College Cultural group discuses crime, city budget

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By Kate Cole

Friday, May 18, 2012

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The College Cultural Neighborhood Association May 17 heard from Mike Herriman and Craig Wolcott, co-chairmen of the Neighborhood Watch Program who updated members on ways to provide crime prevention information to multiple entities while Stephanie Diana shared plans for updating the group's web site making information gathering and distribution easier.

Councilman Dale Weighill (Ward 7) spoke about broken communication at city hall and about highlights from the emergency manager's 2013 budget.

Wolcott recruited volunteers for the newly opened crime watch office that had more than 200 visitors at their grand opening.

"All our work is done by volunteers," Wolcott said, asking members to sign up for one-hour shifts.

Herriman talked about the computer-based Patrol Notes crime tracking system used by specific volunteers and monitored by the Flint Police.

"This system has provided information leading to several arrests," Harriman said.

"Volunteers walk, ride bikes or patrol in their vehicles and report suspicious behavior via Patrol Notes."

Members noted that the Mott Community Safety Department police have been very effective in patrolling their area as well.

Diana reported her committee is looking at changes to the group's web site that will provide renters and landlords with information regarding their responsibilities as defined by city ordinances.

According to Diana, step-by-step instructions for determining owners of nuisance properties will also be available.

"What we want is for more people to take action to resolve their own problems rather than relying on the city that doesn't have the resources," Diana said.

The web site will have a form to report information to the neighborhood watch office, she said.

Weighill spoke about what it's like to be on the city council now that the city is governed by Emergency Manager Mike Brown.

"City Council has no authority. Brown cancelled our regular meetings and replaced them with a monthly meeting that in effect has also been cancelled. There is not a lot of communication between the council and the emergency manger," Weighill explained.

Weighill prepared a recap of the budget presentation made by Brown and distributed it to members. The document indicated the city would likely end the current fiscal year with a one-year deficit of $18 million — in addition to a string of deficits from previous years.

The document indicates the city's cash flow is precarious as well.

According to Weighill, Brown will ask the state to issue bonds to address the accumulated deficits. A combination of spending cuts and increased revenues are necessary to balance the budget.

The document warns that if nothing is done to change the currently projected revenues or expenses, the deficit on June 30, 2013 will be $25 million.

The new 2013 budget totals $195 million for all funds and provides for a city workforce of 539 employees.

According to the budget document, some changes residents can expect to see are a flat fee of $143 for residential property waste collection and the elimination of the current millage that funds a portion of that collection.

A new citywide special assessment for street lighting of less than $100 per property will be assessed and the current water and sewer rates are projected to increase by 12.5 percent and 45 percent respectively.

The budget assumes the worst-case scenario that all grants will not be renewed. Therefore, 19 police officers currently funded by grants will be laid off along with 39 firefighters.

State Rep. Jim Ananich announced his district has been redrawn and that he will no longer represent residences east of Franklin.

He reported that he is working on securing funding for the city's lock-up to reopen and seeing that more police officers are headed to Flint. He said he is also working on legislation about metal theft.

"This is a problem across the state — not just in Flint," Ananich said. "We're looking at tightening licensing of scrapyards and providing a "do not buy" list for scrapyard owners.

The group re-elected by acclamation its current officers Sherry Haden, president; Mike Keeler, vice president; and Cindy Robinson, treasurer.

Virginia Nolen presented the group with information about a former coal mine under Sunnyside near Kensington avenues near her home. She described problems she is experiencing with sagging and sinking land and wet spots with coal and iron ore appearing after a rain.

She contacted an attorney who estimated 200 homes might be affected. Residents who are experiencing similar problems were asked to contact Nolen at (810) 877-4756.

Mike Keeler said he believed the mine was officially closed in 1910.

The group will meet next at 7 p.m. Sept. 20 in MCC's RTC Auditorium.

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