March 1st Contact & ENO Souper

Although I had a wonderful time in Mexico, it sure is good to be home. I missed my home, my family, and all of you. I have been home only a few days, but much has happened in this short time.

First, I want to remind everyone that we will not be having our 1^st Contact meeting this Saturday (March 1). The reason being is that I wanted folks to have plenty of time to prepare for the Eastside Neighborhood Organization annual “Souper.” If you have not before attended, I would encourage you to attend this year. Here are the details:

What: ENO Souper

Where: Pattengill Academy (corner of Saginaw & Marshall)

When: Saturday, March 1st, from 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for children under 14, $18.00 for families of 4 or more. There will be silent auctions, raffles, and much more fun. If you have never attended, I would encourage you to participate. There will be local “celebrity servers”. I’m told Tim Barron, Andy Schor, and many others will be serving the soup.

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I want to say thank you to all of the 1^st Ward constituents who care, are engaged, and work so diligently to keep our side of the city on track.

Also, I still believe that spring is just around the corner!!!!

Jody

Medical Marijuana Dispensary on Michigan Avenue

Public Safety Committee

Some of you are already aware that there appears to be a new medical marijuana dispensary at 1825 E. Michigan Avenue. This is where the old Michigan Mart was housed. The Michigan Mart has moved across the street and is now called the Michigan Market. I have requested that the City Attorney research the legal aspect of this dispensary/club opening. The City of Lansing currently has a moratorium on dispensaries. Currently, there is a bill that has passed the House. It is in the Senate and is being looked at with their amendments. It is our intent to have our ordinance mirror the legislation being drafted in state government. The next public hearing is Tuesday, March 11th at 12:00 p.m. on the 10^th floor of City Hall. We will be dealing with this topic.

Jody

How They Voted - City Council Meeting 2/24/14

City Council Meeting of 02/24/2014

How They Voted:

1. Notice of Intent to file Drain Petition – Montgomery Drain 

This is actually the first of 20 steps that must be taken prior to the Drain Commissioner beginning the project. This first step was council approving the resolution stating we have an intent to establish a drainage area.
All council members voted in the affirmative to pass the resolution.

The resolution was sent to the Drain Commissioner on Tuesday. He will now establish a drainage area. This will be sent back to council, and public hearings will then be set. There are many other steps in the process, and I will inform you of them as they occur.
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1. Resolution for budget transfer, emergency shelter grant funds.

2. Resolution for budget transfer, 54a District Court’s special Sobriety Court 120 people have gone through this special court. It has been so successful that other areas are considering sending folks to this court. We will not be paying for those folks.

3. Budget transfer and grant acceptance to fund technology equipment.The grant is for $16,120, and is a one-time grant. The monies will be used for upgrades to the security systems at the Wainwright School building which is currently closed. The Lansing School District is putting some offices in the building.

4. Budget transfer and grant acceptance to fund traffic safety equipment. The grant is $8,794 and has a 10% match from the city. The monies will be used to place lights on the top of the traffic signals at Cavanaugh and MLK and Holmes and MLK. The lights will identify if someone has ran a red light and can be seen from a distance by LPD. The monies will also be used to buy a new speed wagon.
All council members voted in the affirmative to pass the above four resolutions.
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1. Ordinance to Amend Chapter 811 of the Lansing Codified Ordinances to authorize a new Cable Franchise Agreement with Westphalia Broadband, Inc.

All council members voted in the affirmative to pass the ordinance.

Jody

Out of Office

I will be unavailable from 02/08/2014 – 02/23/2014.  If you have any issues or need assistance with anything, please feel free to contact any “at large” member of council.

Jody

How They Voted - 1/30/14

Council Meeting / 01/30/2014

The City Council meeting held on 01/30/2014 was held prior to Mayor Bernero’s State of the City Address.

How They Voted:

Resolution requesting that the Community Review Team of the Board of Water and Light abide by the Open Meetings Act.

Yes -    Boles, Wood, Yorko

No -     Brown-Clarke, Dunbar, Houghton, Quinney, Washington

Jody

February 1st Contact Wrap-Up

Thank you to everyone who braved the elements this past Saturday for our 1st Contact meeting. 

The Avenue 

We had lively conversation and were joined by Dennis Louney--First Ward Commissioner for the Board of Water and Light--and Gilbert White.

Dennis Louney briefed our group on the progress that the BWL is making toward reviewing the outage event and what went wrong.  

Dennis Louney speaks to First Warders

Mr. Louney has offered for anyone to contact him at any time, should you have any questions.  His number is: 721-1148. 

BWL Community Review Team Forums:

• February 5, 2014 7:00 p.m.  -  Hannah Community Center (819 Abbot Road)
• February 6, 2014 7:00 p.m.  -  Pattengill Middle School (626 Marshall Street)
• February 7, 2014 7:00 p.m.  -  Delta Township (Delta Township Hall, 7710 W Saginaw Highway, Meeting Room

Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper

Gilbert White gave a presentation on his placemaking project that turns public spaces into small, cool areas.  

Gilbert White discusses "Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper"

Some of the ideas include “play me” piano on the Avenue, seating and tables, solar lighting in trees, and other light and cheap projects.  These are short-term experimental intervention in public spaces.  They are low risk and low cost.  Local residents can assist with different parts of the project.  Mr. White has received grants and has MSU students working with him.  He is currently meeting with business owners on the Avenue. 

Capitol Corridor Regional Vision – Summary Presentation

The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission is holding a community presentation summarizing the results of the two-week charrette on the Michigan Avenue/Grand River Avenue Corridor. The presentation will be held:

Wednesday, February 26^th

Hannah Community Center

819 Abbot Rd, East Lansing

5:30 pm:  Registration & Appetizers

5:45 pm:  Presentation begins

7:00 pm:  Tri-County Commission Meeting

(begins with public comments and questions)

For more information: www.migrand-charrette.com

"Grizzly Bear" at The Avenue

Jody