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June 14, 2007
Present: Boyle, Jeff Friedle, Roger Hamlin, Bill Hartwig, Kathy Jacobs, Amelia Opubor, Joanne Russell, Liz Schweitzer, Marcia VanNess, Kristi White
Absent: Jim Bebermeyer, Cynthia Craig, Jim DeWitt, Mark Grebner, Joshua Smith
Guests: Debbi Robinson
Meeting called to order at 7:05.
I. Approval of Agenda – all approved
II. Approval of Minutes – agenda was approved (no additions) – all in favor
III. Public Comment – none
lV. Treasurer’s Report
Joanne reported that we had $448.00, spent $75.00 for room rental at Red Cedar School for the Annual meeting, spent $43.00 to restock meeting supplies, we took in $125.00 in dues, and were given a $75.00 donation, giving us a total of $530.00 in our bank account.
V. Election of Officers
Liz Schweitzer nominated Joanne for President. Joanne agreed to do it for one more year. Seconded by Kathy Jacobs, all in favor.
Kathy was asked if she would continue as secretary, to which she declined and said she would rather take a turn as Treasurer. As no one else was willing to take on the responsibility of secretary it was suggested that it could be done on a rotating basis. All were in favor. Liz offered to do it at the next meeting.
Joanne nominated Jim DeWitt as Vice-President, seconded by Bill, all in favor. Kathy agreed to be Treasurer, seconded by Bill, all in favor.
VI. Old Business
1. Trowbridge Comp Plan and Oodles of Noodles
Darcy Schmidt from the City wrote Joanne that they are ready to start work on a master plan for the Trowbridge Corridor. Baryames has already been in contact. Darcy will get in touch with the other property owners. Liz Schweitzer, Joanne and Jim DeWitt were at the original meeting; Liz and Jim will continue to meet with the City, along with Bill Hartwig. Jeff suggested that the Board be e-mailed when a meeting has been set up so that others may attend if available.
2. Oodles of Noodles
Regarding the barrier, paperwork has been sent to the City Attorney for action. Bill suggested the neighborhood send a letter to the Attorney asking that this be resolved. Joanne has already sent a letter to the Planning Commission supporting removal of the barrier. Bill will call the City Attorney to find out the status.
3. Annual Meeting
Costs were discussed earlier in Treasurer's report. The Reverse 911 and Evacuation Plan were discussed at the Annual meeting. Joanne will follow up with the fire chief as to when the reverse run-through will take place. Erin Bowdell was the guest at the meeting and discussed plans for University Village and listened to suggestions from the audience. She reported to Joanne that she was very happy with the way the meeting went. Joanne will follow up with her. Liz Harrow had talked about concern for the senior citizens in our area after an incident where Fred Kletke was away and the postman mentioned that his mail was still in his box. She wondered if we couldn't set up some sort of watch dog system. Jeff mentioned a service that is offered by the police department where if notified that you will be away they will cruise by the house everyday and on Sunday's take a walk around the house. Joanne thanked Kathy for setting up the room and purchasing all the supplies for the meeting.
4. State Police Post and Traffic Diversion
The no parking on Hicks and Larkspur has gone to the Transportation Committee where it was approved because the Fire Chief supported it with a written letter. It will be on this coming Tuesday's City Council agenda. Regarding the State Police Post, Joanne copied to the Board a letter that she had received from LouAnna Simons back in May. Joanne wrote back to her right away. She thanked her for keeping us informed, agreeing that parking was needed for special events. She emphasized that we are particularly interested how traffic will be directed after events, because Kalamazoo traffic has been channeled through our neighborhood in the past. She also reiterated that we hoped use of the property on Marigold be used as a buffer and returned to R-2 zoning to continue the existing line of homes or at least green space. She thanked LouAnna for the spirit of sharing and cooperation and also told her about the successful meeting with Erin Bowdell. Next, there was a discussion about recent articles in the Lansing State Journal about the future location of the State Police Station. LouAnna mentioned in her letter that the primary use of the State Police property will be for parking. Brendan said that would have quite an impact on the Red Cedar River. Kristi noted that the 20/20 plan mentioned that more housing could be put on the site. One of her concerns is that there could be a big increase in bus traffic if all the parking is located on the outskirts of campus. Bill suggested we get back to the President's letter with our concerns. He and Kristi noted that the 20/20 Plan did not mention parking on the site. The size of the property is 44 acres. Jeff said that in the letter to LouAnna we ask that a committee from our neighborhood be included as stakeholders, and meet in an ongoing manner to guide their plan. Let them know that we have a committee ready to meet with them. Liz said that RCCA has already been meeting with Campus Planning and meetings will begin again in the fall, and she will let Jeff know when those are. Bill said that we should respond by showing them what we would like to see on the property. If they start tearing down the Faculty Bricks, he would hope that the University would bring in a consultant on how best to develop the various areas. He suggested that we get a display made of what we think might work. Perhaps Liz Harrow could draw up something like a double row of townhouses. He would also like to see a road out to Harrison created from University Village. Jeff suggested that instead we talk more in generalities about the housing, and that we try to modify it or make it as beneficial to our area as we can. Bill feels that we should be very specific. Liz said we should write to Jeff Kakos and copy LouAnna saying we would like to discuss with him up front guiding principles of what we would like. She would not like to impose a design on them. She said we have agreed to a process, and we want to be part of a long range process. Bill and Liz and Kristi will make up a list of guiding principles. Kristi would still like to have a tour of the new buildings at U.V. Joanne will be in touch with Tom Wiebert about the traffic pattern on Kalamazoo since the building at U.V. will soon be completed and occupied. And hopefully, before basketball season we would have some sort of assurance that the situation will be settled.
