[00:00:01]
>> [LAUGHTER] GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.
[1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER]
I'VE BEEN GIVEN THE HIGH SIGN AT THE TELEVISION IS ON AND WE'RE READY TO ROLL.DON'T SAY ANYTHING. YOU DON'T WANT BROADCASTS TO THE 250 NATIONS OF THE WORLD.
LET'S SEE. I LIKE TO CALL TO ORDER THE MEETING OF THE WHAT'S THE DATE TODAY.
DECEMBER 6TH, MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF MERIDIAN.
I SEE THAT WE HAVE SOME MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN ATTENDANCE.
[2. PUBLIC REMARKS]
NOW IS YOUR FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION.ANYBODY HAS ANY COMMENTS ABOUT ANYTHING ON OUR AGENDA OR NOT ON OUR AGENDA? YOU'RE WELCOME TO TAKE THE PODIUM AND ADDRESS THE COMMISSION AT THIS TIME.
PLEASE TELL US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND KEEP YOUR COMMENTS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES.
>> HI, MY NAME IS HYU MAN LEE.
MY ADDRESS IS 3-5-5-9 IS TIDEWATER DRIVE.
I HAVE LIVED IN THE TOWNSHIP FOR ABOUT 13 YEARS.
I JUST WANT INTRODUCE MYSELF BECAUSE I SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION TO SERVE ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION.
I JUST WANTED TO JUST GIVE YOU A QUICK INTRODUCTION.
I MY DAY JOB, I'M A CONSERVATION SCIENTIST WITH THE MICHIGAN NATURAL FEATURES INVENTORY, WHICH IS A PROGRAM OF MSU EXTENSION.
I DO A LOT OF WORK WITH AMPHIBIANS, REPTILES AND RARE SPECIES, AND ALSO WORKING IN WETLANDS.
I'M JUST SUPER PASSIONATE ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND CONSERVATION.
OUTSIDE OF MY DAY JOB, I ALSO AM INVOLVED WITH A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT GROUPS, INCLUDING THE LAND PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD.
I'VE BEEN ON THE TOWNSHIPS LAND PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE PAST EIGHT YEARS NOW.
THEN ALSO WORKED A LITTLE BIT WITH KENDRA ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY, THE TOWNSHIPS ENVIRONMENTAL CLIMATE SUSTAINABILITY PLAN.
ALSO HAVE HELPED THE TOWNSHIP WITH MAPPING VERNAL POOLS AND AND DOING SOME VERTICAL OUTREACH EFFORTS IN THE TOWNSHIP.
THEN I'M ALSO BEEN INVOLVED WITH US SOME STATEWIDE GROUPS LIKE MICHIGAN NATURE ASSOCIATION AND THE MICHIGAN WETLANDS ASSOCIATION AND SO JUST INTERESTED IN BROADENING MY INVOLVEMENT WITH ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND THE TOWNSHIP, AND SO BE INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH THE COMMISSION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST.
>> HI, MY NAME IS ANDREA PAUL.
I LIVE IN OKLAHOMA MY WHOLE LIFE.
I JUST GRADUATED FROM MSU WITH A DEGREE IN FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE.
I'M JUST LOOKING FOR A JOB, ALSO LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER, TO NETWORK AND JUST GET INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY. THANKS.
>> HELLO. I'M DOCTOR JOSH NAM.
I'M A I LIVE AT 1-5-1-7 RIVER TERRORISTS EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN, BUT IT'S STILL IN MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP.
I'M A PROFESSOR AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY AND COMPUTER SCIENCE.
MY BACKGROUND IS ACTUALLY IN EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY.
I WAS A MEMBER OF THE NSF, BEACON STC ORGANIZATION.
BUT UNFORTUNATELY THAT'S NOW DEFUNCT.
BUT THROUGH THERE AND CONTINUING ON, I DO A LOT OF SCIENCE OUTREACH IN THE COMMUNITY.
A LOT OF SCIENCE NIGHTS TARGETED OFTEN LIKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AGE STUDENTS, WHERE WE TEACH MOSTLY EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY, BUT SOME ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE.
MY BACKGROUND, LIKE I MENTIONED BEFORE, AS IN BIOLOGY, I NOW TEACH AND DO SOME RESEARCH IN COMPUTER SCIENCE.
WE BOUGHT A HOUSE IN MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP FOUR YEARS AGO NOW.
DURING THAT TIME, I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET MORE AND MORE INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY WHERE WE SIT DOWN ROOTS.
MY PARTICULAR PASSIONS ARE RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTALISM IN GENERAL, BUT ALSO IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUSTAINABILITY, AND ESPECIALLY DOING WORK ON CYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
I'VE BEEN ATTENDING THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS FOR THE LAST OH GOSH, PROBABLY LIKE FOUR MONTHS NOW.
I'M VERY PROFICIENT AND THE THINGS THAT THE TOWNSHIP IS FACING AS A WHOLE.
I'D BE HAPPY TO SERVE ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION IF YOU GUYS WOULD LIKE ME. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I JUST WANT TO SAY AT THE OUTSET, WE DO HAVE AN ITEM ON OUR AGENDA, DISCUSS THIS FURTHER, BUT IT'S A DELIGHT TO HAVE THE INTEREST AND HAVE PEOPLE, RESIDENTS OF THE TOWNSHIP INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING.
IT'S VERY HEARTENING. WE'LL MOVE NOW TO OUR AGENDA.
ANY SUGGESTIONS, CHANGES, DELETIONS,
[3. CHANGES TO/APPROVAL OF AGENDA]
TYPOS, ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT IN THE AGENDA AS DISTRIBUTED?[00:05:07]
WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE AGENDA IS APPROVED AS DISTRIBUTED.[4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES ]
WE HAVE A SET OF MINUTES FROM THE OCTOBER 4TH MEETING.ANY CHANGES ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN OUR MINUTES FROM THE OCTOBER 4TH MEETING? TOM, WE CAN USUALLY COUNT ON YOU FOR A COUPLE OF THINGS. COME ON.
>> [LAUGHTER] WELL, I GUESS AN AD TO GIVE A FEW CHANGES TO THE LEROY AHEAD OF TIME, AND I THINK THOSE HAVE BEEN INCORPORATED ALREADY.
I THINK YOU'RE SEEING A PRETTY GOOD PRODUCT HERE.
THE MINUTES ARE APPROVED AS CIRCULATED.
THAT TAKES US TO NEW BUSINESS.
[5. NEW BUSINESS]
THE FIRST ITEM OF NEW BUSINESS ON OUR AGENDA IS ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION OR APPLICANTS AND REAPPOINTMENT.I'M OF TWO MINDS ON THIS ISSUE.
IN OTHER BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS THAT I PARTICIPATE IN OR OBSERVE IN THE TOWNSHIP.
IT'S UNUSUAL FOR THOSE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS TO OPENLY DEBATE OR EVEN TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE SUPERVISOR FOR APPOINTMENTS.
HOWEVER, I AM ALSO COGNIZANT THAT SUPERVISOR REALLY LIKES GETTING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF THAT AND INPUT FROM THIS GROUP I KNOW WILL BE APPRECIATED.
MY SUGGESTION IS THAT RATHER THAN TRYING TO DEBATE THE PROS AND CONS OF ANY PARTICULAR APPLICANT, THAT WE COULD OFFER SOME COMMENTS ON THE EXPERTISE THAT WE THINK CURRENT APPLICANTS MIGHT BRING AND HOW THAT MIGHT COMPLEMENT OUR EXISTING EXPERTISE.
HOPEFULLY STAFF, MAYBE WITH MY HELP, CAN SUMMARIZE THOSE AND PASS ON A SUMMARY TO THE SUPERVISOR FOR HER CONSIDERATION.
THAT DOESN'T PREVENT ANYONE FROM ADVOCATING AND IN SUPPORT OF A PARTICULAR APPLICANT IF YOU SO CHOOSE.
I'M NOT GOING TO WIELD THAT GAVEL OVER THERE, BUT THAT'S MY SUGGESTION FOR HOW WE PROCEED ON THIS TOPIC.
JUST TO GET THE BALL ROLLING A LITTLE BIT.
I AM FAMILIAR WITH MICHIGAN NATURAL FEATURES INVENTORY AND WAS DELIGHTED WHEN I FIRST ARRIVED IN O-CHEM US TO FIND THAT.
WE SCHOOLS WERE HERE HAVING FOLLOWED THEM UP HERE FROM BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA.
