke�ng Guide with the board in the packet.
c. Window Decora�ng: Julie and Jennie Hinze provided an update regarding the joint Old
Town/Downtown and REO Town window decora�ng contest for the holiday season.
d. Downtown Gi� Cards: J. Reinhardt provided an updated regarding this year’s Downtown Digital Gi�
Card program with Yi�ee. The Commitee and project chair have been busy recrui�ng addi�onal
business par�cipants and reviewed in merchant news and with businesses how to use and accept
them. C. Edgerly shared that Consumers sponsored and matched funds in previous years and we had
an anonymous sponsor last year. We are s�ll looking for a matching donor sponsor for this year. Gi�
cards go on sale star�ng on Small Business Saturday this year.
VII: Mo�on to Adjourn: Mo�on to adjourn at 12:07 p.m. Mo�on passed unanimously.