WEST MICHIGAN REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION

BOARD MEETING MINUTES

March 18, 2005

9:30 a.m.

1.  Call to Order.  C. Mulholland, Board Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.

Roll Call:

Pat Capek – City of Cedar Springs

Bill Hoyt – City of Grand Rapids

Gregg Yeomans – Ionia County

John Todd – Mecosta County

John Johansen – Montcalm County

Marcia Walker – Montcalm County

Elmo Hoaglund – Osceola County

Paul Thibodeau – Osceola County           

Edward Berghorst, Treasurer – Ottawa County

Tim Cochran, Vice-Chair – City of Wyoming    

L. Charles Mulholland, Chair – At large 

Staff:

David Bee – Director 

Steven Stepek – Planner

Nancy Murphy – Administrative Assistant

Guests:

Jonathan Scott – Mecosta County Development Corporation / CEDS Committee

Cheryl Mendoza – Lake Michigan Federation

2.  Approval of Minutes

There were two corrections to the January 21, 2005, Board meeting minutes.  Tom Hogenson, City of Big Rapids – not Tom Lindeman, Montcalm County – made the statements on Page 6.  Also, Tom Lindeman should be removed from the list of meeting attendees.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY P. Thibodeau to approve the amended minutes for the January 21, 2005, Board meeting.  SUPPORTED BY E. Hoaglund.  MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.

3.  Public Comments

There were no public comments.

4.  Guest Speaker – Cheryl Mendoza, Lake Michigan Federation

Ms. Mendoza works at the Grand Haven office of the Lake Michigan Federation, which also has offices in Chicago, Illinois and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  The Federation is a not-for-profit corporation whose mission it is to take care of Lake Michigan’s fish, wildlife, air, land, and water.  They work with people in the region to promote Great Lakes-wide policy reform and site-specific restoration in the Lake Michigan watershed.

The Federation’s programs include an annual “Coastal Cleanup” and “Adopt-a-Beach”, which involves thousands of volunteers in Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin.  They also do water quality testing, are involved in educational programs in schools (e.g., curriculum development related to the Great Lakes), and function as an advocacy group with the government.  They help people who have concerns related to the Great Lakes; they identify the problem and the appropriate contact person.

A top priority is the protection of water resources from the impacts of development.  With development and stormwater runoff, water doesn’t seep into the ground but picks up chemicals and sediments along its way to our rivers, lakes, and streams.  The sediments in the water impede aquatic plant growth because the sun can’t get through the cloudy water.  Algae growth takes oxygen from waterways.  The result is negative effects of people, fish, animals and plants.

We manipulate the water cycle.  When water falls on the ground, some seeps into the ground and refreshes the aquifer.  If we put excess water into the aquifer, that will take water away from streams; wells divert water.  In a city in Wisconsin (Waukesha), rapid development led to pumping so much water that levels were lowered by 600 feet; previously, they had high water levels and now they are one of the largest areas of depression in the country. 

Impervious surfaces prevent groundwater recharge, sending water faster with a higher velocity into waterways and depleting water resources.  As sprawl increases, water supplies decrease. 

Development’s impacts on groundwater include loss of drinking water supplies, prevention of seepage of precipitation, and unsustainable withdrawals, as well as water contamination.  Michigan has one of the largest supplies of water but we are in danger of losing our water if we don’t manage water supplies better in the future.

Development’s effects on surface water include reduced flows, concentration of pollutants, and loss of fish and other aquatic life.  Depleted groundwater supplies also impact surface water supplies.

Instream flow requirements include a minimum amount of flow needed to support specific aquatic species.  Some states are establishing a mechanism to protect flows.

Development also impacts flooding, which leads to erosion, habitat loss, groundwater pollution, and significant financial losses (in 2001, there were $7.1 billion in losses due to flood damage). 

An evaluation of land use planning efforts designed to protect Lake Michigan shows that few communities are actually practicing watershed planning.  Groundwater receives the least protection.  Run-off and non-point source pollutants are being addressed, but not as much as they should be.

What can be done? 

● Leave large areas of native vegetation and small streams intact. 

● Encourage replacement of grassy lawns with native vegetation and the collection of rainwater for irrigation. 

● Promote cluster development. 

● Incorporate watershed planning into land use plans and ordinances.

Visit the Federation’s website at www.lakemichigan.org.

B. Hoyt  asked where we can send people to learn how to create rain gardens.  Ms. Mendoza said that the West Michigan Environmental Action Council (at www.wmeac.org) has a department that does that.  B. Hoyt said that the City has staff working on water resources.

