City Council Meeting 03/02/15

Here’s a recap of what happened at Monday night’s City Council meeting.

Business Conducted:

Council Vice-President

The vote for vice-president of Council was pulled from Committee of the Whole because no one individual had enough votes (5) to be elected vice-president.

Parks and Recreation Five-Year Master Plan

The resolution to approve the five-year master plan was pulled until a public hearing can be held. The public hearing will be held Thursday, March 19, 6:30 p.m., at the South Washington Armory (the old armory where Chris Swope now has offices).  You will need to enter through the back entrance.  There is plenty of parking and someone will lead you to the meeting area. 

Bridge Repair Funding Information

If we are successful in securing funding from MDOT, the projects slotted are:

1.     Aurelius Road over Pawlowski Creek Drain             Replacement

2.     Aurelius Road over Grand Trunk Railroad               Replacement

3.     E. Elm Street over the Red Cedar River                  Replacement 

4.     Cavanaugh over Sycamore Creek                           Preventive Maintenance

5.     North Grand River Avenue over the Grand River    Rehabilitation

20% Increase in Pay for the Mayor, Clerk, and Council Members

I am opposed to the proposed 20% salary increase for city elected officials.  When so many of our residents are struggling to keep their homes, feed their children, pay their utilities, are receiving fewer services, and driving on crumbling roads, I just don’t feel this is the time for an increase in pay. Because the president of Council did not place the item on the agenda, there was no vote on this issue. Stay tuned for more.

—Jody

Update on Council Vacancy and Other Items

I had a wonderful time on my vacation, and my husband was able to get a much needed rest after his illnesses.  Although I treasured every moment in Mexico, I am happy to be back to this city that I love so much and return to work.  It seems as though so much happened in Lansing while I was gone. 

First, Derrick Quinney was appointed to the Register of Deeds for Ingham County position—that has left us needing to fill a vacancy for an at large position.  The Clerk’s Office took applications up until 4:00 p.m. this past Friday, February 13^th. Regarding the process to fill the vacancy, here’s what’s next:

1. A 10 minute interview of all candidates will begin at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 18. Candidates will have 5 minutes to present an introduction and respond to questions regarding their knowledge of experience of city government and city council.
   
2. The finalists will then have a 30 minute interview on Thursday, February 19.  City council will vote on the appointment immediately following the interviews.
   
3. City Council will vote on the appointment by resolution on Monday, February 23.  The appointee will be sworn in at that time.The term of this position ends January 1, 2016.  Any individual that would like to stay in this position will need to run for the position this year.

Second, Tina Houghton has been promoted to the position of President of City Council with the vacancy left from Mr. Quinney.  This will require council to elect a new vice president.  President Houghton pulled the item from Monday’s agenda.

Third, we finally had the public hearing on the development agreement and the selling of the Red Cedar Golf Course.  Most of the individuals that gave input were for the passage of the resolution—two were not.  If you have comments for me regarding this issue, please feel free to contact me.

Last, I am sure that you are all aware of the actions surrounding the Board of Water and Light.  The mayor wants council to allow ballot language allowing charter changes regarding the governance of the BWL.  We will discuss this matter at the next 1^st Contact being held on March 7th.

Stay tuned, as I will be updating this blog as I get information. 

--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