WE SET OUT TO RECRUIT LEAST TO JOIN THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION GIVEN HER EXPERTISE IN WAYFINDING SIGNAGE, EDUCATIONAL SIGNAGE IN OUR PARKS AND NATURAL AREAS, AND IN SOME OF THE PHOSPHORUS, THE INFORMATION THAT WE WERE CIRCULATING AND IT WAS A BLOW TO THE COMMISSION IN MY VIEW THAT WE LOST THAT EXPERTISE AND THAT CONNECTION AGAIN BACK TO THE MICHIGAN NATURAL FEATURES INVENTORY.
I ALSO HAVE SOME CONNECTIONS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE AND UNDERSTAND HOW THAT EXPERTISE CAN BE A BIG COMPLIMENT TO WHAT IT IS THAT WE'RE DOUBLE DOING HERE.
ANYBODY WHO MENTIONED CYCLING IS GOING TO RATE HIGH IN MY BOOK. THAT'S GREAT.
SOMEHOW I SEEM TO HAVE GOTTEN INTO A PATTERN PERSONALLY OF GOING SIX MONTHS WITHOUT ANY INCIDENTS ON MY BICYCLE AND THEN HAVING MULTIPLE INCIDENTS ALL AT ONCE.
IF I'M CREAKY, IT'S FOR THAT REASON.
BUT INCIDENTALLY, FIND A MEETING OF THE BODY'S CYCLISTS ON CYCLIST.
YEAH, IT'S SO UNFORTUNATE SITUATION, BUT RAMIFICATIONS ARE MINOR AND LIVE TO TELL THE TALE.
IN SCANNING THE APPLICATIONS, NOTICE THAT THE WAY OUR APPLICATIONS ARE STRUCTURED.
YOU'RE ABLE TO REMEMBER BECAUSE YOU FILLED ONE OUT, MAYBE SOME YEARS AGO.
THAT ALL THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ARE LISTED AND YOU CAN CHECK WHICH ONES YOU'RE INTERESTED IN.
IF WE HAVE MORE APPLICANTS THEN WE HAVE OPENINGS FOR ON THIS COMMISSION.
THERE ARE OTHER PLACES THAT PEOPLE CAN FIND TO SERVE IN THE TOWNSHIP.
WOULD ANYBODY ELSE LIKE TO OFFER THOUGHTS, COMMENTS?
>> WELL, I ACTUALLY HAVE A QUESTION AND I'M UNCERTAIN HOW MANY OPEN POSITIONS WE HAVE.
[00:10:07]
OTHER THAN THE STUDENT AND THE STUDENT ALTERNATE POSITIONS.I KNOW WE HAVE A FEW PEOPLE PENDING REAPPOINTMENT.
>> I'M LOOKING OVER AT STAFF TO SEE IF SHE CAN GIVE US.
>> MAYBE NAD CAN ANSWER THIS BETTER THAN EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN POTENTIALLY SCALING BACK AND EVERYBODY [LAUGHTER].
A REGULAR OPENING, AND THEN POTENTIALLY STILL A COUPLE OF STUDENT OPENINGS.
IT DIDN'T OCCUR TO ME THAT IF GROUND DECIDED HE WANTED TO BE A STUDENT COMMISSIONER.
THAT MIGHT FREE UP AN ADDITIONAL WELL, WE DON'T THAT WOULD FLIP TO PUT HIS TERMS OF ONE-YEAR TERM WHEN SHE'D HAVE TO BE REAPPOINTED.
WHICH MAY JUST BE A SEMANTIC, SO WE POTENTIALLY COULD FREE UP CREATIVE.
OR WE CAN CHANGE OUR BYLAWS AND ADD NUMBERS.
WITH THESE CANDIDATES, IT'S HARD TO SAY NO TO ANYONE.
I THINK MOST OF YOU ARE AWARE OF THAT I ALSO SERVE ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
THAT'S MEETS TWICE A MONTH, SO I'M VERY HAPPY TO MAKE WAY FOR FOLKS WHO WANT TO SERVE IN THIS CAPACITY.
I THINK WHAT WE'RE HEARING IS THAT AT LEAST ONE, POSSIBLY TWO, AND POSSIBLY THREE.
I WOULDN'T FAVOR DEMOTING GRAHAMS POSITION TO A STUDENT POSITION.
BUT SO THAT'S THE BEST ANSWER I'VE GOT TODAY.
>> KENDRA HAS ALSO EXPRESSED A WILLINGNESS TO SCALE BACK.
I THINK SEVERAL OF US HAVE REMAINED ON THE COMMISSION.
BECAUSE WE WANTED IT TO BE AT FULL STRENGTH, ESPECIALLY AS WE GO THROUGH THE CLIMATE SUSTAINABILITY PLAN UPDATE.
BUT GIVEN OTHER COMMITMENTS, ARE HAPPY TO MAKE WAY FOR OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY.
IT'S GREAT THAT COURTNEY IS MOVING INTO THE PARKS DIRECTOR JOB.
I ASSUME THE TOWNSHIP BOARD WILL APPOINT ANOTHER LAYERS ON.
HAS THERE BEEN ANY DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I THINK THEY HAD ROLE IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO OUR WORK.
>> NO, SHE HAS MENTIONED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO TALK WITH US ABOUT THAT.
SHE STARTED SHE COULDN'T MAKE THIS MEETING, BUT FEELS LIKE WHAT THEIR NEW POSITION SHE HASN'T BEEN OF A CONFLICT OF INTERESTS.
BUT SHE WOULD DEFINITELY BE A GOOD PERSON FOR US TO INVOLVE IN THAT REAPPOINTMENT.
WE HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY OR IF WE HAVE ANY STRONG CONNECTION WITH PARTICULAR TRUSTEES.
DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION? SHE DIDN'T GIVE A TIMELINE.
>> I THINK SHE HAS ONE MORE MEETING WITH THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES BEFORE SHE HAS TO HAND IT OVER.
>> I BELIEVE LAST TIME WHEN SHE WAS APPOINTED, THERE WAS ACTUALLY A RIDE.
WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE WERE MORE THAN ONE PERSON INTERESTED IN BEING LIAISON TO THE COMMISSION.
I WORKED REALLY HARD WITH THE TEAM OF PEOPLE TO DEVELOP AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IN RELATIONSHIP TO WETLANDS AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT WORK TO CONTINUE ONWARD IF I CHOOSE TO RESIGN MY POSITION HERE.
I'M INTERESTED IN IN CANDIDATES WHO ARE WILLING TO CONTINUE THAT WORK.
THERE'S A LOT OF EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE ALREADY DEVELOPED.
IT'S JUST A MATTER OF CONTINUING ONWARD WITH MAILING SOME OF THOSE OUT ON A YEARLY BASIS.
WE HAVE A RESIDENTIAL FIRE THAT GOES OUT AND SPRINGTIME.
THERE'S A TRACTOR FLYER THAT GOES OUT AND SPRING TIME.
WE DO A BUFFER YOU'VE BEEN DOING A BRAF OR PROJECT EVERY YEAR.
WE HAVE SIGNAGE THAT'S PURCHASED AND HAS NOT BEEN PUT UP IN THE TOWNSHIP.
BUT I LIKE TO SEE THAT CONTINUE ONWARDS SINCE WE'VE PUT A LOT OF RESOURCES IN THIS FROM THIS COMMISSION.
THE TOWNSHIPS PUT RESOURCES INTO IT.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THESE FIVE GRAND A YEAR, THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT MAYBE.
I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN CANDIDATES WHO WOULD LIKE TO CARRY THAT TORCH AND MAKE IT EVEN BIGGER AND BETTER THAN IT ALREADY IS.
>> ANY OTHER COMMISSIONER COMMENTS PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> I WANT TO SAY, SINCE LOSING VOW ON THE COMMISSION,
[00:15:03]
I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE SOMEONE TO WORK MORE CLOSELY WITH ON SOME OF THE FOOD WASTE AND OTHER WORK THAT WE'RE DOING.I DON'T KNOW NECESSARILY THAT ANY OF THE CANDIDATES ARE INTERESTED IN THAT IN PARTICULAR.
I DID NOTICE THAT ANDREA, LOOKS LIKE HAS SOME EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH THE SOUP KITCHEN.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THEM WITH SOME OF OUR ARE BLEEDING PROJECTS.
ONCE AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT'S NECESSARILY FOOD WASTE IS AN INTEREST OF HERS AND IT FEELS A LITTLE OBJECTS SPEAK ABOUT PEOPLE [LAUGHTER].
BUT I WOULD SAY THAT'S AN INTERESTS THAT I CERTAINLY HAVE AND I WOULD LIKE TO.
SECOND WHAT KENDRA SAID, ESPECIALLY KNOWING THAT SHE MAY BE INTERESTED IN STEPPING BACK.
I THINK HAVING SOMEONE THAT IS VERY ABLE AND WANTS TO MOVE FORWARD.
A LOT OF THE WETLAND WORK THAT WE'RE DOING HAS CERTAINLY BEEN A PRIORITY OF THIS COMMISSION.