VII. Committee Reports
1. NW Trowbridge Trees
Brendan gave Jim's report since he wasn't able to attend tonight’s meeting. The State has said that currently there is no money for trees, but as soon as the money becomes available it will be a top priority. Jim has asked for it to be put in writing that we are first on the list. So far he has not gotten a letter back. Jeff says we should say that we believe a hazardous situation exists, because once we are on record that a hazardous situation exists, it raises the liability stakes. Bill stated that there is no hazard at that site. Jeff asked if the money comes from federal allocations, because if it does, it will "re-up" for the next fiscal year. Brendan says that Jim should be the one involved with this.
2. Highway Noise
Brendan reported that the topic was scheduled for the last council meeting but it would have been difficult to get people to speak. Brendan had been in touch by phone with Vic Loomis who said that he had been briefed by Todd Sneathen who was quite optimistic about the project, but then had received a briefing from Council Staff and the way it was written, was factually accurate, but someone knowing nothing about it would be poised to vote it down. So, Brendan called Tom Seberg and made a three way conversation with Vic. Vic asked Tom if he had more time, what could he do? Tom felt he could build a good cause to move the project along but he would need thirty days. Vic suggested it be yanked from the agenda and talked about next time. Part of the reason was that they had received a budget notification last night where it was noted that the City didn't have as much to spend as it thought it did, so it would be a no-brainer to vote our project down right away. We will be back on Council's agenda for their working meeting on June 26. Brendan is asking every one to either attend or send a letter to indicate their support and the reasons why. Brendan also brought up a non agenda item regarding the Marathon Station on Harrison. He contacted the people in charge of the station and asked them to mow the area and inquired what was going on with the station. He was told that they were in court with the previous owner because he owes a lot of money. They have other station owners who are eager to take over the spot. Brendan has the name and number of the guy. Joanne suggested they have him get together with the other business owners to talk about revitalizing Trowbridge.
3. Historic Committee
Joanne passed around a clipping from the Towne Courier profiling Janet Ronk, whose family used to own all the land in the Red Cedar area. Kathy reported on a recent meeting of a group planning "A Historic Evening" to be held at Red Cedar School on October 4 for the purpose of reuniting old neighbors and giving a presentation of how our neighborhood developed. We have scheduled a Thursday night on October 4; there will be a coffee in the school for a panel presentation of how the neighborhood developed. Janet Ronk whose grandfather owned the farm and father built many of the houses in the area will be the principle speaker with four or five others who will speak for five or ten minutes on various aspects. Someone will talk about the Ivanhoe development, the Friendly Club, the school on Mt. Hope, how the highway and Trowbridge road changed the area, the train, floods, churches and commercial sections. Tables will be set up with items for show and tell and also a where people can gather to share their stories. There will be cake and coffee and several slide shows. We will be inviting as many former residents as we can find addresses for. The Friendly Club was one of the oldest neighborhood associations in the state so we thought it would be a nice gathering in this Centennial year. It will be filmed so that future generations can learn how the area came together. Joanne asked if the R.C. is sponsoring this event and will it need to do the publicity? Liz suggested that she would like to put something in the newsletter where she will suggest that people look up who the previous owners of their property were so we can make an historical record. We would also like to invite back as many as we can find for the reunion. If you remember the names of any neighbors or happen to know their address, phone or e-mails please e-mail Linda Esmay (klesmay@aol.com or phone 351-4298). We are meeting again in a month to send out postcards so we would appreciate any info you can get to us before then. There will be room costs and costs for refreshments but we think donations should cover it all. Janet has suggested a picnic beforehand in Emerson Park for people returning for the reunion so they will have time to eat their dinner and chat before the presentation.
