HomeMy WebLinkAboutS. MLK Corridor Improvement Minutes 05.21.26Page 1 of 3
South Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Corridor Improvement Authority Board of Directors Monthly Meeting Thursday, May 21, 2026 - 1:00 PM UA Local Plumbers and Pipefitters 5405 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Lansing, MI 48911
Members Present: Jeremy Matthews, Melissa White, Don “Moose” Sober, Dustin Howard
Mayoral Designee: None present
Members Absent: Amanda Defrees, Kristina Schmidgall
Facilitator Present: Kahleea Washington, Lansing Economic Development Corporation
Guests Present: Paul Anderson, Southwest Action Group, Gary Heidel, HCD Strategies LLC
Public Present:
Recorded by: Melissa White
1. Call to Order/Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 1:00 PM. A quorum of appointed and serving members was
present.
2. Approval of April 09, 2026, S. MLK Jr. CIA Meeting Minutes - Action
The board reviewed the April 9, 2026, S. MLK Jr. CIA meeting minutes.
MOTION: Matthews SUPPORT: Howard YEAS: Howard Matthews, White, Sober NAYS: None ABSENT: Amanda Defrees, Kristina Schmidgall Motion carried unanimously.
3. Update on the Spring Cleanup
The board recapped the Spring Cleanup event and identified concerns about planning, structure, outreach, communications, and the supplies needed for the event. Matthews discussed several observations from the event planning process and offered recommendations to improve future board operations, event planning, and implementation. The board also discussed corridor maintenance
and street sweeping.
Street Sweeping: The board discussed corridor maintenance and street sweeping. Based on the board members observation of the corridor during the cleanup they decided to ask the Public Service Department to do an additional street sweeping in late July.
Resolution to Cover Cleanup Expenses – Action: The board discussed the resolution to cover Spring Cleanup expenses. White identified typographical errors in the resolution and stated that
Page 2 of 3
corrections should be made before the resolution was finalized. Washington stated that the typographical errors would be corrected.
MOTION: Matthews SUPPORT: Howard YEAS: Howard, Matthews, White, Sober NAYS: None ABSENT: Amanda Defrees, Kristina Schmidgall
Motion carried unanimously
4. Update on the LEDC and CIA Service Agreement:
Washington presented the proposed “Scope of Services” included in the draft service agreement.
The Lansing EDC plans to present the full agreement for the board’s review and approval next month.
The board discussed the need for additional structure now that the MLK CIA has funds available to reinvest in the corridor. White asked whether board members could receive full access to board materials. Board members discussed assigning specific roles and improving the board's access to information and control over how it functions going forward.
The board also discussed Washington's role and noted that she carries multiple responsibilities.
Board members discussed the need to use Washington's expertise in business development and corridor development work rather than placing excessive administrative tasks on her as the board becomes more active.
Board members discussed improving communication leading up to events and using better communication channels for coordination between meetings.
5. Discussion on Governance and Processes/Updates from the Public Engagement
Committee: The board discussed the need for improved outreach, communication, and public-
facing materials. White stated that she would like board members to have identification badges when
speaking with businesses or community members about the board. White also requested flyers or
printed materials to provide to businesses to explain who the board is, what it does, and why it
exists.
The board discussed concerns regarding the InVerve website and marketing contract, including that
the website project began in October and the site was not yet live. Washington showed the board
the website landing page. White noted that InVerve's scope of services included social media and
that social media work had not yet been performed. Washington suggested inviting InVerve to the
next meeting to provide a presentation.
White asked whether the board would be opposed to holding a special meeting, given that it meets
only once per month. Board members stated that they would be open to a special meeting. No
7. Other Business: A representative for Brightwood Crossing Development introduced the company and discussed its interest in making connections with neighbors and City officials. The representative asked whether Brightwood Crossing Development could attend the next meeting to present its proposed affordable housing project for the Maple Grove School site.
The board discussed revisiting the purchase of a domain and email accounts for board members, rather than using personal email accounts. Board members discussed that official email accounts would provide more secure communication and help keep board communications within board records.
White asked about RFPs for administrative assistance and stated that decisions on administrative support should be made by the board, particularly because administrative support has been
budgeted, even if not separately line-itemed. The board discussed the need for greater transparency
Page 3 of 3
regarding specific expenditures, administrative support, recordkeeping, and purchase-approval processes.
8. Public Comment: No additional public comment was recorded.
9. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 1:59 PM.
MOTION: Matthews SUPPORT: Howard YEAS: Howard, Matthews, White, Sober NAYS: None ABSENT: Amanda Defrees, Kristina Schmidgall, Motion carried unanimously.
X ________________________________________ Amanda Defrees Chairperson, South Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Corridor Improvement Authority
Approved by the Board on: ______________________________