September 15, 2004 Meeting Notes

Notes from September 15, 2004 Meeting

I. Introductions and Updates on US-131 Activities

The meeting came to order at 7:05 p.m. The meeting began with introductions of those in attendance. A list of attendees is attached following as Appendix I. John Sych indicated several Schoolcraft Area US-131 Planning Committee members had a conflict with tonight's meeting and would not be able to attend.

II. Report on Meeting with Rep. Upton

Ron Carpenter and Eric Shafer, and later Rep. Shaffer, offered comments on their discussion with Rep. Upton. Rep. Upton indicated that consensus on US-131 is a must. There is concern that not all local units of government are on board and whether there is consensus on the issue of improving US-131. Rep. Upton noted that I-94 is a funding priority, but it appears he would assist in US-131 once consensus is achieved and maintained.

III. Report on US-131 Area Development Association Meeting

On 8 September 2004, the US-131 Area Development Association met at Brewster's in Three Rivers. Senator Cameron Brown was in attendance as well as members of the Constantine Village Council. At the meeting, representatives from Cadillac and Manton indicated while there were some initial adverse effects with the US-131 by-pass, the situation has improved and in many cases even better than prior to the by-pass. It was announced at the meeting that MDOT plans to hold a public hearing regarding US-131 on 4 November.

IV. Data Collection and Documentation

John Sych provided an outline of an effort to document the various resources related to the campaign for the improvement of US-131 in Kalamazoo and St. Joseph Counties. He suggested that by maintaining data and trends, tracking of resolutions and surveys and collecting comments from local leaders, that it will provide an important tool in insuring that consensus is achieved and maintained and help to express to MDOT and others that the two counties are working hard to make the improvement of US-131 a reality. The data collection and documentation could be presented to the community and others in various formats including reports, maps, PowerPoint presentations, video and a website.

The information may include the following:

- A history of US-131 and the developments related to its improvement
- A collection of all the resolutions from along the US-131 Corridor
- Data and Trends including traffic counts, accidents, time delays at the rail crossing in Schoolcraft, time delays for deliveries, land use changes
- Discussion of the relationship between I-94 and US-131
- Discussion of the importance of the Michigan connection to I-80/90
- Surveys of residents and businesses
- Quotes and comments from community leaders, farmers, business Leaders, residents and tourism officials


Several of those present expressed interest in having a video to present to service groups and other organizations to gain their interest and possibly support. Mr. Sych will revise the initial outline and work towards drafting a proposal. A small amount of funding may be required to develop a video presentation. This will be discussed at a later date once the proposal is firmed up.

IV. Resolution Report

We next discussed the status of the joint resolution being circulated amongst the member jurisdictions of SAUPC and US-131 CMPC. Committee members present volunteered to contact the jurisdictions which have not yet submitted approved resolutions, so as to determine the status of the resolutions in their communities. These communities include Constantine Village, Fabius Township, Lockport Township, White Pigeon Village, Flowerfield Township and Vicksburg Village. Once the majority of resolutions have been collected, we will then examine to what other agencies and/or jurisdictions we wish to turn for support.

V. Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. The next meeting is to be held on 20 October 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the Schoolcraft Village Hall.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Attachment 1
List of Attendees

SAUPC

Newell Dean - Prairie Ronde Township
Ronald E. Reid - Kalamazoo County Road Commission
Jon Start - Kalamazoo Area Transportation Study
John Sych - Kalamazoo County Planning and Community Development

US-131 CMPC

Robin Baker - St. Joseph County Commission
Bill Beppler - Mottville Township
Dan Carey - St. Joseph County
Ron Carpenter - Park Township
Sally Carpenter - MSU Extension, St. Joseph County
Eric Shafer - St. Joseph County Commission
Hon. Rick Shaffer - Michigan House of Representatives, 59th District
Bruce Snook - Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce

Others

Kathy Jessup - Media