THAT WOULD BE A REALLY IMPORTANT SKILL SET TO CONTINUE TO HAVE
>> THE HISTORY OF THE COMMISSIONERS THAT BEFORE IT WAS CALLED GINSBURG COMMISSIONER WAS THE WETLAND BOARD.
IT WASN'T BECAUSE I HAVEN'T ENJOYED MY TIME ON THE COMMISSION.
I WANTED TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT MY REASONS FOR STEPPING BACK.
I HAVE MORE TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT MY CHILDREN ARE NOW ADULTS AND WE'RE TRYING TO HELP THEM EVOLVE INTO MIDDLE ADULTHOOD AND PERSONAL THINGS.
THAT THE FATIGUE ASPECT AND SO NO, I'VE ENJOYED MY HOWEVER MANY 15 YEARS ON THIS COMMISSION OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
THE OTHER THING THAT I WANTED TO NOTE IS THAT I CAN CALL THE CANDIDATES ARE VERY EXCITING ACTUALLY.
AS PHIL SAID, I'M REALLY EXCITED THAT THERE'S DESIRE AND INTEREST AMONG PEOPLE WHO HAVE BOTH PASSION AND EXPERTISE.
BUT ALSO THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S REALLY EVOLVED IS THAT LEROY HAS CREATED WAYS OF PARTICIPATING THAT AREN'T NECESSARILY JUST COMING TO COMMISSIONER MEETINGS BUT THERE'S THE GREEN TEAMS. THERE'S THE WEDNESDAY MORNING DISCUSSIONS.
WHICH BY THE WAY, LEROY, I COULDN'T BE THERE BECAUSE I WAS IN A PHD DEFENSE.
BUT ANYWAY, SO IT'S BEEN A LOT OF FUN.
WE'VE DONE A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.
WE'VE GONE OUT AND INSPECTED PLACES THAT PEOPLE WERE PLANNING TO DEVELOP AND TO DISCUSS WHAT THE WETLAND SITUATION WAS THERE.
WE'VE INTERACTED WITH PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF ASSESSING THINGS LIKE SURVEYING THAT WAY AND SO FORTH.
IT'S BEEN A VERY INTERESTING SET OF EXPERIENCES.
I STRONGLY, I'M VERY EXCITED THAT THERE ARE ENOUGH PEOPLE TO POTENTIALLY ENGAGE.
>> I WOULD ECHO THOSE COMMENTS.
WHEN I FIRST JOINED THE COMMISSION, 12 YEARS AGO OR SO.
IT SEEMED LIKE SEVERAL TIMES PER YEAR OUR MEETINGS WERE ALMOST THOROUGHLY DEVOTED TO WETLAND USE PERMIT APPLICATIONS.
THAT REQUIRES LOOKING AT THE ENTIRE APPLICATION THAT'S BEEN SUBMITTED EITHER FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT OR FOR ANOTHER BUILDING PERMIT.
THERE WAS A HUGE AMOUNT OF WORK.
YOU HAD TO READ THROUGH LARGE PACKETS AND SITE VISITS AND SUCH FOR A SET OF REASONS I'M NOT ENTIRELY CERTAIN OF.
WE HAVEN'T SEEN A WETLAND USE PERMIT APPLICATION IN YEARS.
INFORMAL CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR PLANNING DEPARTMENT SUGGESTS THAT ALL OF THE PARCELS THAT FOLKS WERE ATTEMPTING TO DEVELOP THAT HAD SIGNIFICANT WETLANDS HAVE NOW BEEN DEVELOPED AROUND THOSE WETLANDS.
THE WAY OUR ORDINANCE IS STRUCTURED, AND THAT PAST EXPERIENCE.
HAS LED TO DEVELOPERS PRESENTING PLANS THAT DON'T INVOLVE IMPACTS TO WETLANDS.
IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND A BUILDABLE PARCEL IN THE TOWNSHIP THAT DOESN'T HAVE OR IS NOT PROXIMATE TO WETLANDS.
BUT EITHER THE SITUATION HAS CHANGED IN TERMS OF AVAILABILITY OR IN TERMS OF THE DEVELOPERS EXPECTATIONS FOR WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THAT WE JUST DON'T SEE THEM ANYMORE.
THAT'S GIVEN US THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO IN A BROADER DIRECTION OF ADVOCACY AND EDUCATION.
[00:20:02]
THIS COMMISSION HAS REALLY BLOSSOM IN TERMS OF THAT CLIMATE SUSTAINABILITY PLAN.SOME OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER IT, ESPECIALLY ELECTRIFICATION, SOLAR ELECTRIFICATION.
BUT ALSO OUR WETLAND PROGRAM AND THAT'S ALSO REFLECTED IN THE TOWNSHIP BOARD BUDGETING FUNDS FOR THESE PROGRAMS. WHICH WASN'T A THING WHEN I FIRST STARTED.
WE WERE ALWAYS TRYING TO SCRAPE TOGETHER 300 BUCKS FOR A PUBLIC IP FOR A TRIFOLD ON PHOSPHORUS.
NOW WE ACTUALLY HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL AND GROWING BUDGET AROUND GREEN GRANTS, AROUND WETLAND EDUCATION AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.
IT'S AN EXCITING TIME AND A TIME FOR, I THINK A LOT CAN GET DONE.
IF THERE ARE NO MORE COMMENTS ON APPLICATIONS AND VACANCIES.
I'LL WORK WITH LORETTA TRIED TO SUMMARIZE THIS DISCUSSION AND PROVIDE WHAT GUIDANCE I CAN TO SUPERVISOR WITH THIS GROUP.
THE NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA IS FOOD WASTE IN TOWNSHIP ORDINANCES.
I'M ENOUGH OF A TOWNSHIP NERD TO HAVE LOOKED AT OUR ORDINANCES FROM TIME TO TIME.
NOT JUST AS MY ROLE AS A PLANNING COMMISSIONER BUT JUST BECAUSE I DO THAT THING.
IT DAWNED ON ME THAT THE WAY OUR ORDINANCE IS CURRENTLY WRITTEN, WHICH IS FAIRLY ARCHAIC, IT ACTUALLY OUTLAWS SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO DO.
KNOWING THAT THERE ARE OTHER FOLKS HERE WITH EXPERTISE IN LEGISLATION, I REACHED OUT TO COMMISSIONER FRAZIER TO SEE IF HE HAD ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR HOW WE MIGHT AMEND OUR CURRENT ORDINANCE TO AVOID WHAT I SEE AS A DISINCENTIVE AROUND ACTIONS THAT WE WOULD LIKE OUR RESIDENTS TO TAKE.
CAN YOU SCROLL US DOWN TO THAT SECTION OF THE PACKET PLEASE?
>> WHAT YOU'RE SEEING HERE, WHAT CAUGHT MY EYE IS WE'RE TRYING TO PROHIBIT PROPERTY OWNERS FROM THROWING, PLACING ARE LEAVING ON THEIR PREMISES ORGANIC REFUSE, FOOD WASTES, ASHES, DEAD ANIMALS, FISH, ANIMAL BONES, HIDES, ROTTEN SILK, [INAUDIBLE] TALLOW, AWFUL SHELLS, FOOD CONTAINERS OR WRAPPINGS CANS, BOTTLES, JARS, CROCKERY, GARBAGE, DISCARDED FURNITURE FOR, ABOUT HALF OF THOSE THINGS I THINK [BACKGROUND] MY RECYCLING BIN CONTAINS A LOT OF THAT STUFF AND MY COMPOST BIN CONTAINS THE OTHER HALF OF IT.
SOME OF THAT STUFF THAT YOU DEFINITELY DON'T WANT PEOPLE PILING UP IN THEIR FRONT YARD, MY SUBDIVISIONS RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS PROHIBIT BURYING TRASH IN YOUR FRONT YARD.
THAT'S WHAT THE STATE OF THE AREA WAS LIKE BACK IN THE 1960S.
THAT IF YOU DIDN'T PROHIBIT PEOPLE MOVING FROM THE COUNTRYSIDE INTO A SUBURBAN ENVIRONMENT FROM KEEPING UP THEIR OLD PRACTICES OF BURNING THEIR GARBAGE IN THE FRONT YARD THEN THEY MIGHT DO THAT THING.
IF WE SCROLL DOWN JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE TO THE BOLDED ALL CAPS SHOUTING HERE.
[LAUGHTER] THOSE OF YOU WHO KNOW TOM, NO, HE DOESN'T EVER SHOUT.
AT LEAST I'VE NEVER HEARD HIM DO IT.
