College Cultural group hears about water bills Nov. 17

Greg Folsom, a Flint service center employee, talked about recent increases in water and sewer rates and explained how residential bills are calculated at the College Cultural Neighborhood Association Nov. 17.

The group also discussed the crime watch, an emergency response training program and group finances.

Folsom said, "I wish I could stand here and tell you I could do something about the increase in the water rates, but I can't.

"For more than four years, between January 2005 and May 2009, there were no rate increases for water and sewer," Folsom explained. "This year rates were raised 24 percent in January and 35 percent again in October."

Members discussed reasons why the rates remained stable until this year. Some blamed Don Wlliamson, saying that he was responsible for keeping rates low for re-election reasons.

Jack Minore said part of the problem is that the city has a significant water and sewer infrastructure to maintain because it was built for a population of more than 200,000.

Others pointed to mismanagement of the funds. According to the state's financial team's review, the funds were used to subsidize the failing general fund since 2009. During that time, these funds were losing money in their own operations.

Folsom said he was unsure of what a newly appointed emergency financial manager will do about these problems, but there were many reasons for the deficit in the water and sewer funds. He pointed out that there was a substantial number of vacant homes and loss of industry.

"The Land Bank owns about 6,500 homes in the city. If those homes had outstanding water bills that were transferred to their property tax bill, we cannot collect them," Folsom said.

Folsom explained in the past, before homeowners began walking away from their properties, unpaid water and sewer charges were added to the property tax bills and penalties were applied. When the property was sold the fees were collected with interest.

Folsom also explained the two types of water meters used for residential properties. "There is a 5/8-inch meter and a 1-inch meter. Most residences use the 5/8-inch meter, which has a substantially lower rate than the 1-inch meter that is used primarily for multiunit buildings and homes with apartments.

"Water is measured by units. Each unit is 740 gallons," Folsom said. "Sewer fees are determined by the number of water units. If you used 10 units of water you will also be billed for 10 units of sewer," Folsom explained.

Homeowners that use a large amount of water for lawns or gardens were encouraged to get a separate meter.

"There are no sewer charges attached to these meters," Folsom said. "They are read during the months of May through October."

Folsom explained water meters are read remotely and the information is electronically transferred to the city's billing system. If there is a problem reading a meter or the meter is not operating, a bill will be estimated and a letter sent to the homeowner.

The rates the city charges the areas outside the city have also increased, said Folsom.

Folsom said members could contact him at (810) 766-7470, ext. 2156, for answers to their individual questions or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

In other matters, Mike Herriman, watch committee co-chairman, reported that members are working with Richert Manor management in reporting incidences of open alcohol or drug use on the property. He asked members to call the facility at (810) 736-3094, ext. 3801, to report any violations.

Herriman also asked members who are vandalized to carefully calculate the amount of damage. He said when damage is over $1,000 the police treat the incident as a felony. This changes the status of the crime and the way the police pursue the perpetrators.

Craig Wolcott, crime watch co-chairman, reported the August and September police crime statistics. There were 179 incidents reported in Ward 7 in August — a record high.

"But only 25 of these incidents were in the College Cultural area," Wolcott said.

The September report showed 151 incidents in the ward with 15 in the College Cultural area.

Wolcott reported that negotiations are underway to determine if the former barbershop on Commonwealth Avenue could become the neighborhood watch office at no cost to the group.

Sgt. Lloyd Nicholson, Mott Community College Public Safety, talked about a combined community education initiative called Community College Citizen Preparedness Program (3CP2). People will be trained to take responsibility for their personal safety during emergencies, to support local emergency responders and about disaster relief and community safety. Volunteers are also needed to staff community response teams in coordination with Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency.

A training program from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 15 will be held at the MCC RTC Auditorium as part of the neighborhood watch program. Other neighboring associations are being asked to take part in the training session.

President Sherry Hayden said the $1,000 grant the group received for its watch group was used to initiate the Red Alert electronic crime watch system and provide educational materials and lawn signs.

Hayden also said the value of the volunteer hours last year for the association was valued at $35,000.

She asked for permission to increase the size of the ad in the East Village Magazine at an additional cost of about $200 a year. The grouped voted for the larger ad. The group also voted to apply for another grant with the Community Foundation of Greater Flint to support the watch group efforts if another grant opportunity becomes available.