| ©2004 Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council P.O. Box 17164, Lansing, Michigan 48901-7164 (517) 214-5684 jessicayorko@sustainablesolutions.biz |
| Rain Gardens |
Reflections in the Red Cedar
River
River
Michigan Ave. Rain Gardens Are a Go As of 8/14/06!
Your phone calls and letters showed Lansing City Council members
that you value the environment---both in August and in February of this
year.
In January, the rain garden project was voted down, and then re-voted on
in February thanks to at-large Council Member Kathie Dunbar who
convinced the other council members to vote on a new resolution
allowing Public Service seek grants for the project.
On the "re-do" night, dozens of residents came forward, wrote letters,
and made calls to council members regarding the importance of
innovative environmental features like rain gardens. On February 21,
council voted to let the Public Service Department go forward in seeking
necessary funds.
Your phone calls and letters showed Lansing City Council members
that you value the environment---both in August and in February of this
year.
In January, the rain garden project was voted down, and then re-voted on
in February thanks to at-large Council Member Kathie Dunbar who
convinced the other council members to vote on a new resolution
allowing Public Service seek grants for the project.
On the "re-do" night, dozens of residents came forward, wrote letters,
and made calls to council members regarding the importance of
innovative environmental features like rain gardens. On February 21,
council voted to let the Public Service Department go forward in seeking
necessary funds.
BY THE COMMITTEE OF WAYS AND MEANS
RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LANSING
WHEREAS, the Public Service Department per Council Resolution 059 of 2006 was authorized
to apply for "2006 Transportation Enhancement Funds" and "additional grant funds at least
sufficient to meet the financial requirements to support this project"; and
WHEREAS, the Public Service Department has received confirmation from the Michigan
Department of Transportation of our selection to receive a Transportation Enhancement grant
totaling $2.0 Million; and
WHEREAS, the City has received Michigan Department of Environmental Quality-Clean
Michigan Initiative funding that will be used to fund $700,000 of this project; and
WHEREAS, there is overwhelming support for the City to embark on environmental projects
to support and improve our local rivers and streams; and
WHEREAS, the proposed streetscape and rain garden project will enhance the downtown
area and the Michigan Avenue approach to the State Capitol Building between Capitol
Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue both aesthetically and environmentally; and
WHEREAS, as part of "greening up" the corridor, stormwater treatment devices such as
rain gardens will be installed to improve the quality of stormwater runoff being discharged
to the Grand River; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor's Downtown 2020 Task Force recommended that enhancements be
constructed on Michigan Avenue between Grand Avenue and Cedar Street while incorporating
highlighted pedestrian crossings, streetscaping, and other improvements to improve the
corridor; and
WHEREAS, the City has received grants totaling $2.7 Million (94.7% of the total project costs of
$2.85 Million); and
WHERAS, the Public Service Department will fund the remaining costs of $150,000 of the
project using existing funds commensurate with the improvements being made, of which
$80,000 is already appropriated in the FY 06 budget; and
WHEREAS, a Maintenance Plan was received by the Council with specific goals to maintain the
rain gardens and other infrastructure at a level necessary to keep the plants healthy and hearty;
and
WHEREAS, the Administration and the City Council recognize the importance of improving water
quality in the area and support of this project;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lansing City Council approves acceptance of
the Michigan Department of Transportation Enhancement and Michigan Department of
Environmental Quality - Clean Michigan Initiative grants for the purposes of funding of
environmental and aesthetic improvements to the Michigan Ave. corridor; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, the Administration is authorized to receive the funds, create the
necessary accounts, and make necessary transfers for administration in accordance with the
requirements of the grantor.
RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LANSING
WHEREAS, the Public Service Department per Council Resolution 059 of 2006 was authorized
to apply for "2006 Transportation Enhancement Funds" and "additional grant funds at least
sufficient to meet the financial requirements to support this project"; and
WHEREAS, the Public Service Department has received confirmation from the Michigan
Department of Transportation of our selection to receive a Transportation Enhancement grant
totaling $2.0 Million; and
WHEREAS, the City has received Michigan Department of Environmental Quality-Clean
Michigan Initiative funding that will be used to fund $700,000 of this project; and
WHEREAS, there is overwhelming support for the City to embark on environmental projects
to support and improve our local rivers and streams; and
WHEREAS, the proposed streetscape and rain garden project will enhance the downtown
area and the Michigan Avenue approach to the State Capitol Building between Capitol
Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue both aesthetically and environmentally; and
WHEREAS, as part of "greening up" the corridor, stormwater treatment devices such as
rain gardens will be installed to improve the quality of stormwater runoff being discharged
to the Grand River; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor's Downtown 2020 Task Force recommended that enhancements be
constructed on Michigan Avenue between Grand Avenue and Cedar Street while incorporating
highlighted pedestrian crossings, streetscaping, and other improvements to improve the
corridor; and
WHEREAS, the City has received grants totaling $2.7 Million (94.7% of the total project costs of
$2.85 Million); and
WHERAS, the Public Service Department will fund the remaining costs of $150,000 of the
project using existing funds commensurate with the improvements being made, of which
$80,000 is already appropriated in the FY 06 budget; and
WHEREAS, a Maintenance Plan was received by the Council with specific goals to maintain the
rain gardens and other infrastructure at a level necessary to keep the plants healthy and hearty;
and
WHEREAS, the Administration and the City Council recognize the importance of improving water
quality in the area and support of this project;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lansing City Council approves acceptance of
the Michigan Department of Transportation Enhancement and Michigan Department of
Environmental Quality - Clean Michigan Initiative grants for the purposes of funding of
environmental and aesthetic improvements to the Michigan Ave. corridor; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, the Administration is authorized to receive the funds, create the
necessary accounts, and make necessary transfers for administration in accordance with the
requirements of the grantor.
The Public Service Department raised all but $150k of the $2.85 million project, and came back
to the Public Service Board, and then council's Ways and Means Committee in August. The
Public Service Board unanimously approved the resolution in August.
On August 14th, all members of City Council voted to approved Resolution 395 (below) with the
exception of Randy Williams who was not present, and Carol Wood who voted no.
Please THANK YOUR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, MAYOR BERNERO, PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD,
and now Public Service Director CHAD GAMBLE for their leadership Click here for contact info.
To read more about what rain gardens are and how they work, visit:
http://www.mass.gov/envir/lid/default.htm
http://www.rainkc.com/GARDENS/designs_all.asp
http://www.raingardennetwork.com/about.htm
www.raingardens.org
Resolution #395
to the Public Service Board, and then council's Ways and Means Committee in August. The
Public Service Board unanimously approved the resolution in August.
On August 14th, all members of City Council voted to approved Resolution 395 (below) with the
exception of Randy Williams who was not present, and Carol Wood who voted no.
Please THANK YOUR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, MAYOR BERNERO, PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD,
and now Public Service Director CHAD GAMBLE for their leadership Click here for contact info.
To read more about what rain gardens are and how they work, visit:
http://www.mass.gov/envir/lid/default.htm
http://www.rainkc.com/GARDENS/designs_all.asp
http://www.raingardennetwork.com/about.htm
www.raingardens.org
Resolution #395
Volunteers collecting samples
Stream Monitoring on the
west branch of the Red Cedar
west branch of the Red Cedar
Stream monitoring on the
west branch of Red Cedar
west branch of Red Cedar
Volunteer stream monitoring
training
training
Kalamink Creek stormwater
runoff
runoff
Storm Drain Labeling
