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Michigan Lt. Governor's Office
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Gov. Rick Snyder signs supplemental budget bills, maintains commitment to fiscal responsibility
Combined with executive order, bills balance state budget to ensure Michigan continues to grow stronger
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today signed legislation that reduces government spending to ensure Michigan’s economy continues to grow stronger. The bills were crucial for the state to continue paying debts and honoring past commitments.
“These bills continue our efforts to fiscal responsibility by reducing spending to help to keep Michigan’s economy growing,” said Snyder. “I appreciate the partnership from the Legislature to identify reductions that make sense and protect our key priorities areas such as K-12 education, community colleges, higher education, and funding for locals. Protecting the education system was a top priority for everyone.”
House Bills 4110 and 4112, sponsored by House Appropriations Chairman Rep. Al Pscholka, provide for more than $400 million in General Fund reductions for the current fiscal year.
“Michigan has come a long way since over the past four years and continuing to be responsible with the state budget ensures our comeback continues,” Snyder said. “Making responsible decisions like this have led to key successes such as the creation of more than 300,000 private sector jobs, unemployment is at its lowest rate in 12 years, rising personal income growth, increasing housing values, and Detroit is emerging from bankruptcy with a stronger and brighter future.”
The bills will take immediate effect and are now Public Acts 5 and 6 of 2015.
“The signing of these bills is a great accomplishment for the Legislature – we successfully once again balanced the state’s checkbook, without borrowing money or reducing funding to schools or local governments,” Pscholka said. “A decade ago this would have been revolutionary. Today, it’s the new normal.”
For more information on this and other legislation, visit www.legislature.mi.gov.
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Michigan Secretary of State
Secretary of State Mobile Office visits boating expo
MARCH 9, 2015
NOVI, Mich. – The full-service Secretary of State Mobile Office will be ready for business at Novi’s 23rd annual Spring Boating Expo Thursday through Sunday, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson announced today.
“We’re always pleased to be part of the Spring Boating Expo because we want to help promote Michigan as a water wonderland,” Johnson said. “If you’re a boating enthusiast who needs to renew your watercraft registration, you’re welcome to do it right at the show. You can also renew your license plate tabs or your driver’s license. Stop by our Mobile Office for fast, friendly service.”
The Spring Boating Expo will be held at the Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Dr. in Novi. The show features the latest in ski boats, fishing boats, pontoons and personal watercraft. Visit www.SpringBoatingExpo.com for more information.
Michigan has about 900,000 watercraft registered in the state. Boat registrations are renewed every three years.
The Secretary of State’s Mobile Office will be open during regular show hours, which are:
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Thursday – 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
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Friday – 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
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Saturday – 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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Sunday – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A free boating safety course is available during the show on Saturday. Pre-registration is encouraged atwww.SpringBoatingExpo.com. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Marine Division will be offering the course.
Residents can also renew their watercraft at www.ExpressSOS.com, the online, no-wait Secretary of State, which allows customers to access expanded online services without having to make a trip to an office.
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Michigan State Police
State Police Receives Approval to Fly Unmanned Aircraft System to Support Public Safety; Media demonstration scheduled for 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11 in Lansing
Contact: Ms. Tiffany Brown, MSP Public Affairs Section 517-241-0970
March 9, 2015
The Michigan State Police (MSP) has received authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), making the department one of the first police agencies in the nation to obtain statewide authorization to fly an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) to support public safety efforts.
The MSP will host a media demonstration at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11 at the MSP Training Academy (near the Precision Driving Unit drive track) located at 7426 North Canal Road in Lansing. This will be an opportunity for media to conduct interviews with the pilots and to shoot photos and video of the UAS in operation.
In Sept. 2013, the MSP purchased an Aeryon SkyRanger with an eye on the future potential of this technology to support law enforcement missions. This device was selected because of its high rating in the federal Robotic Aircraft for Public Safety (RAPS) survey. This survey evaluated different systems for safety, capability and reliability. Since that time, the MSP has worked closely with the FAA to meet all safety and training requirements, as well as to develop policies and procedures for the safe and effective implementation of this equipment.
In Feb. 2014, the MSP received a Certificate of Authorization (COA) from the FAA to conduct training flights with the UAS near the MSP Training Academy.
On Feb. 25, 2015, after meeting all federal regulations, the FAA granted the MSP's request for authorization to fly the Aeryon SkyRanger for law enforcement support missions statewide. Potential missions include search and rescue, crime scene and crash investigations.
On March 4, the UAS was flown over a fire investigation near Jenison. The device collected both video and photographs of the structure to help investigators determine the origin and cause of the fire. This authorization will allow the MSP Aviation Unit to support requests for service from any law enforcement agency within the state.
