Think Regional/Act Local

May 17, 2013 - My home has a main road along the side yard. To say that the road is not in the best of shape would be an understatement. The road causes “issues” on a regular basis. Here are some tips on how to make lemonade when bad roads are giving you nothing but lemons.

• Each spring I discover large chunks of road material on my lawn after the thaw. I would suggest that you do what I do: use these to line your flower beds instead of using those expensive landscaping stones.
• The resulting hole in the road can be put to practical use: fill it with some water and make it a wonderful birdbath. Don’t worry the birds will see the cars coming.
• I accumulate a nice collection of hubcaps that have been jarred loose by pot holes. Consider doing any of the following:
  • Erect a sign: “Hubcaps for sale!” (Remember to check local zoning ordinances)
  • String them on some coat hangers: they make very interesting mobiles!
  • Make a wind chime.
  • They make great Frisbees, and they can be used to create fake UFO photos!
• If you want to be helpful to your neighbors: sit next to the road with one of those NASCAR type jacks and a pneumatic lug wrench. You can have that blown-out tire replaced before the driver even gets out of the car. It would sure beat the afternoon I spent helping one young man changing his blown-out tire. Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong for that poor guy!

Of course all of this could be avoided if we could just convince the legislature to enact a funding plan for roads that will actually pay for the needed work!

Every budget, every project, begins with revenue. Bill’s posts will focus on local government revenue issues across the SEMCOG region and state. Also look for a few insights on how legislation coming out of Lansing may impact your community.

 

You must be logged in comment. Log in or Register to comment.
By commenting, you are agreeing to the terms of use.

May 14, 2013 — A key element to SEMCOG’s Sustainable Community Recognition Program is the Fiscal Self-Assessment Tool. Quickly see how your community stacks up by completing the assessment. Then learn more about and apply for the recognition program.

The following SEMCOG member communities have been recognized to-date:

City of Westland – Oct. 2010

St. Clair County – Dec. 2010

City of Howell – Mar. 2011

City of Farmington Hills – Sept. 2011

Green Oak Township – Jan. 2012

City of Novi – Sept. 2012

Auburn Hills – Oct. 2012

Livingston County – Nov. 2012

City of Dearborn – Dec. 2012

Your community - 2013

For more information or for no cost assistance implementing these initiatives, contact Dave Boerger at boerger@semcog.org.

Learn how to navigate fiscal uncertainty by improving efficiency, fostering collaboration, and providing information on right-sizing. Through weekly posts, Dave will discuss legislative developments, best practices, and training opportunities.

You must be logged in to comment. Log in or Register to comment. 
By commenting, you are agreeing to the terms of use.

May 13, 2013 – This week, SEMCOG’s Executive Committee will be asked to approve a draft 2040 Regional Transportation Plan for Southeast Michigan. Once adopted, the plan will guide transportation investment for the next few years.

One big difference in this plan is the funding anticipated to be available. The 2035 plan anticipated a significant increase in funding to build needed transportation improvements. The draft 2040 plan does not anticipate such a generous assumption. Why? Well, neither the Congress nor the Michigan Legislature has shown any courage to provide needed additional funding. It doesn't make any sense to continue to anticipate dollars to make improvements that just never seem to show up. If you do not see your favorite project included, it is probably because there just are not enough dollars to do all of the work that needs to be done.

The draft 2040 plan does anticipate additional Canadian funds to build a new bridge to Canada. The draft plan also includes two other major projects: improvements to I-94 from the Lodge to Connor and widening I-75 in Oakland County. The rest of the projects are all programmed to improve existing pavement and bridges. In this regard, the draft 2040 plan continues a "fix it first" approach consistent with the 2035 plan.

Another way the draft plan and the 2035 plan are similar is that there aren't significant new investments in public transit. The M-1 Streetcar project is a start – an important start. The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) will hopefully be able to raise additional dollars in the coming years to allow the funding of additional service, including introducing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and other higher levels of public transit.

Be sure to review the materials on SEMCOG’s Web site and try to attend one of the remaining three public meetings and let us know what you think before SEMCOG’s General Assembly adopts the plan in June.

If you want to know what about anything related to transportation in Southeast Michigan, don’t miss Carmine Palombo's blog. Carmine has more than 30 years of experience in various phases of transportation planning at SEMCOG. He is responsible for administering SEMCOG’s transportation planning program, which includes the region’s long-range transportation plan and short-term transportation plan.

 

You must be logged in to comment. Log in or Register to comment.
By commenting, you are agreeing to the terms of use.

May 13, 2013 – Last week, SEMCOG staff member Kevin Vettraino attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the City of Ferndale’s “How the West was One” Road Reconstruction and Streetscape Improvement project. Earlier this year, this project was awarded funding as part of SEMCOG’s Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). Specifically, this project will:

• reduce the traffic lanes from 5 to 3 on Nine Mile Road between Livernois Street and Pinecrest Drive,
• add a parking lane with porous pavers,
• widen the sidewalk,
• update crosswalks to ADA standards,
• replace streetlights, and
• add benches, trash receptacles, trees, and landscaping to match the current streetscape on Nine Mile Road on the east to Woodward.