[LAUGHTER] ADDING THIS LINE, THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO ITEMS THAT ARE ROUTINELY AND PROPERLY RECYCLED OR COMPOSTED SUCH AS BUT NOT LIMITED TO AND YOU SEE THE LIST, OR A SIMPLER THAT THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO ITEMS THAT ARE ROUTINELY AND PROPERLY RECYCLED OR COMPOSTED.
ONE OF THE DUTIES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION, ACCORDING TO OUR FOUNDATIONAL ORDINANCE IS TO REGULARLY REVIEW ORDINANCES FOR SUGGESTING UPDATES TO THE TOWNSHIP BOARD.
THE LAST TIME I CAN REMEMBER WE DID THAT IT HAD TO DO WITH TALL GRASS AND WE FELT THAT THE ORDINANCE THAT WE HAD ON THE BOOKS, LIMITING THE HEIGHT OF GRASS AROUND UNOCCUPIED GOING COULD DISCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM CERTAIN TYPES OF PLANTINGS,
[00:25:04]
WHETHER THEY BE RAIN GARDENS OR BUTTERFLY GARDENS ARE THE THINGS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ENCOURAGE.THEY TWEAKED IT A LITTLE BIT MORE AND IT RAN AFOUL OF A MAGISTRATE.
I UNDERSTAND THERE COULD BE SOME RELUCTANCE ON TOWNSHIP BOARDS PART TO GO DOWN THAT ROAD AGAIN.
CERTAINLY, I GET THE SENSE THAT THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT WANTS TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH AMENDING ORDINANCES IN WAYS THAT CAUSE PROBLEMS RATHER THAN SOLVE THEM.
BUT SINCE WE ARE PROPOSING A CLIMATE SUSTAINABILITY PLAN THAT'S TRYING TO ENCOURAGE SOME OF THE STUFF THAT'S PROHIBITED IN HERE, IT PERSONALLY FEELS TO ME LIKE A GOOD FIGHT TO UNDERTAKE.
TOM, DID YOU WANT TO SAY ANYMORE ON THIS ISSUES?
>> WELL, THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I THINK HE WOULD PRETTY MUCH SUMMARIZED IT ALREADY BUT AGAIN, THE CHAIR DID APPROACHED ME A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO ABOUT TAKING A LOOK AT THOSE PARTICULAR ORDINANCE.
AS HE INDICATED, MANY OF THE ITEMS THAT ARE LISTED HERE ARE ROUTINELY RECYCLED OR COMPOSTED.
WHAT THEY TRIED TO DO IS JUST COME UP WITH SOME POSSIBLE LANGUAGE THAT THE TOWNSHIP BOARD MIGHT LOOK AT TO AMEND THE ORDINANCE SO THAT THERE WOULDN'T BE ANY CONFUSION THAT THESE ITEMS CAN BE RECYCLED OR CAN BE COMPOSTED.
I'VE PUT TOGETHER TWO OPTIONS HERE: ONE, SPECIFYING CERTAIN THINGS THAT ARE OBVIOUSLY ITEMS THAT ARE EITHER RECYCLED OR COMPOSTED AND THEN THE SECTION OF THE ORDINANCE THAT DEALS WITH [INAUDIBLE] PER SAY ACTUALLY HAS SOME ADDITIONAL SECTIONS.
THERE'S NINE TOTAL SUBSECTIONS IN THAT PART OF THE ORDINANCE.
THE SECOND OPTION WAS JUST SIMPLY ADDING A 10TH SUBSECTION AND AGAIN READS AS IT DOES IN FRONT OF YOU THAT THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO ITEMS THAT ARE ROUTINELY AND PROPERLY RECYCLED OR COMPOSTED.
WE DID HAVE SOME FEEDBACK FROM PLANNING STAFF THIS WEEK AND I THINK THEY WERE WILLING TO WORK WITH US ON POSSIBLE WOOD SMITHING OR PERHAPS WAIT UNTIL OTHER ISSUES CAME UP.
BUT I TAKE THE CHAIR AND I THOUGHT PUT BEFORE THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION FOR DISCUSSION TO SEE WHAT PEOPLE THOUGHT AND WHETHER OR NOT WE MIGHT WANT TO RECOMMEND A POSSIBLE CHANGE THAT THE TOWNSHIP BOARD CONSIDERS.
>> ANY THOUGHTS, DISCUSSION? PLEASE, ANNA.
>> I AGREE THAT IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THIS IN OUR CLIMATE ACTION PLAN THEN HAVING AN ORDINANCE THAT DIRECTLY GOES AGAINST WHAT WE'RE SAYING WE'RE COMMITTING TO DOING IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD RECOMMEND IS CHANGED.
I HEARD YOU SAY EARLIER, THERE'S PERHAPS SOME HESITANCY TO ADD LANGUAGE TO THE ORDINANCE AND I'D SAY ANOTHER OPTION COULD POTENTIALLY BE TO SUGGEST DELETING SOME OF THESE EXAMPLES THAT THEY'VE PUT HERE LIKE CROSSING OUT FOOD WASTE, FOR INSTANCE.
SOME OF THESE ARE PROBABLY LIKE PRESUMABLY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH US AND IT'S FINE TO WEAVE IN, BUT IT'S LEARNED ABOUT ADDING.
WE JUST TAKE OUT FOOD WASTES AND THOSE THINGS THAT WE SEE THAT ARE ROUTINELY RECYCLED.
>> THAT CERTAINLY IS AN OPTION.
I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SECTION 1 IS TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH HERE IS TO MAKE SURE THESE ITEMS DON'T BECOME WETTER ON A PUBLIC STREET OR RIGHT-OF-WAY OR WIND UP IN WATER BODIES.
THAT WOULD LEAD ME TO THINK WE MAY NOT WANT TO TOTALLY EXCLUDE THOSE ITEMS BUT AS AN ALTERNATIVE, MAYBE SUGGEST THAT IF THEY ARE PROPERLY RECYCLED OR COMPOSTED,
[00:30:01]
THAT SECTION 1 MAY APPLY IN THOSE SITUATIONS.>> I GUESS REGARDLESS OF IF WE'RE PLANNING OR SUGGESTING, DELETING OR ADDING, IT MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA TO ADD MAYBE SOME DEFINITIONS OF WHAT PROPERLY RECYCLED OR PROPERLY COMPOSTED LEADS TO.
I'M NOT SUPER FAMILIAR WITH THE DOCUMENTS, MAYBE THAT'S ALREADY IN THERE, BUT IF WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT ENDING UP IN THE WATERWAYS OR AS TRASH, PERHAPS ADDING SOME MORE RESTRICTIONS TO WHAT THAT MEANS WOULD BE HELPFUL.
WHEN I FIRST READ THE SUGGESTED LANGUAGE I THOUGHT, WELL, WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS TO NOT PROHIBIT SOMETHING THAT SOMEONE IS TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
IF I'M STORING GLASS AND CANS AND BOTTLES IN A RECYCLING BIN THAT I'M INTENDING TO BE TAKEN FOR RECYCLING, THAT SHOULD NOT BE PROHIBITED.
BUT LEGISLATING AND TENSIONS IS PRETTY TRICKY, SO IT MAY BE THAT WE NEED TO FIND A LANGUAGE THAT CAPTURES THESE MATERIALS ARE DESTINED FOR OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT THAT DIFFERENTIATES BETWEEN I'M THROWING MY CANS OUT THE FRONT DOOR, I'M LEAVING MY CANS ON THE CAB IN RECYCLING BIN.
BUT I CAN SEE THAT BEING A LITTLE BIT TRICKY IN TERMS OF WHAT I WAS TRYING TO TOSS IT IN THE RECYCLING BIN [LAUGHTER] AND I MISSED IT, IT BECOMES TRASH.
I THINK PART OF THE RESPONSE FROM THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT WAS THAT THEY DON'T SEE COMPLAINTS.
THEY DON'T HAVE EXPERIENCE OF PEOPLE BEING VISITED BY THE COURT ENFORCEMENT OFFICER FOR THE RECYCLING, SO IT'S A NON-ISSUE.
BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, WHY WAIT, IS MY PHILOSOPHY ON THIS. JOHN.
>> I LIKE THE SECOND IDEA WHICH IS JUST TO HAVE A BROAD STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THINGS THAT ARE RECYCLED OR COMPOSTED BECAUSE THAT CAN CHANGE OVER TIME.
BUT I'M WONDERING IF WITH THAT BROAD STATEMENT TOO IF IT WOULDN'T HELP TO BASICALLY ADD AT THE END BY THE RESIDENT.
THAT WOULD INDICATE THAT IT SPECIFICALLY APPLIES TO THE RESIDENT, WHETHER THEY'RE DOING IT OR NOT.
JUST A CLARIFICATION, MOST PEOPLE WOULD INTERPRET IT THAT WAY ANYWAY.
