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WEST MICHIGAN REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
January 20, 2006
9:30 a.m.
1. Call to Order. C. Mulholland, Board Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.
Roll Call:
Steve McNeal – Allegan County
Thomas Hogenson – City of Big Rapids
Pat Capek – City of Cedar Springs
Gregg Yeomans – Ionia County
John Todd – Mecosta County
Charles Luteran – Mecosta County
John Johansen – Montcalm County
Elmo Hoaglund – Osceola County
Paul Thibodeau – Osceola County
Edward Berghorst, Treasurer – Ottawa County
Spencer Bertram – City of Wyoming
L. Charles Mulholland, Chair – At large
Regina Davis – At large
Tom Lindeman – Montcalm County (alternate)
Staff:
David Bee – Director
Steven Stepek – Planner
Nancy Murphy – Administrative Assistant
Guests:
Eric Van Dop – Brickley DeLong
Timothy Arter – Brickley DeLong
2. Approval of Minutes
3. Public Comments
None.
4. New Board Member Orientation Materials
Board members received a copy of the updated Orientation Materials booklet for 2006. D. Bee read the Table of Contents.
5. Administrative Matters
Financial Statement
D. Bee reviewed the Board Financial Statement for the first two months of Fiscal Year 2006, October and November 2005. He said there had been several changes to Revenues since the FY 2006 Budget was adopted last year, including the following:
EDA Inventory Project: We will have $20,000 for this Fiscal Year instead of the budgeted amount of $12,000 because we didn’t work on it last year. The total project amount is $40,000, with a $20,000 grant from EDA and a 50% local match.
MDOT Non-Motorized Mapping: The funding amount has changed from $10,000 to just under $30,000, all from MDOT.
Coastal Management: Change from the budgeted amount of $16,500 down to $13,000. We are currently working on this project. Our grant application for a fifth project during this year and next year was denied; the MDEQ’s funding was reduced to less than half of what it was the previous year.
Sherman Project: We have added this new project, for $5,000.
The new total budgeted revenue is $295,839.80.
Status of Grant Programs: During the last three months of 2005 we focused on EDA funded work since we received an additional $8,000 from them. We did spend 100% of our annual EDA grant by the end of the year.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY J. Johansen to accept and place on file the Financial Statement for the period of October 1, 2005 through November 30, 2005. SUPPORTED BY P. Thibodeau. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
FY 2005 Audit Report
Eric Van Dop of the accounting firm Brickley DeLong presented summary information about the audit they performed for Fiscal Year 2005 (ending September 30, 2005). The Management’s Discussion and Analysis was new two years ago and presents an overview of the WMRPC’s financial year; the Director, Dave Bee, helped to write this report. The overall audit resulted in an “unqualified opinion”, which is the highest possible determination. The primary differences in the financial reports from the previous fiscal year are due to the completion of the M-104 Corridor Study. Although funding for that study was all pass-through, its impact on the budget was substantial in the areas of revenue and expenditures. The overall budget, without the M-104 project, was similar during both fiscal years, with income and expenses in balance because this is a grant driven organization. The management recommendations letter lists two suggestions for improvement; they do not reflect any material weaknesses. Past suggestions by the auditors were implemented, so there are few remaining issues to report.
6. Round Table / Regional Issues
P. Capek – City of Cedar Springs. There’s a lot going on. The City purchased an eyesore property next door to City Hall, for $175,000. They are going to hold the new property until they find out what will happen to the hoped for Cedar Springs public facility; they are experiencing growing pains at City Hall. They will participate in the Mayor’s Exchange Day this year, making their own arrangements; it will be reduced to one-half day; they requested Portland in Ionia County for their exchange city. They had a large turnout of concerned citizens at their Council meeting that discussed funding for street improvements. They will review options again at the next meeting and consider alternate funding. Residents don’t want to pay for work on East Muskegon Street since it is a major thoroughfare. The City received a $200,000 grant from the Meijer Foundation for façade improvements for the business district.
G. Yeomans – Ionia County. The prison transferred a few hundred acres of land to the County. The land is next to a County park and was formerly a prison farm. Since it hasn’t had any use for a while, the County can use it for a more valuable purpose. The prospective amphitheater won’t be located in Ionia County. In the absence of countywide zoning, the local township enacted an ordinance that stymied the amphitheater by creating restrictions related to noise, alcohol, and cars. There has been a lot of development pressure in the County. Ionia Public Schools are requesting a big bond proposal in the spring; the funding would pay for building improvements and maybe include a public library.
