Meetings Minutes « Marquette Township Business Association

Meeting Minutes 9.18.18

Tuesday, September 18, 2018 – Noon – Hudson’s Classic Grill

Call to Order/Round Robin
Roll Call

PRESENT:

Frank Stabile, Chairman (Superior Oasis)
Jenn Wallner, Treasurer (GMWWP, CPAs, P.C.)
Tina Henson (Tru North Federal Credit Union)
Michael Morgan (First National Trust & Wealth Management)
Scott Patrick (Carpet Specialists)
Alex Baysore (Representative for Todd Noordyk, Co-Chairman) (Great Lakes Radio, Inc.)
Cynthia Wiggins (Alpha Omega Dental Center)
Jessica Anders, Executive Secretary (Carpet Specialists)
1. ABSENT:
  1. Peggy Loy (Century 21)
  2. Adele Jacobson (Honor Credit Union)

Approval of July 17, 2018 minutes
Treasurer’s Report
1. Bank Statement Balances (as of August 31, 2018)
  - Savings Account: $7,820.61
  - Checking Account: $862.72
2. Budget Report: No large changes from July- biggest change was the donation of $2500 for the Underpass- came out of our reserve account.

Invoices to be Paid
- Great Lakes Radio $100

c.) Correspondence

i) Letter from August 14^th from Jason McCarthy thanking for the pledge of $2500 and asking for a check. Jenn cut a check and delivered it directly to the township. August 29^th received Thank you letter from Marquette Township for underpass donation. Letter was read. One of the biggest donations we have done out of our reserve funding.

Motion made to approve consent agenda made by Mike Morgan. Scott Patrick supported. Motion passes unanimously at 12:20 pm.

Regular Agenda – Motion to approve regular agenda made by Scott Patrick and supported by Jenn Wallner. Motion passes unanimously at 12:21pm

Membership
1. Membership Drive- kicking off membership drive early. Timeline was sent out. Current copy of 7 reasons why to join was passed around.

7 reasons to join/mission statement revision:

goal: to make more inviting and easier to read bring it up to date. It seems as though it was 7 different ways to basically say the same thing. .There are about 200 businesses that we can recruit and we have been stuck at around 50 for quite some time. Discussion on what kind of benefits and values can we offer and how to gain new members. Try to keep dollars in Marquette Township, by referral and networking. Needing to figure out how to put the 7 reasons to join into a format that is easier to present to potential new members, a more condensed version. Ideas of what we want to include: a way to educate new businesses (mentorship). Power in numbers. Act as a conduit between businesses in the township, express why new businesses should join and what they will receive in return for their $100 dues.

Ideas for getting membership up were discussed, such as setting up a booth at dome shows, NMU job fairs, etc. Discussion on how we need to follow up more than once after our initial contact.

Jessica will send out a current township business list with current members highlighted and will try to gather as many contact emails for current businesses

Complete detailed notes from this discussion are available.

New: 5 Total: 49

Potential New Business List for 2018
- Meijer Store and C-Store (Meijer Gas Station), Subaru Car Dealership, Beam and Barrel, Gander Outdoors, New Lash Parlor in old Curran Coffee Shop, Superior Chaga, Sayklly’s, North Iron Church
- Ashley visited Fraco Concrete Products, Riverside Car Dealership, Ashley Furniture, Cosmo Prof (Cosmetology Supply Company), Sally Hansen Beauty Supply, Embroidery Warehouse
- Cynthia Wiggins will speak with ReMax Embroidery Warehouse
- Michael Morgan will speak with Fraco Concrete Products

