General Meeting 9/19

19 September 2023 / 6:00 PM 

ATTENDEES

Board: All in Attendance

Members: 7 public members

General discussion Topics:

Light Rail in GR-

    Discussion on Reddit really ignited the public's interest!

How does GR organize its individual groups in a combined effort to improve the city?

       Ideas:

1. Use STGR as the clearing house for each group to improve the voice that is heard.

2. Use it as an organization effort group- reduce the redundancy.

3. Allows other groups to tag in new skill sets.

4. Elevate the community/residents voice to the city.

5. Organize the public with a centralized message.

6. Educate the public with the knowledge to make the best decision for the city's users.

7. Use STGR as the organizing body for all of the community groups that are making an effort to improve the city.

8. Generate Goals for STGR that other organizations can get behind. Pull from other organizations to generate a list we can give to the city.

9. How do we lobby to get the city funds from the Federal government?    

How to make the city better?

1. Parking Maximums

2. GVMC- has federal transit money the city can apply for. 

3. “Un-silo” the city government

4. Reallocate the city jobs to the departments that make sense.

5. Re-evaluate the city taxes, push the state to re organize.

6. Mobile GR Commission meeting- STGR needs to attend those meetings. 1st Thursday at Noon. At Ryerson Auditorium -Grand Rapids Public Library-111 Library St NE,Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

7. Arm the commissioners with information about what they need to do, in a manner that spells out the issues.

8. Develop relationships with the city.

Last Meeting Follow-up

1. Week Without Driving: Oct 2nd-8th

1. Rapid is a partner!

2. The governor's social media team might schedule a post. 

3. BSN might be in. Oakdale Neighborhood Association is as well.

New Business

1. Ariel- from Slow Streets GR:

1. She has a GIS map of the city for all the parking in the city.

2. Parking Analysis- to make room for protected bike lanes.

3. Would like to have some renderings done to show people and the City government what if possible. 

4. DGRI should be onboard with this push to have more protected bike lanes. 

1. Housing next- Planning a winter project with them.

NOTES

ACTION ITEMS

1.  Develop the next year's goals in partnership with other organizations to start shifting the conversation towards an organized effort to improve the city of Grand Rapids in a more Strong Towns Method. 

Next Meeting’s Agenda

The Next Meeting is October 17th - A Community potluck at STGR meeting 1501 Kalamazoo Ave SE