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WEST MICHIGAN REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
March 21, 2008
9:30 a.m.
1. Call to Order. C. Mulholland, Board Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.
Roll Call:
Ken Graff – Allegan County
Thomas Hogenson – City of Big Rapids
Joseph Harper – City of Big Rapids
Pat Capek – City of Cedar Springs
Gregg Yeomans – Ionia County
Joe Marhofer – Ionia County
Ray Steinke – Mecosta County
Paul Bullock – Mecosta County
Marcia Walker – Montcalm County
John Johansen – Montcalm County
Tom Lindeman – Montcalm County
Dan Massy – Osceola County
Edward Berghorst, Treasurer – Ottawa County
Mark Knudsen – Ottawa County
Chris Larson – Ottawa County
Lillian Vanderveen – City of Wyoming
Joanne Voorhees – City of Wyoming
L. Charles Mulholland, Chair – At large
Howard Hansen – At large
Tom Jessup – Allegan County (alternate)
Staff:
David Bee – Director
Brandon Bartoszek – Planner
Nancy Murphy – Administrative Assistant
Guest:
Andrew Such, MI Energy Future
2. Approval of Minutes
A MOTION WAS MADE BY J. Johansen to approve the minutes for the January 18, 2008, Board meeting as presented. SUPPORTED BY J. Johansen. MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Public Comments
None.
4. Executive Committee Members
The Officers were approved at the January Board meeting. WMRPC Officers for 2008 are –
Chair – Charles Mulholland, At-large
Vice-Chair – Tim Cochran, City of Wyoming
Treasurer – Ed Berghorst, Ottawa County
The Board Chair may also appoint other members to serve on the Executive Committee; he has designated the following people for 2008 –
Regina Davis – At-large
Gregg Yeomans – Ionia County
Paul Bullock – Mecosta County
5. Guest Speaker – Andrew Such, Executive Director, MI Energy Future
D. Bee introduced Andrew Such and said that he first learned about him when Mr. Such wrote a guest column in The Grand Rapids Press about Michigan’s sustainable renewable energy future. Mr. Such is the Executive Director of the Michigan Sustainable Energy Coalition (MSEC), also known as the MI Energy Future (MI is pronounced “My”).
Mr. Such talked about his employment background and experience and the work of the MSEC. The MSEC is an advocacy group made up of business owners, academics and environmentalists that was formed to work with the Michigan Legislature and the Michigan Public Service Commission to pass and implement a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) for Michigan. MSEC is dedicated to bringing commercial, renewable energy to Michigan.
A Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) is state policy, established by the Legislature, that requires certain percentages of power sold in the state to be generated from systems using sustainable renewable sources of fuel. A RPS for Michigan must have six core principles:
Realistic and attainable goals
Must apply to all suppliers of retail electricity
Define “renewable fuels” without giving favor to any particular RE technology
Advance renewable energy projects located in Michigan – not out of state
Create a level and highly competitive market
Minimize the need for public funding
MSEC has proposed a RPS that would phase in the percent of Michigan’s electricity provided from renewable energy, with a baseline in 2004, to achieve a goal of ten percent by 2015.
Renewable Energy legislation was introduced in the 2007 session of the Michigan Legislature. Proposed legislation includes –
Renewable Portfolio Standard
Wind Siting
Tax Incentive: Wind
Energy Policy
Tax Incentive: Residential Green Rate Programs
Renewable Vehicle Fuel: Biodiesel
Renewable Vehicle Fuel: Other
Tax Incentive: Alternative Fueled Vehicles
Tax Incentive: Biomass
Tax Incentive: Solar
Mr. Such talked about the political process involved in efforts to enact legislation, including that related to renewable energy. He talked about the energy companies and other interests that impact legislative efforts.
There are also energy efficiency and energy conservation efforts and pending legislation.
For more information, visit the MSEC’s website at www.michigancleanenergy.com. People can also find information about current and pending legislation, and track the progress of all bills, by visiting the State’s website at www.michigan.gov.
6. Administrative Matters
Financial Statement
The Financial Statement was included in the meeting packet and covers the Fiscal Year 2008 through January 2008. D. Bee said that we are doing well financially. All members have paid their dues and grant funds are coming in.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY J. Marhofer to accept and place on file the Financial Statement for the period of October 1, 2007 through January 31, 2008. SUPPORTED BY J. Johansen. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
WMPRC Board and CEDS Committee Survey
D. Bee distributed copies of the results of the 2008 survey of Board and CEDS Committee members. We sent out 42 surveys and have received 24 back. Most of the comments were positive and constructive. If anyone has any questions or comments, e-mail D. Bee. We will put the survey on the Board agenda for the next meeting so we can review the results in more depth and detail.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY H. Hansen to accept and place on file the 2008 Survey of WMRPC Board and CEDS Committee. SUPPORTED BY R. Steinke. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Round Table / Regional Issues
R. Steinke and P. Bullock – Mecosta County. The tire clean-up project includes using part of the resulting product on their riverfront park. Rubber mulch will be used for the play area.
