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Membership investment remains strong SEMCOG members believe that the strength of local governments working together to solve problems is better than any one community fighting the battles alone. This special edition of Regional Update highlights the numerous benefits of SEMCOG membership and the value of that partnership with SEMCOG to members. SEMCOG members represent both the diverse interests in our region as well as a willingness to work together to improve the quality of life for every community in the region. Whether it is transportation funding, environmental concerns, data analysis, or economic development, SEMCOG remains committed to balancing the needs of older communities, rural areas, and growing populations. These are the fundamental reasons why membership remains steady. To ensure that all SEMCOG members get the most from their investment, members are urged to fill vacant delegate and alternate positions on the General Assembly and sign up for advisory council membership. Contact: Durene Brown, SEMCOG Membership Manager.
SEMCOG addresses local government finance challenges Michigan's local governments are constrained by the state constitution and other laws in their ability to generate local revenue. Recent revenue sharing payment cuts have further exacerbated existing revenue generating constraints. SEMCOG has provided a forum for local elected officials representing a range of local government sizes and types from across the region to explore and gain a better understanding of the fiscal issues facing SEMCOG member governments. On behalf of local governments, SEMCOG has conducted case studies on how local governments manage fiscal challenges; interviewed local government finance experts and hosted a panel discussion; hosted workshops on topics such as increasing efficiency and cost savings through joint public services, the local government finance structure, and the challenges and opportunities within the current finance structure; and hosted a special meeting with Deputy State Treasurer Cynthia Faulhaber. This process will continue throughout 2005. Contact: Amy Malmer, SEMCOG Legislative Affairs Coordinator.
Public education program to improve water quality launched in region SEMCOG, along with local governments and watershed groups, launched an ambitious public education campaign in 2004. The goal is to improve water quality in the seven-county Southeast Michigan region and help communities meet federal requirements for public education on stormwater. On Earth Day 2004, the "Our Water. Our Future. Ours to Protect." campaign released the first of its Seven Simple Steps to Clean Water. A recent survey conducted by SEMCOG and its partners showed that area residents are willing to take action to protect our water, but more public education is needed. The campaign emphasizes individual actions that have a direct impact on the rivers, lakes, and streams that we all enjoy. SEMCOG members can purchase posters and tip cards for distribution to their residents at a reduced cost. Contact: Amy Mangus, Senior Planner, SEMCOG Environmental Programs.
SEMCOG members adopt transportation plan; next step is implementation The 2030 Regional Transportation Plan for Southeast Michigan, adopted in October 2004, represents regional consensus about how best to maintain and enhance the future transportation system. The plan enables $40 billion ($1.5 billion annually through the Transportation Improvement Program, or TIP) to be spent over the next 25 years for much-needed road and transit projects in Southeast Michigan. SEMCOG is responsible for bringing the appropriate parties together to ensure that the blueprint for transportation in Southeast Michigan becomes a reality. Contact: Carmine Palombo, SEMCOG Director of Transportation Programs.
SEMCOG works to overcome transit impediments Although 20 percent of the funding in the recently approved Regional Transportation Plan will be spent on transit, that amount is primarily for maintaining and operating existing services. Members of SEMCOG's General Assembly and Executive Committee recognize the need to do better. They realize that better transit will help keep the region economically competitive, provide a higher quality of life, help alleviate road congestion, and serve those who cannot or choose not to drive. As a result, SEMCOG Chairperson Joan Flynn convened a task force to discuss the impediments to improving mass transit in Southeast Michigan and the techniques and policies necessary to overcome the impediments. Issues will be discussed at Executive Committee meetings in 2005, with a final report at the June General Assembly. Contact: Carmine Palombo, SEMCOG Director of Transportation Programs.
Strength in numbers: SEMCOG advocates on behalf of members When you need action in Lansing or in Washington to better protect community quality of life, the ability to speak collectively with 150 other local governments greatly enhances your voice. In 2004, SEMCOG strengthened its positions by finding common ground with others across the state. One important issue is reauthorization of federal transportation funding; for Michigan an additional issue is the importance of increasing the level of tax dollars returned to so-called "donor" states. To date, a bill has not passed, but money continues to flow through extension of the last bill; the most current extension continues until May. By June 2005, SEMCOG and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality will need to identify a plan for Southeast Michigan to achieve cleaner air; adoption of laws and rules necessary to implement the plan are to be in place a year later. Contact: Amy Malmer, SEMCOG Legislative Affairs Coordinator.
SEMCOG members partner on aerial photography The best way to view land use change in Southeast Michigan is through aerial photography and SEMCOG has documented the changes by flying the region every five years since 1970. This spring, SEMCOG will partner with Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties; the State of Michigan; Detroit Water and Sewerage Department; and the U.S. Geological Survey to once again photograph the region. The partnership will result in shared costs and a far superior product ¾ true color, digital orthophotography in six-inch pixel resolution. SEMCOG members wanting to obtain photography from the 2005 flight are encouraged to work through their county. SEMCOG's photography, which will be derived from the county photos, will be available in January 2006. Contact: SEMCOG Information Services.
SEMCOG U continues free training for members on redevelopment and other regional issues SEMCOG University, SEMCOG's successful program that gives local member governments the knowledge to advance Southeast Michigan, conducted several workshops in 2004. Topics included neighborhood commercial revitalization; redeveloping brownfields and greyfields into goldfields (with the Urban Land Institute-Detroit District Council); traffic safety; U.S.-Canada border improvement strategies; and how local governments can fund the services their citizens demand under the current finance structure. The half-day or full-day workshops, offered free-of-charge to SEMCOG members (there is a $75 fee for nonmembers) and close to home in SEMCOG's downtown Detroit office, will continue in 2005. Watch Regional Update for details. Contact: Sue Stetler, SEMCOG Communications Manager.
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