G. Yeomans said he had local experience with pervious paving services and they couldn’t get a contractor to work with them.  B. Hoyt said that they had two projects that used pervious asphalt (not pervious concrete).  Vortex separators are required.  G. Yeomans said that suppliers need incentives to use these materials, such as tax breaks.

M. Walker said that in Greenville, the Flat River runs through town and is being choked out by purple loose strife (a non-native plant species).  Ms. Mendoza said that does not affect water supply but it does deplete the plants that other species use for food.

J. Johansen said that when he lived in Waukesha, Wisconsin in the 1970’s, the water surface was so high that you couldn’t put in a septic tank.  Then it was the highest developing county in Wisconsin and farmland was converted to development and houses.  Ms. Mendoza said that it is always cheaper and more effective to address environmental problems up front than it is to fix the problems later.

P. Capek asked if the federal government works with the Great Lakes?  Ms. Mendoza said that she works to stop water from being sold to other areas.  The State doesn’t have the legal resources to prevent our water from being sold.  Only one percent of the Great Lakes water is renewable.  We do have diversion now.

5.  Administrative Matters

Financial Statement

D. Bee reviewed the Board Financial Statement for the first five months of Fiscal Year 2005: October 2004 through February 2005.  YTD Revenues are more than Expenditures and we are not over budget in any category.  Many of our expenses are down from last year.  At the end of the current month (March), we will be halfway through the current Fiscal Year.  Some of our grants have a different grant year (e.g., our EDA planning grant covers a calendar year), while still other grants cover more than one year.  Dues are coming in well this year. 

A MOTION WAS MADE BY J. Todd to accept and place on file the financial statement for the period of October 1, 2004 through February 28, 2005.  SUPPORTED BY B. Hoyt.  MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Open House Discussion

We are planning an open house for June 17th of this year, after the Board meeting.  There will be representatives from MDOT and possibly EDA also.  Our planning projects will be on display.  And there will be refreshments available.  In our last newsletter, we mentioned the event and will provide more details in the next newsletter (the May/June issue).  Meanwhile, Board members can get the word out to their communities.

Auditor

The accounting firm that has been conducting our annual financial audit for about ten years, has decided to discontinue working with non-profit organizations so we will need to find a new company.  Our old firm gave us a recommendation for a new company.

6.  Round Table / Regional Issues

B. Hoyt – City of Grand Rapids.  At the Home and Boat Show at the Convention Center, there is a light display announcing events at the Center.  A reporter said the sign was a code violation; the City is addressing the problem.  The old parking ramp at the corner of Division and Fulton was demolished.  The City has received five bids for proposed projects for the site.  The proposals include another parking facility and stores and condos.

J. Johansen – Montcalm County.  The County’s Master Plan is almost done.  They held two public hearing sessions.  The plan will be completed by the end of the year.  It would be good to also include the water issues that were discussed by today’s guest speaker.  At the Land Use Partners meeting, their speaker was Ron Steiner, who talked about value added programs.  There is concern that economic developers try to attract high tech companies when it might be better to consider how we can add value to existing businesses.  In areas with an agricultural base, industries can help farmers to preserve their land.

M. Walker – Montcalm County.  The County is waiting for its new Administrator to begin his new job.  The Board may hire a company to conduct a survey of elected and appointed member salaries so they will have some objective data.

G. Yeomans – Ionia County.  Construction in Ionia County is good and includes Meijer, Wal-Mart, and residential development.  Related to water issues, they are trying to maintain the City of Ionia’s water supply.  It is expensive to build bridges over trout streams – this issue is fish versus school buses.  The Planning Commission is trying to get water resource projects.

P. Capek – City of Cedar Springs.  The City’s problem with water is that there’s too much water, not too little.  The City Manager received a grant to work on twelve projects, including street rehabilitation, sewer and stormwater system replacements, improvements to a tumbledown park, and improved street lighting.  The City is pleased to be part of the WMPRC.  Their Planning Commission held its first public hearing on their new master plan.

J. Todd – Mecosta County.  The price of crude oil is very high.  They drilled two wells, with five more set up.  It is difficult dealing with drilling companies.  They can’t get pipeline rights-of-way across private properties.  They have several very large farms in the county.

J. Scott – Mecosta County Development Corporation.  He is the Chair of the CEDS Committee.  Big Rapids Township received a $2.5 million EDA grant for work on the industrial park at the airport.  The final construction plans are being reviewed by the EDA Chicago office.  They are working on the process to secure agreements related to utilities.  They expect to request bids in April, with construction to begin by the first part of June.  The Township will be bonded for their $1.0 million local match.  It has been an active year for inquiries by companies interested in locating in the industrial park.  Project work has to be completed by October 2005.