T. Lindeman – Montcalm County. Greenville is looking at annexation and detachment at the same time. Commercial and residential development is going well. Electrolux will be closing in five weeks. They are marketing Greenville.
J. Johansen – Montcalm County. They had been projecting unemployment in the County to reach 15% by March and it hit 15.1% a week ago and that was before the final Electrolux lay-off. Montcalm has the second highest unemployment in the State, after Lake County. Greenville has a marketing plan; they are trying to find businesses that are consistent with the local environment; they don’t identify with Grand Rapids or Lansing. A MEDC grant is helping them with their job situation; MEDC suggested they work with Ionia, Gratiot, and Mecosta Counties. They are moving forward on their transportation plan for the County. The possible jail expansion would add 24 beds, with no additional staff needed. The county’s master plan is nearing completion; the fact book will be available next week, with the final plan in March or April.
T. Hogenson – City of Big Rapids. Big things are happening for Big Rapids too. Their first PURD (Planned Unit Residential Development) was approved this year. New condominiums will be built in a R1 configuration after they failed to get R3 approval. Residents in a college community often believe that units will be sub-let to students. Mecosta County has a new Economic Development Director. The City of Big Rapids’ Riverwalk project is a linear park that links to the White Pine Trail; they have a new band shell. The school millage failed in Big Rapids because people didn’t like the proposed athletic expansion; as a result, needed school programs may face cuts. The City is also dealing with library issues. The library authority board was not established. They need two governmental units to comply with the State regulations. People think libraries are a good thing but are reluctant to pay for them. They may be able to fund 1.5 mills in renovations but not the 4 plus mills they had wanted.
J. Todd – Mecosta County. There is good and bad to report. They lost quite a few department heads – six or seven – through retirement, medical leave, and disciplinary action. They are trying to fill the EMS Director and Building Department positions. EMS has been affected by cuts in Medicare because 50% of both their business and income is from Medicare. The County is in good fiscal shape, with a balanced budget. Their jails are full.
C. Luteran – Mecosta County. They have court security problems. Their general offices and the courthouse are in the same building, with six entrances. They are working to implement better security, including video arraignment.
E. Berghorst – Ottawa County. A business in Zeeland is closing and 200 people will lose their jobs but Gentex is hiring and should absorb most job losses. The City of Zeeland is “dry” and has been losing businesses; they are considering allowing alcohol, maybe at restaurants. The County will vote on if they want to move the county seat or construct a new building in the current location. The County approved the concept of an airport authority but cannot support it financially because the airport is located in Allegan County.
S. Bertram – City of Wyoming. The City Council is looking at cost recovery for police and fire expenses due to traffic accidents. An Ohio company does the cost recovery process: if police and/or fire personnel respond to an accident, the company tries to recover the costs from the insurance companies. The City will vote on an ordinance allowing the sale of hard liquor on Sundays. The new City Council had its first meeting, a breakfast meeting with public participation.
E. Hoaglund – Osceola County. December 15th a Brownfield Development Authority was established. The County received $1,715,995 from the DEQ for scrap tire clean-up. The contractor will take care of everything, shred the tires on site and ship the materials out. The County is looking for two new EMS barns that will enable reducing the response distance to 12.5 miles each way. Cabela’s will not be locating in Reed City. The US-10 mess (mobile home junkyard) was cleaned up by the County; they’re not sure what they will do with the property.
J. Todd – Mecosta County. Two big food industry plants, Dean Foods and Yoplait, in Osceola and Mecosta Counties are both in an expansion mode, especially in Evart. There is an oil boom in the northwest corner of Mecosta County. There are new derricks in Green Township, both deep and shallow wells. The deeds office at the courthouse has been busy.
P. Thibodeau – Osceola County. He attended a meeting in Mt. Pleasant about recycling and asked a question about solid waste. The DEQ said to wait for the pending legislation. It is expected that the State will mandate renewal of solid waste plans next year.
