Mattawan Business Association
Meeting Minutes
January 4, 2006
 
The meeting was held at the Mattawan Village Hall Council Chambers.
 
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Lori Anthony of Lori’s Web Design, Barry Cook of Pre-paid Legal Services (late arrival at 12:25 pm), Jean Gregory of Gregory-Newell Insurance, John Jeannot of John Jeannot Financial Services, Dawn Kobreek of Rhino Refrigeration, Kristine Kounelis of Access First Federal Credit Union, and Mike Miner of Java Joint, Kayla Ranger-Dean of Mattawan Chiropractic Clinic
 
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Tom Brown of Mattawan Hardware (no show/no call)
 
MEMBERS/GUESTS: Mick Shorley (sp???) of FreightLiner, Village Manager Heath Kaplan
 
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 12:05 PM by MBA President Lori Anthony.
 
AGENDA
MSC to approve the Agenda.
 
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MSC to approve the December 7, 2005, MBA Minutes.
 
TREASURER’S REPORT
Mike Miner distributed the Treasurer’s Report for review which included the Revenue & Expense Summary and the Revenue & Expense Detail Report.
 
NEW BUSINESS
 
President Lori Anthony introduced Mick Shorley from FreightLiner. Mr. Shorley thanked those who were involved with the approval of their business’ site plan. He also stated that some of the property has been slated for further development, but that he is not sure whether FreightLiner will do on their own or whether FreightLiner will sell off the property for development by another entity(ies). Mr. Shorley also asked if FreightLiner could be the next host for an MBA After-Hours Meeting once the dealership part of the business is open. FreightLiner could then have a tour planned for those attending. The dealership area of the business should be completed in a few weeks, so perhaps a March After-hours meeting would work. President Anthony and Mr. Shorley will discuss together to get this meeting planned at FreightLiner.
 
The membership to the West Michigan Tourist Association (WMTA) was discussed. It was discussed and decided to not proceed with membership this year, but to reconsider it next year.
 
MBA dues and amounts (based on number of employees) were brought up for review and discussion. In review of other organizations’ dues which some MBA members belong, the overall consensus is that our organization’s dues are fair. We currently have about 15 members belonging to the MBA. Mr. Shorley stated that FreightLiner would definitely join the MBA. Businesses are encouraged to go to the Mattawan Community Guide Web site to complete the MBA Application and obtain the cost (again, based on the number of employees).
 
Mr. Shorley asked about the flow of meetings, and was assured that a free flow of communication without much formality is the norm for the MBA meetings as long as the Agenda is adhered to as well. Also, the benefits for the cost of the MBA were discussed. Member businesses are listed on the Web site, and also can have a more complete listing explaining their business and offering any discounts, as well as being able to submit information about promotions and or business offerings through an article sent in to the Site Administrator. MBA members also benefit with FREE booth space at the Holiday Shopping Extravaganza and the Mattawan Days Festival, with possibly other events as well. MBA Businesses have been a part of the Christmas Parade and the Tree Lighting Ceremony and Santa visits in the Village Park. MBA members have provided the costumed characters for the parade and the visits after the parade in the Park with children. The MBA picks up the costs. The MBA and MBA members have donated time and money for the Village Park stage and landscaping, and also is doing the Memorable and Honorary Bricks for purchase to be placed in the Park.
 
At this point, Village Manage Heath Kaplan brought up a “Hawkers & Peddlers” Ordinance to ask if the MBA had violated it with the Holiday Shopping Extravaganza. MBA Council Liaison John Jeannot will discuss with the Village Council at the next Council meeting.
 
At this point, discussion was turned back to MBA dues and benefits. It was noted that quite a few businesses do not belong to the MBA. Thus, MSC for MBA membership dues for the first year for a new business joining would be at the reduced fee of ½ off! The discount for 1st time members will help small businesses be able to join, and will hopefully drive more membership! It was also discussed that an online survey would be posted and e-mailed to businesses to see what their needs are that could be served by the MBA. For lunch, many can get away for the meeting once a month, but some small businesses (1-2 people run only) cannot make it out.
 
Thus, it was also decided that one business who paid the full amount last year would wait until the full year is up (March 1) to pay this next year’s due rather than pro-rate it at this time to ¾ due. As well, first year’s memberships will be pro-rated for the quarter that the business begins membership. Then, January 1st is the DUE DATE in full for MBA DUES for all following year’s after the first year of pro-rated dues for any business.
 
Village Manager Heath Kaplan asked for any other updates from the MBA. With no other items brought up, Mr. Kaplan proceeded with updating the MBA about Village issues and Council items. First mention, he stated that a common ground of what he, the Council, residents, and businesses, etc. see for the Village needs to be found and that he has been interviewing firms to complete a new “comprehensive master plan” and Urban Design for the Village of Mattawan.   He stated that two final firms exist as candidates to choose from for doing an URBAN DESIGN for the Village of Mattawan which he hopes will be decided soon as the research will take over one year to compile. The research and new plan will take into consideration various items such as land use, transportation, growth planning, layout, etc. Of utmost importance is to find what the FOCAL POINT, or the main area of interest to focus on (geographic location) for Mattawan will be which will answer such questions as where is the “right spot” for downtown, a main street or corridor, what will be considered Mattawan to visitors and our hometown people as well. In addition, the arsenic issue with a Water Treatment facility at $2.5 million or less was brought up as a high cost that funding will need to be found for … with perhaps higher water rates charged and hopefully a grant from the State of Michigan to help (March is the application time). Mr. Kaplan stated that all these issues for Mattawan are a community problem, every one’s problem. MPI/ALCOA has been able to do a lot for this community and to help obtain grants. All avenues will be looked into for funding for these items that Mattawan must do. In addition, Mr. Kaplan stated that the Finance Committee has sent out a request to increase millage. Thus, he stated that MBA and business owners’ assistance is needed as a MILLAGE VOTE will be done this May 2006. He stated that it is CRITICAL FOR THIS NEW MILLAGE TO PASS to SAVE MATTAWAN’S POLICE DEPARTMENT! The millage will be a SPECIAL ASSESSMENT for LAW ENFORCEMENT! An increase of 2 ½ mills will be asked for on the vote. This amount is minimal to those who will be asked to approve it. CALCULATION: Taxable SEV multiplied by .00025. Example: $100,000 x.00025 = $25 more a year. AGAIN, it is critical to keep our police department. This is a vote that all young, old, new and old guard must rise to increasing in order to keep our community’s law enforcement intact. MPI has offered their help. MPI is actually going into the third phase of a grant for growth and improvement. Also, the Mattawan Consolidated Schools have offered their support in any way to help with the millage vote, including offering a meeting room to host educational sessions for the public about the upcoming millage vote. Educating residents and business owners about the necessity of passing the millage vote and the low, minimal cost that it amounts to is critical in passing this millage.
 
The next meeting is February 1, 2006.
 
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
No unfinished business brought up.
 
COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS/GUESTS
No other comments as discussion flowed throughout the meeting.
 
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 12:51 PM.