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WEST MICHIGAN REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
September 17, 2010
9:30 a.m.
1. Welcome
D. Bee said that this location is the last in our initial round of meetings within all the counties within the region. C. Mulholland said that it’s been good to go around the region and we’re glad to be here in Osceola County today. He appreciates the efforts and work of all involved to make these meetings possible.
Ron Marek, Reed City Manager, welcomed meeting attendees to Reed City and Osceola County. He said that he has been the City Manager for only the past three months, and he talked about the local business and community environment. He said that the City has received $8.0 million in grants, with 11 individual grants for local businesses.
Although the local business community has been somewhat sluggish, some companies are doing well. The local Yoplait plant has invested over $30 million in expansions. And the hospital has made improvements to their facility. A local business has a grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The city is wrapping up improvements to its wastewater treatment plant. A low-interest loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program will be used to fund major water and sewer projects.
They are also laying the groundwork for a hotel in the area, which is needed and would bring customers to local businesses. The local school system just completed a large domed greenhouse.
2. 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
Lynn Anderson – City of Big Rapids
Mark Gifford – City of Big Rapids
Joseph Harper – City of Big Rapids
Paul Bullock, Treasurer – Mecosta County
Ray Steinke – Mecosta County
Charles McCafferty – Mecosta County
John Johansen – Montcalm County
Tom Lindeman – Montcalm County
Dan Massy – Osceola County
David Brooks – Osceola County
Lillian VanderVeen – City of Wyoming
L. Charles Mulholland, Chair – At large
Gregg Yeomans – At large
Staff:
David Bee – Director
Elizabeth Van Doorne – Planner
Nancy Murphy – Administrative Assistant
Guests:
Sara Lucas – Northwest Michigan Council of Governments
Ron Marek – Manager, City of Reed City
Larry Emig – Chair, Osceola County Board of Commissioners
3. Approval of Minutes
A MOTION WAS MADE BY J. Johansen to approve the minutes for the June 18, 2010, Commission meeting as presented. SUPPORTED BY R. Steinke. MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Public Comments
None.
5. Guest Speaker –
Sara Lucas – Northwest Michigan Council of Governments: “Grand Vision”
D. Bee introduced Ms. Lucas, who talked about their region’s “Grand Vision” project. She said that the process was initially prompted by a controversy over a road proposal and talk of a bypass. There was concern about potential sprawl and also the impact on wetlands. The opposing groups said that they need consensus, which would be the result of a planning process.
$2.5 million was set aside for the project, with $1.5 million to fund the planning process. The process involved diverse groups within the region, including the Chamber of Commerce, environmental groups, schools, as well as transportation and land use interests.
The planning process focused on land use and transportation, within the counties and the surrounding areas. There was an effort to get more county involvement. Consultants from Portland and Salt Lake City worked on the project, which involved a “scenario planning process”. They asked residents to come up with a vision and then made projections based on that. Workshops were held to be as inclusive as possible. Five hundred people expressed an interest in participation after the public notices were sent out. The project staff was not prepared for such a massive public interest, and they created a public involvement committee. Because that committee was not included in the original RFP (Request for Proposals), they tried to use volunteer labor, and realized that there was not sufficient funding for the public phase of the process.
They raised $500,000 locally, from foundations, schools, and others. They developed a website and created TV notices and bumper stickers to increase public awareness of the project. They wanted to make it a recognizable “brand”, and the result was a lot of public attention to the Grand Vision.
Workshops were conducted in Grand Traverse County and at other sites. They also distributed a survey and received excellent response rates. Four different growth scenarios were presented to the public for them to decide which one they preferred. The public chose the “village” scenario, with a strong desire to maintain rural/small town character and limit growth. The project report’s recommendations focused on that goal.
The Grand Vision is still an ongoing process, with continued momentum and interest and efforts to keep everyone involved. A working group was created for the purpose of supporting the ongoing process and to fill in gaps in other organizations. There has been both statewide and national interest in the project. The beauty of the Grand Vision is the public recognition and awareness of the desired future of the region.
Ms. Lucas responded to questions from meeting attendees, including the following:
T. Burns said that Allegan County is trying to incorporate economic development in their master plan. Transportation is a big item; they can’t get funds for the County like local communities like Saugatuck or Douglas can. He said the Grand Vision covers a large geographic area and asked if there is any local bus service. Ms. Lucas said that yes, a number of local communities do have separate transit systems, which include Leelanau and Wexford and others. T. Burns asked how those transit systems are funded and Ms. Lucas said that they are each funded differently. There are agreements among the transit authorities of the local jurisdictions so that they don’t get people to the border and then stop. The Region is also involved in the transportation coordination process.
