HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.10.25 DLI Board Meeting MinutesDLI Board Meeting
April 10, 2025 | 11:30 am
215 S. Washington Square Ste. 100, Lansing, MI 48933
Board Members Present: J. Estill, J. Hinze, J. Pugh, K. Tomac K. Dorshimer, S. Rusek, J. Flores, J. Durham
Board Absent: N. Thompson-Frazier,
Board Advisors: Peter Spadafore
Board Advisors Absent: Samantha Benson
Staff Present: Cathleen Edgerly and Shakayla Voss
Guests: Lake State staff: Josh Cook & Tara
Minutes
1. Call to Order: Meeting called to order at 11:31 p.m.
2. Citizens Comments: None.
3. Correspondence: None
4. Consent Agenda: Motion to approve consent agenda items. Motion by K. Dorshimer.
Second by K. Tomac.
Josh from Lake State introduced himself as a new representative of the company and
expressed the owners passion and pride in Downtown Lansing and the work conducted
by Lake State.
5. Old Town Updates: Samantha not present. J. Hinze gave small updates.
6. Reports: Director’s Report: Edgerly reported will be holding board retreat May 8 in
substitution for monthly meeting.
Edgerly reported on staff and Board member professional development and
representation at the Main Street America conference in Philadelphia, Mario attended as
well as Josh Pugh.
Councilmember P. Spadafore shared that he met with auditors, all findings were coming
back great with no issues to address and recommended advanced copy come to Edgerly.
President’s Report: State of Downtown coming and Estill encouraged 100% board
member appearance. Encouraged by involvement last year and excited to see this year
and looking forward to the next few years.
7. Discussion/Action Items:
Bloomberg Grant: Bloomberg Asphalt Art Initiative: no action needed at this point.
Information was included in board packet and Edgerly introduced project and how to
incorporate. Jenn Hinze and Cathleen to put together email to encourage LCC involvement.
New Staff Member: C. Edgerly shared an update regarding the hiring process and is pleased
to share that the interview committee unanimously approved the hire of Kate Litwin as
DLI’s new Community Development Director. May 12 will be her start date.
Middle Village 2025-2026 Cohort: Group finished interviews/pitches and approed 3
businesses to enter Middle Village. Conducting exit interviews with current cohorts. May
30th is out date, working with some touch-ups and clean up to have enter dates at a later
date most likely in June. The participant agreement has some changes to update policies
and role of both partners to better clarify expectations.
SBDC partnership is currently holding weekly check-in meetings and assist with current
group.
Spring Fling this weekend is fast approaching: Encouraged board to attend. LEAP will also
be participating.
For monthly learning series/trainings: Staff has worked with partners to make virtual
participation available and recorded. Cathleen met with Andy Crawford who works with
accelerator program on a national level and connected with resources.
Signage work is in progress for facing Washington Square as well as other signage to the
buildings.
New Business: K. Tomac asked about State of Downtown event – confirming keeping
session the same as a presentation. Will continue with format with members available to
answer questions after. Merchant meet-ups are also happening as well as monthly CSO
meetings. Information is being shared via the communications plan and discussed ways
on how to connect. K. Tomac expressed having the invitation and information
recommunicated/rebranded into a more open forum.
Councilmember Spadafore reported City is doing a fundraiser for the historic Reutter Park
Fountain. Project is about $700,000. May 7, 2025 will be the 35 hours of giving in
partnership with the Community Foundation.
K. Dorshimer announced retirement from LEAP and will be doing some consulting. His
term with DLI will be over end of June.
8. Adjourn: Motion to adjourn by A. Rusek, J. Durham 2nd. Meeting adjourned at 12:13
9. Adjourn: Motion to adjourn at 12:47 by K. Dorshimer. Second by K. Tomac. Motion passed
unanimously.