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RCCA Meeting
8 November 2007, 7:00pm
Goodrich’s Shop-Rite
Member attendees:
Kristi White
Brendon Boyle
Kathy Jacobs
Liz Schweitzer
Jeff Friedel
Marcia Van Ness
Debie Robinson
Bill Hartwig
Joanne Russell
Others:
Rachel Diskin - CRC
Megan O’Brien - CRC
Jose Miroquesada – New Dynasty Buffet
- President Russell called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM
- The agenda was approved with the explanation that the item under New Business dealing with a complaint letter referred to a discussion about who should receive email mailings.
- Minutes of the September 13, 2007 meeting were approved with changes.
- Public comments - Jose Miroquesada, owner of the New Dynasty Buffet,
- explained his request for a Special Use Permit. He wishes to expand his business to include “special events” three days a week. He has no intention of operating his business as a club but cannot give any assurance as to what a future owner might do. He is requesting permission to hold special events only three nights of the week as it is too much work to hold special events more often. He has a liquor license. Restricting the hours of operation to closing at 12:00 midnight (as suggested by the RCCA) would require him and the City to do additional work to apply for a license for an event beyond 12:00 AM. His definition of special events, both private and public, is wedding rehearsals, fund raisers, and special nights like a salsa dance. Even “public” events would require purchasing a ticket to attend. He has held a number of special events trying to increase his business’ profitability. He would like to hold an event once a week so he thought he should apply for an entertainment license. He has a dress code and would like to have about four special events per month. He would like RCCA’s support.
- Treasurer’s Report – The RCCA incurred expenses of $69.34 for the History Night. We have collected $20.00 in dues and $130.00 in the sale of the booklet. We have a balance of $568.09.
- History Night was a great success. Thirty-five persons attended dinner and about 200 attended the evening presentation. Ben Stark will have the DVD available in December. Kathy Jacobs has sent thank you cards to those who helped with the event.
- President Russell distributed a list of questions we have about New Dynasty’s request for an SUP. We would like the City to provide answers. In addition, she would like a member to volunteer to represent RCCA at the Planning Commission meeting. No volunteers.
- We received an email from Police Chief Wibert concerning MSU’s plan for Breslin traffic. MSU had informed him that a traffic engineer, hired by MSU, recommended that MSU continue to divert traffic through our neighborhood. MSU intends to follow this recommendation. He also indicated that if we do not agree should discuss this directly with MSU. Liz Schweitzer volunteered to respond to Chief Wilbert’s email expressing the RCCA’s disappointment.
- Parking and Community Enforcement (PACE) issued a number of tickets for illegal parking during the MSU vs. UM football game. We will request Public Works to remove the bottom portion of the No Parking signs which indicates From Here To Corner as being redundant.
- Megan O’Brien, CRC reported on a number of events being sponsored by the CRC. On the Sunday after the MSU vs. UM game there will be a clean up of the neighborhood around the downtown area. Meet at City Hall at 11:00 AM. On Sunday Nov. 11th there will be a Cultural Cuisine Potluck at the Hannah Community Center starting at 5:00 PM. On Nov. 14th there will be an “East Lansing Perspectives” A Community Forum at the Hannah Community Center from 7:00 – 8:30 PM. Megan also reported that eight homes on Sever had leaves raked.
- Brendon reported that due mostly to Vic Loomis’ effort the sound wall application was being processed and we had not received any information.
- Liz Schweitzer reported that Erin Bodell - MSU had not received any response to her email concerning the walkway to University Village. Therefore, MSU thought the RCCA wanted the walkway closed. MSU could live with either having the walkway open or closed all the time but not open during the day and closed at night. Liz will respond to Erin.
- The Trowbridge Corridor Committee will meet on Nov. 19th and we are hopeful the study will now be on track. Jim DeWitt, Liz Schweitzer, Jeff Friedel, and Bill Hartwig will represent RCCA.
- President Russell reported that she has been in contact with Annette Erwin from the City over the over-occupancy of renters at 1227 Lilac. The City will send an Inspector to interview the occupants to determine if over occupancy exists and whether they had been misled by the owner as to the number of renters allowed by law. It had been reported that the occupants had been told that the number of occupants issue had been “worked out” with the City.
- The board held an extensive discussion over what information and emails between Board members would be provided to others not on the Board. It was decided that approved agendas and minutes would be emailed to anyone who requests them. It was also pointed out that these items are posted on the RCCA web site. Any other communication between Board members would not be provided as this had not yet been adopted by the RCCA.
- All Board members are encouraged to submit articles for the December Newsletter. The following assignments were made: History Night-Kathy; Sound Walls-Brendon; SUP-Joanne; Trowbridge Corridor-Bill; CRC-Megan; Upcoming Events-?; and Helping Hands-?
- Ana Cardona would be contacted as to whether she would consider organizing an Arts Café for January or February. It was suggested that Woody’s Oasis be contacted to see if they would be interested in hosting the event in their restaurant.
- Jeff would check with FEMA about attending a meeting to explain the new flood regulations and invite the East Lansing Public Works.
- Julie Mekartu, an artist who lives in the neighborhood, will be holding a showing on February 5th.
- We will be having a meeting on December 13th.
- Dennis Aven is the police officer assigned to our neighborhood.
Meeting adjourned at 9:50 PM.
Respectively submitted by:
Bill Hartwig
November 30, 2007
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