BUT ANOTHER WAY TO LOOK AT IT IS PEOPLE WHO WANT TO QUESTION THINGS WOULD SAY CANS ARE ROUTINELY RECYCLED BUT I'M NOT GOING TO, I'M JUST THROWING THEM OUT THE FRONT DOOR.
>> CAN SOMEBODY ELSE PICK THEM UP? ANY OTHER THOUGHTS? EXECUTIVE A LITTLE BIT MORE TO GO ON IN CRAFTING A SECOND TRY.
DO YOU THINK WE CAN MAYBE BRING THIS BACK NEXT TIME AROUND AND SEE IF WE CAN MAKE YOU A RESOLUTION WITH SOME WAREHOUSES AND SOME THERE FOR US?
>> SURE. I THINK JUST TO SUM UP WHAT I THINK I HEARD IS I LIKE JOHN'S SUGGESTION AS FAR AS ADDING BY THE RESIDENT.
I'M PERSONAL TO THE MORE SUCCINCT WORDING MYSELF.
AS HE INDICATED, RECYCLED ITEMS OR COMPOSTED ITEMS CAN CHANGE OVER TIME.
I ALSO LIKED THE IDEA ABOUT MAYBE TRYING TO DEFINE WHAT ROUTINELY IS AND IMPROPERLY IS.
I'LL TAKE A STAB AT ADDING THOSE AND SEE WHAT WE CAN COME UP WITH IF THAT'S THE WILL OF THE COMMISSION HERE.
>> SOUNDS ABOUT RIGHT. IF WE DO KEEP THE LONGER LANGUAGE CLIPPINGS FROM HEDGES, HE JUST CAUGHT MY EYE.
[LAUGHTER] I'M JUST GOING TO GET ON A WHOLE SOAPBOX HERE.
THE STATE OF MICHIGAN HAS UPDATED ITS SOLID WASTE ORDINANCE AND ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS IT DID WAS TO TRY TO DIVERT ORGANICS FROM OUR LANDFILLS.
WE ALL KNOW WHY WE WANT TO DO THAT.
THE MORE WE CAN RAISE ATTENTION TO THESE ISSUES,
[00:35:04]
I PERSONALLY THINK THE BETTER.I ALSO FAVOR THE MORE SUCCINCT VERSION OF THIS RATHER THAN TRYING TO HAVE TO CONSTANTLY KEEP UP WITH WHAT IS AND ISN'T RECYCLED.
I THINK WE ALL WANT THE LIST OF THINGS THAT CAN BE RECYCLED JUST TO BECOME INFINITE, AS WE CAN. GET IT.
>> JUST TO ADD, THE PLANNING STAFF ARE WILLING TO HELP WITH THE WORDSMITHING AS WELL TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT FITS FOR NEXT TIME.
>> SURE. ANY OTHER THOUGHTS, COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS ON THIS AGENDA ITEM?
>> MY ONLY OTHER THOUGHT IS THAT I THINK IT IS GOOD LUCK FOR THE TOWNSHIP TO MAKE THIS CHANGE AND THAT IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S EASY FOR THEM TO DO THAT CAN SHOW THE DIRECTION THAT THEY WANT TO HEAD AND THAT THEY'RE TAKING STEPS IN THAT DIRECTION.
I HOPE THEY SEE IT THAT WAY TOO.
>> YOU JUST WANTED TO SAY TO OUR GUESTS THAT THERE'S NO REASON YOU HAVE TO STAY FOR THE WHOLE MEETING.
IT'S PROBABLY OBVIOUS, BUT IT IS NOT GOING TO AFFECT YOUR POSITION.
>> IN THE INTEREST OF MOVING ALONG, I'M GOING TO TAKE US TO OUR NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA, GREEN GRANTS.
I TAKE IT THE NEXT PAGE OF THIS PACKET HAS SOME INFORMATION ON GREEN GRANTS IN IT.
SOMEONE PREPARED TO LEAD THIS DISCUSSION PRESENTATION SUMMARY.
>> I CAN. BASICALLY WE'VE SIMPLIFIED THE APPLICATION FORM A LITTLE BIT, TRIED TO DESCRIBE A BROADER RANGE OF THINGS THAT WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR GREEN GRANTS.
BUT THE BIG POINT IS THAT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES EXPANDED BASICALLY DOUBLE THE SIZE OF THE GREEN GRANTS TO $20,000.
AROUND THIS GENTLEMAN HERE, WE WANT TO START GETTING THE WORD OUT.
IF YOU HAVE PROJECTS OR CONTEXTS IN THE COMMUNITY AND IDEAS FOR GREEN GRANTS, NOW'S A GOOD TIME TO START SHARING THE APPLICATION FORM AND WE'LL BE WORKING WITH COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT TO GET THE WORD OUT AS WELL.
>> SUPER-DUPER. THE PROJECT EXAMPLES THAT ARE ON HERE ARE MAINLY OR ALL ONES THAT HAVE BEEN FUNDED IN THE PAST.
ARE THESE ALL EXAMPLES OF PAST FUNDED?
>> I REMEMBER THE ENERGY ONE DONE.
[OVERLAPPING] PLANS AND STUFF.
>> NO, THERE HAVEN'T BEEN ANY BIOSWALES OR GREEN ROOFS OR LIVING WALLS, YET.
>> AND THIS IS JUST AN ILLUSTRATIVE LIST ANYWAY, IT'S NOT TRYING TO BE COMPREHENSIVE.
>> DID YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING JOHN, YOU'RE ON THE GREEN GRANT'S COMMITTEE?
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON GREEN GRANTS? I THINK IT'S BASICALLY A REMINDER TO US ALL TO REACH OUT THROUGH OUR NETWORKS TO SEE IF FOLKS ARE INTERESTED IN GETTING A LITTLE BIT OF FUNDING FOR THESE TYPES OF ACTIVITIES.
IS THERE ANY OTHER NEW BUSINESS ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO RAISE AT THIS TIME?
>> IS THE COUNT SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS?
>> THERE IS A SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS.
SINCE IT IS DECEMBER, IT IS THE TIME OF YEAR WHEN WE SET OUR MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2024.
I'M GUESSING AT ANY MOMENT, THE LIST OF PROPOSED DATES IS GOING TO POP UP IN FRONT OF US, BASICALLY, FIRST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH.
ONE QUESTION THAT ARISES IS, GIVEN THE PROXIMITY OF THE FIRST WEDNESDAY TO NEW YEAR'S AND THE HOLIDAY SEASON, WHETHER THERE'S APPETITE ON THE COMMISSION TO MEET ON JANUARY 3RD.
LIKEWISE, GIVEN THAT THIS IS A UNIVERSITY, COMMUNITY CHANGES CHARACTER QUITE A LOT DURING THE SUMMER OR SOMETIMES THINGS GET QUIET IN THE SUMMERTIME AND THE JULY MEETING SOMETIMES GOES BY THE WAYSIDE.
LOOKING FORWARD, WELL, I ACTUALLY HAVE A RESOLUTION THAT FIXES THESE DATES WHICH WE CAN ADOPT THIS EVENING, UNLESS ANYONE HAS ANY AMENDMENTS, SUCH AS SKIPPING ONE OR MORE OF THESE MEETINGS.
OF COURSE, THOSE MEETINGS CAN BE ADJUSTED AS WE GO THROUGH THE YEAR,
[00:40:02]
BUT THIS IS JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET ON THE CALENDAR, IF THIS ROOM GETS BOOKED, THAT HOME TV IS ALERTED, AND ALL THE OTHER NECESSARY FUNCTIONS THAT GO ALONG WITH THAT.ANYBODY HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH ANY OF THE DATES THAT ARE LISTED HERE?
>> I GUESS JUST TO ECHO WHAT YOU SAID EARLIER, JULY 3RD, THE DAY BEFORE A BIG HOLIDAY MIGHT BE A LITTLE IFFY FOR SOME OF US.
>> WE DIDN'T DO THE JULY MEETING THIS YEAR.
>> I CAN SAY IT'S VERY UNLIKELY I WOULD BE IN TOWN JULY 3RD.
>> WHAT I'M HEARING IS A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THIS DRAFT RESOLUTION EXEMPTING JULY 3RD.
IF THERE'S NO OBJECTIONS, WE'LL ACCEPT THAT AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.
IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION TO THAT REVISED LIST OF MEETING DATES, I WILL SIGN THIS LITTLE RESOLUTION AND PRESENT IT UP TO THE TOWNSHIP BOARD AND THE CLERK'S OFFICE. YES, SIR.
>> I'M NOT HEARING A STRONG OBJECTION TO THE JANUARY MEETING, SO MY SENSE IS THAT WE'RE GENERALLY OKAY WITH THAT.
MOVING TO UNFINISHED BUSINESS GOALS.