The MSP has strict policy regarding the operation of the UAS. The policy dictates the UAS is always flown by a two-person crew, with one acting as the pilot and the other as a safety observer. The FAA certified pilot has received specific training from the manufacturer in the safe operation of the Aeryon SkyRanger. The device must remain below 400 feet and always be within line of sight of the crew. Many additional safety factors are included with the design of the device.
Media interested in interviews should plan to attend the demonstration on Wednesday, as individual demos and interviews will not be offered due to the volume of requests.
City of Detroit
24March 2015
Mayor Duggan Announces No-Interest Home Repair Loans to Help Strengthen Neighborhoods
• City joins forces with LISC, Bank of America to help homeowners
Mayor Mike Duggan joined city, community and nonprofit partners to unveil the Detroit 0% Interest Home Repair Loan Program, which will provide $8 million in financing for eligible homeowners looking to patch roofs, replace windows, upgrade plumbing and address structural or safety issues.
The program is a city-led partnership with the Local Initiatives Support Corp. (LISC) and Bank of America. It is designed to help homeowners fix deteriorating properties and help eliminate blight—all while laying a foundation for renewed private investment in areas struggling to attract capital. It’s a focused public-private commitment to Detroit’s neighborhoods.
The program targets Detroit homeowners earning up to 80 percent of the area median income ($54,150 for a family of four), as well as households in targeted parts of the city, regardless of their income. It helps fill a growing market gap—owners who want to invest in their homes but can’t get affordable traditional financing because property values have eroded their ability to borrow.
"We worked very closely with HUD and our other partners to make sure these loans are accessible to as many Detroiters as possible,” said Mayor Duggan, who added, “establishing this loan fund will generate a wave of home improvement work across the city that will raise property values and strengthen neighborhoods."
Funding for the program comes from $4 million of Community Development Block Grant funds from HUD, as well as $4 million from Bank of America. LISC will use the funding to provide loans to qualified homeowners. Borrowers will pay no interest on their loans—the partners will absorb most of the costs to operate the program—but they must pay back the principal. That helps homeowners improve their credit history as they improve their homes, while also building a track record of loan performance that will encourage others to lend and invest in these communities.
“Our support of the Detroit 0% Interest Home Repair Loans Program in partnership with the City of Detroit and LISC is yet another demonstration of our commitment to aligning our resources to help revitalize Detroit, and more specifically its neighborhoods,” said Matt Elliott, Michigan Market President, Bank of America. “We see this partnership as a way to support homeowners with resources that will improve their lives and be instrumental in sustaining the economic vitality of our city.”
“The impact of this program will go well beyond the walls of the houses it helps repair,” said Michael Rubinger, LISC president and CEO. “We are building a case for investing in homes, businesses, schools and parks in Detroit neighborhoods—even in places that might appear too risky for conventional financing models. And we’re doing it while lifting property values for hardworking families that are committed to Detroit’s future.”
The program taps highly regarded local nonprofits to help with outreach. Bridging Communities, Central Detroit Christian CDC, Cody Rouge Community Action Alliance, Detroit Non-Profit Housing Corp., Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit, Jefferson East, Inc., New Hope Community Development, Operation ABLE, SER Metro Detroit, Southwest Economic Solutions, U SNAP BAC, and Wayne Metro Community Action Agency each serve as Intake Centers, helping homeowners complete the intake forms and start the loan application process.
“This is an exciting opportunity for LISC to work in partnership with the Mayor to bring new resources to the hardworking and proud residents of Detroit,” said Tahirih Zeigler, executive director of LISC’s Detroit program, which over the last 25 years has invested $187 million in Detroit neighborhoods. “With the 0% Interest Home Repair Loan Program, homeowners can reinvest in their homes and play an active role in revitalizing the city. The use of long-standing local partners as intake centers allows homeowners to work with organizations they are already familiar with. This new product for financing home repair will support existing residents to stabilize their neighborhoods and make Detroit more attractive to new residents and businesses.”
The City has scheduled five information sessions to help Detroit homeowners learn more about the application process. Homeowners can pick up applications, talk to City staff, and set application review appointments with Intake Centers.
City of Grand Rapids
2/24/2015
City of Grand Rapids Receives $147,100 Rebate for Energy-Efficient Upgrades to Water System
The city of Grand Rapids is saving energy and money for its residents with improvements to its water pumping facility, resulting in a more than $147,100 energy efficiency incentive payment from Consumers Energy.
Consumers Energy representatives, including Senior Vice President Dan Malone, second from left,present a ceremonial check to Grand Rapids city officials including Mayor George Heartwell, far right, for energy efficiency upgrades to the city’s water pumping systemConsumers Energy representatives, including Senior Vice President Dan Malone, second from left, present a ceremonial check to Grand Rapids city officials including Mayor George Heartwell, far right, for energy efficiency upgrades to the city’s water pumping system.
