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WEST MICHIGAN REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
January 22, 2010
9:30 a.m.
1. Call to Order. C. Mulholland, WMRPC Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m. Commission members and guests introduced themselves.
Roll Call:
Terry Burns – Allegan County
Linda Howell – Allegan County
Tom Jessup – Allegan County
Lynn Anderson – City of Big Rapids
Gregg Yeomans – Ionia County
Paul Bullock, Treasurer – Mecosta County
Linda Howard – Mecosta County
John Johansen – Montcalm County
Tom Lindeman – Montcalm County
Dave Brooks – Osceola County
Donald Disselkoen – Ottawa County
Mark Knudsen – Ottawa County
Mark Knudsen – Ottawa County
Tim Cochran, Vice-Chair – City of Wyoming
L. Charles Mulholland, Chair – At large
Staff:
Dave Bee – Director
Paul Leitelt – Planning Technician
Guests:
Eric Van Dop, Brickley DeLong
Randy Zenk, Village of Pewamo
Arnold Weinfeld, Michigan Municipal League
Steve Redmond, Michigan Department of Transportation
Dennis Kent, Michigan Department of Transportation
2. Approval of Minutes
A MOTION WAS MADE BY John Johansen to approve the minutes for the December 11, 2009, Board meeting as presented. SUPPORTED BY Tom Lindeman. MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Public Comments
None.
4. Guest Speaker
D. Bee introduced Arnold Weinfeld from the Michigan Municipal League (MML). P. Bullock recommended Mr. Weinfeld as a speaker. Mr. Weinfeld’s presentation included a PowerPoint presentation and handouts (enclosed). The MML is a statewide organization representing Michigan’s cities and villages in both Lansing and Washington D.C.
The MML Public Policy Initiative strives to address Michigan’s current financial issues and employment crisis as well as how to improve and maintain communities that attract people (especially the 24-35 age cohort) to Michigan. In much of the twentieth century, education was not essential to prosperity in Michigan since the large corporations provided stability and good pay. This is no longer the case and education is key to Michigan’s future success – as well as the ability to keep (or attract) young educated people in Michigan.
Mr. Weinfeld went on to describe how Michigan has lost one million jobs and that Michigan’s quality of life is declining due to our inability to adapt to the knowledge-based economy fast enough. Michigan needs to recognize the importance of entrepreneurs and start counting the small job creation successes. Additionally, Michigan is under-investing in education and our talent is leaving. Michigan’s communities need to realize that today’s workforce is very mobile and that 2/3 of recent college graduates look at locations first – and then find or create their job.
Communities need to reevaluate their priorities to address the needs of the 24-35 age cohort – since it is the second largest population group behind the baby-boomers. The age group is more mobile, appreciates unique places, has different housing needs, and enjoys public places. New Urbanism and green design are important and providing a wide variety of cultural activities is essential – one concept is called “1000 nights of fun” which relates to the ability of a community to keep a persons interest for at least ten years. Other community traits that are essential include transit, walkability, and bicycle trails. Communities must also embrace diversity, be green and sustainable, and provide access to technology. Other actions that communities must take include leveraging their anchor institutions and working with entrepreneurs.
MML’s agenda includes three key points: Improving public transit, promoting community prosperity through consolidation efforts, and promoting sustainable community development. MML recognizes that many challenges exist, including globalization and retaining community identity – but knows that communities have a story to tell and have the ability to leverage their attributes. But it will take a change in culture, the ability to be open to new ways, marketing, believing that “quality of life trumps taxes,” highlighting community assets, expanding creative regionalism, and bold leadership.
The presentation was followed by a question and answer session. One question from Steve Redmond related to under-investing in universities and the answer related to difficulties individuals have attending college if costs to individuals continue to rise. T. Cochran stated that Wyoming understands these issues and is moving forward with transit efforts and transit oriented design efforts. Gregg Yeomans asked if MML was dues-based. Mr. Weinfeld stated that they are and that there has been no drop off to date. Randy Zenk identified several efforts that Pewamo is undertaking – recognizing that even small rural communities can embrace MML’s initiative.
