June 27, 2002 Meeting Notes

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

We discussed the fact that the "committee" will be the leading group, but that others will be involved.

A. Schedule Meeting Date and Time

We agreed to meet on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at the village hall in Schoolcraft. This arrangement will work unless the number of attendees becomes greater than the facility will accommodate, at which time other arrangements would have to be made.

B. Select Name of Committee

We selected the name Schoolcraft Area US?131 Planning Committee. [Clerk's Note: For the purposes of preparing these and future notes, the group name will be abbreviated SAUPC.]

C. Appoint Facilitator/Facilitator Team

We agreed that we can use different "types" of facilitators for different needs. We can utilize the MSU Extension for certain things, MDOT for information and leadership, and John Sych for logistical facilitation.

D. Develop Mailing List/Information Network

a. Monthly Mailing of Meetings

We discussed the compilation of a mailing list for the SAUPC. In addition to the list of names provided by John Sych as a basis of discussion, we suggested the inclusion of the MSU Extension, the Vicksburg and Schoolcraft school systems, the South Kalamazoo County Fire Authority, the Kalamazoo County Council of Governments, the Kalamazoo County Drain Commissioner, the committee of similar function in St. Joseph County, Canadian National Railroad, Norfolk Southern Railroad, and the US?131 Area Development Association. Other names may be added at a later date as we feel it is appropriate.

b. Quarterly Reports/Summaries

c. Spokespersons

We decided to postpone the appointment of spokespersons until a later date, so as to give SAUPC time to gel and "natural" spokespersons time to emerge. We agree that it is important that we give a unified message to the media.

A. Defining Purpose and Mission

It is important for us to define the problem, then gather data and information. John Sych led a brief discussion regarding this topic. The order of steps is as follows: 1) brainstorm; 2) analysis; 3) list alternatives, including the null (do nothing); 4) limit choices to between 1 and 4 alternatives; and 5) present recommendations to MDOT.

At this time, we continued with some brainstorming, identifying several issues which need to be examined and addressed. Those issues are as follows: 1) traffic congestion and delays; 2) traffic safety; 3) railroad crossings; 4) the number of trucks passing through the village; 5) existing businesses; 6) development of new businesses; 7) preservation of the existing corridor, including business, agriculture, and the Village of Schoolcraft; and 8) the avoidance of significant disruption.

B. Compiling Corridor Atlas

We are going to seek MDOT help in putting together the corridor atlas.

C. Learning about Corridor Planning

We did not discuss this extensively; however, we will need to educate ourselves regarding corridor planning as we move forward with this project.

Prior to adjournment, we discussed the various things to be considered for inclusion in the agenda for the next meeting. That list included information from MDOT regarding maps and traffic counts, information from railroads regarding train counts, aerial photos, the analysis of some of these issues, and discussions regarding economic impact.

The meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m., with the next meeting scheduled for August 14, 2002, at 7:00 p.m., at the village hall in Schoolcraft.