In addition to the merits of this project – a great driver of economic development, walkability/bikeablity, and increased safety along a major corridor – it was also the first Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) project in the State of Michigan to be obligated. Earlier this year SEMCOG awarded over $6 million in TAP funding to 16 projects throughout the region, including Ferndale’s West Nine Mile road reconstruction and streetscape. These awarded projects ranged from local trail projects that filled regional gaps, to complete streets enhancements that provided for bike lanes, buffer lanes, bus pull-out bays, and stormwater mitigation techniques. All of the awarded projects met multiple outcomes, such as improved access to transit, environmental improvements, increased access to downtown areas, and enhanced safety.

The excitement of the groundbreaking was evident from all who attended. "It is a dream for us to actually see this coming to fruition," DDA Executive Director Cristina Sheppard-Decius said when she addressed onlookers gathered on the grass near Livernois and Nine Mile. Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter echoed her sentiment: "I'm really proud to be the mayor of the city today," he said before inviting the group to dig into a ceremonial mound of dirt.

Congratulations to the City of Ferndale. We echo the city’s excitement for this project and a great example of a TAP program in the region!

You must be logged in to comment. Log in or Register to comment.
By commenting, you are agreeing to the terms of use.

May 9, 2013 – Munetrix – a fiscal information platform – announces the release a more robust and relevant fiscal indicator metric on Thursday May 16, 2013, at 10 a.m. – with a simultaneous, Munetrix Webinar. As key partners with Munetrix, SEMCOG members are invited to participate in the Webinar at no cost.

This improvement is the result of work with the Michigan Government Finance Officers Association (MGFOA), Michigan State University, and Plante Moran. Check out the Webinar to see what this means to your community. Some fiscal scores will increase and some will decrease. The Webinar will explain the reasons why, the relevance of the changes, and provide additional detail on the development of the new tool.

Daniel Howes from the Detroit News labeled Munetrix as the equivalent of a “Fiscal Radar” for local governments in April 2011. We like to refer to it as night vision for local government officials. Whatever you call it, the new fiscal indicator system promotes the concepts of seeing is believing; using data to make decisions; and no surprises.

To register for the Webinar, please click here.

Until then, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dave Boerger at any time.

Learn how to navigate fiscal uncertainty by improving efficiency, fostering collaboration, and providing information on right-sizing. Through weekly posts, Dave will discuss legislative developments, best practices, and training opportunities.

You must be logged in to comment. Log in or Register to comment. 
By commenting, you are agreeing to the terms of use.

May 7, 2013 — As the State Legislature debates and reviews spending decisions in preparation for a June 1 deadline to complete the 2013-14 State Budget, SEMCOG and MAC are providing citizens with an opportunity to consider priorities and give their thoughts. 

State law requires a balanced budget. Limited resources require weighing alternatives and making difficult spending decisions in government, just as we do in our households or businesses. While SEMCOG and MAC encourage residents to talk to their local officials about priorities in their own communities, this survey will provide citizens a chance to share their collective input at the state level.

The brief survey asks four questions that provide residents with a chance to voice their opinions, including an opportunity to specify 10 areas in which it is most important for the state to invest. In addition, there is a question on whether to increase funding for transportation, enabling much-needed road and bridge maintenance and improvement, and how to generate additional revenue. There is also a question on whether to support Medicaid expansion in Michigan, which would increase the number of low-income citizens qualifying for coverage, and take advantage of federal funding under the Affordable Care Act.

The issues being debated for budget consideration will significantly impact quality of life and economic prosperity in Southeast Michigan, as well as the rest of the state. Decisions on the condition of our roads and bridges and how we fund transportation, healthcare expansion and opportunities for cost containment, and how we support education, the Great Lakes, economic development and other critical issues will impact all who live, work, and raise families here.

Please let us know what you think and we will share your thoughts with Lansing leadership.

SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, and the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition (MAC) invite Southeast Michigan residents to voice opinions on the 2013-14 State Budget – Michigan’s priorities for the upcoming year and how they should be funded – via an online survey directly, or by visiting the website of either SEMCOG or MAC. The survey will be available until May 19. Additional comments can be e-mailed to  InfoCenter@semcog.org.

Paul Tait joined SEMCOG in 1972 and has served in a variety of planning and administrative capacities – becoming Executive Director in 1998. This experience gives Paul a rich perspective on the past, present, and future of our region. Please join him as he blogs about issues of importance to the region’s local governments and residents. Paul is also president of SEMCOG’s partner organization – the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition (MAC) – a coalition of business, labor, government and education.

You must be logged in to comment. Log in or Register to comment. 
By commenting, you are agreeing to the terms of use.

