SCOPE SEMA quarterly publication of SEMCOG, the Southeast Council of Governments Winter 2009

Renewing Southeast Michigan SEMscope

2008-2009 Officers Southeast Michigan Council of Governments 535 Griswold Street, Suite 300 Mary Blackmon , Michigan 48226-3602 Chairperson 313-961-4266 • Fax 313-961-4869 Treasurer, Wayne County www.semcog.org Regional Education Service Agency

Mary Blackmon, Chairperson Robert Hison Paul E. Tait, Executive Director First Vice Chair Mayor, City of St. Clair Shores Publication Staff Susan L. Stetler, Communications Director Michael Spence, Staff Writer Robert J. Cannon Vice Chairperson Glenda Marks, Communications Coordinator Supervisor, Nick Friedrich, Senior Designer Clinton Township

Please direct any questions about this publication Gretchen Driskell to Sue Stetler, 313-324-3428 or [email protected] Vice Chairperson SEMscope is a quarterly publication of SEMCOG Mayor, City of Saline ISSN#03071-1310 John A. Scott Cover photo: The inauguration of President Barack Obama, along Vice Chairperson with the pending federal stimulus package, has SEMCOG renewing its Commissioner, focus on Washington, ensuring that our member local governments and Oakland County transportation agencies will be in the best possible position to be able to spend as much money as Congress makes available through the package. Michael Sedlak Vice Chairperson Pictured is the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., which has been Clerk, the site of many famous speeches, including Martin Luther King Jr.’s Green Oak Township “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered on August 23, 1963 – a moment in American history recently revisited as the nation witnessed the inauguration of its first African-American president. The memorial was William T. Roberts constructed in the style of a classical Greek temple with 36 columns Immediate Past Chair meant to represent the Union at the time of Abraham Lincoln’s death. Mayor, On the north wall of the memorial is Lincoln’s second inaugural address. City of Walled Lake

Paul E. Tait Preparation of this document was financed in part through Executive Director grants from and in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Transportation with the assistance of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Printed on recycled paper. SEMscope – Winter ‘09 Contents

Commentary We’re better when we’re together 2 Mary Blackmon, SEMCOG Chairperson

2009-2010 Legislative Policy SEMCOG platform calls for state 3 and federal policy

2009-2010 Legislative Maps State House Districts 7 State Senate Districts

United States Congressional Districts

Local Fiscal Issues Many local governments 10 will need to restructure

Best Practices Plymouth Community Council 11 on Aging does a lot with a little

Advocacy Bringing dollars and favorable 12 policy to Southeast Michigan

SEMscope – Winter ‘09 1 Commentary A commentary from Mary Blackmon, Chairperson Treasurer, Wayne County Regional Education Service Agency We’re better when we’re together

Tough times in Southeast Michigan make local government cooperation more essential than ever…whether it’s delivering local government or educational services (examples in AgileGov database on www.semcog.org) regional planning for the wise development and maintenance of our water, sewer and transportation infrastructure or advocating at the state and federal levels. This issue of SEMscope presents the 2009-2010 Legislative Policy Platform. This platform will guide us in working with state and federal legislators in the new session. It was developed by a task force chaired by Mayor Jack O’Reilly of Dearborn. The Task Force had representa- tion from all segments of our membership – urban, suburban, and rural; counties, cities, villages, townships, and schools; and Democrats and Republicans. As I participated with this diverse group, it was gratifying to see the members coalesce around our region’s critical issues. The resulting platform contains positions that are good for all in Southeast Michigan Now the hard work begins…moving the positions identified in this platform to legislative and regulatory reality. SEMCOG officers and staff will be advocating on the important transportation, community and economic development, environmental, and local government issues identified in the platform which begins on the next page. We have already begun. SEMCOG is working with our congressional offices to ensure that any federal stimulus package provides needed funding to Southeast Michigan by identifying projects that are “shovel ready.” We have also convened a public and private sector group to pursue federal transportation funding reauthorization. SEMCOG officers will soon be taking our positions to Washington, encouraging federal action on our platform when we meet with our senators and representatives. At the state level, we will soon host an Open House with the new and returning legislators, sharing our positions and the data and information available from SEMCOG that will help them make informed decisions. Our ultimate success, however, relies on you. We need your help in sharing these regional priorities with your representatives. We need you to make these positions real by sharing how they benefit your citizens, your community, and our region. We need you to be ready to support our efforts with letters, calls, e-mails, and personal visits at critical points in the legislative process. Watch for SEMCOG Legislative Action Alerts. If, at a critical moment a legislator is not hearing from their local community, they feel the issue is not important. Your input can make the difference between passage or defeat of issues crucial to local government. By speaking with one unified voice we can increase our effectiveness and improve the region we love.

