WEST MICHIGAN REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION

BOARD MEETING MINUTES

September 15, 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

Mark Gifford – City of Big Rapids

Pat Capek – City of Cedar Springs

Dale Fitz – City of Grand Rapids

Gregg Yeomans – Ionia County

John Todd – Mecosta County

Charles Luteran – Mecosta County

John Johansen – Montcalm County

Paul Thibodeau – Osceola County

Edward Berghorst, Treasurer – Ottawa County

Spencer Bertram – City of Wyoming        

Tim Cochran, Vice-Chair – 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

Brandon Bartoszek – Planner

Nancy Murphy – Administrative Assistant

Guest:

Don Stypula, Executive Director, Grand Valley Metropolitan Council

2.  Approval of Minutes

A MOTION WAS MADE BY C. Luteran to approve the minutes for the June 16, 2006, Board meeting as presented.  SUPPORTED BY T. Hogenson.  MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.

3.  Public Comments

None.

4.  Guest Speaker – Don Stypula, Executive Director, Grand Valley Metropolitan Council

Mr. Stypula said that the Metro Council has new directions and ideas.  The basic focus is collaboration and cooperation and developing strategic partnerships in the region.  There are a lot of challenges in both the state and the region, especially related to the economy and jobs, highlighted by Ford Motor Company’s announcement yesterday of substantial cuts in both its hourly and white collar work force.  They are working with the economic developers and trying to find a way to integrate transportation planning and land use planning.  They are also looking at options to share county and municipal services to the extent that it makes sense and generates cost savings.   There will be a need for statutory changes from the legislature to enable more flexible solutions.

Mr. Stypula talked about the Metro Council’s history:  They started in 1990, with 11 communities and counties and they now have 34 communities (two counties – Kent and Ottawa – plus 32 communities).  Now is not a good time to be out there alone, to be an island.  It is possible to stay unique and still join forces with others and take a strong message to the state and federal governments.  Jim Buck has been the Metro Council Chair since 1995; he is a compelling advocate for negotiation and cooperation.

Mr. Stypula then talked about transportation planning trends.  The Metro Council is the MPO for the region and does short term plans (four years) and also long range plans (30 years).  Plans focus on the achievement of goals within the context of limited resources.  Last year’s federal transportation legislation initially authorized substantial funding and encouraged local communities to “go forward”; since then, however, there have been four rescissions that have cut funding; while the funding is still higher than the old program, it is considerably less than they had first thought and hoped.  The key year is Fiscal 2009 when the funds drop off drastically, by design.

The Metro Council purchased a van equipped with a Mobile Pavement Management System (PaMS) that enables their staff to do a detailed analysis of pavement conditions.  The data that are collected with the new technology will be used by local and state officials to make decisions about road repairs and reconstruction.   Future years will see more technological advancements that will include methods to measure and monitor detailed patterns of vehicle movement, along with the ability to adjust traffic controls to respond to changing conditions and activities.

Mr. Stypula talked about their REGIS (Regional Geographic Information System) program which was started in 1996 as a collaborative to share costs.  REGIS combines state-of-the-art electronic mapping with a database.  Future technology includes oblique photography that will enable very detailed views of local sites and buildings that will be of particular benefit for police and fire departments.

In the area of the environment and natural resources, they are trying to establish a watershed for the Lower Grand River.  East Grand Rapids’ City Manager Brian Donovan is leading that initiative, which will initially be located at the Metro Council.  They are also involved with regional stormwater compliance in the area.

Mr. Stypula is very involved with regional issues advocacy.  He works with new state legislators and tells them the importance of speaking with one voice representing the whole region.

The Metro Council’s involvement with regional land use planning has included development of a metropolitan “Blueprint”.  That project assembled people with disparate views to discuss regional issues.  A 2004 plan developed a “Metropolitan Framework” that divided the region into sections and sub-regions; each area can determine its own fate while at the same time being able to see the perspectives of other areas also.

The Metro Council developed a “form-based code” that is a new approach to zoning that provides local governments with methods they can use to emphasize the urban design of places, and more flexible options that enable support of more traditional town and city forms like main streets, village greens, and neighborhood centers.

The most important thing is cooperation and communication, reaching out to communities, getting them involved in the planning process.  The Metro Council does not have established geographic boundaries and they always try to reach out to new communities.  Future potential members include Belding, Lowell, Ada Township, and some communities in Ottawa County.

In response to a question about their involvement with transit, Mr. Stypula said that the Metro Council has nurtured a collaborative relationship with the ITP (Interurban Transit Partnership, also known as The Rapid).  There have been discussions of a future non-motorized transit line, that might include a street car system, with plans to go to Washington, D.C. to request funding.

