October 27, 2004 Meeting Notes

I. Introductions and Updates on US-131 Activities

The meeting came to order at 7:04 p.m. The meeting began with introductions of those in attendance. A list of attendees is attached following as Appendix I.

II. Status of Joint Resolutions

John Sych noted that all four local units of government in the Schoolcraft Area US-131 Planning Committee (SAUPC) have passed the resolution. Effort is still being made to have all the local units of government pass the resolution in St. Joseph County.

It was noted that Rep. Rick Shaffer passed an amendment to the State Transportation Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2004-2005 (PA 361 of 2004) which includes the following:

"Sec. 365. No funds appropriated in part 1 may be expended for the development of design plans or for the construction of either Practical Alternative 5 or Practical Alternative 5 modified, as identified in US-131 Improvement Study in St. Joseph County. It is the intention of the legislature that the department proceed with the construction of a full limited access freeway development within the US-131 planning corridor from the Indiana state line to north of the city of Three Rivers to Lovers Lane. The highway location must be determined with public input and using Practical Alternative numbers 1 through 4."

III. Draft Proposal: Completing the Freeway System for Southwest Michigan

John Sych presented for discussion a proposal on activities that the two groups could consider in moving its joint effort forward. Items 1 - Documentation of US-131 Activities and 4 - Web Page were agreed to be worth pursuing at this time. Items 2 - Data Trends Map and 3 - Video would be looked at in the near future. Item 5 - Conceptual Freeway Design would be shelved at this time. A copy of the proposal is listed in Appendix II.

IV. Access Management Issue

John Sych requested if there was any update on the various access management efforts. Loren Warfield indicated that the effort was defeated in the Village of Schoolcraft at a vote of 4 to 3. Pat Weiss noted that the Village of Constantine is willing to talk with MDOT about Access Management. There was mention that two big reasons the effort failed in Schoolcraft were 1) the concern that there would be a loss of business and 2) in the past MDOT did purchase access rights from some landowners as opposed to having a local ordinance adopted. Many thought why should there be an ordinance when MDOT in the past has purchased access rights. It is now the policy of the MDOT to not purchase any access rights along US-131 and a local ordinance will be the only way to implement access management. John Sych suggested that the issue of Access Management may be used as a bargaining chip with MDOT so local units of government can get more favorable progress on the upgrading of US-131 to a limited access freeway.

V. Next Steps

We agreed that no meetings would be held in November and December. Sally Carpenter and John Sych will work toward starting the documentation of US-131 activities and the web page.

VI. Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. The next meeting is to be held on 26 January 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the Schoolcraft Village Hall.

Appendix I

List of Attendees

SAUPC

John Chapin - Prairie Ronde Township
Newell Dean - Prairie Ronde Township
Cheri Lutz - Village of Schoolcraft
John Sych - Kalamazoo County Planning and Community Development
Loren Warfield - Village of Schoolcraft

US-131 CMPC

Marty Barth - Lockport Township
Ron Carpenter - Park Township
Sally Carpenter - MSU Extension, St. Joseph County
Diana DeGraat - Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce
Leonard Moyer - Village of Constantine
Bruce Snook - Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce
Pat Weiss - Village of Constantine

Others

Kathy Jessup - Kalamazoo Gazette
Jon Start - Kalamazoo Area Transportation Study

Appendix II

Completing the Freeway System for Southwest Michigan

Purpose: Building a case for the improvement of US-131 in Kalamazoo & St. Joseph Counties

The following conceptual products are to be used as tools to build support for the improvement of US-131 as well as demonstrate and maintain consensus.

1. Product: Documentation of US-131 Activities
   This product includes a timeline of events, resolutions, studies, and surveys and comments from residents, business leaders, farmers, and community leaders. The product will focus on recent events.
   Format: Hardcopy Text and Digital (PDF format)
   Estimated Cost: In-house compilation and scanning of documents.
   
   
2. Product: Data Trends Map
   This product will include traffic count data, accident data, train crossings, etc. in a map format that will provide a visual display of trends along US-131.
   Format: Hardcopy "E" Size Map and Digital (PDF format)
   Estimated Cost: $1,000
   
   
3. Product: Video
   This product will provide a 12 to 15 minute video on the issues and interests related to US-131 in Kalamazoo and St. Joseph Counties. Focus will be placed on Constantine, Schoolcraft and Three Rivers. Interviews with area leaders will be included. This product will be used to present to community groups and other meetings.
   Format: Video on CD
   Estimated Cost: $2,500
   
   
4. Product: Web Page
   This product will provide a central location to access all other materials listed in this proposal. Government agencies could host the web page. Kalamazoo County already has a page dedicated to the Schoolcraft Area US-131 Planning Committee and may be able to host the web page. The web page must be updated regularly.
   Format: Web page containing PDF and Word files
   Estimated Cost: $500
   
   
5. Product: Conceptual Freeway Design
   This product will clearly illustrate what the communities in Kalamazoo and St. Joseph County desire in the improvement of US-131. The design would be a broad view and provide examples of design elements as well as the location of a by-pass of Schoolcraft. A consultant would be hired to lead the design process.
   Format: Hardcopy "E" Size Maps and Digital (PDF format). Other documents as needed.
   Estimated Cost: $8,000