New Business
1. Executive Secretary Position- Jessica Anders is the new Executive Secretary- Contact info: jessicaa@carpetspecialists.com or jessicarae1@mac.com
Unfinished Business
1. Postal drop box at the Township Hall (Adele)- Adele sent to Jenn- Post office already has two drop boxes within a mile radius of the township hall- one located at the Westwood mall entrance and one located at the Cenex gas station, and another at Wal-Mart. They would not consider having one in such close proximity. She asked John the postmaster if they would consider relocating one of the existing drop boxes which would probably have to be based on existing usage. When Adele spoke with Casey she said that the post office does audit usage of drop boxes but not regularly. It’s a random order through the United States Post Office and it’s a very manual process. Suggested to send out a map of where current drop boxes are to membership. Perhaps since the mall has less businesses in it maybe that is the one they would consider moving.
2. Catch the Vision Update (Todd Noordyk) (Alex) Christmas tree lighting. Alex was shown the picture of the tree that they are cutting down. One of the big promotions- stringing the lights, having businesses give a gift that connects the lights all around, people can call into the station for a chance to win one of the gifts that a business has given. About 5 people from the sales department are going to be going around to the businesses. Coordinate with Jessica so we have a posting on our website.

Beautification of the Corridor (Information to come from Jason McCarthy on adoption of a roundabout)- Kiosk for the underpass/ adopting the roundabout which would entail taking care of the plantings. They expect volunteers to take care of it. Concerns of water supply. Something for us to think about if we want to sponsor or not and how it would work. Should get more details before making a decision. Table it until we get more info.

Joint Meetings with Township Board – November 20. Short board meeting @11:30am. Joint meeting at 12:00pm. Think of what you may want to ask to the township. Perhaps the roundabout.
Reports
1. Marquette Township Business Association Facebook Page- Start getting new postings.
2. Website – Updates and New Postings (Alex Bayshore) Start getting new postings- several months since last post. Try to get that going (Alex)

DDA Update (Todd Noordyk)

Marquette Township Board Treasurer (Ernie Johnson) absent
Marquette Township Planning & Zoning Administrator (Jason McCarthy) absent.

Motion to adjourn: Scott motions, Tina supports. Motion passes unanimously at 1:07 p.m.

July 17th, 2018 Meeting Minutes

BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, July 17, 2018 – 12:00 pm – Hudson’s Classic Grill

Roll Call

PRESENT:

Frank Stabile, Chairman (Superior Oasis)
Jenn Wallner, Treasurer (GMWWP, CPAs, P.C.)
Tina Henson (Tru North Federal Credit Union)
Michael Morgan (First National Trust & Wealth Management)
Scott Patrick (Carpet Specialists)
Alex Baysore (Representative for Todd Noordyk, Co-Chairman) (Great Lakes Radio, Inc.)
Adele Jacobson (Honor Credit Union)
Cynthia Wiggins (Alpha Omega Dental Center)
1. ABSENT:
  1. Peggy Loy (Century 21)

Consent Agenda
1. Approval of May 15, 2018 minutes
2. Treasurer’s Report
  1. Bank Statement Balances
    - Checking: $ 962.72
    - Savings: $ 10,318.92
  2. Budget Report – We are $400 or 4 members short of hitting our 2018 budget. Through 6 months we are at a $743.84 surplus.

Invoices to be Paid
- Great Lakes Radio: $100

Correspondence
Motion made to approve consent agenda made by Mike Morgan. Scott Patrick supported. Motion passes unanimously.

Regular Agenda – Motion to approve regular agenda made by Scott Patrick and supported by Jenn Wallner. Motion passes unanimously.
1. $500 Donation to Marquette Township Events Committee – Motion to approve by Mike Morgan and supported by Cynthia Wiggins. Motion passes unanimously. Our Marquette Township Business Association banner will be displayed at all the events that are hosted by the Events Committee during the year. Alex will work with Todd to ensure that this is handled. Alex will also review the banner to see if it is still in good shape, if not, we will look at getting a new banner sign made.
2. Membership
  1. 5 New and 49 total (New members – Zambons, Super One, Alpha Omega Dental, Culvers, UP Kubota)
  2. We will be discussing the membership drive at our September meeting where we will need to target these new businesses.

