WEST MICHIGAN REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION

BOARD MEETING MINUTES

September 21, 2007

9:30 a.m.

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

Roll Call:

Terry Burns – Allegan County

Thomas Hogenson – City of Big Rapids

Joseph Harper – City of Big Rapids

Pat Capek – City of Cedar Springs

Gregg Yeomans – Ionia County

Charles McCafferty – Mecosta County

Marcia Walker – Montcalm County

John Johansen – Montcalm County

Tom Lindeman – Montcalm County

Edward Berghorst, Treasurer – Ottawa County

Lillian Vanderveen – City of Wyoming

L. Charles Mulholland, Chair – At large

Howard Hansen – At large

Linda Howard – Mecosta County (alternate)

Staff:

David Bee – Director

Brandon Bartoszek – Planner

Nancy Murphy – Administrative Assistant

Guest:

Jeanne Englehart, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce

2.  Approval of Minutes

A MOTION WAS MADE BY E. Berghorst to approve the minutes for the June 15, 2007, Board meeting as presented.  SUPPORTED BY P. Capek.  MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.

3.  Public Comments

None.

4.  Guest Speaker – Jeanne Englehart, President, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce

Ms. Englehart said that the motto for the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce (GRACC) is “Connect. Grow. Succeed!”  The Chamber has over 3,000 members.  Eighty percent of their members are small businesses.  By focusing on Membership, Diversity and Advocacy efforts, the Chamber is a community partner that provides value for members, enhances the business climate in the area, and advocates for public policy that supports economic growth and vitality.

The GRACC’s regional and community programs are:

Leadership Grand Rapids

A nine-month leadership training program for leaders in business, nonprofits, and government; the program has 600 graduates.  There is also a two-day fast track orientation for new executives.

Silent Observer

The GRACC and the Grand Rapids Police Department developed this program in 1972 to facilitate communications between law enforcement agencies and citizens.  The program provides a mechanism for citizens to report information related to criminal activity without revealing their identities, and with the incentive of a cash reward.

SCORE – Counselors to America’s Small Business

This program includes counselors who provide business advice to entrepreneurs and small business owners.  The program also offers business workshops about planning and starting a business.

Family Business Alliance

This is a joint program of the GRACC and Grand Valley State University.  The Alliance provides information and assistance specifically for family businesses.

The GRACC is also involved with the West Michigan Chamber Coalition (WMCC), whose members include the Chambers of Commerce in Grand Haven/Spring Lake/Ferrysburg, Grand Rapids, Holland, and Muskegon.  The WMCC’s mission is to promote the economic vitality of West Michigan.  The WMCC:

Pursues action and advocacy issues that affect the business community at the local, state and national levels and informs their members about governmental activities, legislation, and regulation affecting the entire region.

Participates in joint sponsorship of events and programs that serve the mutual purpose of their members.

Conducts joint research and/or problem solving in respect to issues of regional significance.

5.  Administrative Matters

Financial Statement

D. Bee reviewed the Board Financial Statement for the period of October 1, 2006 through August 31, 2007.  He said that while the statement shows more expenditures than revenues, it doesn’t reflect revenues received in September, and we are really doing well.  Regarding the Status of Grant Programs, we usually have an issue spending MDOT grant funds by the end of the fiscal year and EDA funds by the end of the calendar year.  However, this year we have spent more grant funds than most years, so this will not be a problem.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY T. Lindeman to accept and place on file the Financial Statement for the period of October 1, 2006 through August 31, 2007.  SUPPORTED BY J. Johansen.  MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

D. Bee said that this year’s annual financial audit has been scheduled for October 29 and 30.  The auditors will be at the January 2008 Board Meeting to present the audit report.

Proposed FY 2008 Budget

D. Bee reviewed the proposed WMRPC Budget for Fiscal Year 2008, the period from October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008, including the following:

Revenues

      • Dues:  The Board had voted not to increase dues for 2008.

      • EDA will be the same; 2008 will be the second year of the new three-year grant.

      • EDA Special Project:  We will be requesting funds for a special project, although we cannot depend on EDA approval.

      • MDOT:  will be the same, with an additional $1,500 for a rural transportation workshop.

      • MDOT Asset Management:  will be the same.  The program is popular with MDOT and with State Legislators.  The program is considered a new and better way to do things.

      • MDOT Special Project:  a project does not exist yet, but might later.

      • Recreation Plans:  We worked on several this year and it is likely there will be a few next year, although we do not have any lined up yet.

      • Land Use Plans:  We are working with two communities on projects that might develop into plans we would work on.

