395

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.

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.a sp
http://www.raingardennetwork.com/about.htm
www.raingardens.org

RESOLUTION #395

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.