City affairs, adopt-a-park, crime prevention discussed

The Central Park Neighborhood Association May 13 heard from Councilman Dale Weighill, Sgt. Lloyd Nicholson of the Mott Police Department, the Flint Parks and Recreation Department director and a representative of the Genesee County Community Action Resource Department.

It also discussed a future meeting of the Investor's Committee.

Weighill (7th Ward) told the group the Flint City Council is trying to bring garbage pickup back to a weekly schedule and is working on a budget.

Weighill apologized for both the delay in compost pickup and the smell coming from the compost pile near downtown. He said the city is now turning the pile, which should help alleviate the smell.

Weighill said his desire is to reduce administration costs in the budget then turn those funds over to trash pickup and police.

The city council has rejected the mayor's fire chief appointment, Weighill said.  He questioned whether the $90,000 plus benefits position was necessary.

A resident asked if more cuts would be made to the police force.

Weighill said the mayor's proposed budget would cut 10 police officers from a department with "only four cars covering the city on any given shift."

Weighill said City Administrator Gregory Eason asked him to report that the city will be hiring six blight elimination officers by the end of May. The position is to be part time, 30 hours a week. Weighill wasn't told what the position would pay.

A member said he was concerned City Hall employees haven't been scaled back along with the size of the city.

Weighill replied he has a "general frustration with how things work at City Hall" and no one will "shake things up" right now.

Sgt. Lloyd Nicholson, Mott Public Safety Department, said efforts of the Central Park Crime Watch Committee have led to increased police observation in the area. He said his department is trying to start a tip line and encouraged residents to call (810) 762-0222 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with any information about area crime.

Crime Watch Committee Co-chairperson Debi Splaney passed out tip sheets on details to gather before reporting a crime and encouraged residents not to confront people they think are committing crime.

Director Marcus Randolph, Parks and Recreation Department, said the city is creating a summer through fall contract for organizations wanting to adopt parks near schools and neighborhoods. The city is working with Salem Housing to provide push mowers, rakes and other equipment, and with Keep Genesee County Beautiful to provide trash and compost bags.

Randolph said the city is taking bids for contractors to care for larger parks like Forest Park and Pierce Park.

Group members told Randolph East Street Park needs to be mowed and residents do not have the equipment to keep it maintained.

Randolph said if residents were unable to adopt the park, he believed contractors would mow it on a seven- to 10-day schedule.

Kimberly Green of Genesee County Community Action Resource Department said weatherization funds are available for low-income homeowners and renters. The goal for 2011 and 2012 is to weatherize 800 homes.

Qualification rules have changed. Applicants need only submit the amount of the last three months of income, instead of a full year. Entry into the program is based upon income and house size. Licensed inspectors and contractors evaluate energy efficiency of the residence and perform services like insulation, foundation repair, window and door replacement and replacement of energy inefficient appliances.

Renters are eligible for the program based on their income, not the landlord's, if at least half the renters at the property qualify. All work is free to the resident. However, any issues with mold or asbestos must be resolved before work can begin. There is not a waiting list.

John Freeman, chairman of the Investor's Committee, has asked all area landlords and representatives from the UM-Flint and city government to attend a meeting June 5 to discuss preparing the neighborhood to receive as many student renters as possible for the fall semester.

Freeman added he has walked the neighborhood noting code violations and will turn them over to a city code enforcement officer.

The group will meet next at 7 p.m. June 10 at the Court Street Village Neighborhood House, 727 East St.