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WEST MICHIGAN REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
March 18, 2011
9:30 a.m.
1. Call to Order. C. Mulholland, WMRPC Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m.
2. Roll Call
Lynn Anderson – City of Big Rapids
Mark Sweppenheiser – City of Big Rapids
Ruth Kelly – City of Grand Rapids
Ray Steinke – Mecosta County
Tom Lindeman – Montcalm County
Donald Disselkoen, Vice-Chair – Ottawa County
Lillian VanderVeen – City of Wyoming
Sam Bolt – City of Wyoming
Jeanne Vandersloot – Keene Township
L. Charles Mulholland, Chair – At large
Gregg Yeomans – At large
Bill Routley – Mecosta County (alternate)
Staff:
David Bee – Director
Elizabeth Van Doorne – Planner
Nancy Murphy – Administrative Assistant
Guests:
Steve Bulthuis – Macatawa Area Coordinating Council
Sandeep Dey – West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission
Donald Stypula – Grand Valley Metropolitan Council
3. Public Comments
None.
4. Approval of Minutes
A MOTION WAS MADE BY R. Steinke to approve the minutes for the January 21, 2011, Commission meeting as presented. SUPPORTED BY T. Lindeman. MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. General Business
D. Bee said that at the January Commission meeting’s strategy session, one discussion item was related to how the WMRPC fits into the overall regional picture. At the February Executive Committee meeting, it was decided to have representatives from other regional entities at the next two Commission meetings, in order to provide information about the functions and activities of other regional agencies. For today’s meeting, representatives from the three MPO’s (Metropolitan Planning Organizations) within our region were invited to speak and tell us about their organizations. D. Bee shared some biographical information about each of today’s three guest speakers.
a. Guest Speaker – Steve Bulthuis, Macatawa Area Coordinating Council (MACC)
Mr. Bulthuis distributed copies of a list of the MACC’s membership and a map showing the Macatawa Watershed Location and Boundaries. He said that their mission is “to encourage cooperation among neighboring units on matters which have wide concern.” He commented that over the years, their activities have encompassed a fairly diverse range of interests, including the gypsy moth population, cellular towers, and child care providers.
The MACC’s Policy Committee members include representatives from two counties, two cities, seven townships, two road commissions, the state department of transportation, and one local transit system. The other five Policy Committee members, who also constitute the Executive Committee, are all at-large members and are chosen by the Policy Committee. It was decided at the beginning that those five members should not be elected officials, but instead should bring a different perspective and assets to the organization. Current Executive Committee members include a banker, a former educator, a retired district court judge, a retired community foundation director, and a county sheriff. The other board members are elected officials.
The MACC’s core programs are transportation, the Macatawa Watershed, and the Census. Their transportation planning program is based on their status as the MPO and includes corridor studies and MDOT’s Asset Management program. They became involved with the watershed due to the overlap of their boundaries; the focus of that work is the reduction of phosphorus into Lake Macatawa. Their work with the Census includes efforts to promote awareness.
The foundation for the MACC’s current goals and challenges is the need to be ready to adapt to the interests of their members, as well as to area wide concerns. The private sector is often concerned that current economic development models are not working and thinks that we need to retool.
b. Guest Speaker – Sandeep Dey, West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission
Mr. Dey mentioned the history of Regions 8 and 14: The regions were split up and realigned in 1991; during that year, Region 8 closed its offices to regroup. When they re-opened, he was the acting executive director for ten months.
Mr. Dey then talked about the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission (WMSRDC, or Region 14). He said that during the Regional Council’s 40 years, it has evolved into a region without boundaries, that works with state and federal programs. Its programs include economic development; they are the designated regional economic development district and work with EDA. As the MPO, they cover Muskegon County and northwestern Ottawa County. They are also the only region in Michigan that administers the homeland security program, which aligns with police districts in the state; the program is financed by federal funds received through the State Police. The Region 6 Homeland Security District covers 13 counties, including the five counties in WMSRDC.
In addition to their services in the areas of economic development (EDD) and transportation (MPO) programs, Region 14 is also involved in environmental management and planning, primarily water resources, due to their proximity to Lake Michigan. The American Recovery program funded a grant to restore the shoreline and ameliorate the damage caused by waste being dumped into the lake. Their local government services include the preparation of master plans and recreation plans; they do relatively few of these types of plans, like two or three a year.
They have a staff of 15, which is about average for regions. Their governing board has 21 members, which includes 16 elected local officials and 5 appointed by the Commission. Their local community college (West Shore Community College) is one of the appointed board members; it is important to have ties with education for effective economic development. They also have a CEDS Committee, a Homeland Security Planning Board, and a MPO Transportation Policy Committee.
