Minutes 2/11/2009 7:00:00 AM

Minutes: Battle Creek City Commission

	Meeting Type:	Workshop
	Meeting Date:	Wed February 11, 2009 07:00 AM
	Location:	Room 302A - City Hall
	Chair:	Mark Behnke - Mayor
	Prepared By:	Deidre A Laser - City Clerk

Attendance Committee Members:	Attendance Staff:
Susan Baldwin City Commissioner John Godfrey City Commissioner Ryan Hersha City Commissioner Mark Behnke Mayor Diane Thompson City Commissioner Andrew Yankama City Commissioner	Bedsole, Susan - Director of Licensing & Compliance Laser, Deidre - City Clerk Ritsema, James - Assistant City Manager Tsuchiyama, Ken - City Manager Wicklund, Eileen - Interim City Attorney
Absent:
Chris Simmons City Commissioner Sherry Sofia City Commissioner Tony Walker Vice Mayor

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

KELLOGG COMPANY REQUEST TO VACATE MCCAMLY

Ken Tsuchiyama advised that the downtown traffic study will be completed by the end of the month and anticipated the earliest public hearing date would be March 17, 2009. The Kellogg Company desires as many of the necessary resolutions approved at the same meeting.

Comm. Yankama would like to see McCamly Street dealt with as a separate issue.

Comm. Thompson asked if the street is closed, what happens to the property.

The City Manager replied the vacated part of the street would become the Kellogg Company's property.

Comm. Thompson asked who will own the new building.

Mr. Tsuchiyama stated Kellogg Company will own the land, the development company will own the building, and will lease the building to Kellogg's.

Comm. Godfrey remarked there was a parking meeting last week and asked if there was any follow-up with Bill Simpson about the reopening of Jackson Street to Washington.

Mr. Tsuchiyama had not received an update.

At the parking meeting, Comm. Godfrey noted there was resistance from the historic northside regarding the McCamly Street vacation. At the meeting, Bill Simpson stated they might look at opening Jackson Street, particularly if the Math and Science Center is brought downtown.

Mayor Behnke said that he would like to see drawings of what McCamly Street will look like.

Mr. Tsuchiyama advised as soon as a map is available, he will send it out to the Commission.

PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT

Steve Hudson stated his staff has been working overtime in preparing the assessment change notices which will be sent out on February 26th. He advised that the work of the local Assessor is checked by the county and state. He noted the following assessment ratios:

Agricultural 49.04% - 1.29% increase
Commercial 48.89% - 2.22% increase
Industrial 52.12% - 4.24% reduction
Residential 50.02% - .04% reduction

Mr. Hudson announced the Board of Review will be held March 9-13, 2009. Individuals can appeal in person by appointment or letter. The Assessor suggested individuals could review their record card on-line and could obtain a realtor comparative market analysis prior to an appeal. Mr. Hudson noted that the Board of Review has no authority over the taxable value of the property; they look only at the assessment.

Comm. Yankama would like Mr. Hudson to provide a written report to the Commission regarding the assessment ratios.

Comm. Godfrey suggested having an educational article in the local newspapers regarding assessments and the Board of Review. He also recommended that the Assessor talk on WBCK.

REVIEW OF DATES FOR 2009-2010 BUDGET

James Ritsema stated the Finance Department will not have a good budget picture until late March. Mr. Ritsema anticipated the Commission holding its first budget workshop in late March with a proposal developed in May.

Comm. Yankama asked if the City could use some of the federal stimulus money to help ease the budget.

Mr. Ritsema hoped to receive some money through BCATS to assist with current road needs. It will not free up much resources; however additional funds could be used for CIP projects.

Comm. Baldwin would like to see some dates reserved for the budget sessions as early as possible.

Ken Tsuchiyama anticipated scheduling a meeting on the last Tuesday in March and would try to firm up the date with commissioners later today.

Comm. Godfrey anticipated that he will be out of state at that time and would like a conference call line available.

UPDATE ON CURRENT YEARS BUDGET

Mr. Ritsema provided an update on the current year's budget and remarked that Act 51 available funds are hurting and revenue is down 4%. On the next Commission agenda, there will be two resolutions for bond refunding. He stated the City may be looking at restructuring the Binder Park Golf Course bonds to alleviate the cash flow. In 2002, Department of Public Works bonds were issued and are not callable, however, the State is looking to adopt a law to help municipalities restructure debt. Mr. Ritsema stated staff will continue to work on a plan regarding the anticipated shortfall.

Comm. Hersha would like to know the bill number on the legislation.

Ken Tsuchiyama noted it is not just the snow plowing affecting the budget, but the difficult winter has placed some challenges on street repairs.

Comm. Thompson asked if we have saved money in not filling positions.

The City Manager stated the City has held some positions vacant, and they are being reviewed as vacated.

Comm. Godfrey asked when the legislation goes through the House, is the city's point of view briefed to legislators.

Mr. Ritsema said both the City's lobbyist and legislators will be briefed.

MICHIGAN PRISONER RE-ENTRY INITIATIVE HOUSING UPDATE

Ken Tsuchiyama reported that the MPRI is working hard to get felons back into their communities as they are released from prison; we have 23 locally. The MPRI provides the dollars and makes arrangements between the landlord and the individual. The program will provide regular updates and GIS will place the data on a map for Commission.

Comm. Thompson stated one of Neighborhoods Inc. concerns was that only the felons were relocated on the north side of town. Is that methodical or because of bus routes.

City Manager Tsuchiyama stated most of the felons want to be closer to support networks. They only have certain available dollars and they can find more affordable housing in certain areas. Mr. Tsuchiyama has talked with MPRI about making a presentation to the Commission so that commissioners can ask questions.

Susan Bedsole added that resident numbers were given at NPC2 and NPC4 and they are spread around the city.

Comm. Hersha stated one of the allegations was that Battle Creek gets a disproportionate amount of felons.

Susan Bedsole noted that the re-entry program places the felons where they have family support.

CEREAL CITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION CONTRACT UPDATE

Mr.Ritsema stated the city is working on a contract update with CCDC, which operates The Rink, Kellogg Arena, and maintenance at Binder Park Golf Course. The five-year contract will come before the Commission sometime in March.

WASTE MANAGEMENT

The first week of May is planned for Spring cleanup. Waste Management will advertise two weeks in advance and will pick up most everything. The third week in September is scheduled for fall cleanup.

Comm. Godfrey stated Calhoun County will host a clean up on May 2, 2009, and September 19, 2009, in the Toeller building.

ORDINANCE 1463

Susan Bedsole announced that all Code officers have started doing rental inspections. Within the next two weeks, every complex in the City will be inspected and certified. Ms. Bedsole said she has set a goal of inspecting 2,000 properties.

Comm. Godfrey asked how a converted building is handled.

Susan Bedsole replied that the Code officers will inspect all of the units.

Comm. Thompson asked if there is a mechanism to find out about suspected rentals, like a Silent Observer.

Susan Bedsole stated they receive anonymous telephone calls every day. She added the nuisance abatement program will start in the spring.

Mayor Behnke asked for an update on demolitions in the City.

Susan Bedsole reported the City has identified 125 properties, and Battle Creek is positioned well to begin the program awaiting funding.

Comm. Godfrey requested a list of tagged properties to be furnished to the Commission.

Comm. Yankama announced on March 22nd at 3:00 PM, the US Air Force band is performing at W. K. Auditorium in Battle Creek.

ADJOURNMENT

Mayor Behnke adjourned the meeting at 8:01 A.M.