Community Survey Approved

On August 12th, the Charter Township of Union Board of Trustees unanimously approved an agreement with Central Michigan University for a community survey. The instrument will be designed by the Center for Rural Research and Studies (CARRS). The CARRS program offers the university's resources and expertise in a wide variety of topic to units of government and non-profits. Input to the survey will come from a broad spectrum of township sources in addition to the township board, including the planning commission, a yet to be named planning consultant working on the Master Plan, the Parks and Recreation Committee, and our Sustainability Committee. The project will also utilise students form the CMU Honors Program for interviewing, and data analysis.

Agenda Items for August 10, 7 am Sustainability Committee

· CARRS study update see http://www.uniontownshipmi.com/images/pdf_service/Survey%20Info.pdf
· Curbside Recycling Update
· Sponsor a Global Warming Event with John Sinclair.
· Open Discussion on topics of interest to members

Notes from Michigan Energy Office Seminar

Michigan Green Challenge with Michigan EECDBG grants. Visit MML site and Mich Energy Dept site by Thurs 7/29 for PP. Center for 21st century communities at MML site. MML has 8 assets, see green communities bullet. EECBG page here helps grant application, see webinars there too.

Green Communities challenge - overreaching / leveraging program, 6 step plan 1. Resolution of support, 2 Assign responsibilities, 3 collect data, 4 assess situation and ID gaps, 5 develop goals and activities, planning for future, attachment C, 6 Measures of performances. #1 is only requirement to be enrolled into MML and this will give more weight to state funds.

We need to perform well as a state to get more funding and take from those states that don’t measure up. See MML for sample resolution and submit Intention and Progress form back to MML

For responsible person see ICLEI link and join it. Local Energ Office information, a PP on responsibilities

Rebuild Michigan through DLEG to do energy audit.

Emily Simons, PSC. LIEE RENEWABLE SCHOOLS AND governments. list serv for granting sources. see for revolving fund loans. File for EO loans (Energy Optimization). Michigan Recovery and Reinvestment Plan Michigan.gov/mpsc
Jan Patrick Supervisor for Conservation Section, DLEG patrickj@micignan.gov

Tim Schireman Grant prop development
Multipurpose (non entitlement apps only.) & LED grants
submit for either or both, as single or collaborative
Multiple Purpose
Develop or contract for strategy, res commercial energy audits, financial incentive programs
bldg retro fits, EE and conservation programs, EE transportation (inc bike paths, alt vehicles, training bldg officials, EE distribution technologies district heating and cooling, recycling, gas recapture, EE traffic sig and lighting, renewable energy technologies for govt bldgs,
Funding levels on population 9,500 = $70,000 for single, 14,000 $85,000 prorated, Counties 45-70,000 = $175K-$275k,subtract any entitled entities (maybe tribal) populations; multi-jurisdictional adds pops, while joint apps may not get more money, but will score higher in selections. Can partner with entitlement tribes, but not share funding. up to 10% for admin, 20% FOR REVOLVING FUND USE,

LED grants
Street lighting traffic signals, parking structures, indoor lighting, required component public information/education/demonstration. funding levels, 50-250k 90% of equipment 10% match plus all labor training and education costs (buy American rules) selection criteria demonstrate savings and cost effectiveness, job creation and retention, reduction of greenhouse gases, how strong is project, management (who) and implementation. shovel ready, leveraging other funding compiling data (energy audit and other formulas) MEDC has formula for employment, ICLEI program addresses GHGases, reporting to fed and state - FED qtrly jobs created retained, energy savings vs cost reduction (ROI) GHG reduction, funds leveraged. State reporting requires qtrly progress reports, work to be done next qtr real or anticipated problems, significant changes to project, (call grant manager immediately if anything goes south, re budget before problems), document grant expenses and leverage contributions all funds are reimbursable, final report summary of goals and objectives and conformance, summary of activities, benefits and impacts, state grants hold back 15% till final report approval.
submitting RFP in state defined format COMPLETE ORIGINAL signature propose and 3 copies mail or hand deliver RFP by Due Date and time, emailed PDFs not accepted
RFP release waiting on FED approval of state plans, and we are early hopefuls, late Aug, Multipurpose and LED grants will be released on same RFP, but submissions separately, RFP on energy office website. can only apply once either collaborate or single. Online FAQ for 2 weeks after release of RFP, 30 days after RFP, be prepared! 30 day review period after due date. announce 30-45 days after review period (around end of October)

NEPA and SHPO early
Tim Shireman shiremant@michigan.gov 517 241 6281

Idea-LED lit bike paths, go to school to partner to get them funds not available otherwise, include purpose for collaboration in grant. document leverage dollars and use that word in the app

DOE web has 13 eligible activities see Solutions center

Webinar next tues.

July 14, 2009

Meeting was called to order at 7:04 am. Present at the July meeting were Burdett, Chowdhary, Lyon, Mikus, Piatek-Jimenez, and Woodruff.

Mikus gave a status on the MRFs (Isabella Co. Materials Recycling Facility) recycling proposal to the township.

• The Public Works committee has received the proposal from the MRF and is sending the residential component to the board for review. They have determined that we need a resolution from the county and the township to initiate curb-side recycling based on a per household charge.
• The twp would bill an annual charge of $17 to residential households to be included on the tax bill for bi-weekly pickup.
• Equipment cost is covered by the township and is a good 2% request item. Collaborative requests are more likely to be funded and the township can show a partnering with the county and a resolution of support from Vision 20/20 is a possibility, Burdett will check with Al Kaufmann, V20/20's governmental liaison. Mikus stated the MRF would consider a leasing of equipment to the township on a short term basis to hold us over until a truck is purchased.
• Burdett announced that CMU has received recognition as "Recycler of the Year."
• Mikus asserted that most constituents will save money on their trash bills by the reduction of recyclables in the refuse stream, especially for those who pay on a per bag basis.
• Wagner stated that some of her neighbors have indicated they already recycle and felt they would be double charged. Mikus pointed out that some city's allow a reduction of the annual fee with a voucher system, and that the MRF would likely be open to that.
• Composting was discussed, with the possibility of a joint effort that could also generate income through sales of finished compost. Composting would not be a part of the recycling pick-up program.
• Encourage citizen participation and use of recycling by recognizing "neighborhood champions", student volunteering, competitions, and awards.