Charles Mulholland described recent activities with the Michigan Association of Regions (MAR) that relates to MML’s initiative. MAR met with Daniel Krichbaum, Governor Granholm’s Chief Operating Officer, on January 19th and he discussed the importance of intergovernmental cooperation including working more with regions and intermediate school districts. MAR is also working with Michigan State University’s Land Policy Institute on a proposal to address Michigan’s economy.
There was discussion around the table of whether quality of life is more important than tax rates. Some representatives feel that there is no interest in new taxes, while others identified instances where taxes were raised to support quality of life issues.
5. Board Member Orientation Materials
Board members received copies of the 2010 version of the orientation packet and D. Bee reviewed the contents. He said that the included list of WMRPC members was based on the information we had at the time the booklet was put together. The packet also includes 2010 meeting dates, the WMRPC mission statement, historical information, the 2009-10 budget, goals and objectives, and the recently updated policies.
6. Administrative Matters
Financial Statement
The Financial Statement was included in the meeting packet and covers the Fiscal Year 2010 through December 2009. D. Bee briefly reviewed the Financial Statement. He said that because the statement covers only the first three months of the Fiscal Year, there haven’t been many grant revenues received. The EDA grant covers that calendar year, and it was over 100 percent due to the amount of EDA activities in 2009. Investments show that we have an adequate reserve.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY G. Yeomans to accept and place on file the Financial Statement for the period of October 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009. SUPPORTED BY T. Cochran. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
FY 2009 Audit Report
Eric Van Dop, from the accounting firm of Brickley DeLong, presented an overview of the WMRPC’s audit for fiscal year 2009 (ending September 30, 2009). He said that the opinion letter is usually the item of most interest to Commission members. That letter states that the WMRPC’s financial position conforms to generally accepted accounting principles. The opinion is an unqualified, or “clean”, opinion, which is the highest possible determination. Mr. Van Dop provided additional information to the Commission and commended Nancy Murphy for her efforts and the WMRPC for past improvements. There were no questions.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY G. Yeomans to accept the Financial Statements and Independent Auditors’ Report for the Fiscal Year October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009. SUPPORTED BY John Johansen. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
D. Bee distributed a report that identifies several short and long-term issues related to dues and membership (attached). The report also provides information related to dues and membership such as dues rates, bylaw articles related to membership, and several questions that need answered to move forward in 2010.
D. Bee stated that a letter from Ionia County, stating they are not going to pay dues in 2010, initiated the need to address dues and membership. Randy Zenk, the Village President of Pewamo, was present to tell the WMRPC that he would work with his County Commissioner to see the importance of membership. Representatives from Montcalm County (J. Johansen and T. Lindeman) discussed how the WMRPC works well with the County. T. Cochran discussed how EDA projects are a benefit to the entire region. The Executive Committee will continue to look at the issue of dues and membership. There was some discussion about having a minimum dues rate of $250. There was also the question of whether it would be beneficial to waive Ionia County’s dues for 2010 (this idea was not accepted). D. Disselkoen asked if there were any limitations to membership. The only limitation is that any community within the seven county area can be a member, but only those with populations of at least 10,000 can be voting members.
The WMRPC instructed D. Bee to write a letter to Ionia County stating that the bylaws require a six month notice of withdrawal from the WMRPC and to invoice the county for the portion of the year covered by the period between the County’s notice and the six month time period. This will allow for a transition for communities that wish to become individual members of the WMRPC.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY G. Yeomans to accept and place on file the “Membership and Dues” report. SUPPORTED BY J. Johansen. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Round Table / Regional Issues
M. Knudsen – Ottawa County. The County is currently working on a study called the West Michigan Transit Linkages Initiative that is looking at the feasibility of linking Muskegon, Grand Rapids, Holland, and the Tri-Cities Area. The County is working closely with a consultant and the initiative should be completed by April 2010.
T. Cochran – City of Wyoming. The City is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and General Motors Corporation to determine how to move forward with the vacated manufacturing facility at the intersection of 36th Street and US-131. The facility is located on a 92 acre parcel that is considered a prime area for manufacturing.
