RCCA Board Meeting

February 8, 2007

Present:      Brendan Boyle, Dave Dornan, Jim DeWitt, Mark Grebner, Bill Hartwig, Kathy Jacobs, Joanne Russell, Liz Schweitzer, Kristi White

Absences:   Jim Bebermeyer, Cynthia Craig, Mary Dudley (excused), Jeff Friedle (excused), Roger Hamlin, Amelia Opubur,

Guests:        Vic Loomis, City Council Member; Todd Sneathen, Director of Public Works; Randy Talifarro, E.L. Fire Chief; Ted Staton, City Manager

Meeting called to order at 7:10.

Note: Order of Agenda was changed due to a presentation.

I.    Trowbridge Road, Emergency Evacuation

      Fire Chief Talifarro gave us a power point presentation, and pointed out that in December 2005 they had a simulation on campus of a scenario of a ruptured tanker of vinyl chloride, and practiced actions responders were to take.

      The Chief pointed out that the fire department coordinates with Campus authorities, City Police, and the Lansing Metro team. They train with Hasmat and ROBC each month, and operate under the Ingham County Emergency Operations Plan.  Several plans they work from were passed around for us to look over.

      Chief Talifarro discussed evacuation considerations for the Ivanhoe area with local sheltering at Red Cedar School.  He also showed us a chart that explained the various hazards and their escalation of seriousness.  It was pointed out that the escape route will not work around the side of Red Cedar School.  It was suggested that a gravel path be situated near the on ramp to 127 from the Ivanhoe area.  Ted Staton said he will get with M-Dot and check if this is possible.  Liz Schweitzer wanted to know what Ivanhoe neighbors should do first when they find out that an emergency is under way.

      The Chief explained that  a system called Reverse 911 which sends out a call to all residents within a half mile radius (or larger) which would inform them of what to do and how to proceed if they need to leave the neighborhood.  Kathy Jacobs asked if MSU might be willing to do a "call test" within our neighborhood to introduce the residents to the system.  Ted Staton said he will check on this.  Kathy Jacobs asked if there existed some sort of list that could be distributed to residents explaining the different emergency scenarios by way of a color chart system that would explain how to seal their homes quickly if sheltering in place or what to take with them if they need to evacuate in order to prepare quickly since limited information would be coming by way of the 911 phone message.  Bill asked where we could find the Emergency Broadcast Station numbers and if there were some (responder-type charts) that could be kept in the homes. The Chief will make some of the charts available.  Brendan asked if the next emergency practice drill with the responders could be scheduled for our neighborhood; it was agreed to do this.   The Chief mentioned that they are in the process of trying to form a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and would like to work with our neighborhood on that.  (Note:  Kathy Jacobs has already been in touch with the Red Cross about setting this up as well as a meeting to discuss other emergency preparedness measures during an evening coffee our for our area).

II.  Intersection of Trowbridge and Arbor

      Jim DeWitt gave a very good presentation of the exact problems being encountered at the intersection of Arbor Drive and Trowbridge Road.  He passed out a handout he had made which included two sketches, one showing the existing conditions, and another with proposed changes including a left hand turn lane into Arbor Drive.  He also enumerated the problems that need addressing and gave suggestions whereby the situations could be resolved.  Todd Sneathen said he has gone out and looked at the area, and thought that the original design did not allow for a left hand turn off Trowbridge (when traveling east), and instead expected traffic to continue farther and make a U-turn back to Arbor. However there is no such signage presently in the area.  It was pointed out that a moving van or other truck would not be able to make a u-turn further down because the road is too narrow.  Jim DeWitt mentioned that there wouldn't be anyone in the Ivanhoe area who would want a sign barring them from turning into Arbor.  Mr. Sneathen says he will meet with M-Dot about the speed on the ramps entering Trowbridge.  Bill Hartwig suggested that the speed on the ramps be slowed down quite a bit, to help accommodate the changes we would like to see entering and exiting Arbor Drive.  (I believe Mr. Sneathen said he would get back with us and M-DOT to continue the conversation- k.j.)

III.   Kalamazoo Street Traffic Diversion

      Joanne Russell discussed the problem of MSU diverting traffic through the neighborhood after events, which have become more frequent.  We previously addressed this with Police Chief Wibert, who then informed MSU of the problem.  MSU then, without notifying us or discussing with us, changed the route, detoured eastbound traffic on Kalamazoo north on Clippert to Michigan and then south on Harrison.  However they do let the buses continue straight on Kalamazoo.  The question is, who has the right to determine which way traffic goes on our city streets, MSU or the City?  Bill Hartwig said we just can't understand why, if they can pause the traffic for buses, they can't do the same for cars.  Further, once University Village opens up there will be only one exit for the people living there and that needs to be taken into consideration.  The traffic pattern needs to meet the needs of the residents.  Bill said that when Lou Anna Simon came and met with our neighborhood she stated that she would like good relations between the residents and the University, so she might take an interest in this issue and help resolve it.  Although MSU had been invited to tonight’s meeting, they did not come.  Joanne said that whatever decision is made they need to work with us and keep us informed.

