Committee of the Whole: About the Abigail Project

I think this council meeting must have been one of the shortest on record. There wasn’t much on the agenda, and Jessica and Tina had excused absences. 

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE (COW)

Dorothy Boone and a representative for the developer came to COW to answer any questions regarding the payment in lieu of taxes for the proposed Abigail project (former School for the Blind). They would like to pay 4% for the PILOT rather than the typical 10%, because they feel that this would give the project a greater chance of success. 

Several councilmembers had many questions regarding the clientele of the proposed housing project, which would consist of 33 units for low income and affordable housing, and 11 units for support system individuals. These individuals would be homeless, potentially homeless, people with mental disabilities, etc. Also, they are not requesting historical credits which would ensure the façade would remain historically correct. 

I voiced my opposition to this project. I believe this is the wrong project for this property. The property is a huge piece of land with this building sitting in the middle. I do not think this is the place for a large low income, affordable housing project. Willow Vista is directly across the street from this building. The neighborhood is fragile and could decline easily. And most of all, I am vehemently opposed to segregating the poor in large housing projects, where other low income housing projects already exist, in fragile or challenged neighborhoods. I was told by the developer’s representative that the people that would live in this project are "probably already living in some slum" down the street.  This made my point about it already being a fragile neighborhood.

My opposition does not stem from the fact that I think these folks are not good enough for affordable housing—quite the contrary. I care deeply about the housing opportunities for the lower income population.  I believe in inclusion zoning, which mixes affordable housing in conjunction with market rate housing. Further, I believe it is time that we take a regional approach to low income and affordable housing. Lansing has many, many units of low income and affordable housing.  This housing should be dispersed throughout the region to give these folks different opportunities. To segregate our low income population in struggling neighborhoods with struggling schools only exacerbates and perpetuates the situation in which they find themselves. 

I would prefer to see dollars spent to upgrade existing homes in neighborhoods scattered throughout the city and the region. Also, if we have substandard housing, it is high time we get serious about going after the landlords that allow people to live in homes that they would not live in themselves.

I cannot in good conscience ever approve of segregating or warehousing an entire portion of our population, especially under these circumstances.

As this is a topic that we have had some folks come down and support, I believe it is necessary that I state my opinion on the matter. I respect and understand the other side of this issue, and I believe folks came at it with a pure heart. As I respect their position, I hope others can respect mine.

Jody

How They Voted - City Council Meeting 6/9/14

City Council Meeting of 6/9/14

Monday night we had a special City Council meeting due to the time line for the Ball Park Stadium and Outfield Project (the apartments on the outfield).

How They Voted:

Special Land Use
Parking Lot at 312 N. Cedar Street, Ballpark North.  This is 1.7 acres on Cedar Street from the Central parking Garage to Michigan Avenue.  This needed to be approved for financing purposes.

Approval for the SLU passed 6 – 1.  

Yes - Boles, Brown-Clarke, Houghton, Quinney, Washington, Yorko

No - Wood 

Not Present - Dunbar
_____________________________________________
Amendment to the Brownfield Redevelopment Plan #55, Ballpark North 

The amendment was needed to include the parking lot into the brownfield.

Approval for the amendment passed 6 – 1.  

Yes - Boles, Brown-Clarke, Houghton, Quinney, Washington, Yorko

No - Wood

Not Present- Dunbar 
______________________________________________ 
Conveyance of Interest in Certan Property Adjacent to Cooley Law School Stadium and Stadium License 

Lease and Service Agreement -   Private funding for the Outfield Project (apartments) is $23.5 million.  The city will put in $10.5 million.  The city owns the ball park.  We lease it to TMO, LLC.  We are responsible for the upkeep of the stadium.

Approval passed 7-1.  

Yes - Boles, Brown-Clarke, Dunbar (arrived to meeting to vote on this), Houghton, Quinney, Washington, Yorko

No - Wood

_______________________________________________
Act 99 Installment Purchase Agreement 

This agreement is for the financing of the Stadium Renovations.  This will be for 15 years at 4.5% interest rate.

Approval for the Agreement passed 6 – 1.  

Yes - Boles, Brown-Clarke, Houghton, Quinney, Washington, Yorko

No - Wood

Not Present - Dunbar

________________________________________________
Wet Weather Control Program Limited Tax Obligation Bond  -
Approval for the bond passed 7 – 0.