Potential New Business List for 2018
- Meijer Store and C-Store (Meijer Gas Station), Subaru Car Dealership, Beam and Barrel, Gander Outdoors, New Lash Parlor in old Curran Coffee Shop, Superior Chaga, Sayklly’s, North Iron Church
- Ashley visited Fraco Concrete Products, Riverside Car Dealership, Ashley Furniture, Cosmo Prof (Cosmetology Supply Company), Sally Hansen Beauty Supply, Embroidery Warehouse
- Cynthia Wiggins will speak with ReMax (Shelby will touch base with Fran once they are settled from the move) and Embroidery Warehouse
- Michael Morgan will speak with Fraco Concrete Products (Mike has not yet had a chance but he will)

New Business
1. Executive Secretary Position – Ashley have moved away from the area. Frank will send the job description to all board members to review and discuss with anyone they know who may be interested. It is expected that this position will require 10 hours per month or 120 hours per year. Some months may be less and some more but 10 hours is the average. Cynthia Wiggins noted that we may need to adjust the pay for productiveness (efficiency) of the person.
2. Postal drop box at the Township Hall (Adele) – John Patrick was out of the office but the lady that Adele spoke with (Casey) said that they are looking at moving a post office drop box in the Township so we should petition with a business reason as to why we would want it moved to 1000 Commerce Drive. Commerce Drive is a development district which allows for business and is designed to be a buffer between business and residential. 51% of the Township residents (more than 2,000 people) live within the 1 square mile area of Trowbridge Park. Casey is going to call Adele back once she speak to John Patrick.

Unfinished Business
1. 2018 Community Profile Brochure – The brochure is completed. All members should have had some delivered to their business, if you are in need of any Frank has the extras and can get you a box when you run low. They should have also been in the newspaper this past week and delivered to all advertisers, The Welcome Center and the Chamber of Commerce. If there is some type of narrative that a Board Member would like to see in the brochure, we should write it now instead of waiting until the following year to get it done.
2. Catch the Vision Update (Todd Noordyk) – August 4^th Community Days at Lions Field

Beautification of the Corridor (Information to come from Jason McCarthy on adoption of a roundabout)

Joint Meetings with Township Board – November 20^th

Reports
1. Marquette Township Business Association Facebook Page – No update as we currently do not have an executive secretary position
2. Website (Alex Baysore) – The 2018 Community Profile Brochure will be uploaded to the website once the brochure is completed. Alex will ensure that the post from Community Day is added to the website. We pay $100 per month for routine maintenance and uploaded posts but it is our responsibility as a Board to provide posts to Great Lakes Radio. Please get the information to Alex and he will ensure that it is posted to the website.
3. DDA Update (Todd Noordyk) – July 10^th Meeting – Meeting was not held
4. Marquette Township Board Treasurer (Ernie Johnson)
  1. A discussion will be held on a ballot proposal which will be for a .6 for Fire and a .4 for Sheriff for a total of 1%
  2. The supervisor will be making an announcement on the new fire chief.

The Township Board is starting to work on the budget for next year.

Marquette Township Planning & Zoning Administrator (Jason McCarthy)
1. There is a 10,000 square foot office building being constructed north of the Township Hall (projected ground breaking is July 24^th).
2. There is a new office building being constructed on Venture Drive that will mirror the ReMax office building.

North Iron Church (currently has a location in Ishpeming and has been holding a Sunday service at North Star Academy) has purchased several acres on Venture Drive across from ReMax.

Nip & Tuck building was purchased by a chiropractor from Gladstone who is currently debating using the existing building or demolishing it and building new.
Riverside Auto should be commencing later this week at the corner where Pro Build was.
The Township has received some concerns with the East access from Meijer as the traffic is stacking up at Brickyard Road. MDOT will add a little more time to the stoplight to help alleviate the traffic congestion.

A site plan has been received and approved for Fox Marquette/Subaru but the project has been delayed somewhat, as there is an intermittent stream and wetlands on the property.
The Planning Commission at their last meeting worked through a Capital Improvements Program (CIP) which looks out 6 years at the infrastructure in the Township. The Planning Commission will present to the Board at the next meeting. Jason will send this plan along for the MTBA’s consideration. Most of the plan involved public works projects that will either extend or close loops holes in the utilities provisions (water and sewer) which mainly focus on residential areas that are currently underserved or not served.

Adjournment: Mike Morgan made a motion to adjourn. Jenn Wallner supported. Motion passes unanimously.

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at Noon at Hudson’s Classic Grill