[6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS]
>> WHAT PAGE IS THAT? [NOISE] I'M TRYING TO NAVIGATE HERE.
THIS IS OBVIOUSLY NOT MY NORMAL COMPUTER.
>> WE JUST MADE YOU USE THE TRACK PAD TO TEST YOU.
>> NOW THIS IS A LITTLE DATED, I THINK LAST YEAR WE WERE AND STILL ARE CONSUMED WITH OUR CLIMATE SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN, WHICH ARTICULATES MANY OF OUR GOALS.
WE HAVEN'T UPDATED OUR GOALS IN A WHILE.
BUT IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO REFLECT ON WHAT OUR PRIORITIES ARE IN THE COMING YEAR.
IF WE DO HAVE SOME NEW MEMBER OR THREE, THAT'LL CERTAINLY IMPACT WHAT OUR GOALS ARE AS WELL [INAUDIBLE] BRING THIS UP IN MORE DETAIL IN JANUARY AFTER WE'VE HAD A CHANCE TO REFLECT ON SOME OF THOSE PRIORITIES.
>> NO. AGAIN, IT'S BEEN A COUPLE OF YEARS SINCE WE'VE LOOKED AT THIS.
BUT IT LOOSELY CORRESPONDS WITH THE TEAMS, THE GREEN TEAM, THE ENERGY TEAM, WETLAND EDUCATION TEAM, FOOD TEAM, AND THEN OF COURSE, THE DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION PIECE AS WELL.
JUST PUTTING IT OUT THERE FOR POTENTIAL DISCUSSION OR FOCUS ON HOW TO MOVE FORWARD.
>> I'M SORRY. ARE WE WANTING TO UPDATE THIS? IS THAT WHAT WE'RE DECIDING? I HAVE TO SAY I'M LOOKING AT THE FOOD GOALS AND ONE OF THEM, I'M NOT ENTIRELY SURE WHAT I MEANT BY IT, [LAUGHTER] SO I'M TRYING TO REFRESH MYSELF, BUT I THINK IT COULD STAND AND UPDATE.
>> IN MY EXPERIENCE, FORMALIZED GOALS HAVEN'T TO DATE REALLY BEEN A MAIN DRIVER OF THE COMMISSION'S ACTIVITIES.
AS STAFF SUGGESTED THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN NOT ONLY INCORPORATES MANY OF THESE TOPICS AND THE GROUPS THAT WORK ON THEM, BUT ALSO, IN MY MIND, IS OUR TOP PRIORITY.
[00:45:01]
I BELIEVE WE'VE GOTTEN TO A POINT NOW WHERE WE'RE COMFORTABLE WITH THE CONTENT IN THAT CLIMATE SUSTAINABILITY PLAN, THAT WE'RE ASKING IT BE PUT INTO A FORMAT SIMILAR TO THE MASTER PLAN DRAFT THAT CAN THEN BE CIRCULATED THROUGHOUT THE TOWNSHIP AND ESPECIALLY TO THE TOWNSHIP BOARD FOR ADOPTION.IN MY MIND, NUMBER 1 ISSUE BEFORE THE COMMISSION IS TO SEE THAT CLIMATE SUSTAINABILITY PLAN REVISION ADOPTED BY THE TOWNSHIP BOARD.
I THINK BY VIRTUE OF THAT, WE WILL BE ACTING ON MOST OF THESE.
MAYBE WHAT WE COULD DO NEXT TIME IS EXTRACT FROM THIS TABLE THE TOPICS OR ACTIVITIES THAT AREN'T DIRECTLY LINKED TO THAT CLIMATE SUSTAINABILITY PLAN THAT WE CAN THINK ABOUT HOW TO TACKLE THOSE OVER THE COMING YEAR. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
>> TO GO BACKWARDS ONE SECOND, AM I CORRECT IN MY SENSE THAT WE'RE PRETTY HAPPY WITH THE LANGUAGE THAT'S IN THE DRAFT AT THE MOMENT? I THINK WE'VE PRESENTED THEM, WE'VE DEBATED THEM, WE'VE TWEAKED THEM, AND IN MY MIND, THEY'RE READY FOR PRIME TIME.
>> WHERE IS THE MOST RECENT DRAFT?
>> IT'S AT THE SAME PLACE THAT IT'S BEEN.
I'VE GOT A LINK TO IT IN MY STAFF REPORT IF YOU WANT A REFRESHER ON THAT ONE.
>> I JUST WASN'T SURE I SEE THE STAFF UPDATES AND I SEE ONE UNDER AUGUST.
BUT MAYBE I'M LOOKING AT THE WRONG SPOT.
>> ALSO GOT A COUPLE OF HOURS.
>> THERE'S ROOM TO MAKE [OVERLAPPING]
>> YOU CAN CHANGES, BUT YEAH, I WOULDN'T BE HELPFUL IF THEY HAVE ONE LAST REVIEW.
IF YOU'VE GOT A GROUP, WOULDN'T NOT EVEN JUST LOOKING AT YOUR SECTION YOU'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH.
I'VE GIVEN A DRAFT TO HOME TV OR COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT AS WELL TO SEE IF THEY HAVE ANY FURTHER EDITS BEFORE WE PUT IT INTO A PDF FRIENDLY, FLIPPED SNACK, THEY CALL IT, LIKE THEY'RE PLANNING-
>> HAVE THEY GIVEN ANY INDICATION OF WHEN THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO PRODUCE THAT?
IT MIGHT TAKE JUST A FEW DAYS, BUT IT'S HARD TO MAKE AND IT'S ONE THAT'S IN THAT FORMAT.
ONCE WE GET IN THE GREEN LINE.
>> IS THERE ANYBODY ON THIS COMMISSION WHO OBJECTS TO GIVING THEM THE GREEN LIGHT?
>> I JUST FELT LIKE I WANTED TO READ IT ONE MORE TIME, BUT MAYBE.
>> ALL RIGHT, WELL, HOW ABOUT THIS? HOW MUCH TIME WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE IT ONE LAST LOOK? DAYS, WEEKS, MONTHS?
>> OH, YEAH. I MEAN, DAYS WOULD BE FINE OR WEEKS.
>> ALL RIGHT. MAYBE DECEMBER 15TH.
>> SOUNDS GOOD. IS THAT GOOD FOR YOU, KENDRA.
>> INCORPORATING ANY COMMENTS RECEIVED BY DECEMBER 15TH, TIME TO GIVE GREEN LIGHT AND GET IT MOVING.
IT'S NOT THE LAST BITE AT THE APPLE.
MY GUESS IS THAT WHEN IT GOES OUT, FOLKS WILL FIND THINGS THAT WE MISSED OR THAT ARE UNCLEAR OR THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY, SO WE'RE NOT CARVING THIS THING IN STONE, BUT WE ARE GETTING IT OUT THERE FOR BROADER REVIEW.
THAT TAKES US THROUGH UNFINISHED BUSINESS REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
[7. REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS]
STAFF UPDATE IS INCLUDED IN THE PACKET.ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO SPECIFICALLY HIGHLIGHT IN THE STAFF UPDATE THIS EVENING?
WE'VE GOT A GOOD SERIES OF SPEAKERS WITH A GREEN DIALOGUES COMING UP ON WEDNESDAY MORNING.
IF YOU CAN FREE UP ANY TIME ON YOUR WEDNESDAY MORNING.
>> VIRTUAL MEETINGS AT 09:00 A.M.
>> ON ZOOM. THANK YOU. NINE O'CLOCK.
THEY WOULD TRY AND KEEP THEM TO 37 MINUTES.
[LAUGHTER] [NOISE] YOU'VE GOT A COUPLE OF PEOPLE THAT I'M SURE THAT SOME OF YOU WILL BE INTERESTED IN.
MOST RECENTLY, SHARON MILLER, WHO DOES A LOT OF INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL AND NATIVE PLANT MAINTENANCE ON MSU CAMPUS IS GOING TO BE PART OF THAT DISCUSSION.
JANUARY 3RD. IT'S NOT COMING ON, I'M NOT SURE IT MADE THE LATEST UPDATE.
[00:50:03]
ALSO, I'M GOING TO LET YOU TALK ABOUT THE TRAIL OPENING THAT'S COMING UP.BUT [NOISE] YEAH, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE UPDATE, I'M SURE THERE'S OTHER STUFF, BUT I DON'T WANT TO BE LABOR IS SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN READ.
THERE'S A GREEN WAVE REPORT FROM THIS PAST YEAR THAT I FOUND FUN TO PUT TOGETHER.
JUST LOOKING AT THE PROJECTS AND PICTURES FROM THE PROJECTS THAT YOU GUYS HAVE HAD TO SUPPORT.
