Present:    Jim Bebermeyer, Jim DeWitt, Dave Dornan, Mary Dudley, Mark Grebner, Kathy Jacobs, Amelia Opubor, Joanne Russell, Liz Schweitzer

Absent (Excused):   Brendan Boyle, Jeff Friedle, Bill Hartwig, Kristi White,

Absent (not excused):  Cynthia Craig, Roger Hamlin

Guests:  Marcia VanNess, Joshua Smith, Vic Loomis

I.    Introduction of Guests

      Joanne opened the annual meeting by introducing Erin Bowdell who is the project representative from the MSU Engineering and Architectural Services for the construction project at University Village.  She informed us that the landscaping would not be done until next summer.  In the meantime they will be planting some shade tress around the newly constructed buildings and will be assessing the possibility of including some rain gardens on the property.  The current walkway between University Village and Marigold Ave will stay open.  That right of way is owned by the City.  The university is modifying parking lot 77, east of the villages, for another entrance, and taking out the road that leads out to Marigold Avenue.  That area will be made into green space.  There are plans for a basketball court and a volleyball court.  The rest of the area, west of Marigold, is being graded and seeded.  Erin will ask if the fence blocking the sidewalk on Kalamazoo will be taken down.  The main concern now is that all the drainage works properly on the site.  The next concern will be that headlights from the parking lots be obscured in some way as to not bother the neighbors.  They will explore various types of screening.

      The next speaker was Vic Loomis, and he apprised us of events going on at the City.  He explained that the City's budget is in very good shape, that a new dog park will be built on the north side of the city, and that they are looking for sites for two other new dog parks.  He mentioned that the new EastTowne Center is including three new rain gardens.  Liz Harrow mentioned that EPA regulations will be coming into effect next year which will  require that runoff be much better controlled.

      Vic explained that representatives from the city and University have been meeting on a regular basis, which has become very helpful to both groups.  Liz Schweitzer and Joanne have also been attending the meetings with the City and University.  Vic mentioned that Joanne has been doing a really excellent job keeping the City informed of issues and concerns of the Red Cedar area.

II.  Approval of Minutes of Last Board Meeting

      Joanne explained that extra copies of the minutes were available on the back table, and asked if the minutes could be approved.  Mark Grebner moved that the minutes be approved, and they were.

III. Updates of the Board’s Work from the Last Year

      Joanne explained that the RCCA Board met with Ted Stanton, the Fire Chief, and Todd Sneathen last month.  We discussed with them the evacuation plans from the Ivanhoe area, which has been an ongoing concern.  We asked if the City could approach MDOT about installing a gravel access drive that would lead up onto the ramp if Arbor Drive was not accessible.  The Fire Chief drove through Emerson Park to see if it was possible to get around the school in an emergency and found that it was possible.  He also will see if we could do a practice run with the Reverse 911 system, which apparently is now in place throughout the City.

      Trowbridge Intersection at Arbor Drive

      Brendan Boyle asked if the Director of Public Works could look into making a safer left turn lane there.  MDOT was not in favor of making any changes there.  It was decided that most people present at the Annual meeting would not like for the intersection to be made any more inconvenient than it already is.

      Trowbridge Corridor

      There are a lot of empty properties along Trowbridge Road.  The Board has asked the planning staff to work with us on an overall plan and to keep it commercial.

      Highway Noise

      Brendan Boyle has sent out letters to neighbors explaining how we are trying to pursue the idea of putting up a noise barrier.  The city has tentatively said that they would put up the 10% of the money needed.  However, the highway department is strapped for money, so this project may not happen for a while.  There has been a slight abatement of noise since the speed limits have gone up and trucks are not using their air brakes.  Mark Pullano asked Vic if he could see about banning air brakes throughout the City as is done elsewhere.

      Northwest Trowbridge and Arbor- Jim DeWitt

      Jim explained that a number of dead trees were removed by the highway department, but it still needs improvement to clean up some of the mess they left.  They have verbally committed to purchasing and planting evergreens in the area, but since they have a limited budget it may have to wait a year or so.

      University Village and Breslin Parking

      It came to the Board's attention last year that the University was diverting traffic through the neighborhood after games.  We asked the Chief of Police to approach MSU.  There was nothing they could do this year, but we are hoping that before the next basketball season this will be resolved.

      Parking in the Neighborhood

      Because we have experienced increased parking within the neighborhood, it has been suggested that we attempt to control how many cars be allowed to park.  We could either put in curbs and gutters, which are quite costly, or put in a permit parking system which would cost each household participating $10.00 the first year and $5.00 the following years.

      Red Cedar Arts Cafés

      These Friday night coffees have been very successful in introducing various artists and their work in the neighborhood.  We will have more of these next year.

      Web Site

      Kathy and Fred Jacobs have developed a web site for the neighborhood.  Kathy demonstrated it.

      Centennial

      Liz Schweitzer explained the City's plans for the coming year and talked about the upcoming open houses.

      Nominating and Electing Board Members

      Joanne explained that there were two vacancies on the Board and asked if anyone was interested in volunteering.  Joshua Smith and Marcia Vanness said they would like to join.  Mark moved that the slate be elected.  Liz Harrow seconded and all were in favor.

      Neighbors concerns and suggestions

      Jim DeWitt suggested that Joanne explain the SUP at 1100 Trowbridge Road, behind Howard Johnson’s Hotel.  She explained that three different requests for apartments were turned down at the site, because we did not want a student complex there.  A hotel was proposed by the owners of the property and OK'd, but as yet, no franchise has been secured.

      Liz Harrow would like to find a way for neighbors to better check on older residents in case they have an emergency.  She would like to find some others to help her brainstorm some ideas.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45.

Submitted by Kathy Jacobs, May 5, 2007

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