S. McNeal – Allegan County. The County received a large grant ($1.25 million) for work on their excess tires. Past experience showed them that shredding the tires on site is the best way to do it. Otherwise, removing the tires makes a mess; when it’s done on site, the property is left super clean. They are considering options for economic development in the county: Their Administrator wants to have an economic development department within the County and the Commission is debating how best to do it. They need a plan. The County Planning Commission has no authority. Allegan County has issues with courthouse security too. It’s a problem with the county offices and the court in the same building. They also have to decide where to build their new jail, out in the country or downtown, where it would help to revitalize businesses there. Another issue they’re dealing with is community use of county property. There is a group that wants to use their facilities. Ottawa and Kent Counties have a policy that permits that type of use. Their Administrator is opposed to private use of public property. Allegan is one of the few counties that doesn’t have a council or commission on aging and they may request a small millage to support that. They also have a plan to acquire new property for parks. Another issue is road patrol by the sheriff’s department. Costs are rising and taking money away from other departments. What level of funding do people think is appropriate?
R. Davis – Fair Housing Center of West Michigan. They have a grant over $200,000 for this year, for all counties in the region, so let them know if you have any fair housing issues. They are changing their name from “Grand Rapids” to “West Michigan”. They will also be moving to a new building, an old NBD branch near US-131, and are working on a capital fund campaign. They will also have more staff support now that they cover the whole West Michigan area. Fair housing is not just black/white issues but also includes discrimination against families with children and people with disabilities.
C. Mulholland – Montcalm County. The County’s panhandle is growing. Farm land is being converted to a new permanent crop called houses. There is a library millage in Lakeview Township.
7. Election of Officers
G. Yeomans, Chair of the Nominating Committee, said the slate of three incumbents agreed to serve again this year. The Committee therefore recommends the following officers for 2006:
Chair – Charles Mulholland, At-large
Vice-Chair – Tim Cochran, City of Wyoming
Treasurer – Ed Berghorst, Ottawa County
8. Staff Updates
D. Bee wrote a letter to the City of Walker 12-27-05 inviting them to become a WMRPC member. He thought they might be more receptive to the idea in connection with the “Grand Walk” initiative with Walker and Grand Rapids, with EDA funding and maybe a good match. He talked to their City Manager yesterday and she said the issue would be hard to bring to the City Commission now because the expense wasn’t included in this year’s budget. Their budget year starts in July and he will talk to them again before then.
D. Bee received a survey from MDOT regarding transportation in the state and he wanted feedback from Board members to include in our response. He read the survey questions and they made a few comments but agreed it was difficult to respond right away. They requested that he e-mail the information to them so they would have an opportunity to think about the questions and then give him some answers.
D. Bee distributed copies of his Staff Updates, and briefly reviewed the bulleted items. His comments included the following:
We are starting work on a land use plan for Sherman Township. They seem like a good group who appreciate our working with them.
Big Rapids Township approved the land use plan we had developed for and with them. They had reviewed draft copies and held a public hearing; there were no negative public comments.
We are now a member of the Michigan Economic Developers Association. D. Bee joined as an individual because the WMRPC can’t be a member as an organization.
Asset Management training is being held this week. MDOT continues to use regions as a resource.
EDA is reviewing our 2006 grant application. The local match was changed from 25 to 40 percent, which was a problem at the last minute and in the midst of the budget year. EDA’s new rules include new requirements for Board membership: more private sector involvement will be required, to be achieved within a year.
There has been a shift in the Region’s focus from economic development to transportation due to available funding from State and Federal sources.
Hazard Mitigation continues to be a disappointment. Community assistance will be necessary to complete the plans.
9. Other Business
The Board members discussed the issue of cost recovery for traffic accidents. The State mandates that local jurisdictions investigate accidents with damage over $100. The local units, however, are responsible for paying the costs of time spent by their police and fire personnel in these endeavors. With budgetary constraints affecting many local communities these days, some areas are looking at options to reduce their operating costs. One option is hiring a recovery company that will charge insurance companies for accident investigation costs and return a portion of these costs to the local government. There are a number of issues to consider as well as potential ramifications from possible options.
10. Adjournment
A MOTION WAS MADE BY J. Todd to adjourn. SUPPORTED BY Spencer Bertram. MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting was adjourned at 11:25 a.m.
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