Mr. Dey said that their goal is to be the best regional council in the country. They try to be of service to their members and to respond to most of their requests. Their challenges and issues are about the same as in Region 8. Their revenues are primarily based on federal and state funding sources, which have been increasingly limited. They are also affected by the challenges faced by their local communities; the City of Muskegon is undergoing difficulties.
Mr. Dey referred to contact information available on their website. He distributed an informational packet that includes their annual report and a copy of Region 14’s policy position statement on the Regional Councils Act.
c. Guest Speaker – Donald Stypula, Grand Valley Metropolitan Council
Mr. Stypula said that he has spent most of his career near the State capitol and in Washington, D.C., dealing with legislation. The Grand Valley Metropolitan Council (GVMC) was formed October 1, 1990. Before that, the administrators of local counties and cities wanted to bring people together to discuss issues and concerns, in an open format. The Metro Council was created by legislation – the Metropolitan Councils Act.
There are nearly one million people within the Metro Council area. Their Board of Directors has 46 members, with a 10-member Executive Committee. Last year Grand Valley State University (GVSU) joined as a non-voting, dues-paying member. Their dues are 27¢ per capita, which has never been raised. They have a weighted vote option, based on population, which has not been used during the eight years that he’s been working there. They have a staff of 18, which has been reduced by three people during the past year.
The GVMC is the MPO for the greater Grand Rapids area, which includes Kent County and eastern Ottawa County and is a different geographic area from their metropolitan council area. Their transportation planning includes roads, bridges, airports, and transit – anything that moves people or goods. They are also involved with sustainability planning for communities and counties for the next 50 years; as well as air quality planning with the MACC and Region 14; and activities related to the lower Grand River Watershed from downtown Portland to Lake Michigan at Grand Haven. Another one of their programs is REGIS (Regional Geographic Information System), which is a semi-autonomous entity and a sub-set of the Metro Council; that program has been very successful, but has had some challenges.
They have been involved with a strategic initiatives process, which has included a series of meetings with members. The Metro Council tries to respond to membership needs, which are always evolving. There are a number of emerging issues to be addressed, such as interest in shared services. Next Monday, the Governor will be in Grand Rapids to announce a “best practices” program. In theory, such a program will reduce costs. Here in West Michigan, we have been doing this for a long time.
D. Disselkoen asked about their criteria for a weighted vote. Mr. Stypula responded that the original intent was to take into account the larger populations in some of their counties, so the weighted vote was include in the policies set at the first meeting of the Metro Council. He added that after the population change with the Census, Ottawa County might pick up a vote. D. Disselkoen asked what triggers the weighted vote, and can someone request it? Mr. Stypula said that if there is a difference of opinion, the Chair can ask for a weighted vote. Or a member can call for a formal, weighted vote.
S. Bolt talked about budget cutbacks everyone is experiencing, and wondered what the chances are for organizations joining together and using their different strengths – are their restrictions on boundaries? Mr. Stypula said that on the MPO side, they are restricted by Federal law on the map that determines MPO designation, which is based on population figures and density. Ottawa County is counted as a member of the Metro Council even though a portion of the county is outside the MPO boundaries. Voting on MPO issues is restricted to MPO members. As an example, Jamestown Township voted to withdraw its membership with the Council. As a result, the Township did not get a $600,000 road project. You have to be at the table to have a chance at part of the pot of money.
C. Mulholland said that MAR’s interest in the Shared Services Initiative was driven by the issue raised by Sam Bolt. Mr. Dey said that they tried to do the same thing on the national level. He said that it is a good approach, that you can always identify commonality of interests. Economic development is a good example. Another good example is air quality, like the Clean Air Coalition in the Great Lakes regions.
S. Bolt said they are trying to get more urban cooperation in order to qualify for revenue sharing. There will be new legislation that addresses that and it started in Wyoming. Mr. Stypula said that when the Metro Council was approached by Homeland Security to become involved with their work, his board asked him if the Council had the expertise and the staff to do it and he said no, but he thought of Region 14, which does have that management expertise. It is a similar situation with the MACC and their watershed work as well as their non-point source work.
d. Administrative Matters
Financial Statement
The Financial Statement was included in the meeting packet and covers the Fiscal Year 2011 through February 2011. D. Bee briefly reviewed the Financial Statement. He said that as of February 28th, Revenues were about $88,000, with Expenses $91,000; since then, there have been additional revenues. Member dues have been coming in, with payment received from all counties and other large members; most smaller members have also paid, including a few new members within Ionia County.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY D. Disselkoen to accept and place on file the Financial Statement for the period of October 1, 2010 through February 28, 2011. SUPPORTED BY S. Bolt. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Policy Review Process
D. Bee said that the Executive Committee reviewed all the Commission policies at their February meeting. They considering making a few changes, but no changes were made. We plan to work on marketing and updating the website. MAR is updating its website and maybe we can draw some information from the new site.