5.  Administrative Matters

Financial Statement

D. Bee reviewed the Board Financial Statement for the period of October 1, 2005 through July 31, 2006.  Through July 2006, revenues were $227,968, with expenses of $142,813.17, so there is no cash flow problem.  We are under budget in all expense categories.  The grants programs we are most concerned with during this time are the MDOT planning grant and the MDEQ shoreline study; funding for both of these projects ends September 31st of this year.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY J. Todd to accept and place on file the Financial Statement for the period of October 1, 2005 through July 31, 2006.  SUPPORTED BY P. Capek.  MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Proposed FY 2007 Budget

D. Bee reviewed the proposed WMRPC Budget for Fiscal Year 2007, October 1, 2006 through September 30, 2007, including the following:

Revenues

      • Dues go up three percent each year because of the regularly scheduled annual increase; increases are also due to member population growth.

      • EDA is expected to be the same; they don’t have a budget yet.

      • MDOT Planning is the same at $37,000.

      • MDOT – Asset Management:  A portion of these funds is given to the counties for their work on this program.  We do not come close to spending all the allocated funds each year, so this fund is in part a cushion for us.

      • Transit Services Study:  Work on this project is complete but we haven’t billed our expenses yet.

      • Coastal Management:  This is the biggest unknown in the budget.  We applied for a new grant for a study related to wind turbines, but won’t know until December if the MDEQ will fund the project.

      • Recreation Plans:  We are working on a recreation plan for the Village of Lyons now and have submitted a proposal to Crystal Township to do a plan for them.  Montcalm County is considering doing a more extensive, wider range, recreation plan.

      • Land Use Plans:  We are working on a plan for Sherman Township this year.  We don’t have any more land use plans scheduled now, but there is usually at least one plan each year.

Expenditures

      • Salaries and Fringe Benefits are about the same.

      • Professional Services are also the same.

      • Contractual:  This expense is all Asset Management.  We reimburse the counties and cities for their work on this project.

      • Office Costs are the same.

      • Professional Development:  This expense includes conferences and educational expenses, for both staff and Board members.

      • Office Machines:  We haven’t needed any new computers lately.  Expenses during the current fiscal year included purchase of new GIS software, which was charged to a grant.

      • Equipment/Furniture:  We don’t spend all the funds allocated in this category.  We will be spending $750 for two additional tables and eight chairs to accommodate the increased Board and CEDS Committee membership at meetings.

      • Special Events:  This is the December Board meeting at the Loon’s Nest.

We adjust the budget every year in June or July to reflect programs that pop up that we can’t anticipate when we prepare the annual budget.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY P. Capek to approve the WMRPC Budget for Fiscal Year 2006-2007.  SUPPORTED BY T. Hogenson.  MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Approval of Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)

There have been a few revisions since the draft CEDS report was printed.  Reed City projects were listed in the wrong county.  Grand Rapids asked us to remove the 201 Market project, which is the “mystery” development.  Someone asked why only some county descriptions are included and the answer is that communities and organizations need to respond to our request for information about what happened in their areas during the past year.  After the Board approves the CEDS report, copies are sent to members with requests for their resolutions of support to be included in the final document.  The final CEDS report is sent to EDA and others, and is due December 31, 2006.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY J. Johansen to approve the 2006 CEDS Report for the Region 8 District.  SUPPORTED BY E. Berghorst.  MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

WMRPC Match for 2007 EDA Grant

EDA now requires a 50 percent match for our planning grant, however we are still using the same amount from dues because we use work on in-kind plans for the remaining match requirement.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY P. Thibodeau to adopt the resolution to authorize the 2007 grant application to the Economic Development Administration (EDA), for the purpose of administering an Economic Development Program; and to designate the use of up to $20,000 of membership dues for 25 percent matching funds for the grant.  SUPPORTED BY T. Hogenson.  MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Nominating Committee for 2007 WMRPC Officers

The following three people will serve on this year’s Nominating Committee:

Tom Hogenson (City of Big Rapids) – Committee Chair

Gregg Yeomans (Ionia County)

Spencer Bertram (City of Wyoming)

C. Mulholland said that whereas the Committee is only required to nominate candidates for officers, he would like for them to also look at options for the other two Executive Committee positions.

6.  Round Table / Regional Issues

E. Berghorst – Ottawa County.  There are no big projects in the county now.  He reported on current projects at the CEDS Committee.  Companies are requesting tax exemptions for equipment in exchange for promised jobs.

J. Todd – Mecosta County.  The new Menards will open Monday.  Carter Lumber will be closing.  In January 2007, their seven-member Board will have three new commissioners.  John Todd, Chuck Luteran, and Wayne O’Neal will be leaving the Board.  It will be a challenge for their County Administrator. 

C. Luteran – Mecosta County.  They are facing overcrowding at their jail.

M. Gifford – City of Big Rapids.  Their Wolverine plant will be adding 60 jobs.  The brownfield site in Mecosta is almost finalized.  They continue to see private investment in downtown Big Rapids.