2 SEMscope – Winter ‘09 Legislative2009-2010 Policy SEMCOG platform calls for state and federal policy

EMCOG’S LEGISLATIVE POLICY Congressional offices was held in December Platform Task Force worked hard to where these key messages were presented. A Sdevelop a set of policies that all in our discussion on the property tax structure is likely region can support, focusing on issues of im- to arise this year, given the interest shown by portance to local governments and schools leadership in both the House and Senate. And throughout the region. Many issues were work continues on maintaining revenue sharing identified, but three were considered priori- for our communities. We avoided a cut in the ties – reauthorization of federal transportation current fiscal year, but given the budget chal- legislation, revenue sharing, and property taxes. lenges in our state, we must continue to tell our Work has already begun on the reauthoriza- legislators of the importance of this funding. tion legislation; SEMCOG convened a group Policies in this platform, developed for both the of public and private sector partners to develop state and federal levels of government, highlight a set of key messages as to the transportation the need to bring resources back to Michigan, a needs in our region. A policy briefing with key message on which we can all agree.

* Indicates priority issues

Transportation Issues

*Reauthorization of SAFETEA-LU Transportation policies should support states with major international border crossings and trade corridors. The efficient movement of goods is critical to improving national, state, regional, and local economies. Policies must emphasize rebuilding aging roads and bridges. Transportation funding must be flexible to ensure that state, regional, and local needs are met. Michigan’s return on federal highway transportation dollars must continue to increase over the life of the authorization. The significant leadership role of local elected officials in the regional transportation planning process should be maintained and enhanced. State and federal transportation funding must increase and be more predictable and sustainable. Program dollars must support a wide range of transportation options (walking, bikes, cars, buses, trains, trucks, etc.).

SEMscope – Winter ‘09 3 Legislative2009-2010 Policy

Regional Public Transit Federal transit funding programs should emphasize support to urban areas with no or minimal rail and bus rapid transit systems. Rail, bus rapid transit, and buses must be improved by policy, funding, and regulatory actions. The Michigan transit funding formula should be revised to allow for increased funding to transit operators without reducing or shifting funds statewide. Formally create a regional transportation authority through legislation. Improve passenger access to Metro airport via public transportation (i.e., buses and rail).

Amtrak

Provide full funding for Amtrak passenger rail service.

Aviation Support reauthorization of the Aviation Trust Fund to continue improvement of the air transportation system. Support recommendations from the state transportation funding task force report (TF2).

Road Quality Ensure performance and accountability in road construction and maintenance.

Funding In the short term, increase the state and federal gas tax, diesel tax, vehicle registration fees, and enable local option taxes. Ensure transportation revenues are used for their intended purpose. In the long term, state and federal transportation funding must increase and be more predictable and sustainable. Private investment in transportation infrastructure should be encouraged through support of public-private partnerships. Work toward Southeast Michigan getting its fair share of funding through Michigan’s Act 51 funding formula.

Local Government Issues

*Revenue Sharing Honor the state’s commitment to local government by fully funding both constitutional and statutory revenue sharing for local governments, including counties. Fully reimburse local governments for costs incurred in protecting state-owned facilities under the Fire Protection Grant program.

*Property Taxes Ensure that any property tax reforms do not jeopardize state and local government revenues. Ensure that state and federal attempts to address foreclosure and other housing issues do not negatively impact local government revenues.

4 SEMscope – Winter ‘09 Legislative2009-2010 Policy

Collaboration Eliminate legislative and regulatory obstacles to consolidating and collaborating on service provision. Provide financial incentives for local governments to pursue efficiencies and collaboration.

Local Option Taxes Allow local governments more flexibility to generate revenue locally with protection of current revenue stream.

Telecommunications Ensure that local governments have resources to maintain rights of way. Maintain funding for PEG (Public, Education, and Government) access.

Mandated Expenditures Policy development discussions at both the state and federal levels must include consideration of implementation costs. Environment Issues Air Quality Ensure maximum regulatory flexibility in strategies to comply with air quality standards.

Climate Change Preference should be given to actions that have multiple benefits (e.g., reduce energy consumption or emissions of air pollutants as well as GHGs (greenhouse gas)). It must include both short-term actions that can realize emission reductions in a relatively short period of time, as well as longer-term actions that will require more lead time (and possibly more cost) but will eventually provide significant emission reductions. Create a single national program that involves all states and all sectors of the economy. State and regions should not be creating their own ad hoc programs. The state building code should enable energy efficiencies through green building practices.

Water Quality Enact legislation that clarifies fees as a viable option for communities to use for essential services such as water quality protection. Increase access to drinking water revolving loan funding and state revolving loan fund for communities practicing good asset management. A statewide sanitary code should contain flexibility due to the variations at the local level (e.g., soils, geology). Any change in state water quality requirements must be accompanied by funding to meet new standards. The E. coli water quality standard for total body contact, along with the resulting total maximum daily loads (TDMLs), should be reviewed as to their attainability in urban waterways.

Great Lakes Obtain funding and programs to control spread of invasive species. Programs should be developed and implemented internationally. Develop Michigan-specific plan for restoring and protecting Great Lakes, including implementation of the Great Lakes Compact.

SEMscope – Winter ‘09 5 Legislative2009-2010 Policy

Funding A single state bond to fund environmental and natural resource protection should focus on: • Protecting and improving water quality, • Protecting and improving green infrastructure, • Assisting in cleaning up stormwater, • Meeting local needs, not on activities that should be funded through state general fund, such as environmental monitoring, and • Supporting brownfield redevelopment for economic development purposes. Administration of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality programs should primarily be supported using the General Fund. Community and Economic Development Issues Housing and Community Revitalization Provide funding for and allow maximum flexibility and access to funds to address foreclosures, (i.e., the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008: Neighborhood Stabilization Program). Ensure that state and federal attempts to address foreclosure and other housing issues do not negatively impact local government revenues. Increase Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. Oppose any formula change that would erode the funding base of communities currently receiving CDBG. Increase Michigan Housing and Community Development Fund (MHCDF) funding.

