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In attendance at 7:00 p.m. were: Joanne Russell, Debi Robinson, Jeff Friedle, Jim Bebermeyer, Jim DeWitt, Liz Schweitzer, Marcia Van Ness, Kathy Jacobs, Kristi White. Arriving later were Amelia Opubor, Mark Grebner, Roger Hamlin.
Agenda was approved as presented.
June 14, 2007 minutes were approved.
No public comment.
Treasurer's report –
Kathy Jacobs reported that we have switched our account from Citizens Bank in Okemos to Citizens Bank near Frandor. The balance is $572.00. There are three sets of annual dues not yet deposited and one reimbursement owed to Joanne for $8. We have not paid for the use of the school for our October history night and are not sure we will need to. Kathy will explore this further.
Old Business:
1.
The opening has been delayed until the weekend after Aug. 21. There was some vandalism reported. The university is hosting an Open House there on Tuesday, Aug.14, and Joanne plans to attend. There is some discussion about the nature of the vandalism. Debi Robinson reports that there were six locked bikes and a motor scooter stolen from
2. CRC Ice Cream Social
Marcia Van Ness notes that the event is still on for Aug. 29 from 6 to 7 pm on the sidewalk (not the street) along the first block of Marigold. An information flyer will be delivered to individual homes soon. She notes that Bailey and
3. PACE
Kathy shares her frustration in not being able to get the city to deal with dead trees overhanging sidewalks. Eventually they came to deal with some of them, but there is still much to do along
Annette Irwin from the City said she has notified the gas station owners on Trowbridge/Harrison that they must clean up the property.
4. Refrigerator list
Bill Hartwig had brought this up at the last meeting but since he is not here tonight we will postpone until the next meeting. CRC is passing out a similar item with useful contact numbers.
5. State police post - We review the draft of the "guiding principles" we want to share with the university when they consider future uses for this site and how it might impact our neighborhood. We agree to the concepts as outlined, with some suggested changes, and Joanne will send to the appropriate people at the university on our behalf.
Committee reports:
1. Highway noise
Jeff and Brendan and others from our neighborhood attended a meeting at which the city council reviewed our request for the sound barrier. MDOT made a very fair presentation as to what is involved, the process (and need for a funded study) and the cost-sharing arrangement. MDOT wants the city to commit to its 10% of the cost, but the city manager said that there would be no money available for 5 years from the city's road funds. Vic Loomis was supportive and understood its impact on the quality of life for our neighborhood. Council asked good questions, and MDOT gave good answers, but the city would need to commit $250,000 as its match. Roger Hamlin asks the board if the neighborhood would consider a special assessment in order to help pay the city's cost. It is felt that the question is premature given the need for the study first.
2. NW Trowbridge trees
Jim DeWitt has not been able - after numerous attempts - to get the highway person to respond to his messages. We all agree that the cleanup needs to be completed.
3. Historic committee
Kathy reports on the October event at Red Cedar school. Janet Hicks Ronk will give an overview. There will be round-table discussion by topic, a booklet for sale, slide show by David Ronk. Postcards have gone out to former residents of the neighborhood. Thank you, Mark, for the printing of the postcards. Steve Scheffel will provide a free cake for the event. There will be maps, photos, displays.
Kathy has asked the school superintendent to make sure the Red Cedar yard is cleaned up prior to this event. She asks for volunteers to help that night with specific responsibilities. The East Lansing Historical Society will come and tap the event. Research your property's history and bring it along to the event!
4. RC maps
The city has provided us with a map showing the ownership/rental status of all properties in our neighborhood.
5. Trowbridge Comp Plan
Still no response from Darcy Schmitt from Planning regarding a meeting with us. Mark notes that the university/city would eventually like to move the train station to the west so it is contiguous to both sets of tracks. We share concerns about the several for sale signs along Trowbridge. It is noted that Oodles of Noodles is supposedly for sale as well. There is no required condition on that property that the parking lot be left open between the restaurant and the building to its west.
New Business:
1. Football traffic
Fred Kletke has joined us to share his concerns about parking in certain areas of the flower pot streets that make car passage for two lanes of traffic impossible and dangerous. Joanne will talk to PACE since we all have concerns and experiences of this problem. She will also call the police chief to ask the current plans for diverting traffic for the football games this year. There is a concern raised about the 400 parking spaces at
2. Volunteers
His House, the house at the corner of Sever and
3. Definition of "absences"
Jim Bebermeyer expresses his concern about the definitions of absences in the RCCA by-laws. He feels they do not take into account a prolonged series of absences for "good reasons". The by-laws make departure from the board mandatory after five consecutive absences. Most feel that this is a reasonable expectation of service as a contributing board member.
4. Joanne reports on a noise complaint she received. After a visit to the site and a conversation with the new landlord, she was assured that the new tenants would be informed of the city's noise ordinance. She also mentioned that someone in the neighborhood felt that the cost of a neighborhood parking permit was expensive.
Next meeting is Thursday, Sept. 13 at 7:00 p.m.
Meeting was adjourned.
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