E. Berghorst – Ottawa County.  Related to animal waste, there is a group in Ottawa County that is looking to set up a district anaerobic system to dispose of the waste.  Ken Rizzio (the County’s economic development coordinator) reported that there are a couple of big projects in the County.  The Chamber of Commerce had a presentation by representatives from Herman Miller about how they are trying to adjust to increased costs.  They are using the Toyota model, trying to cut costs within the plant.  An example would be that they used to get a small part from a supplier and then weld it themselves; to improve efficiency, they gave the welding machine to the supplier to do the welding.  Business in the County is looking good.

T. Cochran – City of Wyoming.  The City is hearing rumblings related to local GM plants because their market share is down.  They have two stamping plants plus Delphi, which is a particular concern because they are a parts supplier.  The City would like to get an agricultural zone for the expansion of Michigan Turkey Producers.  They talked to the State and although it would be a win-win situation, they can’t fund it right now so the program is defunct for now.  They are starting the process for a new master plan for the City.  They hired LSL and expect it to be completed within a year.  Wyoming has common borders and shares some common problems with Grand Rapids, so there will be some interaction with them on the plan.

P. Thibodeau – Osceola County.  The Richmond land fill will be open again soon.  The site had a lot of DEQ sanctions against it for non-compliance, with hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees.  The former owners filed for bankruptcy, with no value to be recouped.  The impact fees due to the Township will never be paid.  It has not been a thriving business since it competes with companies that own trash “holes”.

E. Hoaglund – Osceola County.  The County has a new building, along with the Health Department.  They are trying to put the $2.45 million bond out for bid to get a better rate.  It will be a one-stop-shopping building for County services to residents.  They will start construction in April if they can resolve the financial issues.  There is a tool and die business in Reed City that they expected to leave the area, but have learned it will stay there.  Four Winns in Cadillac will also stay in their location.  The revolving loan fund has its first business.  The County is starting a promotional website at www.visitosceola.com in order to attract tourists and businesses.  The County has its own site (at www.osceolacounty.org).  There are two new housing programs in Marion and Evart.

J. Todd – Mecosta County.  The joint bus system (BOCAT) is supposed to be public but it is mostly under contract; it is very controversial.  They are trying to save the program and establish a transit authority.  They may go to the people to see if they will support a millage and enable more public transit and routes.

T. Cochran suggested that the WMRPC approve a resolution of support for the CDBG and EDA programs that are in jeopardy due to the President’s budget proposals.  It might be beneficial for the Board to express its support.  D. Bee will draft a resolution and e-mail it to Board members.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY T. Cochran to support the continuation of the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and its grant programs.  SUPPORTED BY B. Hoyt.  MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

In response to a question, T. Cochran explained that 18 programs, including EDA, may be consolidated into one program that would mean the end to EDA funding and its programs as we have known them.  The Executive Committee will review and approve the resolution and proceed.

7.  Staff Updates

D. Bee distributed a “Staff Update” handout that listed work activities in the categories of Economic Development, Transportation Planning, Hazard Mitigation Planning, Member Projects/Initiatives, and Other (a copy of the summary is attached to these minutes). 

D. Bee briefly reviewed his Staff Update.  Everyone is concerned about EDA’s future.  It was discussed at a recent MAR meeting – 10 of the 14 regions rely on EDA for their funding and programs.  J. Peck of EDA said to continue to submit projects so there won’t be a gap in project flow.  Our EDA funded inventory project was approved for funding.  Board members are invited to attend the next CEDS Committee meeting to hear guest speaker Birgit Klohs, President of the Right Place Inc.

The M-40/M-89 Committee invited interested parties in the County to attend their meetings.  We may become involved in the traffic counting process; data are sent to the Federal government which has not been happy with the level and quality of past counts.

We have applied for funding from the MDEQ for a fifth year (2006) project that would involve a study related to the preservation of farmlands and open space, including the feasibility of wind turbine generators.  The wind generators would help farmers to preserve their land by supplementing their income.  They would also be a potential for communities that own their land.

D. Bee reviewed a list of recreation grants received in the region; several communities were successful in their applications for MDNR funding, which is very competitive.  There is a potential conflict with MDNR funding which is based partly on gas wells in the state.  The funding system, which dates back to the 1920’s, may not be legal.

8.  Other Business

P. Capek said that the Michigan Municipal League will hold their legislative conference in Lansing next week, beginning Wednesday.  There will be workshops the day before, the Board will meet Tuesday, and Thursday morning the women’s group will meet.  The League is preparing for Congressional hearings.

9.  Adjournment

A MOTION WAS MADE BY J. Todd to adjourn.  SUPPORTED BY E. Hoaglund.  MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.  The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m. 

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