College Cultural group hears council, committee reports

The College Cultural Neighborhood Association Jan. 20 heard reports from Councilman Dale Weighill (Ward 7) and members of the group's committees.

Weighill said he was one of two who voted against the mayor's proposal for a $20 million bond that was approved by the council and sent to the state for approval.

"I voted against it because I had questions that were not answered by the mayor or city administration before the vote. The bond will have a 3- to 20-year payback but at the current rate of spending it will be gone in 12 to 18 months," Weighill said.

Weighill discussed two new millages for public safety that the mayor is proposing — two mills to continue a previous police officer millage and two mills to reopen the city jail. He asked members for input about the millages while the vote is postponed in the council.

Weighill told members he supports the mayors proposed increase in the city income tax because it does not affect people on fixed incomes, as did the Genesee Towers millage.

Mike Herriman and Craig Wolcott gave members an update on the neighborhood watch program.

Herriman said several other neighborhood groups are considering the Code Red Alert system and it is supported by the mayor and other officials.

"The mayor said he supports it. The local 911 bureau chief supports it," Herriman said. "I'm trying to see where the chief of police stands with the system."

Wolcott said that 158 incidents were reported in the November police crime statistics. The group's goal is to collect the stats and chart them on a neighborhood map to determine if there is a crime pattern.

Wolcott recommended people add motion sensor lights as a crime deterrent.

Michael Kelly, Mott Community College public information director, reported more than 12,000 students are enrolled in the college this semester. Kelly also reported on FABLAB, Mott's digital fabrication laboratory that is part of M.I.T.'s international FABLAB network. The lab will be open to students and the community beginning in February.

"It's for people who are making things," Kelly said. "Hopefully the lab will also be creating jobs."

Lab participants can draw, design and model their ideas using CAD software tools, laser cutting devices and other state of the art machines.

Andy Everman, a Mott Community College trustee, provided information on the college's budget. He said the total budget is $75.6 million with 48 percent of the amount coming from tuition. Local property taxes provide another $21 million and $14.5 million comes from state aid.

Kay Kelly, Parks and Recreation Department, talked about Kearsley Park. She said last year a grant funded 10 students to maintain park grounds. The Shakespeare festival netted $9,000 opening night. A UM-Flint soccer team will be using the Kearsley Park soccer fields this year. The park received an $89,000 transportation grant to fund repairs inside the park.

Rhina Griffel, League of Women Voters vice president, asked if the group would consider co-sponsoring their Redistricting Genesee County meetings at MCC Feb. 10 and Feb. 17. She said the sponsorship involves getting the word out but no financial commitment. The group voted to co-sponsor the event.

The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. March 17 at the MCC Regional Technology Center Building, Room 1301.

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