Friends of Dicken Woods General Assembly
Draft Minutes for the Wednesday, March 3, 2004 meeting at Dicken Elementary School
General meeting began at 7:02 , Wednesday, March 3, 2004.
Attending were Helen & Mason Barr,
Jim Boyd, Mike Champion, Felix Chmiel, Jack Eaton, Jim & Sandy
Foulke, Mayor Hieftje, Kay Holsinger, Stephanie Hunter, Tom Ivacko,
Naela Jenkins, Debbie Johnson, Tim Kennedy, Harvey & Rayelene
Mieske, Deb Norbotten, Bob Palmer, Burt & Nan Perry, David Read,
Margie Teall, Mary Unterburger, Leslie & Rich Westbury.
Tom Ivacko chaired the meeting.
Mayor John Hieftje addressed the Friends
of Dicken Woods. He described municipal financing in Michigan as
"broken" since the passage of Proposition and the Headlee Amendment.
Ann Arbor fares better than many Michigan cities because of the revenue
from people who moved into the city, but last years increases were eaten
up just by health care increases. Cities face deficits across the
state, he feels he became at a very difficult financial time. He
specifically cited the cut in state funding, which had helped the city
pay the $1,700,000 to provide fire protection to the UM. The state now
pays only $390,000. Ann Arbor has actually reduced millages over the
last few years, and he does not want to raise them.
28% of property taxes actually goes to the city, the rest to other
governmental units. They have reduced the city workforce by 150 to help
contain costs, while not providing the same services. The 'low hanging
fruit" has been picked, future cost reductions will be much more
difficult. City council has voted not to cut funding for the Police
Department. Chief Dan Oates has done a great job.
Mayor Hieftje does think that the Fire Department has room for
improvement. Fires in the city have declined since 1985. There were
240 in 1985, 82 in 2002. This has been accomplished by enforcing codes
and improved construction. City Council does not like the current
contract. Historically, contracts were negotiated by professionals for
the FD versus the "attorney of the week" for the city. Of the fires in
the city last year, 35 were put out by residents and 5 by the Police
Department. 20 fires put out by the FD did not even require a fire
line. There were only 9 fires that required more than 1 truck. We
definitely do need the FD, but Mayor Hieftje thinks we decrease city
costs by increasing mutual aid with Pittsfield and Ann Arbor Townships.
The city administration has seen significant changes.
It is very difficult for the city to fire anyone, but early retirement
has cut personnel. The 23 or 24 previous department heads have been
consolidated into 4 service areas.
The Mayor discussed the Greenbelt and
the amount of time it takes to enact the proposal. It is currently in
the legal department, as their work progresses, the Greenbelt Commission
will be able to operate. Scio Township has the initiative on their
ballot now, too. The city hopes to make purchases by September or
October.
The aging city water meters are another
budgetary concern. Their expected life is 15 years, and most are now
16-17 years old. Mayor Hieftje will insist on controlling tax increases
in the face of many such costs. Mayor Hieftje then solicited
questions.
Jack Eaton thanked the Mayor for the Greenbelt.
Harvey Mieske asked if the cuts to the FD would increase insurance
rates. Mayor Hieftje replied no. They can close Station #2. It was
built in 1954, and newer stations can cover its area with no change in
arrival times.
Tom Ivacko asked if he had received much feedback on the budget forums.
Mayor Hieftje said he had received very few emails.
Harvey also asked about an Administration Tax. Mayor Hieftje replied
that lots of communities do it. Ann Arbor could add a 1% tax on
residents. The city has several options to raise taxes, but City
Council fears that would hurt the recruitment of quality residents. It
is not a current issue, they're focusing on the budget first.
Margie Teall commented on feeling honored to work with the city administration. They've been great to her.
Mayor Hieftje stated that city council discussed an income tax for
approximately 8 minutes during a full day retreat. He presented some
background on strains to city financing. Michigan cities send
additional revenue to Lansing over which they have no control. The
state has been cutting back on money returned to cities. The federal
government is not helping either. Federal funding to provide for 8
police officers has been eliminated.
Max asked about city negotiations with the UM. Mayor Hieftje
commented that the UM brings a lot to the city. Ann Arbor's lifeblood
is getting the best people top come here. Pfizer, the city's #1 tax
payer, also needs top people. But, UM comes with a lot of freight. It
is outside of the Planning Commission, and federal and state entities
don't pay taxes.
Burt Perry recalls the city income tax coming up repeatedly over the
years, and that Ann Arbor needs to look at other ways. Mayor Hieftje
added that the tax has been defeated here twice.
