Lewton-Rich Neighborhood Association

March 15, 2007

1. Welcome—meeting started at 7:05 p.m.
2. Pledge
3. Introductions—25 people present
4. Minutes were read and approved
5. Treasurer’s report: Balance of $239.60 everyone is invited to donate. We don’t spend a lot of money!
6. County Commissioner’s Report—Vic Celentino
   1. Commissioner Dale Kopich is relaying Law enforcement discussion about jail over-crowding with county and alleviating problem. There was an incident, during a cell check where a guard was attacked and is okay. The Commissioners have been reviewing the issue for last two months.
   2. Debbie (airport) partner Eaton County. Restarting with new Eaton County Board.
   3. The Zoo lease is with city and close to an agreement. It’s a negotiation, not confrontation as media stated.  Sticking points about employees.
   4. Waverly Road refinish is on schedule with township water main project.
7. Kristi from South Lansing Community Development Association, passed out a survey from SLCDA for targeting development and will be back at our next meeting to pick or mail. 374-5700 for questions.
8. Andy Kilpatrick – Transportation gave a wonderful presentation.
   1. Regarding the striping on Pleasant Grove, it is proposed that it be continued from Victor Avenue down to Jolly Road. Already done from Mt. Hope to Victor Avenue. You can call them bike lanes or parking lanes. Should be started sometime this spring. This is the city’s attempt to announce and work with the community. Miscellaneous discussion about how to use these lanes. Painting is targeted for June.  Other issues discussed were:
   2. Possible Flashers in front of Pleasant View on Pleasant Grove.
   3. Pleasant Grove and Holmes, center left turn lane. There has been an increase in the number of left turn accidents.
   4. Proposed 2008 south bound left turn lane on Holmes Road
   5. Question about light at MLK and skywalk at Olds Plant. Still in use with debris removal. Long term it will be discussed with MDOT.
   6. Question about striping approval for Council to approve. No objections.
   7. Possible future continuance of stripping to Edgewood.
   8. Funded by some Federal Grant, but not completely.
   9. The Police department recommends neighborhood watch signs and Transportation Department installs them. Sign at Riverview Mobile Homes is degraded.
9. Lansing Police Department’s Report: Sgt. Frank Koenigsknecht ( 28 years with city) passed out a crime map, and
   1. Commented about how lanes are supposed to be two lanes and not four.
   2. Three break-ins surrounding area and Deerfield was possibly not random.
   3. Burglary at Quincy and Peggy Place, entry via a Doggy Door. They need to be secured.
   4. The south end last week had smash-and-grabs; two bad guys who were responsible for six-plus incidents were caught. And one was a repeat offender.
   5. Last 30 days have been quiet, but due to weather and daylight there is more opportunity to see.
   6. Recently, LPD was called by a neighbor who called about strangers.
   7. Census will be coming in next month and census takers will have identification on them. If not, please call the police and they will politely check the persons and area. Starting in February, March and April (approximately the 18th) for three months.
   8. Three new police officers are starting in the south end.
   9. Citizen Police Academy; weekly course about safety and how the police department works.
10. Dotty Stark, presented information and petition to support Oliver Towers to be used by faith based services for helping the homeless.
11. Mayor’s office – Josh not able to attend.
12. City Council Report: Randy Williams, Carol Wood and Derrick   Quinney.
    1. Thanks to Randy Williams and team for getting Frances Park for the LRNA 2007 Picnic.
    2. Derrick; he is getting up to speed as our newest Council member, and beginning to campaign for his re-election.
    3. Budget, nearing approximately seven million dollars in the red there are outreach budget meetings for the public:  April 19th at Foster Cetner 6-8 and Dwight Rich April 24th.
    4. Carol Wood; stressed importance of budget forums.. Working with Prosecutor Dunnnigs who would like to visit LRNA and talk about Truth and Sentencing and Victims Have Rights.
    5. Neighborhood Rights; Victimless crimes, such as selling drugs. It affects neighborhood. Create face or Neighborhood advocate to be at sentencing. ½ presentations
    6. Spring is coming, things hidden by snow. Hoping to start city employees to open seasonal facilities and services.
    7. Increase your Home safety
    8. Questions:
    9. About rigid containers for yard waste, no longer allowed. City Council will begun to review the issue with committee, next Wednesday.
    10. Budget – Two problem houses miss representing Homestead.
13. Code Compliance Officer’s report: (Gregg Scrimger).
    1. Addressed concerns from last month.
    2. Three new employees have started March 5th.
    3. New NEAT team to clean up area’s.
    4. 551 tagged homes; 42 in Area 5, and only 2 in LRNA.
    5. Questions:
    6. Greg helped in another neighborhood, with a owner who never removed her trash for five years. Code created a proper paper trail, so LPD could enter, since the home owner actually was in house three+ days injured and helpless. Police used paper trail to justify forced entry to find her and help her. Along with her pets. The house was then red-tagged.
14. New Business:
    1. Michigan Flyer - $25 one way, $40 couple $50 family to shuttle to Metro Detroit Airport from the East Lansing Marriott Hotel.
    2. Picnic August 16th at Frances Park 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
    3. Garage Sale Saturday, June 23rd, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
    4. South Side Coalition; “An Afternoon of Ireland” Friday, March 16th, 3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at 2101 W. Holmes, Lansing.
    5. South Side Coalition; gives assistance in getting health insurance.
    6. They have 40-60 kids during summer and 100 kids during the school year.
    7. Grant funded.
    8. Teach Spanish and Chinese language classes
    9. They have a garden project, next to building
    10. They are building a hoop-house for vegetables
    11. They will have a farmers market starting early June, 2007
    12. Oliver Towers; Dorothy Stark, mentioned seven beds empty. Salvation Army looks to fill but could not until they find therapist. There is still concern about persons leaving future Oliver Towers. Currently beds have lock-in policy that eliminate 3rd shift jobs. 25 church groups will provide support.
    13. LHC owes $600K to HUD and city owns land. Questions about title after fire from five years ago. The building was previously a Section 8 non-profit built for homeless (low income).
    14. Dorothy states there is an estimated 1000 homeless persons in Lansing.
    15. The property has also been proposed for Library and Museum.
    16. Mayor’s office has failed to show up to church group meetings about the project, according to Dorothy.
    17. Petition to support saving the Oliver Towers can be used by a faith-based organization to house and support homelessness.
15. Good and Welfare—no comments
16. Raffle
17. Adjourned: Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.