Education and Workforce Development Ensure that state and federal attempts to address foreclosures and other housing issues do not negatively impact school revenues. Ensure coordination of all levels of education so that students can build upon previous educational experiences and prepare for lifelong learning. Make education and training more affordable. Resources should first emphasize the need to have a wage earner in every household. Provide resources to sustain industries that are major job producers, including the auto industry Align current curriculum skills with future workforce needs. Make early childhood education a priority. Ensure maximum regulatory flexibility in complying with federal education standards. Provide funding to meet federal education legislation requirements. Enact adequate funding mechanisms for school infrastructure needs. Other Issues 9 -1-1 Allow local governments maximum flexibility in providing 9-1-1 services. Ensure fees supporting 9-1-1 services continue to be applied equally to land line and mobile users.

2 -1-1 Obtain financial support for the 2-1-1 system (Human Services Referral Network) for Southeast Michigan and the entire state.

6 SEMscope – Winter ‘09 Legislative2009-2010 Maps

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YALE BURTCHVILL E GR ANT GR EENWOOD LYNN State House Districts BROCKWAY 83

81 FORT GR ATIOT CLYD E KEN OCKEE MUSSEY EM METT

Capac PORT Em mett HUR ON

PORT HU RON

KIMBALL WALES RILEY BER LIN

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ST. CLACLAST. ST. IR IR ST. CLA IR MEMPHIS

LAPEE R MACOMB GENES EE Leonard ST. C LAIR OAK LAND COLUMBU S RICH MOND 32 Ortonville ARMADA BRUC E Armada OXFORD ADDISON BRANDON ST. C LAIR HOLLY GR OVELAN D Oxford RICH MOND 46 Romeo Holly GENES EE Lake SHIAWA SSE E Orio n CASCO CHIN A EAST CH INA 36 LENOX LIVINGS TON RAY WASH INGTON

OAKLAN D

MACOMBMACOMB ST. CLAIRST. OR ION CLAIRST. INDEPEND ENC E SPR INGFI ELD ROSE CLARKSTON New H aven DEE RFIEL D TYR ON E CON WAY COH OCTAH MARINE CITY IRA COTTRELLV ILLE NEW BALTIMORE LAKE 45 AUBURN HILL S 33 ANGELUS ROCHESTER 44 CHESTERFI ELD MACOMB SHELBY

ROCHESTER HILLS 47 WATER FORD Fowlerville WHITE L AKE HIGHLAND PONTIAC CLAY HAR TLAN D 29 OCEOL A HAN D Y HOW ELL UTIC A ALGONAC 43 SYLVAN LAKE MOUNT HARR ISON HOW ELL KEEGO HARBOR CLEMENS 30 CLINTON OR CHAR D Milford 41 STERLING HEIGHTS LAKE VILLAGE BLOOMFIELD TROY 24

HILLS

MACOMBMACOMB OAKLAND COMMERC E OAKLAND

MILFOR D 31 BRIG HTON Wolverine WEST BLOOMFIELD 40 GENOA BLOOMFIELD

IOSC O MAR ION Lake 39 OAKLAND

OAKLAND BIRMINGH AM LIVINGS TON LIVINGS TON FRASER

66 CLAWSON

LIVINGSLIVINGS TON TON

INGHAM INGHAM WALLED LAKE BRIG HTON Beverly WIXOM Bingha m Hills Franklin Farms MADISON 25 ROSEVILLE ROYAL HEIGHTS OAK WAR REN LATHRU P BER KLEY ST. C LAIR SH OR ES 37 VILLAGE 26 FARMIN GTON HILL S HUN TIN GTON CENTER LINE NOVI WOODS 42 LYON 20. Marc Corriveau 373-3816 SOU THFIELD PLEASANT RIDGE HAM BU RG GREE N OA K OAK EASTPOINTE UN AD ILLA PUTN AM 38 HAZEL 28 FARMIN GTON PARK SOU TH LYON FERN DALE PARK MACOMB Pin ckney 35OAK LAND ROYAL 27OAK GROSSE POINTE WOODS 21. Dian Slavens 373-2575 HARPER NORTH VILLE WOODS Grosse Pointe Shores LIVINGS TON WAYNE 02 07 05 01GROSSE POINTE HIGHLAND PAR K 22. Douglas Geiss 373-0852 08 FARMS WA SHTE NAW NORTH VILLE 09 LIVON IA HAMTRAMCK GROSSE REDFOR D POINTE SAL EM GROSSE NORTH FIELD 20 03POINTE 23. Deb Kennedy 373-0855 LYND ON DEXTER WEBSTER PARK PLYMOUTH 19 11 PLYMOUTH 17 10 06 DETR OI T 04 24. Sarah Roberts 373-0113 DEARBORN HEIGHTS Dexter WESTLAND Barton ANN ARBOR GAR DEN Hills CITY 25. Jon Switalski 373-1772 DEARBORN CHELSEA CANTON 12 SUPERIOR 18 16 SCIO INKSTER