IT'S REALLY COOL. THEN WE'VE GOT SOME OTHER THINGS I'M SURE YOU'LL HEAR FROM OUR COMMITTEES. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. START LIAISON REPORTS, ANYBODY HAVE OR WORKING GROUPS, ENERGY TEAM, ANYTHING GOING ON WITH THE ENERGY TEAM? SOMETHING GOING ON WITH THAT.
>> YEAH, I JUST GOT SOME DATA ABOUT OUR SOLARIZED PROGRAM FOR THE PAST YEAR.
LET ME JUST GIVE YOU A FEW NUMBERS AND I'LL COMPARE THIS PAST YEAR TO THE PREVIOUS YEAR WHICH WAS 2022.
WE HAD FOUR MEETINGS THIS YEAR COMPARED TO SIX THE YEAR BEFORE, AND WE HAD SIMILAR NUMBER OF ATTENDEES.
THIS PAST YEAR, WE HAD 99 ATTENDEES.
BUT THE BIG DIFFERENCE IS THAT THE NUMBER OF BUYS, NUMBER OF SOLAR PURCHASES INCREASE SIGNIFICANTLY EVEN THOUGH WE HAD ABOUT THE SAME NUMBER OF ATTENDEES.
BACK IN '22, WE HAD 19 BUYS BECAUSE OF THE SOLARIZED MEETINGS.
BUT THIS PAST YEAR WE HAD 32 BUYS, AND THAT ALWAYS USE THE SOLAR ARRAY OUTSIDE THE TOWNSHIP HALL.
THAT'S A 10-KILOWATT SYSTEM, SO THAT'S A REFERENCE POINT.
THE PREVIOUS YEAR WE HAD 153 KILOWATTS, AND WITH THE 32 BUYS THIS PAST YEAR, WE HAD 247 KILOWATTS.
SO I THINK WE'RE DOING PRETTY GOOD.
WE SHOULD KEEP IN MIND THAT DURING THIS PAST YEAR, WE HAD A JOINT MEETING WITH WILLIAMSON TOWNSHIP IN A JOINT MEETING WITH LANSING.
SO SOME OF THESE NUMBERS INCLUDE NON-MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP.
BUT I'M EXPECTING, ALTHOUGH A DECISION HASN'T BEEN MADE THAT WE'LL TRY TO DO SOMETHING SIMILAR NEXT YEAR WITH MAYBE A SIMILAR NUMBER OF MEETINGS BY MAYBE FOUR MEETINGS SPREAD OVER THE YEAR.
THAT GIVES PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE ANYWHERE IN THE TOWNSHIP WHEN THE TIMING IS GOOD FOR THEM. [NOISE]
>> GREAT. I KNOW WE'RE ALL FAMILIAR, BUT FOR OUR VISITORS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC, THE MEETINGS ARE AT THE HOME WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD AN INSTALLATION, INVITES NEIGHBORS TO COME AND LOOK AT WHAT THEY'VE DONE AND ASK QUESTIONS AND POTENTIALLY GET DISCOUNTS FROM INSTALLERS.
I THINK OF IT AS A SOLAR TUPPERWARE PARTY.
>> YEAH. [LAUGHTER] GOOD ANALOGY.
>> HAVING FEWER PEOPLE PARTICIPATING AND MORE PEOPLE BUYING IS THE WAY THAT MODEL WORKS.
THAT'S WONDERFUL TO HEAR. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT.
GREEN TEAM. ANYTHING FROM THE GREEN TEAM?
>> WELL, I DON'T THINK I NEED TO ADD TOO MUCH TO THIS BECAUSE A TENTATIVE LIST OF EVENTS WAS IN THE PACKET.
THAT WAS THE LAST PAGE OF THE PACKET SO THE GREEN TEAM HAS BEEN WORKING ON EVENTS FOR NEXT YEAR.
ONE THING I WAS HOPING GRAHAM WOULD BE HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE ONE THING THAT WE'VE ADDED IS THE EVENT IN FEBRUARY ABOUT ENERGIZING YOUTH AND ENERGY ACTIVITY.
HE COULD EXPLAIN THAT MUCH MORE THAN I COULD, BUT WE PLAN TO DO THAT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FARMER'S MARKET, WHICH WILL AT THAT TIME BE AT THE LANSING MALL BUT GETS HER WELL, [OVERLAPPING] EXCUSE ME, SORRY.
THAT'S FOUR PI THERE ON COMMUNITY AT THE MERIDIAN MALL.
IN THE MARCH EVENT WILL BE AS WELL.
THE SPRING RECYCLING DAY WILL BE PRETTY SIMILAR TO PAST YEARS THAT IS PLANNED FOR A CHIP WITH MIDDLE SCHOOL.
THEN THESE OTHER EVENTS OTHER THAN THE FALL RECYCLING DAY, WILL ALSO BE AT THE FARMERS MARKET OUTSIDE DURING THE WARMER MONTHS. THAT'S ABOUT IT.
[00:55:01]
>> YES. LIKE I SAID EARLIER, I'M GOING TO ADD SOMETHING I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT MADE ME THINK OF IT WHEN I SAW THE PLANT, NATIVE MERIDIAN.
THERE'S A WETLAND PAGE ON THE TOWNSHIP WEBSITE AND PART OF THE WORK THAT THE WETLAND EDUCATION TEAM DID WAS DEVELOP A NATIVE PLANT GUIDE.
THAT CAME OUT OF THAT TEAM'S WORK AND IT'S A GREAT RESOURCE THAT I HEAR PEOPLE NOT ONLY USING THIS COMMUNITY, BUT SEVERAL COMMUNITIES.
WE CREATED THIS BUILD BACK THE BUFFER CAMPAIGN, WHICH WE'RE TRYING TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO BUILD BACK THEIR BUFFERS IN THEIR YARDS WHERE WE HAVE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS THROUGHOUT A COUPLE OF AREAS, THE PARKS AND TOWNSHIP, AND WE'RE HOPING TO EXPAND A PROJECT EVERY SINGLE YEAR.
PART OF THAT IS HAVING SOME SIGNAGE.
WE HAVE OUR ORDINANCE SIGNAGE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE SEEING ABOUT, NO DUMPING KINDS OF DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT AND THEN ALSO SOME SIGNAGE TO GO BY THE BUFFERS THAT WE HAVE ACTUALLY HAVE IN THE TOWNSHIP TO EDUCATE FOLKS WHY DO WE NEED TO PROTECT THESE AREAS, WHICH I HOPE ALL OF YOU CAN APPRECIATE.
LIKE I SAID EARLIER, THE SIGNAGE IS PURCHASED, IT'S JUST NOT BEEN PUT UP YET. CAN I DO THE LAND?
>> THEN ALSO ON THE LAND PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD, WHICH ONE OF OUR CANDIDATES ALSO SERVES ON HUMAN.
I THINK EVERYONE IS AWARE THAT WE HAVE A PROPERTY THAT IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING PURCHASED THIS WITH THE ATTORNEYS RIGHT NOW AND IT'S ON THE CORNER OF CORNELL AND SWEETWOOD WAY ACROSS CORNELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
WE'RE EXCITED THAT, I THINK IT'S A FIVE-ACRE PARCEL THAT'S BEING PURCHASED AND SO VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT AND WE ALSO, AT OUR LAST MEETING, WE DISCUSSED MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR THE PRESERVES FOR 2024.
>> THANK YOU. ANYTHING ON BROWNFIELDS?
>> WE DID NOT MEET DUE TO LACK OF NEW BUSINESS.
WHAT YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED, HOWEVER, CRUISING AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS THAT THEY HAVE COMPLETELY KNOCKED DOWN ALMOST EVERY BUILDING IN THE TERRITORY ON THE CORNER OF HAZARD ROAD AND MARSH ROAD, THE SOUTHWEST CORNER THERE.
BUT RIGHT NOW, THERE'S THE RETIREMENT HOME THAT'S IN CONSTRUCTION THERE.
BASICALLY, THEY'RE CLEARING THE AREA AND WE'LL SEE HOW THAT EVOLVES.
BUT YEAH. NO, WE HAVEN'T MET ACTUALLY SINCE OCTOBER.
>> I KNOW AT LEAST FOR EARTH CLUB, THINGS HAVE BEEN A LITTLE BIT STAGNANT RECENTLY JUST BECAUSE OF ALL THE BRAKES WE'VE BEEN HAVING AND I GUESS THE COLDER TEMPERATURES OUTSIDE, THE LAST I'VE HEARD THERE WAS SOME SCREEN PRINTING ACTIVITIES AND A POTLUCK BEFORE FALL BREAK.
IF ANYBODY NEEDS VOLUNTEERS FOR ANY OF THESE ACTIVITIES THAT I'VE HEARD, I CAN DEFINITELY GET SOME OF THOSE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.