S. McNeal – Allegan County.  Their eleven person Board will have at least four, and possibly five, new members; two people retired and two were defeated for re-election.  Their scrap tires are gone; they are looking at tire collection sites.  Their senior millage passed in the primary election and their road millage also passed.  Their parks millage was defeated, but they will try another, lower, request for parks funding; with tourism their second most important industry, parks are a valuable resource.  They are still looking for a way to promote economic development and it looks likely that they will be able to find someone through MSU Extension and other partnerships. 

S. McNeal said he would prefer to receive Board agendas and other information by e-mail rather than postal mail.  D. Bee said that when we tried that several years ago, it didn’t work out very well since some people wanted e-mail, some wanted postal mail, and others wanted both formats.  Some people weren’t receiving all their materials, so he thought it would be best to send paper communications to everyone.  He will look at it again and contact members regarding their preferences.

T. Hogenson – City of Big Rapids.  They have an R-B zone (with both residential and business) that was established in an R zone in an area near Ferris State University.  They think it will encourage better stewardship and help to stabilize the neighborhood.  The City has received a lot of development proposals, especially for low income housing; they are looking at projects and housing stock so they can better evaluate these requests.  Recent drownings in the City have prompted a group of concerned citizens to develop a water safety program for secondary and high school students.

S. Bertram – City of Wyoming.  The City has been working on a land use program that they expect to approve in October.  A major stumbling block has been issues related to properties along Wilson Avenue with access to M-6.  The City is working with Grandville for dispatching police and fire through Wyoming.

P. Thibodeau – Osceola County.  Richmond Township is extending their water and sewer lines with funding from the Township’s DDA (Downtown Development Authority); the project cost $500,000.  They have set aside an area for an industrial park.

J. Johansen – Montcalm County.  The County adopted their general plan and they will hire a part-time land use coordinator to work with the townships.  They are working on farm land protection.  They received a $37,000 grant from the MEDC to study the county’s economy, particularly the impact of the loss of Electrolux jobs.  Eight-CAP received $50,000 for a job study.  The unemployment rate in the county is going up – it is now at 15 percent and the highest in the state.  Three years ago they built a new court and safety complex and now they are adding 24 units to their jail facility.

T. Lindeman – Montcalm County.  In Greenville, they completed the Whitaker Study.  They are trying to attract new business to the community, including their industrial park.  A new company, United Solar Ovonic, is building a new facility in the Greenville Industrial Park; there is potential for them to add more capacity, and workers, later.  There is a good spirit in the community despite their economic setbacks.  MCC (Montcalm Community College) is undergoing a growth spurt, with new construction.

G. Yeomans – Ionia County.  Their County Administrator is looking at ways to integrate the update of their master plan with five townships who can help to share the costs.  Their Community Development Director is putting together check lists for residential development.  Since there is no county wide zoning, they need to provide some direction for developers.  There might be a new campground along M-66 south of the City of Ionia.  There would be hundreds of new camp sites, which would be a good economic boost for the area.  In downtown Ionia the dry cleaners burned down; they will probably use the space for parking.  G. Yeomans said that he would also prefer to receive materials electronically instead of paper sent by mail.

P. Capek – City of Cedar Springs.  Construction on 17 Mile Road was completed but half of the work will have to be redone because the wrong materials mix was used on the north lane.  Pine Street is almost done; they accidentally punctured the main water line, which took four days to repair; they need to extend the road and will need more money for that work.  The City Council approved the Planning Commission’s recommendation for new development on 17 Mile Road; new businesses will include a Spartan Stores gas station and a convenience store next to the grocery store, in addition to a Kent County Sheriff’s department sub-station.  The City has a new director for the Parks and Recreation Department and a new Assessor.  Their big annual Red Flannel Festival happens September 30th and October 7th.  Their downtown development association has a façade improvement fund to match up to $5,000 in funds spent by local merchants who upgrade the exterior of their buildings; a local bank said they would pay $500 for paint for each business that improved their façade.  Four candidates are running for two open Council seats.

D. Fitz – City of Grand Rapids.  Although a newspaper article said the redevelopment of the Steelcase site is a done deal, that’s not true.  They don’t have approval from the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority or from the Planning Commission.  Also, “big box” development would not be consistent with the City’s master plan.  The City is working on a zoning ordinance update, which will be a hybrid of form-based codes; they are looking at different types of design guidelines; they expect the new ordinance to be adopted by next spring or summer.

7. Staff Updates

D. Bee distributed copies of his Staff Update, and reviewed the bulleted items (copy attached to the minutes).

8.  Other Business

None.

9.  Adjournment

A MOTION WAS MADE BY E. Berghorst to adjourn.  SUPPORTED BY T. Lindeman.  MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.  The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m. 

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