IV.   Parking In Neighborhood

      Joanne presented to the officials present the current traffic and parking dilemmas that our continually facing our neighborhood due to the numerous events at the Breslin Center.  The idea of extending the Residential Permit Parking throughout the area to eliminate free parking was discussed.  Todd Sneathen said that petitions would have to be passed in all areas affected to put this in place.  Mr. Sneathen will send Joanne a map indicating which houses would need to be contacted.  Presently there is no parking at anytime on one side of the street, but because the streets are narrow, it is still difficult for large vehicles like fire trucks to turn corners.  There was a suggestion that Larkspur and Hicks should eliminate parking on both sides due to the narrowness of the streets. The transportation committee told Kristi that in some circumstances, with the support of the Neighborhood Association they could eliminate parking on either side, but it would have to go before Council to be approved.  Bill Hartwig asked how much it would cost to have curbs and gutters put in the neighborhood.   Mr. Sneathen answered that reconstruction would be needed to widen the road, reconstruct storm sewers, and put in curb and gutter, which would run approximately $170 a foot, a sidewalk would raise the price to $210.  Joanne also mentioned that the Police Chief said that they would routinely check 15 minutes after the game started to see if any cars needed ticketing, but that did not seem to be happening.

V.  Noise Issue

      Ted Staton said that M-Dot does not want to prepare cost estimates unless they are really sure the City will pay their part of the sound wall.  Ted said that even though it's a long way off from being made, but the City is willing to ask M-Dot to prepare the cost estimates.  Brendan Boyle has been working on this issue and has gotten a lot of good help from M-Dot.  He said there are several factors that will need to be addressed before it can go forward.  He thinks there may be only a 1000' effected, but he would also like the noise from the entrance ramp to be considered..  Brendan says he is willing to do the needed leg work in the neighborhood,  make measurements on maps as to where the houses are, and give that information to Todd Sneathen.

      Joanne mentioned that she had contacted Jim VanRavensway and Darcy Schmidt about a Comprehensive Plan for Trowbridge.  We would like to see it become a strong commercial area.

VI.   NW Trowbridge Trees

      Jim DeWitt mentioned that recently Consumers Power had trimmed out the tree line, but didn't clean out the brush they created afterwards.  Jim asked if the City can do anything to put this right, especially next to private property.  Mr. Sneathen said that the City has had other problems with Consumer's along this line, and will get with them and M-Dot to follow up on these issues and see that it is taken care of.

VII.   Red Cedar Arts Cafe

      Joanne mentioned that she received a flyer from Anna and wasn't sure how they would be distributed.  She said she would e-mail everyone and leave it to individuals if they would be willing to inform their neighbors.  Kathy Jacobs said she thought we should figure out a way to get them to everyone.  Liz  noted that signs announcing the Cafes had been placed by the side of the streets.  Kathy felt that they weren't direct enough.  Jim DeWitt said he thought that flyers for the next Cafe should be available at the upcoming Cafe for those interested in coming back.

VIII.  1100 Trowbridge

      Liz Schweitzer asked if we know if the amendments they made at the Planning Commission are legal.  Joanne said Council referred it back for public hearing at their next meeting on March 6.  She sent them a letter saying the neighborhood was pleased it was staying commercial, we thought the SUP should be tabled or denied until there were better plans for a specific franchise, but if they were so inclined to pass it we wanted the conditions that had been previously discussed to remain.  Jim DeWitt asked if we should ask Council to accept this application and then table it.  He said that if they were going to grant them a special permit, they ought to know exactly what they are dealing with, since there has been little or no detail.  Names have been thrown out like Marriott and others but we have concerns if a quality place would really want to be tucked in off the street behind the Howard Johnson's.  He would like to know what we are approving before an approval is made..  Joanne asked, if the SUP were granted for 33' and then the franchise said they needed 36', what would happen?  Brendan mentioned  that if they get the SUP and don't develop the property themselves, they could then sell it with the SUP, and we would have to start all over.  Jim asked if the SUP would apply to just the back of the sight or the whole site since there is no property line dividing the site.  Bill Hartwig answered that it is the whole site.  If they took down the Howard Johnson' they would need to go back to planning..  Jim feels that there may be hidden agendas at work.  Mark suggested we let Council know that we believe that this may be a scheme and that they will never build a hotel on that site.  Liz Schweitzer will check on the access drive, which serves three or four property owners, and is not a dedicated street.  Joanne suggests we express our concerns to Jim VanRavensway and Darcy Schmidt that a hotel may  never be built.

IX.   Board Concerns

      Joanne brought up an issue about parking in backyards.  It was noticed that a student residence had paved over a portion of their backyard for parking even though they had a long drive that could accommodate all those allowed to live at that particular house.  She wondered if this was legal.  Bill said it was possible to pave 30% of the yard, and they must meet set back requirements.  Joanne said this seems to invite over- occupancy.

Submitted by Kathy Jacobs, Secretary, February 12, 2007

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