SYLVAN LIMA 15 26. Marie Donigan 373-3818 WAYNE

WAYNE MELVINDALE WA SHTE NAW WA SHTE NAW WAYNE RIVER ROUGE ANN ARBOR ALLEN PARK 27. Ellen Lipton 373-0478

WA SHTE NAW JACKS ON

JACKS ON ECORSE 52 53 54 21 LINCOLN YPSIL ANTI 14PARK ROMULU S TAYLOR 28. Lesia Liss 373-2275 VAN BU REN YPSIL ANTI WYAND OTTE LOD I PITTSFIELD 22 SOU THGATE SHARON FREED OM BEL LEVILLE 13 29. Tim Melton 373-0475 SALINE RIVERVIEW BROWNSTOWN 30. Tory Rocca 373-7768 Manchester TREN TON HUR ON GR OSSE ILE AUGUSTA SUMPTER WOODH AVEN 31. Fred Miller 373-0159 SAL INE YOR K 23 BRIDGEWATER MANCH ESTER WAYNE GIBR ALTAR FLAT ROC K BROWNSTOWN 32. Jennifer Haase 373-8931 WA SHTE NAW MILAN MONROE South ROCKWOOD LENAWEE Rockwood 33. Kim Meltzer 373-0820 BROWNSTOWN Carleton ASH EXETER MILAN LON DON 35. Vincent Gregory 373-1788 BER LIN Maybee 36. Pete Lund 373-0843 55 Estral Beach 37. Vicki Barnett 373-1793 FREN CHTOWN DUN DEE Dundee 56

RAISINVILLE

LENAWEELENAWEE MONROE MONROE 38. Hugh Crawford 373-0827 MONROE 39. Lisa Brown 373-1799 PETERSBURG MON ROE FREN CHTOWN 40. Chuck Moss 373-8670 SUMMERFIELD IDA LASALLE 41. Marty Knollenberg 373-1783 6. Fred Durhal, Jr. 373-0844 42. Harold Haugh 373-0854 LUNA PIER

ERIE BED FORD 43. Gail Haines 373-0615 WHITEFORD 7. Jimmy Womack 373-0589 8. George Cushingberry, Jr. 373-2276 44. Eileen Kowall 373-2616 MONROE

LUCAS (Michigan/Ohio State Line) 9. Shanelle Jackson 373-1705 45. Tom McMillin 373-1773 10. Gabe Leland 373-6990 46. Jim Marleau 373-1798 Michigan Representatives 11. David Nathan 373-3815 47. Cindy Denby 373-8835 52. Pam Byrnes 373-0828 (517 area code for all) 12. 373-0823 13. Andrew Kandrevas 373-0845 53. Rebekah Warren 373-2577 1. Tim Bledsoe 373-0154 14. Ed Clemente 373-0140 54. Alma Smith 373-1771 2. Lamar Lemmons, Jr. 373-0106 15. Gino H. Polidori 373-0847 55. Kathy Angerer 373-1792 3. Bettie Cook Scott 373-1776 16. Bob Constan 373-0849 56. Kate Elbi 373-2617 4. Coleman A. Young, II 373-1008 17. Andy Dillon 373-0857 66. Bill Rogers 373-1784 5. Bert Johnson 373-0144 18. Richard LeBlanc 373-2576 81. 373-1790 19. John Walsh 373-3920 83. John Espinoza 373-0835

SEMscope – Winter ‘09 7 Legislative2009-2010 Maps

SANILAC

ST. CLAIR

YALE BURTCHVILLE GRANT GREENWOOD LYNN State Senate Districts BROCKWAY

FORT GRATIOT CLYDE KENOCKEE MUSSEY EMMETT

Capac PORT Emmett 25 HURON

PORT HURON

KIMBALL WALES RILEY BERLIN

MARYSVILLE

LAPEER ST. CLAIR ST. ST. CLAIR MEMPHIS

LAPEER MACOMB GENESEE Leonard ST. CLAIR OAKLAND COLUMBUS RICHMOND Ortonville ARMADA BRUCE Armada ADDISON OXFORD BRANDON ST. CLAIR HOLLY GROVELAND Oxford RICHMOND Romeo Holly 26 GENESEE Lake SHIAWASSEE Orion CASCO CHINA EAST CHINA 11 LENOX RAY LIVINGSTON WASHINGTON

OAKLAND MACOMB ORION CLAIR ST. INDEPENDENCE SPRINGFIELD 12 ROSE CLARKSTON New Haven DEERFIELD TYRONE CONW AY COHOCTA H MARINE CITY IRA NEW BALTIMORE COTTRELLVILLE LAKE ANGELUS AUBURN HILLS ROCHESTER CHESTERFIELD MACOMB SHELBY

ROCHESTER HILLS Fowlerville 22 WATERFORD WHITE LAKE PONTIAC HIGHLAND CLAY HARTLAND OCEOLA HANDY HOWELL UTICA ALGONAC SYLVAN LAKE MOUNT HOWELL KEEGO HARBOR HARRISON 15 CLEMENS CLINTON ORCHARD Milford STERLING HEIGHTS LAKE VILLAGE BLOOMFIELD TROY