M. Gifford asked if the Region was the coordinating entity. Ms. Lucas said that the Region was one of the coordinating agencies. They provided staff support for the process and were involved in working committees and in engaging communities. They also acted as a liaison with other counties. What was MDOT’s role? MDOT was part of the oversight committee and was involved in developing the model. What is the COG structure? They have a wide variety of programs that include Michigan Works and the Workforce Development Board, and regional planning.
C. McCafferty asked a question about the impact on infrastructure by the current housing market. Ms. Lucas said that there is now a strong desire and support for more affordable housing, which is a major step forward. A group of realtors and a housing non-profit are working on that. In their region, they see more issues related to rural poverty than the problems of abandonment and blight seen in places like Detroit. Without state support, people have to focus on local options.
C. McCafferty talked about a focus on small towns and villages, which are withering away with no clear process to revitalize them. Ms. Lucas said there is one program that addresses that problem. It is the “community growth program”, funded by the Kellogg Foundation. They have a growth and investment working group. Kellogg passes through the grant funds to each county. There are small grants to attract new business. There are also community development specialists hired to help with local work.
D. Massy asked a question about the survey process. Ms. Lucas said they broke out the survey results. Some criticism said there was not much of a difference in the responses. So they did a follow-up to the scorecard, which showed that the original results were accurate.
C. Mulholland asked about state support. Ms. Lucas said that MDOT will be involved in the implementation process. He asked about interest in shared services. Ms. Lucas said there is a lot of interest. Some of that interest is due to the current economic climate. But some communities have been working on plans together.
Ms. Lucas mentioned the project’s website, located at www.thegrandvision.org. The website links to smaller sites for the working groups. There was a Grand Vision Expo in May, with 400 people in the room. So there is a continuing interest in public involvement.
6. Administrative Matters
Financial Statement
The Financial Statement was included in the meeting packet and covers the Fiscal Year 2010 through July 2010. D. Bee briefly reviewed the Financial Statement. He said that we are near the end of our Fiscal Year. The YTD column shows revenues of $132,000 and expenses of $165,000; we are waiting to receive payments from Coastal Management and MDOT. The “Status of Grant Programs” section shows funds spent on EDA, MDOT Planning, and MDOT Asset Management. Our MDOT programs coincide with our Fiscal Year, while our EDA grant covers a calendar year.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY G. Yeomans to accept and place on file the Financial Statement for the period of October 1, 2009 through July 31, 2010. SUPPORTED BY T. Burns. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Proposed FY 2011 Budget
D. Bee reviewed the proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2011, effective October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011. The proposed budget was reviewed and approved by the Executive Committee at their August 20, 2010 meeting. He identified the columns that show the current Fiscal Year’s budget as well as the proposed budget, and said that there is not a lot of difference. Dues are more difficult to predict than in the past, since Ionia County suspended their membership; over half of the county’s population is represented by communities that have recently become members.
Revenues: EDA is a solid number. Our MDOT Planning grant has been $37,000 for decades. Asset Management, at $82,467, has been our largest grant since that program started; the annual amount is based on federal roads in the region and we do not spend the whole grant. All project work on the Coastal Management grant has been wrapped up, although we are still waiting for the final payment. Land Use plans include the continuation of the joint master plan for Howard City and Reynolds Township, in addition to a new project to update Big Rapids Township’s land use plan.
Expenditures: Salaries and Wages were adjusted downward in June because the planner position was unfilled for several months; $132,000 is where it started last year and the amount for the next year. Fringe Benefits are the same as the original budget last year. The Professional Services category is primarily accounting support from GMS. Contractual Services are expected to be higher due to Asset Management expenses; we are having consultants do some of the road ratings work that remained after the previous planner left; because the training is in the Spring, Elizabeth won’t be able to do the road ratings until next summer. Office Costs include our office rent; we have had issues with our property owners when they tried to add fees and sent us inaccurate rent invoices; there is a lot of vacant space in the building and two primary anchor tenants plan to leave within the year; we are concerned about the future viability of the building and might consider moving when our lease next expires. Travel/Meetings, Professional Development, and Office Supplies are the same as last year. Printing is lower because we do not expect to have as many reports to print. Office Machines are up due to anticipated computer upgrades in the planning area.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY L. VanderVeen to approve the WMRPC Budget for Fiscal Year 2010-2011, October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011. SUPPORTED BY G. Yeomans. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Interim 2010 CEDS
D. Bee presented information about the Interim 2010 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). He said that our EDA grant is on a three-year cycle. For the first three-year program, we did the major report during the first year and then did supplemental reports during the second and third years. But this time, EDA has said they want the big report at the end of the three years. That will work well because we will be able to include 2010 Census data.
The CEDS process allows communities to get their projects in front of EDA. A community has to be a member of the region in order to participate in the CEDS. There are a few new projects that were not included in the draft report. There are two projects in the Village of Lake Odessa; both are related to water and sewer treatment. The City of Wyoming has a project related to transportation improvements that will serve an office and industrial area; the primary business in that area is Gordon Food Service. Another project was submitted since the CEDS Committee meeting: Ottawa County wants to apply to EDA for a revolving loan fund.
