Lewton Rich Neighborhood Association

Minutes - April 21, 2011

1. Welcome
1. 7:00 pm – 21 persons  present
2. Pledge
3. Introductions
4. Special Guest Speaker:  Chris Lake of LFD, talking about the needs and resources and exercises of LFD. In support of the upcoming millage, to prevent loss of persons and prevent closing of fire houses.
1. We only have two new fire houses, the rest were built in the 50’s and 70’s, so they don’t cost much, other than maintenance. The big savings is in the cost of the people.
2. This millage will not be enough to maintain the existing services. It will raise 8 million. Headily Act prevents the allocation being stated on the ballot, where the Mayor and Council have stated funding of each department.
3. There is still a $2 million deficit after this millage, if being passed.  Funding of each departments.
4. Currently at 48 persons work per shift. And they may need to cut 60 persons across 3 shifts. Leaving 20-some persons per shift.
5. 38 are for suppression, while 10 are for EMS.
6. Insurance rate are based on our areas ability to dump x-amount of water on the fire.
7. Description of the process in arriving to a fire and the resources that are required and needed to setup.
8. There are talks with neighboring fire departments in consolidation in services. They currently already have consolidation of items like buying. Often the politics and taxes prevent such. There is a review of other areas, like Indianapolis. The current governor promotes it. However, there has been no funding to provide the studies.
9. Question about mapping of hydrants. There are areas that are far and few.
10. Q. what is the difference in response between #6 P. G and Todd #5. Here in LRNA are about equal. So the big difference will be in the response of the 2^nd and 3^rd truck.
11. When a house is involved in one fire. The first response for a 2^nd fire will have to come from a further away house.
12. A single engine can contain 500 to 750 gallons. And pump at 150 g/m. So a 2^nd truck is needed to provide hosing before 1^st engine is dry.
13. Discussion about advantages of High Pressure Fog. Insurance would not rate it. And is now allow about g/m
14. 1998 ISO rating determine Lansing that affect Insurance rating. It is currently being reviewed. With rating of 0(worst)-10(best).  Currently we are at 4. And the loss of a house will affect the rating.
15. Everybody wants to see a good community and safety. It will not fix all the issues, but it will help with Fire, Police and Road.
16. Get out and vote on May 3^rd.
17. The millage can raise your taxes $4 per week. Where the increase in home owners insurance premium in lieu of G/M may offset increase of millage.
18. Without the millage there may be fees to owners for responses. As other communities have a growing trend towards fees.
19. Suggestion about a letter writing to request the State Funding for the revenue sharing.
20. LFD sends 5 rigs, (1/3^rd of LFD) respond to all State Building in Lansing without fee.
21. Lansing has 76 extremely hazardous buildings.
22. Retirement Homes also needs the other trucks to help all occupants out of the structure.
23. This millage question is straight up. Yes, will approve the increase in the millage. No, will disapprove the millage increase.
5. Police
1. Map
2. Team Area 9, review of recent activities.
3. Handout listing officers for different areas.
4. Currently 18 – 22 officers per shift.
5. The lack of millage may loss 56 officers.
6. Recently, calls have had single officer’s responses, which are dangerous.

                                         i.    Recent call resulted in an officer fighting for his life for over 2.5 minutes before back up arrived. Typical Expected backup is 30 seconds.

7. Question. First response to High Priority may be 1 to 2 minutes. Currently takes 5 -7 minutes to go from W to E Lansing across Mt. Hope.
8. Councilman Quinney, had statement appreciating officers for their service. And thanking them for educating community.
9. They are talking with the public about the millage.
10. Currently wearing morning badges in memory of the loss of a Kalamazoo office in the line of duty.
5. Dwight-Rich Middle School Representative Maradee Vaughn
1. DWR is going to be a K though 8 building starting next fall. Projecting 800 students. Capacity is 900
2. Saving the STEM program. Science Technology Engineering and Math.
3. The goal with the new administration is getting the school back to a full school.
4. With a goal of safety and quality. Some problem students will not be returning.
5. There will be some changes in administration.
6. There will be an empty bottle drive.
7. Volunteers can call the main office.
8. Miss Frankie Davis passed. Funeral was today.
6. Minutes
1. Passed
7. Treasurers Report
1. No Change
2. $147.97 is current balance
3. There will be some grants expected.
8. County Commissioners.
1. Not available.
9. Community Emergency Response Team, speaker
1. Pamphlet
2. Neighborhoods can train for disasters. Such as Tornado’s and other disasters.
3. All is invited to First meeting April 28. For Moores Park Neighborhood.
10. City Councilman at Large, Derrick Quinney
1. He supports the millage.
2. Discussion about all the losses of services and sacrifices that have already occurred before getting here.
3. Refer to web site to as to how the 4 mill increase will affect.
4. It is not feasible to increase city income taxes. They have raised and discussed.
11. Colonial Village L&L Grocery Store - has no concrete new tenant. Still waiting.
1. We need to continue to support the current tenant’s as to help the property attractiveness.
12. City Hall on the Road, next Wednesday.
13. Lansing Neighborhood Watch
1.  A person in Edgewood was walling their dog at 2am. And was forced to go back to their home to be robbed.
2. A B & E was prevented at 3pm
14. Compliance
1. Not available overtime or comp time to attend community meetings.
2. They are still taking emails.
3. There is a possible there is a loss of 2 compliance officers.
4. Both Kevin G and Greg G have been given notice.
5. Question about the revenue generated by compliance and where it goes. If not to officers.
6. List of multiple houses that appear to violators spoken about by a member of the neighborhood.
15. This same neighbor requested for LRNA to have more community building activities.
1. She suggested a perennial exchange.  Motioned and passed of Perennial Exchange.
16. Suggestion about organizing other Neighborhood Organizations having a discussion about the significance of Code Compliance Officers.

Respectfully submitted,Michael P. Flaga, Secretary

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