Jack Eaton asked if the city lobbies the federal government for help
in countering rising health care costs. Mayor Hieftje relayed
Representative Debbie Stabenow's comments that everyone lobbies the
federal government on health care, particularly the auto companies. The
"me too" clause in union contracts has been very expensive. The city
negotiates with seven unions. If any union gets a concession, they all
get it. The city is trying to get rid of these clauses. The health
cares costs are not sustainable.
Mayor Hieftje was asked what feedback he has received regarding DW.
He said he only hears about it in the Ann Arbor News. Has not heard a
word from a resident. He thinks those kind of purchases are what people
like about Ann Arbor. As a former Realtor, he's well aware that people
love parks.
Mike Champion asked about anonymous quotes in the Ann Arbor News that
were dismissive of the DW purchase. Mayor Hieftje thinks is simply the
normal expression of opinion, and is a normal right of employees.
Jim Boyd asked if the city benchmarks itself, particularly in areas
of spending such as water system maintenance. Mayor Hieftje replied
they do, citing Madison, WI. There have been too many water main
breaks, and we need to maintain our infrastructure. We are helped in
this by the good bond rating that Ann Arbor maintains. Good credit
means lower rates. We are also saving money on the Broadway bridge,
which should be repaired 3 months ahead of schedule.
Max asked about the status of the municipal yard on North Main and
the YMCA building. Mayor Hieftje said that site and the Broadway bridge
are brownfield sites in need of cleanup, especially since they are in
the floodplain. The city would like to consolidate the Ann Arbor
municipal yards on North Main and Washington with those of Pittsfield
Twsp. They would like to close them out within 2 years. UM students
are currently on development plans for both the municipal yards.
Ann Arbor spent $17,000/quarter to maintain control over the
property. The mayor wants to review the strategy of using the Blake
Transit Center as a hub for all buses, and the need for low income
housing downtown.
The status of DW was updated by Tom Ivacko. He has spoken with Jayne
Miller. The AADL has no interest in DW. He asked about possible
preservation commitments including a city council resolution, or a
conservation easement. Mayor Hieftje said this was new ground with no
precedent. The city council would likely be open to it and he doesn't
foresee a problem. We should work with Margie Teall and city council.
Tom Ivacko thanked Mayor Hieftje for coming and past accessibility.
Tom presented the minutes of the
12/08/03 meeting. Jack Eaton motioned to approve the minutes. Deb
Norbotten seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Bob Palmer expressed his desire to join
the Steering Committee. Jack Eaton reviewed the Bylaws for the
appropriate procedure. President Erik Stalhandske approves. Jack Eaton
moves that Bob Palmer become a member of the Steering Committee. Kay
Holzinger seconds. All in favor.
Finances were reported by Deb Norbotten.
FoDW has a balance of $42,300. Tom would like to canvas members for
additional contributions. Naela will pursue pledges from local
businesses. Max thinks there is no problem hitting Stadium businesses,
and that they are more apt to donate goods than money. We should make
our members well aware of which businesses donate. A "Thank You" in the
Ann Arbor News might be appropriate.
A charitable program at The Money Source
was described by Bob Palmer. They will contribute $100 to a charity of
the mortgagee's choosing. The program has donated approximately
$20,000 in Saline over the last ten years. He will collect FoDW
literature for his supervisor and add us to their list.
The Budget Committee is currently on hold until the $50,000 is raised.
The Trails Committee have given 20-25
people trail walks to date, according to Mike Champion. The have used
the city's GPS system to lay out a proposed trail network. They are
working to arrange a Dicken Woods work day with the Natural Area
Preservation Department. That would be a formal work day with
significant help from NAP. Their botanist will inspect the property in
April, identifying significant ecological features.
Circular trails are preferred by adults, according to Jason, while
kids like cutthroughs. The present trails may therefore not be in the
best places. The Parks Department planners will have the final say on
trail location. It will be beneficial to both sides to develop a high
level of trust between FoDW and the NAP.
Our next cleanup of DW is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, May 8, from 1-4.
Trail walks with Mike Champion will continue on Saturdays at 11:00 and Mondays at 4:00.
Molin Nature Area was visited by Stephanie, and she reported that Jason set up a nice trail system there.
Jack Eaton motioned to table agenda item #7, discussion of FoDW's
long-term vision for DW. Naela Jenkins seconded the motion. All were
in favor.
Animal Count Training of birds, frogs, etc. are being offered by the NADP for those interested.
Jack Eaton move to close the meeting. Jim Boyd seconded the motion. All were in favor.
The meeting ended at 8:46 p.m.
Minutes by Jim Boyd.