Group discusses public safety, Genesee Towers, tax increases

The College Cultural Neighborhood Association Nov. 18 discussed public safety, the fate of Genesee Towers, a proposed city tax increase and activities at Mott Community College.

Audrey Martini, Michigan State University School of Criminal Justice, spoke about the Mott Foundation grant that enabled MSU to provide training and technical assistance to Flint police.

MSU has been working with Flint police since December 2009. The grant started March 10 and will provide funding to end in February.

MSU has "a real strong case" for getting funding for another year, Martini said.

Martini said the city needs alternate types of call response because there are fewer officers available to respond to a rising number of calls. People need to cut down on false alarms to reduce the police workload.

National statistics have shown that 97 percent of all 911 calls are false alarms, she said. Alternate call response will require a change in policy and procedure requiring training and public awareness.

The number of emergency calls is very detrimental to community policing, Martini said, as officers are forced to go from call to call.

Block clubs and ministations are very important to give people a sense of security.

"With all that Flint is facing, there are still very positive community groups," Martini said.

City Attorney Pete Bade spoke about Genesee Towers. Property taxes, due Feb. 15, will reflect what Bade called the "inherited problem" of the Towers — an $8.9 million debt to be paid by the property tax payers of Flint.

"It's a Flint tradition to look for a quick fix, a magic solution," Bade said in response to suggestions the city file bankruptcy. He explained bankruptcy must be granted by the state. Before it would be allowed an emergency financial planner would be installed with the sole objective of avoiding bankruptcy with no input from the Flint City Council.

"Genesee Towers is a bitter pill. As the holidays approach, it's tough to put this on taxpayers. But we lost. Game's over. I don't blame anyone for being frustrated, but the reality is this is on our doorstep," Bade said.

The city will now own the structure.

"Every resident gets one room to decorate however they want," Bade joked.

Bade said it is believed that the building can be reused. He cited the example of the Durant Hotel, which was closed for many years and has recently been successfully rehabilitated. Bade said the possibility of getting Genesee Towers back on the tax roll would be more profitable than demolishing it.

Councilman Dale Weighill (Ward 7) spoke about a possible increase in income taxes for those who work in the city — an estimated increase from 1 percent to 1.5 percent for city residents and 0.5 percent to 1 percent for those who work but do not live in the city.

Weighill distributed a survey asking for the opinion of his constituents about the increase and a possible public safety millage.

Michael Kelly, MCC spokesman, said the construction of MCC's library is scheduled to be completed by the end of December and will open for full access in January. He said the library is open to everyone, not just students. The library update has been "a response to the digital era," Kelly said, with more private study rooms and quiet areas.

Prahl Boulevard will remain closed as it undergoes transformation to a pedestrian mall to ease congestion on campus, Kelly said. Sidewalks are being constructed on Robert T. Longway.

"We're committed to a walkable campus," Kelly said.

Kelly reminded the group of MCC's many services available to the public, including the full-service bistro, Fine Arts Gallery and Dental School.

The school will also be adding a new associate's degree in media arts and technology and new certificates of achievement in electrical technology, hybrid technology and repair, sustainable construction and robotic programming and control, according to Kelly.

The group will next meet next at 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 20 at MCC's Regional Technology Center. Visit www.ccnaflint.org for more information.

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