VIII. New Business
1. Red Cedar Map-Liz unrolled a map she had obtained from the City showing each plat in the neighborhood. She is going to use it to insert the name of all the previous owners of each property in conjunction with the Centennial and History Night. It will be kind of a challenge to see how many can be found. The City has just hired someone who will keep the map up to date. It indicates where all the rental properties are, although the current map is inaccurate.
2. Community Relations Coalition Ice Cream Social
Marcia VanNess is looking forward to holding an Ice Cream Social in our neighborhood to further good relations between the students and the permanent residents. It has been held twice before in other neighborhoods and was found to be very successful. CRC people will go door to door to let people know about it. It will be held in the first block of Marigold and last about 45 minutes to an hour. The CRC will provide a cart and free ice cream. Marcia felt a Monday or Tuesday night would be best. So a date will be chosen between the 27th and the 30th so as not to conflict with other neighborhoods. Time and date will be announced. Also the CRC will hold a Community Forum about what is working in the various neighborhoods to promote harmony. Joanne has been asked to speak, as have four other presidents. It will be held July 23rd starting at 6:30 at the E.L. Library. Refreshments will be served. Public invited. Marcia said that her interns will be distributing Welcome Back Packets to all door knobs in the fall. Rachelle Diskin will continue to be our intern, and we will have another who lives on Marigold. We may be assigned one more from Univ. Village, and some sort of get together will be arranged at that time. Liz passed out some materials showing upcoming events in East Lansing. She also made particular mention of a talk being given in the fall by Lou Glazer, which will also include LouAnna Simon and Sam Singh – "The Future of a University Community" – Wed, Sept 26, 7-9, at Hannah Community Center.
3. MSU Credit Union/East Lansing Website
Joanne reported that the MSU Credit Union and the City of East Lansing have put together a website entitled, "Home In East Lansing," which describes each neighborhood and its amenities, and outlines the City’s Home Owners Assistant Program. The site also has a photo of June Mesner's home on Marigold.
4. Bylaws
Joanne stated that according to the Bylaws that if a director misses five consecutive meetings, that director shall be deemed to have relinquished that position. There are four members that have fallen into this category, including one member who has not attended any meetings. Debbi Robinson has expressed an interest on being on the board, as well as Leonora and Roger Smith who would share a position. Joanne suggested we go ahead and thank those who have served and appoint someone to complete the following years term. Joanne asked Roger Hamlin if he would be able to be more active and he indicated he would. Liz moved that we implement the bylaws, and appoint people who are interested to serve out their terms. The motion was made and seconded, all approved.
5. PACE
Bill Hartwig noted that he is never able to get any feedback or follow up by the City on complaints he has made about properties that are not being kept up. He suggests sending the letter to Ted Staton and requesting that PACE and other depts. meet with our association. We would like to know what their process is once a complaint is filed, and we would like to get feed back on how the complaints have been resolved. Bill has actually gone in a filed a form and it didn't do any good. Jeff said the problem is that PACE doesn't have any complaint numbers for follow up. Jeff noted that it is often who is on the job and how attentive they are. Debbi Robinson said she had good luck with PACE having an unlicensed car removed and having a fallen tree taken care of. Joanne said she will contact Evans to ask about process, but would like some specific complaints as examples before setting up a meeting.
6. City Codes listed on card
Bill said that another way we could be more proactive would be to print up a card out of heavy weight paper or plasticize it to distribute to neighbors reminding them of some of the ordinances that need to be attended to. These would be external requirements that some residents don't seem to be aware of. This should be one of the functions of our neighborhood, especially letting newcomers know what is expected of them. It was suggested that we approach Mark Grebner and see if he could help with this. Bill will do that.
IX. Board Concerns
1. Liz asked who is supposed to clear up the creek behind Liz Harrow's home. Jeff said it is called the Gowitz County Drain. To clean it the County Drain Commissioner must give permission to the City of East Lansing. Todd Sneathen told Liz that brush clearing can be done anytime but tree removal would best be done in the fall.
2. Liz asked if there would be any more ARTS Cafes. Joanne said she thought Anna Cardona was trying to arrange for them to be held at Woody's.
3. Debbi thanked Kathy for putting photos of Arbor Forest on the website. She also told of her experience attending the CERT training that was held with the coordination of the State Police, MSU, and the Fire Marshall's office. She highly recommends the 20 hour course, consisting of five hours for four weeks. There was a lot of information on train derailments. In fact, three weeks ago there was a significant derailment on Hagadorn road that could have been very hazardous.
4. Jeff, Kristi, and Bill paid their annual dues.
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X. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm. The board will not meet in July. The next meeting will be Thursday, August 9, at 7 pm sharp.
Submitted by Kathy Jacobs, June 17, 2007
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