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MINUTES
Red Cedar Community Association
Thursday, August 13, 2009
7:00 p.m.
*As a special opportunity, the meeting was held at University Village’s (UV) club house. Members and guests toured one of the apartments before the meeting.
Present: Brendan Boyle, Jeff Friedle, Jim DeWitt, Mark Grebner, Kathy Jacobs, Debi Robinson, Joanne Russell, Liz Schweitzer, Marcia Van Ness, Kate Benington.
Guests: Chela Sproles and Craig Maser, University Village
Absent: Jim Bebermeyer, Bill Hartwig, Amelia Opubor, Kristi White.
Other guests: Erin Carter, MSU-East Lansing Community Liaison; Chela Sproles, University Village Director; Paul Goldblatt, MSU Residence Life; Emily Serkaian, Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU) Governmental Affairs Community Liaison; Vennie Gore, MSU Residential and Hospitality Services; Craig Maser, UV Liaison to Red Cedar.
Paul Goldblatt, MSU:
– Community can expect more construction at MSU, including current Brody complex upscale dining and systematic renovation to each building.
– No decision has been made concerning Cherry Lane (CL) as result of year-long assessment of CL and other properties at MSU. Possibilities for CL include:
– Family units
– Green space
– MSU’s intent is to assess and renovate in response to changes in students' overall housing experience associated with:
– Making the freshman-to-senior trek a more linear experience, considering:
– Academics
– Quality of life
– Facilities (housing)
– Sports and other activities
Vennie Gore, MSU:
The goal of MSU’s study, begun seven years ago by MSU President LouAnna K. Simon, is to assess the undergraduate experience and ask these questions:
– What is the college experience?
– What is it like?
– What does it mean to you?
Cherry Lane considerations:
– Relevance of living on campus
– Affordability—how to build housing and still be cost-effective
– Stay as similar, updated housing for mostly international families
– Temporary living space for visiting faculty
– Classrooms
Erin Carter, MSU-East Lansing Community Liaison:
Erin’s role, created after local riots, is to make students more aware of their community from dining to city ordinances.
Emily Serkaian, ASMSU Liaison:
Emily “gets to do whatever she wants.” She creates her own projects that include working on the Census, getting vital information to students (police and fire, etc.), encouraging readership through free copies of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, and lobbying for needs of higher education.
I. Agenda: Approved with discussion of Southbound Harrison construction in 2010 that will rotate access from neighborhoods.
II. July Minutes: Informal questions and answers with PACE representative.
III. Treasurer’s Report: Total Balance is $1,266.88, $880.00 at Citizen’s Bank.
Kathy Jacobs reports that Todd Sneathen, East Lansing Public Works, wants to place community sign on either the State Police corner or Harrison and Sever Drive. There is concern that RCCA’s desired spot, planter at Shaw and Harrison, could be vulnerable to snow removal. Kathy countered that the Association be responsible for sign damage. Tim Schmitt, East Lansing Community Development, is going to check with Todd Sneathen, who will consider options.
IV. Old Business
1. PACE—No one at the meeting reported follow-up from Officer DeAndre Wright, who spoke at the last meeting. Marcia Van Ness will contact him.
2. Rental Properties: The Association would like to find out which properties have renters, and, if there are renters, are the properties properly licensed? Joanne Russell will contact Annette Irwin, East Lansing Code Enforcement and Neighborhood Conservation, and invite a speaker to RCCA’s September meeting.
3. State Police Building and Site—it is still a question as to what will be done with this site. Possibilities:
– Parking garage with row of townhouses on Marigold
– MSU Museum
– Parking lot
It is most important that whatever occurs on this site not negatively affect traffic and parking in neighborhood. Liz Schweitzer will draft a letter to Jeff Kacos, MSU Campus Planning and Administration (Parking), post it in e-mail for member review and comments. It was suggested that MSU President, LouAnna K. Simon also receive a copy of final letter.
4. Trowbridge—pending, based on upcoming city meeting.
V. New Business and Board Concerns:
-- Marcia Van Ness suggested that to be more effective as a whole, we form subcommittees with a spokesperson. She passed a sign-up sheet with currently possible areas of interest to members.
-- As RCCA members, it is important that when we discuss issues with public, we make sure that the difference between our personal opinions and recommendations from RCCA is completely made clear to others. For example, when conversing, we might state that:
“This is my personal opinion, and not necessarily RCCA-endorsed.”
-- In the future, “Cherry Lane” will be referred to as “Cherry Lane/Faculty Bricks."
-- House on Lilac that needs cleanup, with “House for Sale,” directly across the street. Joanne Russell suggested that this issue be addressed in newsletter. Consensus that this house and suspected illegal rentals be reported to city housing by individuals. Illegal rental reports should include license plate numbers when appropriate.
VIII. Adjourned: 8:30 p.m.
The next RCCA meeting will be Thursday, September 10, 2009 at Arbor Forest.
Reminder: Wednesday, September 23—CRC/RCCA Ice Cream Social, Red Cedar School, outside.
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