      • Hazard Mitigation:  In last year’s audit, we had written off payments for past work completed, but then D. Bee initiated renewed efforts to secure these funds and we finally did receive $9,761.09.

Expenditures

      • Salaries:  Same.

      • Fringe Benefits:  Down from last year.  When we prepared the FY 2007 budget, we had recently added a new fringe benefit (reimbursement for some dental/optical expenses) and didn’t know what the dollar impact would be, so we bumped this category up a little that year.  Based on actual expenses, we can lower it back down to $30,000 for FY 2008.  Costs for our health care coverage will go up no more than 21 percent next year.

      • Professional Services:  Increased due to accounting support for the new software.

      • Audit:  The budgeted amount reflects the scheduled annual increase.  Costs might go up later due to new auditing regulations and requirements.

      • Office Machines:  No purchases are anticipated at this time.

      • Printing:  There might be increased costs due to a MDOT program, but they will cover those added costs.

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

The total budget is $20,000 less than last year.  But the eleven months of the current Fiscal Year indicate that is appropriate.

P. Capek asked about the Asset Management program.  D. Bee said that program involves the Region, along with a MDOT person and a County person, driving down federally funded roads.  He is also on the Asset Management Council.  We use part of our grant funds to reimburse the local communities for their expenses for this program.  We are in the fifth year of that program.  We generally do not spend more than 75 percent of the allocated grant funds each year.

C. McCafferty asked if the Asset Management program looks at conditions or improvements.  D. Bee said that we develop an inventory of road conditions.  The paving conditions are rated on a 1 to 10 scale and then analyzed by a computer model.  The State can then determine the optimal time to fix the roads, neither fixing the roads before they need it or waiting too long.  The program’s motto is “The right fix at the right time”.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY E. Berghorst to approve the WMRPC Budget for Fiscal Year 2007-2008.  SUPPORTED BY P. Capek.  MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Approval of CEDS

D. Bee said that he had received a few comments on the draft CEDS report, but nothing substantive and nothing that would change any of the goals.  This is the first time that our EDA grant has been a three-year program, so the document has some added features.  D. Bee briefly went through the report and highlighted some of the ingredients.  New sections include:

Economic Clusters – types of businesses that are existing or emerging in the counties.

Goals – there are a total of ten goals, with five in each of two categories:  organizational (which “shall” be done) and community and economic development (which “should” be done); within each of the goals are three objectives.

Community Projects – including a narrative which describes the “top ten” projects, which are likely to have the greatest impact and be most important to the local community.

D. Bee said that the CEDS Committee had approved the report at its meeting last month.  After the Board review and approval today, the report will be mailed to members for their resolutions of support; this step in the process is no longer required by EDA, but is valuable and worthwhile to continue.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY T. Burns to approve the 2007–2009 CEDS Report for the Region 8 District.  SUPPORTED BY H. Hansen.  MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

C. Mulholland asked about the differences in the three-year program.  D. Bee said that the CEDS Committee still meets four times a year, and we will still ask for new projects each year.  During the second two years, D. Bee will visit communities to work with them to tailor their projects to meet EDA goals.  Then we will take a few projects to EDA, instead of hundreds on a list.

D. Bee talked about the Reed City project as an example.  The Yoplait project benefits not just that company, but also local farm businesses as well.  EDA is interested in the private sector, but does not want to fund projects that benefit just one business; there should be more of a balance.  P. Capek said that projects should improve the local infrastructure and benefit existing businesses, but also attract new business.

Nominating Committee for 2008 WMRPC Officers

C. Mulholland said that each year we appoint a three-person committee to nominate officers for the Executive Committee.  This year’s officers are Charles Mulholland (Chair), Tim Cochran (Vice-Chair), and Ed Berghorst (Treasurer).  The Chair may also appoint two additional Committee members.  This year, those two are Regina Davis and Gregg Yeomans.

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

Tom Hogenson (City of Big Rapids) – Committee Chair

Gregg Yeomans (Ionia County)

Terry Burns (Allegan County)

Anyone who is interested in serving in one of the three leadership positions should contact the Nominating Committee or Dave Bee.

6.  Round Table / Regional Issues

P. Capek – City of Cedar Springs.  City representatives attended the Michigan Municipal League conference in Traverse City.  Talk focused on the budget problems in Lansing.  The other focus was an interest in inter-community cooperation.  At the last City Council meeting, they hired a consultant to evaluate the police department.  The consultant will interview a broad spectrum of local people and make recommendations regarding the option of going with the Sheriff’s Department.  The Pine Street paving is almost done; work will include a new eight feet wide paved path from the City limits to 8th and a new pathway to the new middle school, along with a new sidewalk.  Three houses on Main Street were torn down for the new library.  During the next two weekends, the City will host its Red Flannel Festival for the 68th continuous year.  Each year, 35,000 people attend the festival, which is an all-volunteer event.