Woodruff gave an update on the bikeable walkable projects.

• Planning commission is drafting sidewalk ordinance.
• Township staff is working with MDOT for local and regional non-motorised projects and grant funding.

Other issues discussed

• Dead animal pick up
• Septic Field alternatives using vegetative filtering in heavy clay areas
• Headwaters and Chippewa River protection from Ag and commercial runoff

Recycling Services the County could provide Union Township

The collection cost per household would be $15 to $17 per year per household (including duplexes).
A collection truck will need to be procured by the County. The current truck and crew is operating full time providing services to six township, village and tribal communities.
The current recycling truck is used five days a week in six areas providing bi-weekly (every other week) service. The areas are: Rolland Twp, Deerfield Twp, Lincoln Twp, Village of Shepherd, Village of Lake Isabella, and Tribal area. Total homes approx 4100. That truck as was paid for with a 2% grant from the SCIT.
Union Township has approximately 2200 single family homes. A new truck would be used half time if used for bi-weekly pick up; more if multi family units were included.
The capital expense for a truck and curbside/roadside tubs is estimated to be $120,000 for the truck and $11,000 for approximately 2200 tubs., The expense for multi family EZ Recycler collection bins (to be placed near trash dumpsters) for apartment complexes.
The collection cost for apartments has not been determined.
Other financing options for truck purchase include, but may not be limited to:
1. Township millage
2. Township paying from the general fund balance
3. County purchase and roll the cost into the per HH price
4. Two percent request (many tribal members live in Union Township).
Premliminary discussions about funding have been held with Tribal Council representatives.

5/12/09 Sustainability Task Force Minuets

5/12/09 Sustainability Task Force Minuets

Called to order at 7:09 am by chair Mikus.  Present were Mikus, Burdett, Lyon, Wagner, Wade-Ellis, Woodruff and guest Mary Senter of CMU’s CARRS (The Center for Applied Research and Rural Studies)

Mary Senter addressed the committee on what a professional survey is and what it can (and cannot) do.

Mailings are less expensive, but have a lower response rate, cannot be easily tailored to responder’s circumstances.  Phone surveys are more costly at about $30 per completed response.  Union Township already has commitments from Consumers Energy and Vision 20/20 for cost sharing, and CMU has offered a reduced cost as an in-kind Grant.

Phone Surveys utilize CATI (Computer Aided Telephone Interview) software.  This allows a question tree to be developed where initial questions help guide the interview and tailor set of specific questions.  This ensures a maximum of pertinent questions.  A typical interview is no longer than 15 minutes and can go through about 75 questions.    One problem with the phone survey today is the growing use of cell phones as peoples only phone.  Geographic data is not available as public information for cells.

The townships population needs about 400 random calls to obtain a plus/minus a reliability of 5%.   A good survey cannot make the tough decisions, but is vital to good decision making.   The public has demonstrated a desire to be engaged with local government, to comment and voice opinion,  and be connected as evidenced by recent developments such as Sound Off and newspaper comment blogs as well as other independent bloggers.  

CARRS will interview stakeholders and generate questions that solicit unbiased opinions.  Wording of a question can affect the response.  It was the task force’s consensus that all stakeholders be engaged as soon as possible.  Topics identified included policing, recycling, economic development and satisfaction.  Groups that were identified in addition to the sustainability task force were the township board, planning commission, DDAs, Parks and Recreation, and township staff.  It was also suggested that a survey population of the greater Mt Pleasant area beyond the township boarders would be beneficial and the CATI software can track where responders reside, compare opinions of residents and neighboring residents.  An example would be to survey opinions on intergovernmental cooperation, not only do we want to know if our residents want this, but is it welcomed from those around us?

Woody Woodruff, Secretary

 

Environmental Committee Notes

Greetings Green Team members,

With this note I will update everyone on recent discussions the Environment subcommittee of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Sustainability has had with Amy Shindorf, the Isabella County Resource Recovery Manager.

At the May 12, 2009 meeting, Amy reported that the County could provide roadside/curbside recycling collection services to single family residences in the in Union Township. The County provides roadside/curbside services to the Village of Shepherd, Lincoln Township, Deerfield Township, and the Village of Lake Isabella.

The rate for Union Township would be  $17 a year per household, for every other week collection. The County will have to purchase another truck and hire a second crew due to the fact the existing truck is maxed out providing the services outlined above.

We also discussed possible services that could be provided to multi-family complexes, such as apartment buildings of four or more units. One idea discussed was the use of EZ Recycler, a large metal box with chutes and barrels. The curbside crew could pull out the barrels and empty the contents in the recycling truck. A price for that service has not been discussed. An option for large apartment complexes is a roll off put in the parking lot. A price for that service has not been discussed.

I would like the committee to discuss these collection options and examine possible funding options at the next meeting, on Tuesday, June 9, 2009 @ 7am in the Union Township Hall.  We will have additional information to distribute at that time.

When you have a minute, click on this link: http://css.snre.umich.edu/facts/factsheets.html to read fact sheets "designed to give a brief but complete picture of the environmental impacts of a particular system, as well as sustainable solutions and alternatives."

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about committee work.

Regards,

Phil Mikus
Charter Township of Union Trustee