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Executive Committee meets December 10 SEMCOG's Executive Committee will meet on Friday, December 10, 2004, in SEMCOG's downtown Detroit office. The Executive Committee will be asked to approve several action items including:
There will be a discussion on the impediments to improving mass transit in Southeast Michigan, the techniques and policies necessary to overcome the impediments; a new task force to help with the process will be announced. In addition, SEMCOG's new report on migration and its impact on Southeast Michigan will be introduced. Contact: Amy Malmer, SEMCOG Legislative Affairs Coordinator.
Local government finance is focus of SEMCOG University workshops on December 9 and 15 SEMCOG and the Michigan Government Finance Officers Association are pleased to team up to co-sponsor a SEMCOG University. Government Finance: How to pay for services citizens demand will be presented in two half-day sessions on Thursday, December 9 and Wednesday, December 15, 2004, from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (registration begins at 8:30 a.m.) at SEMCOG offices in downtown Detroit. The first session will be a crash course on Michigan's local government finance structure, concentrating on what every local official needs to know. The second session will focus on the challenges created by the current structure and pose some options for working within the system to provide the services that constituents demand. Local elected officials are strongly encouraged to attend these important sessions. SEMCOG University workshops are free-of-charge to SEMCOG members and partners; there will be a $75 charge for nonmember local governments. Contact: Daria Wilson, SEMCOG Executive Assistant, to RSVP. You can also register online at www.semcog.org; the link to the workshop is under Planning Issues on the home page.
Detroit Water and Sewerage Department will discuss water and sewer rates on December 7 The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) will hold a workshop with its wholesale water and sewer customers as part of the process of establishing water and sewer rates for FY 2005-2006 on Tuesday, December 7, 2004, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in SEMCOG's offices. Sewer rates information will be discussed in the morning session, with water rates issues on the agenda for the afternoon session. All of DWSD's wholesale customers are urged to attend these meetings. More information, including agenda and data to be presented, will be posted on the DWSD Web site — www.dwsd.org. Contact: Ted Starbuck, Senior Planner, SEMCOG Environmental Programs.
MDOT invites public comment on public involvement plan for statewide transportation planning The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is seeking comments from Michigan residents, organizations, businesses, tribal governments, and local agencies on its public involvement plan for statewide transportation planning. The plan is available for public review at MDOT's regional offices and Transportation Service Centers as well as on the Web at www.michigan.gov/mdot under "Projects and Programs." "MDOT values the insights gained through ongoing dialogue with the users of all modes of transportation," said Gloria J. Jeff, Director, Michigan Department of Transportation. "We encourage residents and groups to review and evaluate this plan and share their thoughts with us." The deadline for submitting comments is December 15, 2004. Contact: Barbara Hicks, (517) 335-3084 or e-mail MDOT-PublicInvolvementPlan@michigan.gov.
Meetings on Emerald Ash Borer tree removal contracts scheduled The Michigan Department of Agriculture and its partners announce two informational meetings to answer questions about the upcoming Emerald Ash Borer tree removal contracts that will be available for use by local units of governments. The meetings in Southeast Michigan are scheduled for:
These informational meetings will provide an opportunity to learn more about this program and the role of municipal governments in the process. Elected officials, city managers, DPW officials, and other interested parties should attend. A training meeting scheduled for December 3 at SEMCOG has been cancelled. The rescheduled meeting will be announced in Regional Update. Contact: Pat Lockwood, EAB Policy Director, (517) 241-2576.
Main Street workshop to be held at SEMCOG The Michigan Main Street Application Workshop will be held on Friday, January 7, 2005, from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in SEMCOG's offices. This is one of four applications workshops to be held statewide and the only one scheduled in Southeast Michigan. It is designed for communities that may be interested in applying for the state program or that are just interested in downtown revitalization. The workshop will include information on the Main Street program, design issues, application criteria, and how the program fits into the "Cool Cities" program. There is a $30 registration payable to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Seating is limited so you are encouraged to register as soon as possible. Payment must be made by December 28, 2004. Contact: Sally Rushton, MEDC, (517) 335-2141.
Congratulations, Michigan! Seat belt usage rises More Michigan motorists are buckling their seat belts. According to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute survey, seat belt usage in Michigan has reached 90.5 percent. Michigan is the fifth state to achieve a 90 percent or higher safety belt usage rate. Only California, Hawaii, Washington, and Oregon have higher usage rates. This year, safety belt usage was a priority during the Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays and a media campaign urged motorists to "Click It or Ticket." "Michigan has reached a level of safety once thought to be unobtainable," said Colonel Tadarial J. Sturdivant, of the Michigan State Police. Contact: Tom Bruff, SEMCOG Transportation Programs Coordinator.
SEMPeople Port Huron Township Supervisor C. Robert Lewandowski passed away on October 21, 2004, after a long illness. He was township supervisor since 1976. A wealth of projects speak to his legacy including completion of a $1.7 million water-system upgrade, construction of a new Department of Public Works building, and installation of sanitary sewers throughout Port Huron Township. Congratulations to Robert Hison, St. Clair Shores Councilmember, who was recently appointed mayor, replacing Curt Dumas who left to take another position in St. Clair Shores. Hison has been an active member of SEMCOG for many years, and currently serves as Chair of the Data Center Advisory Council.
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