G. Yeomans – Ionia County.  They were happy that the school count showed that they had not lost any kids.  They are still working on the Menards south of the City of Ionia.  There is a lot of activity at the airport.

M. Walker – Montcalm County.  Their Parks and Recreation Commission enjoyed working with Dave on their five-year plan.  They have acquired a new tract of land south of Gowan, with a trail along the river and a fenced off area for parking; there might also be a potential site for camping.  The next phase is a site development plan.  The County is working on its first tour guide magazine; it will be a two-year book, with publication next April or May.

T. Lindeman – Montcalm County.  Activity is down.  They’re still working on tearing down the Electrolux refrigerator plant.

J. Johansen – Montcalm County.  The County created a new Brownfield Redevelopment Authority this year; they have applied for grants.  A $30,000 grant from the MEDC for an economic study was approved; they’re working on the grant paperwork.  The study would extend beyond Greenville and include other areas within the county as well as other counties in the region.

T. Hogenson – City of Big Rapids.  The City created a Brownfield Authority a few years ago; a local bank received a grant to refurbish their property.  A contingent of local citizens traveled from Big Rapids to Lansing; they are project finalists for a Vibrant Small Cities grant.

C. McCafferty – Mecosta County.  He introduced himself and said that he is an architect and a member of the Mecosta County Planning Commission.  He talked about the Tullymore Golf Course development:  Issues with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality have been resolved and the project is moving along.  They will be starting work on the new clubhouse within a few weeks.  There will be 340 home sites in the development, for a total investment of $30 million, which will benefit the County’s tax revenues.  It will be a year round community, with not just a summer golf course focus.  Over time the project will create about 200 jobs.

A committee in Canadian Lakes is working on a comprehensive facility plan.  They completed a Vision 2010 a few years ago.  There has been progress in a grass roots master plan, which will address growth factors, which recently have been flat.  They are looking at an eventual replacement of facilities.  They will present a draft master plan to the Committee, and then do a community appraisal.

L. Vanderveen – City of Wyoming.  Metro Hospital is moving to their new Wyoming facility Sunday.  They will be bringing 2,000 employees to the City.  The Metro Health Village is an excellent development.  The DDA hired a real estate consultant to develop business along 28th Street.  They also hired a marketing consultant.  There are several new stores along the corridor.  A small group of business owners organized and met with the Police Department to discuss better lighting.

T. Burns – Allegan County.  The County has selected a site for their new jail, at the County Services complex at Dumont Lake; they started with 32 properties to consider.  The M-40/M-89 project that was initiated by Bill Sikkel continues to identify issues along the corridor.

E. Berghorst – Ottawa County.  The County seat is at the new facility on Fillmore in Grand Haven.  Police departments in Hudsonville and Coopersville combined their services with the Sheriff’s Department.  The County Commissioner’s meeting this month lasted 13 minutes.  Menards has a new building in Holland; it is one of the largest in the country.  If the State does not have a budget by the end of the fiscal year, Ottawa County plans a partial shutdown next Tuesday.

L. Howard – Mecosta County.  She introduced herself and said that she is a County Commissioner.  Mike Fleitman, the County’s economic development person, left his position to move to Minneapolis; they are interviewing candidates and expect to fill the position soon.  Remus is working on a street light project to be funded by MDOT.  They need help with M-20 west of Remus. 

J. Harper – City of Big Rapids.  Roben-Hood Airport continues to grow and expand, with “avigation” easements (clear areas at both ends of runways).  They are trying to attract new business to the airport and are promoting the facility to aviation related businesses.  The aviation hub is an asset due to its central location in the state.  They are also trying to attract businesses to the airport that generate revenue with helicopter operations.  The City of Big Rapids owns the airport, but it is located in Big Rapids Township.

7. Staff Updates

D. Bee distributed his one-page 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.

8.  Other Business

D. Bee read a letter he had sent to Casco Township in support of a recreation project there.  They had requested a support letter and he thought that it would not be a problem since we prepared their recreation plan.  He had told them he would request formal Board approval at their next meeting.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY T. Burns to support the Casco Township recreation project.  SUPPORTED BY T. Lindeman.  MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.

9.  Adjournment

A MOTION WAS MADE BY T. Lindeman to adjourn.  SUPPORTED BY P. Capek.  MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.  The meeting was adjourned at 11:35 a.m. 

Back to Board Minutes Page