Committee Assignments & Peter Lark Review

We had another lively night at City Council in the City of Lansing.  The meeting was short, as we only had a few items on the agenda.  The committee assignments have been made, and they are as follows:

Committee of the Whole                     
Derrick Quinney-- Chairperson     
Tina Houghton --Vice Chairperson

Committee on Public Service
Kathie Dunbar--Chairperson
Jody Washington --Vice Chairperson
Derrick Quinney

Committee on Personnel
Tina Houghton -- Chairperson
Derrick Quinney -- Vice Chairperson
Kathie Dunbar
Jessica Yorko

Committee on General Service
Jessica Yorko -- Chairperson
Carol Wood -- Vice Chairperson
Jody Washington

Committee on Planning & Development
Tina Houghton -- Chairperson
Judi Brown-Clarke -- Vice Chairperson
Derrick Quinney

Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
A'Lynne Boles -- Chairperson
Jessica Yorko -- Vice Chairperson
Jody Washington

Committee on Ways & Means
Judi Brown-Clarke -- Chairperson
Carol Wood -- Vice Chairperson
Derrick Quinney

**Board assignments have not yet been announced**

Board of Water and Light

As most of you are aware, Peter Lark’s employment is up for review. Some of the board members and Mayor Bernero believe it is time to “turn the page” regarding BWL management.

I will be attending meetings that are open to the public and will be willing to share anything I am able to glean
from these meetings.

--Jody

2105 Council Leadership

Another year of leadership elections are complete.  Our process with leadership is no different than that of what goes on in Washington D.C., or our state government--it can get tense at all levels.  On the floor, I voted no for both of these individuals.  As I promised when I began this blog, I am going to explain my vote.

I was not opposed to Mr. Quinney being president of council or Ms. Houghton being vice president of council.  (In fact, it was me who suggested Ms. Houghton step up and seek the vice president position.  At that time, however, I didn't think the individual that would be president might leave within 30 days.)  I was just opposed to the two of them serving together.  Mr. Quinney has applied for the job of Ingham County Register of Deeds.  The position would begin in February.  Since Mr. Quinney is certainly a worthy candidate for that position, that would mean that there could be a possibility of him leaving in February and Ms. Houghton being moved up to president.  I was not comfortable, at least for this year, with Ms. Houghton taking over the position of president of council as she has never had a leadership position on council before.  

I believe there is much to be learned by sitting in the vice president position first.  So, having said that, I want to reiterate that I was not opposed to the individuals having the positions--only with the possibility of the president leaving and the vice president not being prepared to take over that role so quickly.  I stated my position on this with both Mr. Quinney and Ms. Houghton from the beginning of them wanting to share this slate.  I voted no on both of them, because I didn't want to vote yes on one and no on the other, when I didn't have a problem with either of them individually-- only as a team.

We have used the democratic process to elect our leadership and the process worked.  It is my hope that you all will join me in congratulating President Quinney and Vice President Houghton!  It is a new year and I am looking forward to working with my colleagues and all of you for a prosperous and eventful 2015!

--Jody

Happy 2015--Here's What's In Store

As we enter into the new year, we all take a moment to reflect on past accomplishments. I have to say for the 1st Ward, we have had many accomplishments. I will take this time to highlight just a few things as there are too many to mention all at once.

First, we began last year with the infamous ice storm.  Although it was unpleasant, the city came through victorious.  A team was developed, a plan was crafted, and we are all the better for it.  Thankfully, we did not begin 2015 in the same manner!

Although the breakdown of the Lansing Neighborhood Council was disheartening to many of us, I saw the leaders of our neighborhoods in the 1^st Ward step up, join hands, and accomplish their missions, all while encouraging one another and sharing resources.

We have seen the deal signed between the developers and the city regarding the Red Cedar Project.  This is particularly exciting to me.  I want this project to go forward (of course, responsibly), because I get a little nervous as I see all the development surrounding us.  I do, however, have faith in our business leaders and our city. 

The Market Place behind the City Market has been built.  There are finishes that need to be completed, but there are actually people living in these apartments.  The colors have been quite controversial.  I for one really like the style and the uniqueness.  I enjoy seeing something different, because all the same brick was beginning to look just like every other city I visit.  It’s just my opinion, and heaven knows I am not any kind of a design expert!

Much work was done in collaboration with the Lansing Police Department and a group of residents regarding prostitution, which is a city-wide issue. We mustn't think this issue is unique to our ward. I’d like to express a special thanks to Theresa Moore and Denise Kelley for working with us on this issue.  Not only were we able to work on the local issues, but the LPD was also able to crack a human trafficking group in our city.  This is a topic that will need to be worked on shortly into the new year.

The medical marijuana issue came to a head once again.  We now have several dispensaries operating illegally.  No dispensary is legal.  We have turned a blind eye to the operations up to this time.   As chair of the Public Safety Committee, I spent much of the year working on tweaking our ordinance so we'd have a cap on the amount of dispensaries.  I believe two to three dispensaries per ward is plenty.  The dispensaries could be strategically placed so that they are accessible to all that use them, but not be a glut in any one area.  I would like to see them disallowed on Michigan Avenue.  

I will most likely not be the chair of the Public Safety Committee in 2015.  I have gathered all my information from committee and will be passing a binder on to the next chair so they can hit the street running on the very important issues that have come up in Public Safety.

Sparrow will begin building its cancer center at the site of the former Bingham Elementary School.  I am grateful for Sparrow’s commitment to the City of Lansing.  I will continue to meet with them so that we can be assured all development is in the best interest of everyone.

We will be electing new leadership for council on Monday.  I have no idea how this will play out.  I am staying out of the fray.  I will be as surprised as you!  I am sure that whomever is elected will do a fine job.

Here’s to 2015--I believe it will be our best year yet!

--Jody