I KNOW AT LEAST THE ACTION CLUB TYPICALLY FEATURES PRETTY HEAVILY IN THE ELECTRONICS RECYCLING DAY.
BETWEEN ACTION, NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY, AND EARTH CLUB, IF ANYBODY NEEDS PHYSICAL LABOR, I'M SURE I CAN FIND SOMETHING. [LAUGHTER]
>> GREAT. I KNOW THERE'S ALWAYS A HUGE TURNOUT FOR THE RECYCLING EVENTS AND IT'S ALWAYS WONDERFUL TO SEE.
MOVING FROM THE FOOD FOLKS RECENTLY.
>> I DO NOT HAVE AN UPDATE AND I WILL SAY WE MAY BE ABLE TO USE SOME VOLUNTEERS FOR THE, WELL, I MEAN NOT NOW I SUPPOSE, WELL, FOR THE GLEANING EFFORTS, ALTHOUGH BECAUSE IT'S WINTER, IT'S NOT.
MAYBE IN FEW MONTHS. [LAUGHTER]
>> I PRESUME A CONNECTION WILL BE MADE BETWEEN THE EVENT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT.
THE GRAHAM WANTS TO ORGANIZE ENERGIZING YOUTH AND THE EARTH CLUB TO MAKE THAT CONNECTION.
GREAT. ANY OTHER LIAISON WORKGROUPS THAT I'VE SKIPPED OVER? IF NOT, I'LL BRIEFLY MENTION THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION, AS I THINK YOU ALL KNOW, IS PROPOSING REVISED MASTER PLAN THAT'S NOW BEEN OUT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT TO SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES AND WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.
INTERESTINGLY, ONE OF THE SHORT-TERM ACTION ITEMS HAS TO DO WITH TRANSITIONING
[01:00:01]
LAND PRESERVATION PROGRAM FROM ACQUISITION TO MAINTENANCE AND I THINK THAT REFLECTS THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S UNDERSTANDING THAT THAT'S THE DIRECTION THAT THAT PROGRAM IS HEADED IN.MASTER PLANS DON'T OFTEN GET A LOT OF PUBLIC COMMENT.
BUT THAT'S ONE SECTION THAT DID RECEIVE QUITE A BIT OF PUBLIC COMMENT WITH PEOPLE WANTING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TOWNSHIP CONTINUES TO INVEST IN ACQUIRING LAND TO THE DEGREE THAT IT CAN.
THAT'S PARTLY AN ISSUE OF FINANCING AND PARTLY AN ISSUE OF AVAILABLE PROPERTIES AND SUCH.
BUT IT WAS INTERESTING THAT THERE WAS A HEALTHY SET OF COMMENTS ON THAT TOPIC ON THE MASTER PLAN DRAFT.
OTHER THAN THAT, WE'VE SEEN APPLICATIONS FOR A POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ALONG PARK LAKE ROAD ON THE EAST SIDE OF PARK LAKE ROAD NORTH OF GRAND RIVER.
THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT PROPOSED REZONING WAS THE MOST HEAVILY ATTENDED PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING I'VE SEEN SINCE I JOINED THE PLANNING COMMISSION WITH A LOT OF CONCERNS ABOUT ADDED TRAFFIC ON PARK LAKE ROAD AND THE DIFFICULTY THAT RESIDENTS EXPERIENCE GETTING ON AND OFF OF THAT ROAD DURING RUSH HOUR.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO POKE TOO HARD TO GET A LOT OF FOLKS TO TURN OUT IF YOU DO IT RIGHT.
A COUPLE OF OTHER PIECES WE'VE SEEN DOWN JOIN ALCHEMISTS, THE DEVELOPMENTAL RUN, THE ELEVATION, AND THE DRAIN COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE DID QUITE A BIT OF WORK DOWN THERE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY WERE MANAGING STORMWATER.
WE HAD A PIECE FROM THAT AS WELL.
THE LAST THING HERE I'M BEING SUBTLY PROMPTED FOR [LAUGHTER] IS AND I JUST CAN'T STOP SEEING THIS.
I THINK AT LEAST 15 YEARS AGO, I BUSH-WHACKED THIS TRAIL DOWN BEHIND THE FOUNDRY NEXT TO ELLISON BREWERY IN THE APARTMENTS AND SUCH.
WONDERING WHETHER WE WOULD EVER SEE THIS CONNECTION BEING MADE.
ON MONDAY ON MY COMMUTE HOME, SINCE THE TRAIL IS NOT OPENED, I WAS ON THE PATHWAY ALONG GRAND RIVER AVENUE AND A CAR TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN INTO NORTHWIND INTERRUPTED MY PROGRESS IN A VERY DRAMATIC WAY.
WE ALL SURVIVED. BUT IT'S A GREAT EXAMPLE TO ME OF THE BENEFIT THAT THIS PATHWAY IS ALREADY PROVIDING.
I GO BY THAT COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL ON HAGADORN QUITE FREQUENTLY AND I SEE THE PEOPLE LIVING IN THE TOWER AND THE OTHER APARTMENT BUILDINGS ALONG THIS PATHWAY ALREADY USING IT, WALKING AROUND THE DETOUR SIGNS TO USE IT.
ON FRIDAY AT NOON, THERE'LL BE A FORMAL RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY AT THE COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO UTILIZE THIS NEW TRAIL.
PHASE 2 WILL CONTINUE FROM PARK LAKE ROAD OVER TO CAMPUS VIEW APARTMENTS.
THAT GREEN SECTION THERE IS BASICALLY ALREADY IN PLACE.
I'M SORRY, THE YELLOW SECTION IS ALREADY IN PLACE.
THE GREEN SECTION IS EXISTING SINGLE-TRACK AND TWO-TRACK BEHIND THE CAMPUS VIEW APARTMENTS RUNNING UP THROUGH THE CENTRAL MERIDIAN PRESERVES.
THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT AT ALL TO DEVELOP.
VERY SOON WITH TOWNSHIP MONEY, WITH STATE GRANT MONEY, AND WITH COUNTY MILLAGE FUNDS, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN UPGRADE TO OUR TRAIL SYSTEM THAT WE'VE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO FOR DECADES.
WHEN I MENTIONED THAT TO ONE OF OUR UNDERGRAD STUDENTS AT WORK EARLIER TODAY, HER REACTION WAS REALLY IT TOOK 15 YEARS.
[LAUGHTER] MY RESPONSE WAS, YOU RIDE THE INNER URBAN TRAIL TODAY AND YOU THINK IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THERE? [LAUGHTER] IT WAS A PIPE DREAM FOR 20 YEARS UNTIL IT GOT BUILT AND NOW WE TAKE IT FOR GRANTED AND IT'S A HUGELY USED I THINK THAT IS ON IT PRETTY MUCH EVERY DAY.
>> ABSOLUTELY. ITSELF CAME ALONG IN SECTIONS.
>> I HOPE TO SEE A GOOD TURNOUT AT THAT RIBBON CUTTING.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO RAISE FOR THE COMMISSION? IT SEEMS I DIDN'T MAKE IT UNDER AN HOUR, BUT WE'RE GETTING CLOSE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, EVERYONE FOR ATTENDING.
>> PLEASE, GO AHEAD. I'M SORRY. GO AHEAD.
WE'RE ALMOST ADJOURNED. WE NEARLY ADJOURNED.
[8. PUBLIC REMARKS]
WE ARE QUASI-SEMI. PLEASE, GO AHEAD.>> JOSH NAM, 1517 RIVER TERRACE.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME TO THIS MEETING HERE AND TO BE PERFECTLY FRANK, I FEEL UNDER QUALIFIED COMPARED TO OTHER APPLICANTS.
I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND IF I DON'T ACTUALLY RECEIVE RECOMMENDATION.
[01:05:04]
HOWEVER, IF I DO, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO CONTINUE ATTENDING THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING AND PROBABLY THE PLANNING COMMISSION AS WELL.BUT HAPPY TO BRING ANY INFORMATION THAT'S RELEVANT TO THE COMMISSION FROM THERE UNTIL AT LEAST WE GET ANOTHER TRUSTEE LIAISON JOINING US.
BUT YEAH, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN FOR HAVING ME AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT ALL OF YOU DO AND I SHOULD MENTION THAT THE TRAIL SYSTEM, THAT'S ACTUALLY THE REASON I GOT INVOLVED IN [LAUGHTER] MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP POLITICS BECAUSE I CAN SEE IT FROM THE OTHER SIDE, FROM MY BACKYARD, I LIVE RIGHT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT RIVER AND SO REALLY APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU GUYS DO. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANYBODY ELSE? WITH THAT, I THINK WE ACTUALLY ARE ADJOURNED.
[LAUGHTER] [BACKGROUND]
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.