HILLS MACOMB COMMERCE OAKLAND 10 MILFORD 13 BRIGHTON Wolverine WEST BLOOMFIELD GENOA BLOOMFIELD IOSCO MARION Lake

OAKLAND BIRMINGHAM LIVINGSTON FRASER CLAWSON

LIVINGSTON WALLED LAKE INGHAM BRIGHTON Beverly WIXOM BinghamHills Franklin Farms MADISON ROSEVILLE ROYAL HEIGHTS OAK WARREN LATHRUP BERKLEY ST. CLAIR SHORES VILLAGE HUNTINGTON CENTER LINE NOVI FARMINGTON HILLS WOODS LYON 14 09 SOUTHFIELD PLEASANT RIDGE HAMBURG GREEN OAK OAK EASTPOINTE UNADILLA PUTNAM FARMINGTON HAZEL PARK PARK SOUTH LYON FERNDALE MACOMB Pinckney OAKLAND ROYAL OAK GROSSE POINTE HARPER WOODS NORTHVILLE WOODS Grosse Pointe Shores LIVINGSTON WAYNE 04 02 GROSSE POINTE HIGHLAND PARK WASHTENAW NORTHVILLE FARMS LIVONIA HAMTRAMCK GROSSE REDFORD POINTE SALEM GROSSE NORTHFIELD POINTE LYNDON DEXTER WEBSTER 05 PARK PLYMOUTH 06 PLYMOUTH 03 DETROIT 01 18 DEARBORN HEIGHTS Dexter WESTLAND Barton ANN ARBOR GARDEN Hills CITY DEARBORN CHELSEA CANTON SUPERIOR SCIO INKSTER SYLVAN LIMA

WAYNE MELVINDALE WASHTENAW WAYNE RIVER ROUGE ANN ARBOR ALLEN PARK

WASHTENAW

JACKSON ECORSE LINCOLN YPSILANTI 08 PARK Michigan Senators ROMULUS TAYLOR VAN BUREN YPSILANTI WYANDOTTE LODI PITTSFIELD FREEDOM SOUTHGATE (517 area code for all) SHARON BELLEVILLE

SALINE RIVERVIEW 07 BROWNSTOWN 1. 373-7346 Manchester TRENTON HURON GROSSE ILE AUGUSTA SUMPTER WOODHAVEN SALINE YORK 2. Martha G. Scott 373-7748 BRIDGEWATER MANCHESTER WAYNE GIBRALTAR FLAT ROCK BROWNSTOWN 3. Irma Clark-Coleman 373-0990 WASHTENAW MILAN MONROE South ROCKWOOD LENAWEE Rockwood BROWNSTOWN Carleton ASH 4. Buzz Thomas 373-7918 EXETER MILAN LONDON BERLIN 5. Tupac A. Hunter 373-0994 Maybee

Estral Beach 6. Glenn Anderson 373-1707

17 FRENCHTOWN DUNDEE Dundee

RAISINVILLE 7. Bruce Patterson 373-7350

LENAWEE MONROE MONROE 8. Raymond Basham 373-7800 PETERSBURG MONROE FRENCHTOWN 9. Dennis Olshove 373-8360 SUMMERFIELD IDA LASALLE 10. Michael Switalski 373-7315

LUNA 11. 373-7670 PIER

ERIE WHITEFORD BEDFORD 12. 373-2417

MONROE 13. John Pappageorge 373-2523 LUCAS (Michigan/Ohio State Line) 14. Gilda Z. Jacobs 373-7888 15. Nancy Cassis 373-1758 17. 373-3543 18. Liz Brater 373-2406 22. Valde Garcia 373-2420 25. Jud Gilbert 373-7708 26. Deborah Cherry 373-1636

8 SEMscope – Winter ‘09 Legislative2009-2010 Maps

SANILAC

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YALE BURTCHVILLE GRANT GREENWOOD LYNN United States BROCKWAY

FORT GRATIOT CLYDE KENOCKEE Congressional Districts MUSSEY EMMETT Capac PORT Emmett HURON

PORT HURON

KIMBALL WALES RILEY BERLIN

10 MARYSVILLE

LAPEER ST. CLAIR ST. ST. CLAIR MEMPHIS

LAPEER MACOMB GENESEE Leonard ST. CLAIR OAKLAND COLUMBUS RICHMOND Ortonville ARMADA BRUCE Armada ADDISON OXFORD BRANDON ST. CLAIR HOLLY GROVELAND Oxford RICHMOND Romeo Holly GENESEE Lake SHIAWASSEE Orion CASCO CHINA EAST CHINA LENOX RAY LIVINGSTON WASHINGTON

OAKLAND MACOMB ORION CLAIR ST. INDEPENDENCE SPRINGFIELD ROSE CLARKSTON New Haven DEERFIELD TYRONE CONWAY COHOCTAH MARINE CITY IRA ILLE NEW BALTIMORE COTTRELLV LAKE ANGELUS AUBURN HILLS ROCHESTER CHESTERFIELD MACOMB SHELBY