May 6, 2013 – Well, that sure didn’t take long! The first meeting of the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) was April 10 and already some groups want to revise the legislation that set it up. The latest attempt was made last week as a western Wayne County legislator introduced legislation in Lansing to allow for opt-out communities. We just can’t stand it when we actually do something right!

One of the strengths of the RTA legislation is that it addressed many of the flaws in the way we governed transit for many years. For example, the legislation made many of the RTA decisions subject to only a majority, instead of a unanimous vote. Even some of the more challenging issues only require a super majority vote instead of a unanimous vote. The RTA has the ability to raise its own revenue – this is crucial for implementing its plans. The legislation also includes all four counties – Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Washtenaw – with no opt-out communities. We are either all in or all out. In my opinion, this is key.

Transit is an issue that impacts us all and we should all decide together how it should operate, where, when, and what it should look like. Even if you don’t personally use public transit, it impacts you in ways you may not even know. It helps people get to work so they can earn a living and pay taxes. It helps decrease auto emissions. It helps decrease congestion. It helps the young and the old get around without you and me having to provide that needed ride. Does everyone get back exactly what they put into it? The answer is no. At the same time, do the citizens that pay a gas tax get back a dollar-per-dollar benefit for what they put in – again the answer is no.

Legislators point out that transit is expensive and inefficient, yet they would introduce legislation ensuring it is run inefficiently – helping to legislate their point. This bill should be voted down and vetoed by the governor if it somehow gets that far.

If you want to know what about anything related to transportation in Southeast Michigan, don’t miss Carmine Palombo's blog. Carmine has more than 30 years of experience in various phases of transportation planning at SEMCOG. He is responsible for administering SEMCOG’s transportation planning program, which includes the region’s long-range transportation plan and short-term transportation plan.

You must be logged in to comment. Log in or Register to comment. 
By commenting, you are agreeing to the terms of use.

May 3, 2013 – Who wouldn’t want to see a person on a skateboard rocket high above buildings in Detroit and make a perfect landing (or sometimes a perfect crash) or watch dirt bikes go through a crazy obstacle course of boulders and mud?

The truth is many of us love watching the X-Games on TV and there’s an opportunity for the games to be live in Detroit beginning in 2014. Detroit is one of four finalists (including Austin, Chicago, and Charlotte) that will be announced this summer.

Bringing in events like the X-Games isn’t just about the games itself. It’s all part of an effort to attract and retain young people in the state and region. In addition to bringing in new events to the region, we need to focus on marketing the national jewels already in place.

For example, Lake St. Clair was just named the top bass fishing lake in the country by Bassmaster Magazine. Many of our region’s lake are national assets that need to be highlighted at a national scale. 

Whether it’s the X-Games or bass fishing on Lake St. Clair, the region and the state needs to rally around these successes. SEMCOG is doing our part by working with our local communities on blue economy strategies, discussing opportunities for ecotourism in our region, and participating in statewide efforts to highlight our region’s assets. Join the conversation and together we can move the needle on Creating Success in Southeast Michigan.

You must be logged in to comment. Log in or Register to comment. 
By commenting, you are agreeing to the terms of use.

May 1, 2013 – As the Local Government Effectiveness Team travels the region providing no-cost operational and fiscal services to SEMCOG member communities, we find all kinds of innovative solutions that are helping our members maintain and sometimes enhance services while lowering costs. Some of the most recent examples follow:

Construction Inspection Scheduling Tool

The City of Novi is one of the first communities in Michigan to to provide an online inspection scheduling tool. Contractors and homeowners in Novi can schedule construction inspections using the new Online Inspection Portal. The portal allows users to request all types of inspections, such as building, electrical, plumbing, and heating.

Small Commercial Revolving Loan Program 

The Small Commercial Revolving Loan Program, maintained by the City of Ann Arbor's DDA, currently offers business owners low-cost loans in order to encourage energy efficiency improvements. 

Controlled Computer Shut-Downs

The City of Wixom has enacted a policy of controlled computer shutdowns for all administrative and other office equipment, which do not run programs or other functions outside of normal business hours. These controlled shutdowns have saved the city over 17,000 kW/year in electricity usage while also reducing HVAC loads. 

Septage Disposal Facility 

St. Clair County has begun a feasibility study as to the possibility of operating a septage disposal facility within the Smiths Creek landfill. This facility is to be used to provide an alternative method of disposal for the county's septage waste, which allows the county to divert septage from the traditional processing plants, easing capacity, while allowing the gas produced by the decomposition of the septage waste to be used as an alternative energy source.

To develop similar innovative solutions within your local government, contact SEMCOG’s Dave Boerger for no-cost assistance.

Learn how to navigate fiscal uncertainty by improving efficiency, fostering collaboration, and providing information on right-sizing. Through weekly posts, Dave will discuss legislative developments, best practices, and training opportunities.

You must be logged in to comment. Log in or Register to comment. 
By commenting, you are agreeing to the terms of use.