untitled
October 11, 2007
Member attendees:
Kristi White
Jim Bebermayer
Kathy Jacobs
Liz Schweitzer
Marcia Van Ness
Debie Robinson
Bill Hartwig
Roger Hamlin
Joanne Russell
Joshua Smith
Others:
Rachael Diskin
Megan O’Brian
- President Russell called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
- The agenda was approved with the addition of an item for the Community Resources Coalition under Committee Reports.
- Minutes of the September 13, 2007 meeting were approved with two changes: Ernie Knezk and Roger McCormick opposed to the walkway and Vivian Naijar in favor of the walkway.
- No public comments
- Extensive discussion of the meeting with MSU on the public walkway between University Village and Marigold. It was reported that just prior to the meeting MSU closed the walkway and removed the sidewalk. Discussion expressed many members disappointment in the way MSU made the decision to close the walkway and not giving RCCA an opportunity to present a compromise of closing the walkway at night and leaving it open during the day to encourage a walkable community. Marcia Van Ness made a motion establishing RCCA’s position as favoring the compromise solution. Approved.
- Treasurers Report, balance of $413.09. There would not be a charge for using the Red Cedar School for History Night.
- It was reported that Parking and Code Enforcement (PACE) had increased its enforcement efforts to reduce housing and parking problems.
- The proposed sound wall was discussed. The City has to take action and commit to participate in its funding. As part of the City’s effort, the neighborhood would probably be made a special assessment district. It was pointed out that any sound wall would both deflect and absorb noise and some noise would travel over the top deeper into the neighborhood.
- The Historic Night was an outstanding success with estimates of the number of attendees at close to 200 persons; over 50 persons participated in the dinner before the evening presentations. A video was made of the presentations and will be available for purchase. Janet Ronk has pledged any profit above the $800.00 used to produce a History of the Red Cedar Neighborhood to the RCCA. She will sell it for $12.50 at Barnes and Noble bookstore and $10.00 through the RCCA.
- Liz Schweitzer reported on the meeting with MSU concerning University Village landscaping. She reported that the walkway was closed and the sidewalk removed and it was a dead issue. MSU wanted it closed and they had no intention of adding a sidewalk leading up to the walkway. The desire of the students is unknown. MSU plans outdoor grills, picnic tables and benches, prairie grass; they rejected installing a berm as being to expensive to maintain. Roger Hamlin questioned whether we should continue our efforts to open the walkway. It was agreed to wait until Liz called and had an opportunity to discuss the issue with Deb Kinney the MSU landscape architect.
- A report of the Trowbridge Corridor Study meeting was discussed. The committee was trying to involve more stakeholders for the next meeting. It was reported that MSU still intendeds to remove Cherry Lane apartments and more of the Spartan Village apartments. This will have an effect on the future of the Corridor. No plans have been developed for reuse of the Cherry Lane land. The future of the Marathon gas station was discussion both as to its immediate upkeep and maintenance and also its long term use.
- Megan O’Brian reported on efforts of the Community Relations Coalition (CRC). They have scheduled a meeting with candidates for the East Lansing City Council. There will be a cleanup of the downtown after the home football game on Nov. 3rd. If interested in helping meet at the City Hall on Sun. Nov. 4th at 11:30 AM. The RCCA neighbors are invited to a Halloween party at the University Village Community Center on Oct 30th from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. The CRC is offering to help elderly in the neighborhood with raking leaves. There will be a block party on Oct. 20th on Kedzie between Albert and Ann. Megan’s email is obrian80@msu.edu and Rachael’s is diskinra@msu.edu.
- President Russell led a discussion to determine RCCA’s position on New Dynasty’s request for a Special Use Permit (SUP) for an entertainment license. She will make this position to the Planning Commission on Oct. 24, 2007. After detailed discussion it was agreed RCCA would support the request with a limitation on the hours to close by 12:00 AM
- Member concerns: A. we should establish a time limit for public comments at the RCCA meetings. After extensive discussion it was agreed that for now the President would try to control public comments to ten minutes for one time; B. we would provide information requested from the RCCA by referring persons to our minutes; C. the issue of establishing permit parking for the Flower Pot neighborhood has been submitted to the City Attorney for a decision on whether we could proceed without the need for a neighborhood wide petition; D. there was discussion on whether the RCCA was registered with a Search engine, Kathy Jacobs will contact Google.
Respectively submitted by:
Bill Hartwig
Nov. 11, 2007
bravenet.com