ROCHESTER HILLS Fowlerville WATERFORD WHITE LAKE PONTIAC HIGHLAND CLAY HARTLAND OCEOLA HANDY HOWELL UTICA ALGONAC SYLVAN LAKE MOUNT HOWELL 08 KEEGO HARBOR HARRISON CLEMENS CLINTON ORCHARD Milford STERLING HEIGHTS LAKE VILLAGE BLOOMFIELD TROY HILLS

09 MACOMB COMMERCE OAKLAND MILFORD BRIGHTON Wolverine WEST BLOOMFIELD GENOA IOSCO MARION Lake BLOOMFIELD

OAKLAND BIRMINGHAM LIVINGSTON FRASER CLAWSON

LIVINGSTON WALLED LAKE INGHAM BRIGHTON Beverly WIXOM BinghamHills Franklin Farms MADISON ROSEVILLE ROYAL HEIGHTS 12 OAK WARREN LATHRUP BERKLEY ST. CLAIR SHORES VILLAGE HUNTINGTON CENTER LINE NOVI FARMINGTON HILLS WOODS LYON SOUTHFIELD PLEASANT RIDGE HAMBURG GREEN OAK OAK EASTPOINTE UNADILLA PUTNAM FARMINGTON HAZEL PARK PARK SOUTH LYON 11 FERNDALE MACOMB Pinckney OAKLAND ROYAL OAK GROSSE POINTE HARPER WOODS NORTHVILLE WOODS Grosse Pointe Shores LIVINGSTON WAYNE GROSSE POINTE HIGHLAND PARK WASHTENAW NORTHVILLE FARMS LIVONIA HAMTRAMCK GROSSE REDFORD POINTE SALEM GROSSE NORTHFIELD POINTE LYNDON DEXTER WEBSTER PARK PLYMOUTH PLYMOUTH 14 DETROIT 13

DEARBORN HEIGHTS Dexter WESTLAND Barton ANN ARBOR GARDEN Hills CITY DEARBORN CHELSEA CANTON SUPERIOR SCIO INKSTER SYLVAN LIMA

WAYNE MELVINDALE WASHTENAW WAYNE RIVER ROUGE ANN ARBOR ALLEN 07 PARK

WASHTENAW

JACKSON ECORSE LINCOLN YPSILANTI PARK

ROMULUS TAYLOR VAN BUREN YPSILANTI WYANDOTTE U.S. Congressional Districts LODI PITTSFIELD SOUTHGATE SHARON FREEDOM BELLEVILLE SALINE RIVERVIEW 7. Congressman BROWNSTOWN

Manchester TRENTON HURON GROSSE ILE (202) 225-6276 AUGUSTA SUMPTER WOODHAVEN SALINE YORK BRIDGEWATER MANCHESTER WAYNE GIBRALTAR FLAT ROCK BROWNSTOWN 8. Congressman Michael J. Rogers WASHTENAW MILAN MONROE South ROCKWOOD LENAWEE Rockwood BROWNSTOWN (202) 225-4872 Carleton ASH EXETER MILAN LONDON BERLIN 9. Congressman Maybee Estral (202) 225-5802 15 Beach FRENCHTOWN DUNDEE Dundee

RAISINVILLE 10. Congresswoman

LENAWEE MONROE MONROE (202) 225-2106 PETERSBURG MONROE FRENCHTOWN

SUMMERFIELD 11. Congressman Thaddeus McCotter IDA LASALLE (202) 225-8171

LUNA PIER 12. Congressman Sander M. Levin ERIE WHITEFORD BEDFORD (202) 810-3880 MONROE 13. Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick LUCAS (Michigan/Ohio State Line) (202) 225-2261 14. Congressman , Jr. (202) 225-5126 15. Congressman John D. Dingell (202) 225-4071

SEMscope – Winter ‘09 9 FiscalLocal Issues Many local governments will need to restructure

Fiscal Capacity of HIS YEAR, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS values. Further declines are predicted for the Southeast Michigan will continue to deal with expected near future until housing prices stabilize. A Communities: Trevenue shortfalls. SEMCOG’s recent total of 204 communities, or nearly 90 percent of all communities in the region, experienced Taxable Value and its report, Fiscal Capacity of Southeast Michigan Communities: Taxable Value and its Implications, decline in SEV from 2007-2008. Implications, 2008 2008, describes how the economic recession • Housing prices (red bars on the chart) have can be downloaded has impacted housing prices, State Equalized been declining since 2006; the decline in 2008 from SEMCOG’s Web- Values, and taxable values of real estate proper- was 18 percent. As a result, SEV (green bars) site – www.semcog.org; ties in Southeast Michigan. These losses mean will decrease by over 12 percent in 2009 and look under Reports on that local governments and school districts will nearly 10 percent in 2010. Taxable value (blue the home page. Hard have less revenue from property taxes in coming bars) will decrease by eight percent in 2009 copies of the report are years. Local governments also know they’ll have and another six percent in 2010. available upon request tough choices to make in providing important services to their residents and businesses. The Solutions for local governments from the SEMCOG report further explains: Achieving a higher level of efficiency and cost Information savings – often accomplished through self assess- Center (infocenter@ • Because home values have been declining, many communities are starting to see a decline ment and benchmarking comparisons – will be semcog.org or in taxable value. A total of 75 communities, a must for local governments; this can usually 313-324-3362). or 30 percent of all communities in Southeast bring 3-5 percent savings. Many may need to do Michigan, lost taxable value from 2007- more; right-sizing or restructuring – which can 2008. involve elimination, reduction, or privatization • Lower taxable values are due to lower state of services – can usually achieve between 10 and equalized values (SEVs). SEVs in Southeast 20 percent savings. Michigan decreased by nearly four percent A recent SEMCOG University workshop for from 2007-2008. Falling home prices is the local governments, “Restructuring Local Gov- main reason for declines in SEVs and taxable ernments Due to Dropping Revenues,” offered 15% case studies of successful restructuring efforts by local governments and assisted participants in dealing with their specific local fiscal issues. 10% Materials related specifically to this workshop, 5% including a podcast of it in its entirety, are available at www.semcog.org/PastSEMCO- GUniversities.aspx. Additional materials related 0% 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 to restructuring can be found on SEMCOG’s Web site at www.semcog.org/LGECRestruc- -5% turing.aspx including a narrated PowerPoint presentation that discusses several aspects of -10% right-sizing local government. For hands-on help, SEMCOG members should -15% contact Dave Boerger, SEMCOG efficiency consultant, whose primary job is to help local