Mayor George Heartwell and city administrators received a $147,172.08 rebate check today from Consumers Energy representatives during a presentation at Grand Rapids City Hall.
“The city and its residents have greatly benefitted from these energy efficiency programs,” Heartwell said. “With this most recent project, the city has received more than $430,000 in energy efficiency rebates from Consumers Energy since 2009,” Heartwell said. “The city’s focus on sustainability and energy efficiency has resulted in programs completed or underway saving nearly 6 million kilowatt hours of electricity.
These important programs are saving energy and money for the citizens of Grand Rapids.” The project highlighted today for the Grand Rapids City Commission involves a new variable-speed water pump at the city’s Coldbrook Pumping Station. The new pump allows the city to match the pumping energy to the actual water demand, reducing electricity use.
The most recent improvements are expected to save the city approximately $150,000 annually in electricity costs, the equivalent of powering 200 homes for a year. Overall, the city is saving about $650,000 a year in electricity with the energy efficiency programs it has implemented since 2009.
Presenting the check to Mayor Heartwell was Dan Malone, senior vice president of distribution operations, engineering and transmission for Consumers Energy. “Helping Michigan save energy is our Promise and we’re pleased the city of Grand Rapids has been an active and long-time participant in the energy efficiency program,” Malone said. “Using less electricity helps customers save money, promotes economic development and allows Consumers Energy to fulfill our Promise to Michigan.”
Consumers Energy has helped Michigan homes and businesses save more than $855 million since 2009. Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.6 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
Residents and businesses may learn more about energy efficiency programs and how to apply for incentives here.
City of Lansing
March 10, 2015 CONTACT: City Council Offices IMMEDIATE RELEASE (517) 483-7683 To be eligible to receive grant funds from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) a five (5) year Parks & Recreation Plan, meeting their criteria, must be filed with the MDNR. The Park Board reviewed the Parks & Recreation Master Plan 2015-2020 and capital improvements schedule for grants, and held six (6) public meetings for input in 2014. In February 2015 the Park Board forwarded the Plan to City Council. A public hearing must be held to make any amendments, and that public hearing will be held on March 23, 2015 at the regularly scheduled City Council Meeting. Prior to this required public hearing City Council will take the opportunity to review the Parks & Recreation Master Plan 2015-2020 at a Special Committee of the Whole meeting. Thursday, March 19, 2015 6:30 p.m. City of Lansing South Washington Office Complex 2500 S. Washington Avenue City Clerk Election Unit (rear entrance) This is a public meeting and the public is encouraged to attend. This will be the only item on the agenda, and input will be appreciated, however this will not be the required public hearing.
City of Ann Arbor
Deer Management Project
Home » Departments » Community Services Administration » Deer Management Project
During the spring of 2014, City Council directed Ann Arbor's City Administrator Steve Powers to report on the status of a partnership with the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Department, the University of Michigan, the Humane Society of Huron Valley and other interested parties to develop deer management information with the assistance of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division. The directive from Council arose as a result of resident reports of deer damaging landscaping and concerns regarding vehicle/deer collisions and deer-borne diseases.
On Aug. 14, 2014, the City Administrator provided to City Council the requested report. The Deer Management Options Report outlined the need to develop a community-endorsed deer management plan built upon community input and management options approved by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division.
Public Meetings
The first deer management public meeting was held on December 10 at Pioneer High School. The second deer management public meeting discussion was held February 5 at Slauson Middle School. Both meetings were taped for later replay on CTN. View the Dec. 10 meeting online. View the Feb. 5 meeting online.
Aerial Deer Surveys
The City of Ann Arbor completed two aerial surveys of the deer population on February 10 and March 6. The first survey counted 116 deer and the second survey counted 168 deer.
February 10, 2015 Aerial Deer Survey Results Map
March 6, 2015 Aerial Deer Survey Results Map
The aerial surveys were conducted by a three-person crew of city staff who visually counted deer via helicopter. The first aerial flyover included all areas of the city, except the downtown near hospitals and the Arboretum, while the second survey included the entire city, including downtown and the Arboretum.
Findings were consistent between the two surveys, which indicate the majority of deer in Ann Arbor are largely located in Wards 1 and 2. The population concentration of deer in Wards 1 and 2 also is corroborated by A2 Open City Hall survey results, resident public comments during two public meetings and numerous resident emails and photos submitted to city staff noting an increase in deer sightings and garden and property damage.
In addition to consulting with the Michigan Department of Natural Resource staff about the flyover results, City staff will use a variety of data to assist in the development of deer management plan options for City Council consideration at the end of April, including aerial deer counts, A2 Open City Hall survey results, public meeting comments and other feedback received directly from residents.
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