Yes - Boles, Brown-Clark, Houghton, Quinney, Washington, Wood, Yorko

Dunbar - Not Present
_______________________________________________
Ordinance for passage
Z-8-2013, 505 E. Michigan & South 1.17 acres of 312 N. Cedar; “H” Light Industrial to “G-1” Business District for the Cooley Law School Stadium Redevelopment Project.   This ordinance brings the property in alignment with the rest of the property in that area.  This will also allow for the development of mixed use.

Ordinance Passed 7 – 1.  

Yes - Boles, Brown-Clarke, Dunbar, Houghton, Washington, Wood, Yorko

No - Wood

________________________________________________

Other Items (Events)

Concert Series

This Wednesday, the Concert Series begins at Ranney Park by Frandor.  Soul Town will be playing from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  If it rains, the concert will be held same place, same time on Thursday.

Fish Rodeo 
This will be held at Riverfront Park, Thursday through Saturday.  There will be fish derbies, rubber duck races, fishing competitions, and all things water related.  This should be a great time for all!

--Jody

June 1st Contact Wrap-Up

First, I want to thank everyone who took the time from their beautiful Saturday mornings to attend our 1^st Contact Meeting.  I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate folks at these meetings, sharing what's on their minds. 

Outfield Stadium Project

We had quite a lively discussion regarding the Outfield Stadium project.  It seems there is quite a bit of excitement surrounding the project.  This is a new and innovative project that is getting national attention.  We were able to have some discussion regarding the market need for more apartments in downtown Lansing.  What I was able to share is that the Stadium District is 97-100% full at all times.  The Prudden Place Project is 97-100% full at all times, as is The Avenue Loft project.  The Market Place project is not finished, and 19 of the 88 units are already leased.  Further, roughly 18 of the 60 units of the Mid Town Project area also already leased.  The last two projects are not even finished.  I think this clearly shows that we have the market for this type of housing in downtown Lansing.

Parks

I had the opportunity to discuss the lack of mowing in our parks.  Apparently, we are having issues with some of the contract people, and we are behind schedule.  The attendees asked if there would be a problem with residents taking it upon themselves to tend to some of the parks in their area.  I assured them that I saw no problem with it.  I know the people around Cavanaugh Park took it upon themselves to beautify that park.  I always think it is a good idea when people of the city pitch in and just take care of some things that they notice.

Allen Neighborhood Center

There will be a presentation on home ownership at the Allen Neighborhood Center's Active Neighboring Cafe on June 14 from 10 a.m-noon.  There are more than 80 homes for sale on the east side.  This will be a presentation and resource fair on buying a home on the east side.  This is going to be a very cool presentation, and I would strongly encourage folks to contact Denise at 367-2468 or at denisep@allenneighborhoodcenter.org.

Chores for me

This is one of the best things that come out of the meetings.  I have the opportunity to listen to constituents and find out what is happening in their neighborhoods.  This month, the constituents have given me several items for which they would like to see action.

Rest assured, I am on it!

June 1st Contact Meeting

1st Contact Meeting

I will be holding the 1st Contact meeting this Saturday, June 7, 10:30 a.m. to noon, at The Avenue.  We will be discussing the Stadium Project, the Abigail Project, and other topics.  This is your opportunity to be updated on issues that are affecting our city and to give me your input in a more informal setting. 

I know summer is an extremely busy time of year with weddings, graduations, vacations, and more.  I hope, however, that you are able to attend as we will not be meeting in July.

Thanks so much for reading this blog, and I look forward to writing more soon.

Jody

How They Voted - City Council Meeting 6/2/14

Wow, this week is only half over and so much has happened. The Monday night Council meeting certainly was lively and we had a full agenda. Here's a quick recap.

Alcohol sales at the Hope Soccer Complex

An Ordinance of the City of Lansing, Michigan, to Amend Chapter 608, Section 4, of the Lansing Codified Ordinances by allowing for the sale of alcoholic beverages within Groesbeck Golf Course and Hope Soccer Complex, subject to ordinance requirements was voted upon.

The ordinance passed with a vote of 7-1, with Councilmember Carol Wood being the no vote.  Although I did not vote as she did, I certainly respect and understand her position.  I spent quite some time pondering this issue.  I could really see both sides to the issue.  Many people were concerned that this would negatively affect children and that people would be placing their children in their cars after consuming alcohol.  I listened to the concerns and weighed them.  Further, we had many people supporting the measure as this would enable the complex to be used for more tournaments and perhaps become a destination spot for many teams and tournaments.  Regardless of how I voted, someone was not going to be pleased.

