Mott Park hears from Councilman Sheldon Neeley

The Mott Park Neighborhood Association Feb. 17 heard from Councilman Sheldon Neeley (Ward 6).

Neeley warned people that some difficult discussions are ahead.

"City officials were just informed that the state plans on reducing our revenue sharing by 17 percent," Neeley said. "That means we are facing an $8.1 million reduction in revenue. By mid-March we will have trouble making payroll and you can expect more layoffs. We can't afford any more cuts in public safety."

According to Neeley a state takeover of the city could be a possibility. Neely said that according to the Lansing State Journal, the state is training 45 emergency state managers. He said that he favors a local turnaround in city management but it would take the council and the mayor working together.

The Lansing State Journal reported a Michigan House committee debating legislation that could lead to major consequences for local governments like Flint that run into severe financial trouble. The legislation would lead to earlier intervention by the state in troubled communities and broader authority for state-appointed emergency financial managers in cases when local finances are deemed to be in a crisis situation.

Neeley said he favors an increased income tax rather than the proposed two millages that will be on the May 5 ballot.

"Essential services like fire and police protection should be tied to increasing revenue streams like wages, rather than declining property tax revenue. I'm diametrically opposed to more property taxes," he said.

Neeley said he had good news to share. A recent meeting with the Michigan State Police resulted in an agreement for the state to provide two extra police squads for the city in exchange for the city moving 100 prisoners from Genesee County Jail to the Midland County Jail.

Neeley outlined some of his cost recovery ordinances that he is working on such as penalties for false alarms from individuals and corporations.

"When we have to send officers to answer a false alarm it can be costly," he said.

Neeley also proposed insurance companies be charged for washing down city streets after accidents and cost recovery for fire and police calls to tax-exempt entities like churches and schools.

Another concern he mentioned was the future of Mott Park Golf Course, now that the greens have gone to seed.

A member of the audience said he and others in the community are working to put together a nonprofit organization that would push the city to relinquish ownership of the golf course as soon as possible and sell it to them for a minimal amount.

Neeley also informed the group that there are 85 houses in Mott Park on the demolition list.

Realtor Ginny Braun provided a recent sales report for residences in the area. She said of the 39 homes that were sold, the median sales price was $15,000. She urged residents to wait if they don't have to move.

Braun said those she sold were mostly to young couples and families.

In other matters a member of the Mott Park alert system reported 12 recent breaking and entering crimes that were reported to the police.

"We have the license plate number of one of the vehicles and pictures of the occupants that were turned in to the police," she said.

Mott Park Neighborhood Association President Chris Monk told members that beginning in April the meeting night will be changed to Monday. The number of meetings this year was increased from four to six.

The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. April 11 at St. John Vianney, 2415 Bagley St. Topics for the meeting include neighborhood beautification and the golf course.

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