D. Bee gave a brief overview of the contents of the CEDS document. The report includes new projects as well as old projects that are still viable. Projects included in past CEDS that have been completed, or projects for which there is no longer interest, were removed. The CEDS Committee reviewed and approved the 2010 Interim report at their August 25, 2010 meeting.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY J. Johansen to approve the “2010 Interim Report to the 2010-2012 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy”, for submission to the Economic Development Administration. SUPPORTED BY D. Massy. MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
Nominating Committee for 2011 Officers
7. Round Table / Regional Issues
David Brooks – Osceola County. He discussed how Reed City is currently the County’s hot spot, with many ongoing projects that Mr. Marek included in his introductory comments.
Charles McCafferty – Mecosta County. He is the Chairman of the Mecosta County Planning Commission, which recently initiated a review of their master plan. The county’s population has been stable; however, there are changes within communities and related to employment. The master plan review will be a long-term project, including meetings with townships to get their input.
Ray Steinke – Mecosta County. The County is moving along and now has a new sheriff.
Paul Bullock – Mecosta County. Spectrum Health and the Mecosta County Medical Center have been discussing merging their operations. They will be holding public hearings. Approval from the hospital board and the Mecosta County Board of Commissioners is needed.
Tom Lindeman – Montcalm County. They expect a July transfer of the railroad bed from Greenville to Ionia. They are cutting a tunnel under M-57 in Greenville.
John Johansen – Montcalm County. Greenville has an exciting solar energy project, which is a cooperative effort among the City and the school district and United Solar Ovonic. The project is at the vanguard of the solar energy movement, with other communities interested in what is happening in Greenville. The County Planning Commission is reviewing its general plan, which is four years old. The issue is whether or not to move from a general plan to a master plan.
Joe Harper – City of Big Rapids. Big Rapids’ main street has been spiffed up and downtown looks great.
Lynn Anderson – City of Big Rapids. In August they did a walkability study. The study identified the need for traffic calming measures on the M-20 bridge over the Muskegon River. The bridge connects with the riverwalk and is busy and hazardous.
Terry Burns – Allegan County. The County just completed the first draft of their five-year master plan. They are trying to create an economic development role as a sub-committee, in order to start the process. This summer Laketown Township finished a non-motorized trail from Holland to Grand Haven; the “Blue Star Corridor” goes all the way to Benton Harbor. The County Commission voted to build a new jail and purchased property for the facility. A millage vote is scheduled in November, but the County will go ahead with the project even if the millage fails. The old jail is functionally obsolete and a new jail is definitely needed.
Dan Massy – Osceola County. There are a few Brownfields projects. A newspaper article mentioned the “resurgence” of the Village of Hersey, which has 300 residents. New businesses include a restaurant and a general store. They are also expanding the Village Hall.
Lillian VanderVeen – City of Wyoming. The City is working on the revitalization of 28th Street, which is their downtown corridor. Forty-eight thousand cars pass through the area every day and they would like to capture those potential customers for local businesses. The City hired a consultant to work on the project. Three hundred thousand people attended this year’s “28th Street Metro Cruise” and the community uses the event to sell 28th Street to participants. Gordon Food Service is bringing their national headquarters to the City and will do road work on that intersection. The Chamber of Commerce hired a new Executive Director. They are seeing some upticks and progress in the local economy.
Mark Gifford – City of Big Rapids. Downtown Big Rapids has seen a lot of improvements. Ferris State University has had a major impact on regional development. The WMRPC should include representatives from universities.
Gregg Yeomans – At large. This summer drivers on M-21 are experiencing traffic jams, but the improved corridor will be worth the inconveniences. Ionia County needs to start a review of its plan, but the Planning Commission hasn’t been able to assemble a quorum to discuss planning.
8. Staff Updates
D. Bee distributed his Staff Update (copy attached). The Update includes detailed information in the category of Economic Development, in addition to information about the categories of Transportation Planning, Member Projects/Initiatives, and Other. D. Bee briefly reviewed the bulleted items.
9. Other Business
D. Bee mentioned the “Shared Services” meeting on September 20th. The meeting is jointly sponsored by the WMRPC, the Grand Valley Metro Council, and the State of Michigan, and will involve discussions of the benefits of sharing services among local governmental jurisdictions. He distributed copies of the meeting agenda for interested people.
The next Commission meeting will be December 10, 2010, at the Loon’s Nest in Montcalm County. We have not yet scheduled a speaker for that meeting. If Commission members have any speaker suggestions, contact D. Bee.
10. Adjournment
A MOTION WAS MADE By T. Lindeman to adjourn. SUPPORTED BY R. Steinke. MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting was adjourned at 11:25 a.m.
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