I voted yes for the following reasons:  1) Only 33 percent of the activities that occur in the complex are children's activities.  The majority are for adults. 2) The alcohol will be restricted to a specific area and will not be allowed out of that area.  3) I considered other "family" venues that we have in the city, such as festivals, the Christo Rey Fiesta, Lugnuts games, Common Ground, Chuck E. Cheese, family reunions, bar-b-ques, etc.  These events also have alcohol.  I am just not convinced that people go to these events to get drunk and put their children in vehicles.  4) I believe that the owners and stakeholders of this business will ensure that no one is being served more than acceptable amounts of alcohol on their premises.  5)  I believe that most adults behave like adults.  If a parent or anyone else becomes belligerent or otherwise unruly, it is the job of the referee and other officials to ensure the individual behaves appropriately or is removed.

I weighed both sides of the issue, and I believe I made the correct decision.

Cooley Law School Stadium Project

The Development & Planning Committee met today to consider the following items:  1) The special land use (SLU) permit for a portion of the property north of the land where the Outfield Apartments will be built. The SLU will allow a surface parking lot to be built for the tenants of the complex.  2)  Rezoning of the property north of the stadium to Shiawassee Street from light industrial to G-1 Business, which would allow for mixed use.  The rezoning would be in alignment with the master plan and is the sensible zoning for that property.  3) An amendment to the Brownfield relating to the property.

All items were moved out of committee.  Council will vote on them Monday, June 9 at 7 p.m. at a special Council meeting.

--Jody

Police on the Move and Other News

Police Move to Alfreda Schmidt Community Center

The move and the finances to pay for the move was passed by Council, 6 - 2. Carol Wood voted no stating she did not find it to be a financially sound decision.  I voted no for different reasons.

The LPD has been housed at the North Precinct for 15 years.  After much negotiation and back and forth between the Bernero Administration and H Inc., it was decided that the LPD would not stay at the North Precinct. Unfortunately, Council did not find out about the move until it had already been decided and the lease may have already been signed with the Lansing School District.  Knowing that there was no way that the administration was going to remain at the North Precinct, I met with officials from the administration and asked that they leave a small presence at the Motor Wheel location. H Inc. eventually offered the space free of charge.  I was told that keeping a police presence at the Motor Wheel location was a possibility.  When it came time for the vote, there was no mention of keeping any presence on the North Side. I heard from hundreds of constituents in the 1st Ward, as well as many business owners in Old Town.  I could not and would not be a yes vote to moving the LPD, when I knew it was not the wish of my constituents and no firm information existed regarding keeping a presence in the ward.  Had council been told of the plans earlier, I believe we could have negotiated a win/win for everyone.  Unfortunately, that was not the case.  The other Council members wanted the precinct moved.

Ingham County Sheriff Patrol

City Council approved going into contract with the Ingham County Sheriff's Department to have them spend some hours (about four) patrolling some of our secondary roads for traffic violations.  They cannot make arrests.  This came before the Public Safety Committee two years ago, at a time when LPD officers were being laid off.  At that time, the Chair of the committee chose not to bring the matter out of committee.

I am now the Chair of the Public Safety Committee, and times have changed.  We are no longer laying off officers.  I requested input prior to making the decision to move the matter out of committee and onto the floor.  I am sensitive to the concerns of the outlying communities that depend on the Sheriff Department for their public safety services.  But, I don't represent the outlying areas, I represent you. Also, I am sensitive to the needs of our officers.  I have conversations with the Fraternal Order of Police to ensure that passage of this would not affect our officers negatively.  I also had conversations with County Commissioners to include their input.

I moved the matter forward and voted yes because I believe this is a good thing for Lansing.  Lansing residents pay county taxes and should benefit from their county tax dollars.  Further, I represent the city of Lansing and I must vote with Lansing in mind.  The concern of the outlying areas is not my battle to fight.   This must still be approved by the County Commissioners before anything takes place.

A target area will be the Kalamazoo Avenue and Pennsylvania intersection.

Soon To Come

Abigale Project: Low income development to take place in the large building on the grounds of the old School for the Blind.  I have huge concerns regarding this matter and will discuss later this week.

Ball Park Project: The Council will vote on matters concerning the building of the apartments behind the ball park.

Hope Soccer: Will the operators be allowed to sell liquor at the soccer complex?

Until Tuesday......