D. Disselkoen – Ottawa County. WMRPC representatives were invited to tour the County’s Parks and Recreation Department and GIS Department after the regular meeting. Also, the County recently completed its new courthouse in Grand Haven.
J. Johansen – Montcalm County. The County is working with the WMRPC to acquire an EDA grant to assist in a countywide economic development study that is being partially funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The County approved the creation of a transit authority and is currently filling the positions to serve on the authority.
G. Yeomans – Ionia County. The City of Belding is going to Ionia County for Central Dispatch services. The ISD is considering a bond issue to address the County’s vocational education needs.
L. Howell – Allegan County. The County is trying to determine the effects of the consolidation Michigan State University Extension offices. Allegan County has a large agricultural economy. Tierra Yachts is going to begin producing blades for wind turbines and there are many opportunities for batteries coming to the Holland Area.
D. Kent – Michigan Department of Transportation. An update was provided on the US-31 project between Holland and Grand Haven. A handout was provided (attached). Limited crossings of the Grand River in Ottawa County were discussed as well as funding issues facing MDOT.
T. Jessup – Allegan County. The County has purchased a building in Allegan that will be renovated for use as the County Jail. There may be a millage vote in November to cover the cost of the jail.
L. Anderson – City of Big Rapids. The City has many ongoing initiatives including a Vibrant Cities Grant that assisted with Façade improvements. Signage is going up in the City to help identify key locations and a streetscape will begin this year. Improvements to the City’s wastewater treatment facility are underway. The City is negotiating a navigational easement with Big Rapids Township and the area is experiencing parking problems related to new jobs at Wolverine Worldwide.
D. Brooks – Osceola County. Osceola County experienced employment losses and loss of manufacturing in 2005 -07. The County has made many efforts to clean up environmental issues including the removal of a site full of abandoned mobile homes and other areas with used automobile tires. The County Commission recently recognized that the County will be faced with several retirements in the near future and is working to address this issue. The decrease in property values has led to an increase in property acquisition in the County – especially for retirement. The Evart Chamber of Commerce recently hired an event coordinator to promote the area for events. There is a lot of interest in locating wind turbines in northern portions of the County.
Linda Howard – Mecosta County. Timberland RC&D is sponsoring Grand River Expedition 2010 which is a two-week canoe-kayak adventure and environmental excursion.
P. Bullock – Mecosta County. Mecosta and Osceola counties have shared dispatch responsibilities for many years. The facilities are located in Paris and the communication systems were recently updated and include medical evaluation. There is also a driver monitoring system in-place that evaluates emergency responders driving habits and skills.
T. Burns – Allegan County. Eileen Waldron, from USDA Rural Development, recently addressed the County and was very helpful. The County is considering using Rural Development to improve the County Jail, water, sewer, and broadband access. The Michigan Association of Counties’ Agriculture and Tourism subcommittee has cut funding and Michigan State University Extension services are consolidating. Mr. Burns also cited a study that inventoried the $2.5 Billion in unfunded mandates in Michigan.
R. Zenk – Village of Pewamo. The Village celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2009. The Village is updating its Recreation Plan to help update the Village’s parks and determine actions related to a rail trail that will pass through the community.
C. Mulholland – At-Large Member/Chair. “Connected Nation” is mapping broadband capacity.
8. Election of Officers
J. Johansen presented the Nominating Committee’s report. They had submitted recommendations at the December Board meeting. The Committee recommends the following for 2010 WMRPC Officers:
Chair – Charles Mulholland, At-large
Vice-Chair – Donald Disselkoen, Ottawa County
Treasurer – Paul Bullock, Mecosta County
9. Staff Updates
D. Bee distributed a Staff Update (copy attached) The Update includes information in the categories of Economic Development, Transportation Planning, Member Projects/
Initiatives, and Other. D. Bee briefly reviewed the bulleted items.
10. Other Business
The next Board meeting is scheduled for March 19th at MDOT’s offices in Grand Rapids.
11. Adjournment
A MOTION WAS MADE BY D. Disselkoen to adjourn the meeting. SUPPORTED BY Tom Lindeman. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting adjourned at 12:05 p.m.
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