D. Massy – Osceola County. There is a scrap tire project in Barryton. Federal legislation with requirements related to windows in automobiles could benefit Nartron Corporation, which is located in Reed City, and create new jobs for the County.
E. Berghorst – Ottawa County. Boar’s Head has a $1.6 million expansion project, which will create a projected 240 new jobs. They received a tax credit from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and also a tax break from the Township.
M. Knudsen – Ottawa County. The County has a contract for IPCS for countywide wireless. Ninety-five percent of the county will be covered, including rural areas. Work is expected to be completed by June or July of this year. It will be a $1.0 million investment. The cost to consumers who purchase the service will be $60 per month, which is a good deal for rural areas that currently do not have broadband service.
The County wants to move forward with a Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program, even though they decided not to contribute any County funds. Any costs would be paid by townships, farmers, or other funding sources when development rights are purchased. The Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA) is moving forward. The BRA will constitute an umbrella authorization for local units that don’t have their own BRA set up. Funds can be used to clean up old gas stations and similar properties with contaminates that have to be resolved before redevelopment can take place.
L. Vanderveen – City of Wyoming. The Assessors Board of Review has seen weakening property values and heard residents talk about their problems. The Metro Health Village development continues to prosper, with the construction of more commercial buildings. In contrast, 28th Street continues to struggle, although they are trying to rebuild and make the corridor more successful. Youth violence has been a problem which is being addressed by cooperative efforts among local churches, schools, and social service agencies.
T. Hogenson – City of Big Rapids. They are experiencing a lot of positive energy. They were successful in their application to USDA for a grant/loan for the purchase of a new fire ladder truck.
J. Harper – City of Big Rapids. A renewable energy developer is located in Big Rapids.
T. Jessup – Allegan County. Issues include wind generation – the County is working to coordinate with the townships. They’re still working on the jail. They are also working on picking a location for the County services complex, looking at the costs for the various options.
K. Graff – Allegan County. The Planning Commission is trying to re-write ordinances related to Planned Unit Developments (PUDs). They want to promote development where there is already existing infrastructure (e.g., water, sewer).
Howard Hansen – At large. The economic slump has generated problems for contractors. While they have plenty of laborers, there is a shortage of building materials because suppliers don’t have an adequate inventory due to insufficient demand. So contractors often have to wait for needed materials and that has been delaying the completion of projects. For example, one project had to wait eight weeks for kitchen cabinets.
G. Yeomans – Ionia County. There will be no HOG (Harley Owners Group) rally in Ionia this year due to the economy, which is a big disappointment. A 425 agreement would facilitate development of the proposed medical complex. Other people are trying to tell the landowners what to do.
C. Larson – Ottawa County. He is a new member, from the private sector, representing Ottawa County. He has been a civil contractor and worked with property developments in West Michigan.
J. Johansen – Montcalm County. Today’s speaker was excellent. The Montcalm Land Use Coalition tries to schedule interesting programs. In March, the focus was on wind energy and they had Rich Vanderveen for a speaker. There is a map that shows wind potential in the state.
T. Lindeman – Montcalm County. The Census figures show that for the first time in 20 years, Montcalm County has lost population.
P. Capek – City of Cedar Springs. There has been a lot going on – people will be surprised when they visit and see all the changes. Two years ago, the Downtown Development Authority offered façade improvement loans to downtown businesses and seven retailers took their offer and now Main Street is looking very good. Everyone is excited about a new Taco Bell. Construction has begun on the museum expansion in Morley Park. The old Steeltech foundry is being torn down. The Meijer White Pine Trail is now paved from Cedar Springs to Sand Lake; ribbon-cutting ceremonies will take place on April 26th. The City hired a new police chief. Next week, the Michigan Municipal League’s Legislative Conference will be an opportunity to talk to State Legislators.
8. Staff Updates
D. Bee distributed a Staff Update. The Update includes information in the categories of Economic Development, Transportation Planning, Member Projects/Initiatives, and Other. D. Bee briefly reviewed the bulleted items.
9. Other Business
After Ottawa County appointed representatives to the WMRPC Board and CEDS Committee, we reached EDA’s requirement for private sector involvement.
10. Adjournment
A MOTION WAS MADE BY E. Berghorst to adjourn. SUPPORTED BY T. Lindeman. MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m.
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