|
Executive Committee meets January 20 SEMCOG's Executive Committee will meet at 1 p.m on Friday, January 20, 2006, in SEMCOG's downtown Detroit office. Action items to be considered by the committee are as follows:
Michigan State Representative John Stakoe (R-District 44 — Highland, Independence, Springfield, and White Lake Townships) will provide insights as to what the remainder of the 2005-2006 legislative sessions holds, particularly as it impacts local governments. Also, John Hartig, Manager of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, will make a brief presentation on North America's only international wildlife refuge and discuss future plans for this exciting regional asset. He will highlight the diverse and abundant wildlife and natural features that make the refuge a growing attraction as well as the public/private partnerships that have made it possible. Contact Amy Malmer, SEMCOG Executive Office Coordinator.
SEMCOG University on February 8 focuses on brownfield redevelopment Reuse of brownfield sites is crucial to the redevelopment of our communities and to a thriving Southeast Michigan. SEMCOG University will present Brownfield Redevelopment — Where from here? on Wednesday, February 8, 2006, from 9 a.m.-noon (registration begins at 8:30 a.m.) in SEMCOG's Buhl Building office in downtown Detroit. This workshop will provide input and suggestions to officials of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation on future direction of the state brownfield program, including possible rule changes, funding for program staff, and redevelopment support. The workshop will address the status of the state brownfield program including funding for program staff and redevelopment support; areas under consideration for potential change to the Part 201 brownfield redevelopment rules; the future direction of the state program; and how to be involved. In addition, participants will hear the local community perspective on ways to improve the state brownfield program. This SEMCOG University workshop is free-of-charge to SEMCOG members and partners; there is a $75 charge for nonmember local governments. Seating is limited so you are encouraged to reserve a spot by Wednesday, February 1, 2006. Contact: Ken Bishop, SEMCOG community and Economic Development Administrative Assistant, to RSVP. You can also register online.
SEMCOG is coming to you…announcing the 2006 member outreach workshops SEMCOG's 2006 member outreach workshops begin next month. Please save the date below and attend the program in your county. Elections to the Executive Committee will be conducted.
You can register online now for these meetings. Look for the link to the workshops under Planning Issues on SEMCOG's home page at www.semcog.org and watch your mail for additional information. Contact Amy Malmer, SEMCOG Executive Office Coordinator.
Clean fuels bill introduced in state legislature State Representative Phil Pavlov (R-St. Clair County) has introduced a clean fuels bill in the state legislature. HB 5508 is a key part of SEMCOG's plan to meet the stricter, new federal air quality standard for ozone. Cleaner fuel will reduce emissions in motor vehicles and in a wide range of other applications where gasoline is used or stored. It is the least expensive of the alternatives considered (annual costs will range from $1-$11 per vehicle compared to $20 for an emissions test) and would go into effect in summer 2007. SEMCOG urges all members to tell your state representatives that you support this important legislation. Contact: Chuck Hersey, SEMCOG Manager of Environmental Programs.
Taubman Fellowship applications available Local elected officials and appointed staff from SEMCOG's member communities are eligible to apply for a fellowship to the prestigious program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government. Sponsored by the Taubman Company since 1991, the fellowships cover the costs of tuition, room, and board; travel is not included. Taubman Fellowships offer local government officials opportunities to improve their leadership skills and broaden their awareness of effective approaches to public-sector problems during the three-week program in June or July. Completed applications are due to SEMCOG by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2006. Contact: Amy Malmer, SEMCOG Executive Office Coordinator.
Grants available for Southeast Michigan communities affected by Emerald Ash Borer Southeast Michigan communities impacted by the emerald ash borer (EAB) have until February 22 to submit applications for grants funded through the USDA Forest Service State and Private Forestry Program for tree planting or community forestry management activities. Grants up to $20,000 will be awarded to communities and nonprofit organizations on a competitive basis. A total of $500,000 will be available to eligible projects. Eligible projects for this funding cycle are tree planting, urban forestry management plans, hazard tree management plans, and tree inventories. Projects must be completed by May 31, 2007. All awarded grants require matching funds of at least 50 percent either in cash contributions or in-kind services, not including federal or state monies. Grant applications are accepted from local units of government and qualifying nonprofit organizations within the Southeast Michigan EAB quarantined counties designated by the Michigan Department of Agriculture. For more information or to obtain a grant application, contact Kerry Gray, Emerald Ash Borer restoration coordinator, (517) 241-1833, or visit the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnrucf.
Grant catalog available The Michigan Department of Natural Resources' 2006 Grant Programs catalog is now available on the Web. It is accessible from the DNR home page at www.michigan.gov/dnr under "Inside DNR/Grants/2006 Grant Program Booklet." Contact: James Woods, Chief of Grants, Contracts, and Customer Systems, (517) 373-9125.
|
|||