-20% government members remain viable in these Home Prices SEV Taxable Value challenging times.

10 SEMscope – Winter ‘09 Best Practices Plymouth Community Council on Aging does a lot with a little

OUTHEAST MICHIGAN COMMUNITIES A significant aspect of PCCA’s service is the are feeling the pressure to become more Plymouth Community Senior Transportation Sefficient and innovative in their approach service, which is available to residents age 60 and to delivering services to residents. Services and older, taking them to any destination within the programs aimed at senior residents are no ex- city or township for a small fare as well as to area ception. Throughout the region, communities hospitals and medical facilities. are preparing for the challenges presented by a projected increase in the aging population as Pummill said that the transportation service is well as the budgetary impacts of unprecedented necessary because seniors are tending to stay in revenue drops. their homes – which they have paid off – rather than moving to senior housing facilities, where The Plymouth Community Council on Aging they would be required to pay rent. When de- (PCCA) has found ways to provide a host of veloping its programs, PCCA’s staff and board For more services to its residents with only two part-time of directors keep this in mind. staff and without a dedicated senior center. In information on doing so, PCCA sets an example for other com- Boyce said that the transportation service allows the region’s aging munities and councils on aging to consider. seniors to participate in activities throughout the community. “Plymouth is unique in that the se- population, “As far as staff goes, you’re looking at it,” PCCA niors don’t seem to be losing out without a senior Program Coordinator Bobbie Pummill says, facility. We are a quaint community where they please see the Fall sitting at a table next to Plymouth Senior Trans- feel comfortable remaining active,” Boyce said. 2008 issue of portation Supervisor, Kimberly Boyce. “Other communities have full-time staff and directors, Volunteers are essential SEMscope as well so it really is unbelievable what we do with the Volunteering is an important aspect of PCCA’s staff we have. And, in spite of not having dedi- services. Current and retired professionals volun- as www.semcog.org/ cated facilities, I think we keep up pretty well teer their time to help where they can. Carpenters ElderlyIssues.aspx. with the communities that do.” offer their expertise, doing chores and making simple household repairs, while physicians lead ‘Keep up’ they do. Through PCCA, the City health seminars and exercise classes. of Plymouth and Plymouth Township work collaboratively to provide their aging residents “If you look at this community, you will see with a transportation service, exercise and ac- seniors helping seniors,” Pummill said. “People tivity classes, food assistance, social programs, are always looking out for each other here. Our and health seminars. In order to provide these residents, staff, and boards all care about our services on a limited budget, PCCA partners seniors. It’s one big family and it’s amazing.” with other senior service organizations, local businesses, and retired professionals willing to In spite of the challenges it faces, PCCA is main- volunteer their time. taining the level of service it has been known to provide. In fact, Fred Libbing, a member of PCCA’s Board of Directors in his fifth year, said that the biggest challenges facing the council are increasing awareness of its programs, and staying in contact with seniors still living at home.

SEMscope – Winter ‘09 11 Advocacy Bringing dollars and favorable policy to Southeast Michigan

The new administration in Washington When you receive is already at work on a federal stimu- a SEMCOG lus package which has the potential of providing significant funding for Legislative Action infrastructure projects in Southeast Alert via e-mail, Michigan. We have already visited our legislative delegation and are providing please take a up-to-date information as we receive it on a special Web page devoted to the moment to read it. stimulus package. If you can, contact We need your help. When you receive a your legislator to SEMCOG Legislative Action Alert on this or any other issue via e-mail, please let them know how take a moment and read it. If you can, you feel about the contact your legislator to let them know how you feel about the issue, and how issue, and how the the issue impacts your community, your citizens, and our region. We, at issue impacts your SEMCOG, pledge to send these community, your important Action Alerts to you at only the most critical of times, when your action is absolutely essential. You can also sign up to receive citizens, and legislative information beyond what appears in magazine and newsletter articles. our region. On pages 7-9 of this issue of SEMscope you’ll find maps that show the names of legislators in Southeast Michigan, along with their phone numbers. This information, along with e-mail addresses, will also be placed on the Members page of SEMCOG’s Web site: www.semcog.org/Members. aspx. We urge you to get to know your legislator now, so that when the time comes, you can be most effective at moving the issues in our region forward. As mentioned in the Chair’s Commentary (page 2), we are hard at work ensuring that Michigan and Southeast Michigan receive appropriate federal stimulus package dollars. SEMCOG now has a Web page with materials and updates related to this program. Find that page on SEMCOG’s home page (www.semcog.org) under Hot Topics. SEMCOG staff Carmine Palombo (l) and Chuck Hersey, met recently with Congresswoman Candice Miller and other members of the Michigan delegation in Washington, D.C., advocating for federal stimulus package funds.