At the next Commission meeting, D. Bee will invite representatives from the Right Place and the West Michigan Strategic Alliance, for the second phase of the two-part process of our review of other regional agencies within our region. The Executive Committee decided not to pursue the separate urban and rural foci suggested at the January Commission meeting. The previous survey of members indicated no interest in attending meetings of a new committee. We did distribute a new survey to Commission members to determine which representatives are involved with other organizations; copies of that survey were circulated to meeting attendees to provide another opportunity to share that information.
e. Round Table / Regional Issues
Tom Lindeman – Montcalm County. The County was told by the State that they need a Level 4 assessor; they would like to partner with someone else. The County is working on reducing their operating expenses; they are making their buildings more efficient and reducing staff levels. There continue to be declining property values in the county.
Lynn Anderson – City of Big Rapids. They are facing shortfalls in their budget. She’s working on establishing an historic district in the city.
Mark Sweppenheiser – City of Big Rapids. One of the local manufacturers is expanding their warehouse.
Lillian VanderVeen – City of Wyoming. The DDA is rolling out their “Turn on 28th Street” community planning process. They hired a consultant and are meeting with citizens and interested groups; they expect to have a plan in place soon. They hope that the project will result in renewed interest and new activities along this commercial corridor. She attended an Assessors Board of Review meeting; the report on residential property values was better than expected.
Sam Bolt – City of Wyoming. A potential $39 million development is requesting a tax deferral from the City; the project would create 450 new jobs. The work on the former GM plant site will be starting soon. By 2014, the area will be leveled and ready for new development. There has already been some interest expressed in the development. He mentioned the water interconnect project between Wyoming and Holland. The City of Holland received a grant for the engineering work.
Gregg Yeomans – At-large. There was a want ad for a one-ton dump truck to haul brush at the county parks. They discussed a fiber optic upgrade at the County board meeting.
Jeanne Vandersloot – Keene Township. The Township finalized their annual budget. Property assessments in general are lower.
Ray Steinke – Mecosta County. A township assessor hadn’t done his job and then he resigned. The County’s Equalization Department took care of it for one month. Good things happen when people work together.
Bill Routley – Mecosta County. They are having an issue with the proposed 211 service. It’s working in the Grand Rapids/Muskegon area, but there is concern about who will pay in five years. Organizations contact 211 and tell them what programs are available to help people and then United Way decides how the funds will be distributed. Who will pay for the calls in the future? They are reluctant to sign on because of concerns about what will happen down the line.
R. Steinke said the County checked on the status and there were 45 calls in three days. D. Disselkoen commented that Ottawa County has 211 service, but he doesn’t know how it is funded. Maybe Region 8 should be more involved. Maybe this would be a good topic for discussion at a Commission meeting.
Don Disselkoen – Ottawa County. He talked about the district courts. The court in the City of Holland received a drug court award. The court is one of four in the country to be used as a pilot program for training other courts like theirs. M-121 from Holland to Zeeland will receive $13 million to upgrade the road. The State took back maintenance responsibility for that road from the County.
f. Staff Updates
D. Bee distributed his Staff Update (copy attached). The Update includes information in the categories of Economic Development, Transportation Planning, Member Projects/Initiatives, and Other. D. Bee very briefly reviewed the bulleted items.
Items not on the written Staff Update included: Economic Development: He talked to EDA about funding the Wyoming to Holland water interconnect project. The City of Grand Rapids submitted an EDA application for their urban market project. The Village of Lake Odessa will submit an application to EDA soon for a project in their community. A representative from the MEDC will be the speaker at the March CEDS Committee. He told the City of Big Rapids he would do a supplement to their master plan to include the new Census data.
Other: The last Region 8 Notes, with its focus on a travelogue of Mecosta County, was very popular. The next travelogue type issue will be on Ottawa County; because that County is larger, it will just include the highlights. Another newsletter idea is a review of the impact on the ground of EDA-funded projects. The recent issue of the Planning & Zoning News highlights regions. Page five of the magazine of the American Planning Association had an article about Wyoming’s 36th Street GM plant project; that is the closest to the front of the publication he as seen an item about West Michigan.
6. Unscheduled Business
C. Mulholland mentioned the Rural Partners Conference April 18 – 20 in Crystal Mountain, Michigan. D. Bee will forward information about the conference to Commission representatives.
C. Mulholland also said that a MAR Committee has been working with a MAP Committee to develop a white paper about the Regional Councils Act, which is an attempt to take all the state planning acts and consolidate them. D. Bee said that the report will be an agenda item at the next Commission meeting.
7. Adjournment
A MOTION WAS MADE By R. Steinke to adjourn. SUPPORTED BY T. Lindeman. MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting was adjourned at 11:110 p.m.
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