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SEMCOG kicks off new operations grant on May 16 SEMCOG applied for and was one of only three areas nationally to receive a federal grant for $250,000 to improve the safety and reliability of our transportation system through better coordinating the operation of various aspects of the system. This project will be kicked off at a meeting on Monday, May 16, 2005, at 11:30 a.m. in SEMCOG's Buhl Building office in downtown Detroit. Several representatives from the Federal Highway Administration will be on hand to announce the project and present an overview. SEMCOG, partnering with the Michigan Department of Transportation and the consulting firm of Hubbell, Roth and Clark, Inc., will work with local units of government, county road commissions, the Michigan State Police, and other operating agencies to develop a shared vision of how the region's transportation system should be operated on a day-to-day basis, what measures to use to assess its effectiveness, and how to make improvements to achieve the desired outcomes. Since Southeast Michigan does not have enough money to build its way out of the congestion we face, we must take a common-sense approach to actively operating the regional transportation system that we have to extract the greatest efficiency out of our investment. Elements of a regional concept for transportation operations may include timing traffic lights better and expanding the Freeway Courtesy Patrol. Contact: Carmine Palombo, SEMCOG Director of Transportation Programs.
State appoints task force on local government services The State of Michigan has established a Task Force on Local Government Services and Fiscal Stability to provide a forum for local governments to discuss ways to maximize the use of their available revenue and identify state laws, policies, or regulations that restrict the efficiency of local government. The task force consists of 15 voting members appointed by the governor, along with the state treasurer and state budget director who will serve as non-voting members. A final report is due to the governor by November 30. Six members of the task force are from SEMCOG member governments — Alex Allie, City Manager, Huntington Woods; David Diegel, Finance Director, Macomb County; David Hieber, Manager of Equalization, Oakland County; Ruth Ann Jamnick, Supervisor, Ypsilanti Township; Gregory Pitoniak, Mayor of Taylor and SEMCOG First Vice Chair; and Sean Werdlow, Chief Financial Officer, Detroit. This new state task force complements SEMCOG's Local Government Finance Task Force. Our task force, chaired by Taylor Mayor Gregory Pitoniak, is charged with gaining a better understanding of the fiscal issues facing SEMCOG member local governments. They are also working on developing criteria for evaluating changes to the local government finance system and exploring options for government cost savings. Contact: Amy Malmer, SEMCOG Legislative Affairs Coordinator.
Ozone Action season underway; voluntary measures now include good habits every day The 12th year of Southeast Michigan's voluntary program that helps keep the air clean began on May 1. SEMCOG and the Clean Air Coalition of Southeast Michigan remind everyone that hot, sunny days combine with existing pollution to produce elevated ground-level ozone which is a health hazard, particularly for the elderly, the young, and those suffering from respiratory ailments such as emphysema or asthma. Because the Environmental Protection Agency has raised the bar for air quality standards, Southeast Michigan is currently out of compliance in meeting the new ozone standards. As we work to comply with the new standards, Southeast Michigan residents can help by applying the things they do on Ozone Action days to every day during the summer months. These voluntary measures will help keep the air cleaner. Good habits every day include:
Ozone Action days are announced in area media and other outlets, such as freeway message signs and on SEMCOG's Web site — www.semcog.org. Additional information is also available on SEMCOG's Web site. Contact: Anita Blasius, Manager of SEMCOG's Public Outreach Programs.
Regional flight for aerial photography underway The 2005 flight to acquire digital orthoimagery for the entire Southeast Michigan region is currently underway. At least 50 percent of the flight has already occurred, with completion scheduled for early this month. The 2005 flight is the first cooperative effort of its kind between SEMCOG; 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. The product will be true color, digital orthophotography, six-inch pixel resolution. Contact: Ann Burns, SEMCOG GIS Coordinator.
Nominations for SEMCOG officers due May 18 Nominations for SEMCOG officers (First Vice Chairperson and four Vice Chairpersons) are currently being received by SEMCOG's Nominating Committee. Only elected officials who are delegates and/or alternates on the 2005-2006 Executive Committee are eligible for nomination as SEMCOG Vice Chairs. Officers will be elected at SEMCOG's Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 23, 2005, beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Schoolcraft College, Livonia. The Nominating Committee meets on May 18, 2005, to identify a slate of officers and delegates-at-large. Send written nominations to SEMCOG (in care of Durene Brown) no later than May 18, 2005. Contact: Durene Brown, SEMCOG Membership Manager.
Advisory council membership requests due May 31 Non-governmental representatives interested in joining or rejoining a SEMCOG advisory council have until May 31, 2005, to send a written request for an appointment. Requests should include a letter and resume with information about the applicant's organizational affiliations and ability to contribute to the decision-making process. Appointments will be made by SEMCOG's incoming Chairperson in July. Applicants will be notified when appointments are made. Contact: Durene Brown, SEMCOG Membership Manager.
Attention clerks! SEMCOG seeking information on community newsletter editors In order to disseminate information to SEMCOG members for potential use in their newsletters to residents, SEMCOG is seeking contact information for community newsletter editors. Regional Update is usually not sent to those editors, so we're requesting that community clerks respond with that information (name, address, phone, e-mail, newsletter name). We will follow up in the near future with phone calls. Contact: Sue Stetler, SEMCOG Manager of Communications.
New SEMCOG member SEMCOG welcomes new member Erie Township (population 4,794; SEMCOG estimate). This brings SEMCOG membership to 148. Contact: Durene Brown, SEMCOG Membership Manager.
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