12 SEMscope – Winter ‘09 MembershipMembers SEMCOG Members (all seven counties are members)

Livingston County West Bloomfield, White Lake Cities: Brighton, Howell Education: Oakland Schools Village: Fowlerville St. Clair County Townships: Brighton, Genoa, Green Oak, Cities: Marine City, Marysville, Port Huron, Hamburg, Hartland, Tyrone St. Clair Education: Livingston Educational Villages: Capac Service Agency Townships: Clay, Cottrellville, Fort Gratiot, Macomb County Ira, Kimball, Port Huron, St. Clair Cities: Centerline, Eastpointe, Fraser, Mount Education: St. Clair County Regional Clemens, New Baltimore, Richmond, Educational Service Agency Roseville, St. Clair Shores, Sterling Heights, Utica, Warren Washtenaw County Villages: New Haven, Romeo Cities: Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Saline, Ypsilanti Townships: Chesterfield, Clinton, Harrison, Villages: Dexter Washington Townships: Ann Arbor, Lima, Northfield, Education: Macomb Community College, Pittsfield, Scio, Superior, York, Ypsilanti Macomb Intermediate School District Education: Washtenaw Intermediate School District Monroe County Cities: Luna Pier, Monroe, Petersburg Wayne County Villages: Dundee, South Rockwood Cities: Allen Park, Belleville, Dearborn, Townships: Bedford, Berlin, Erie, Frenchtown, Dearborn Heights, Detroit, Flat Rock, Milan, Whiteford Garden City, Gibraltar, Grosse Pointe, Education: Monroe County Community Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe College, Monroe County Intermediate Shores, Grosse Pointe Woods, Hamtramck, School District Harper Woods, Highland Park, Inkster, Livonia, Northville, Plymouth, River Oakland County Rouge, Riverview, Rockwood, Romulus, Cities: Auburn Hills, Berkley, Birmingham, Southgate, Trenton, Wayne, Westland, Bloomfield Hills, Clarkston, Clawson, Woodhaven, Wyandotte Farmington, Farmington Hills, Ferndale, Townships: Brownstown, Canton, Grosse Ile, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Keego Huron, Northville, Plymouth, Redford, Harbor, Lathrup Village, Madison Heights, Sumpter, Van Buren Novi, Oak Park, Orchard Lake Village, Education: Schoolcraft College, Pleasant Ridge, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Wayne County Community College Royal Oak, Southfield, South Lyon, Sylvan District, Wayne County Regional Lake, Troy, Walled Lake, Wixom Education Service Agency Villages: Beverly Hills, Holly, Milford, Wolverine Lake Associate Members Townships: Bloomfield, Commerce, Highland, Lyon, Milford, Oakland, Orion, Oxford, University of Michigan/Dearborn Royal Oak, Springfield, Waterford, embership Mmatters

SEMscope – Winter ‘09 Mission SEMCOG’s mission is solving regional problems – improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the region’s local governments as well as the quality of life in Southeast Michigan. Essential functions are: • providing a forum for addressing issues which extend beyond individual governmental boundaries by fostering collaborative regional planning, and “All SEMCOG • facilitating relations among local governments, educational institutions, and state and policy decisions federal agencies. As a regional planning partnership in Southeast Michigan, SEMCOG is accountable to local govern- are made by local ments who join as members. Membership is open to all counties, cities, villages, townships, intermediate elected officials, school districts, community colleges, and universities in Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties. ensuring that Responsibilities regional policies SEMCOG’s principal activities support local planning through SEMCOG’s technical, data, and reflect the intergovernmental resources. In collaboration with local governments, SEMCOG is responsible for adopting region-wide plans and policies for community and economic development, water and air interests of quality, land use, and transportation, including approval of state and federal transportation projects. Funding for SEMCOG is provided by federal and state grants, contracts, and membership fees. member Decision making communities.” All SEMCOG policy decisions are made by local elected officials, ensuring that regional policies reflect the interests of member communities. Participants serve on one or both of the policy-making bodies – the General Assembly and the Executive Committee. Prior to policy adoption, technical advisory councils provide the structure for gaining input on transportation, environment, community and economic development, data analysis, and education. This deliberative process includes broad-based representation from local governments, the business community, environmental organizations, and other special-interest citizens’ groups.

PRESORT Southeast Michigan Council of Governments STANDARD 535 Griswold Street • Suite 300 U.S. Postage Detroit, MI 48226-3602 PAID Detroit, MI Permit No. 3981