Foreclosed Properties and Land Bank, Animal Control Positions Filled, Youth Day Treatment, Facebook Follows

Happy Independence Day, everyone! I hope you had a happy and healthy July 4th weekend.

I apologize for the lateness of this blog, but I couldn’t get it out before the holiday. And with the County Commission going into our summer schedule, I figure I can spread the blogs out a bit.

Last week, the Board of Commissioners meeting was mostly non-controversial. As I reported last time, there were some objections to the Treasurer’s office utilizing the County’s option to capture tax foreclosed properties. As I mentioned, the way it works is that the county captures the properties in tax foreclosure. Some of the properties are auctioned off for minimum bid at an auction, and some are bundled together and attempted to be sold (although most are not). In the end, the County is responsible for all of these properties. The Republicans voted against the resolution, presumably because they don’t like the Land Bank having as many properties as it does. They did not say, though, what they would like done with these properties. Sitting vacant creates blight for the community, lower property values, and crime. Auctioning them off for the lowest bid usually results in speculation and people purchasing properties that they can’t afford to clean up or don’t plan to. Rehabilitating the properties by the Land Bank or by bidders who want to pay off the tax liens is the best possible situation. I was happy to vote for the resolution, and it passed 12-4.

Otherwise, there were no controversial resolutions. We passed one resolution authorizing funding for two temporary animal control positions. We have been woefully short-staffed in animal control, and have been hearing several complaints as a result. We now have two positions that are empty as a result of staff on leave time, and it was critical for those positions to be staffed for the summer (the busiest time of the year). As such, we unanimously approved a resolution approving funding of two temporary positions including a clerk/dispatcher and an animal control licensing officer from July through October. We are expecting current revenues to pay for this - $5,477 from the Animal Care Fund Account and $15,000 in unexpected increased dog licensing revenue. This will cover the $20,477 for forty hours each week during this time span. I am sorry that we cannot do more to help animal control, but as everyone knoe we have a budget deficit and all departments are making do with smaller budgets as a result of cuts!

We also approved a resolution merging two day treatment programs at the Circuit Court. We merged the Crossroads program and the Ingham Academy. This will result in Ingham County now having a vocational piece and a high school diploma for all of the youth in day treatment. It also saves about $153,000 from the county general fund and will allow for new equipment to be provided to the merged Ingham Academy program. All in all, this is a win-win for the county budget and for the yhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifouth that are being helped by these programs!

For those that follow my by Facebook, I am attempting to only post personal stuff (family stuff, pictures, etc) on my personal page, and County Commission and State Rep campaign stuff on my fan page (www.facebook.com/andyschor). If you haven’t already done so, please “like” my fan page so you will get the Commission and campaign updates!

Well, that’s all for this week!

Dog Park, Animal Control and Zoo Events

With the budget underway, the one controversial issue on our plate right now is the upcoming dog park fees. I have talked to several people about this issue. Interestingly enough, the Lansing State Journal had an article about this. The article was fairly balanced and seems to indicate that regular users of the park like the fees for the safety and protection of their own dogs, and to ensure that dogs are licensed. The headline, though, said that people were upset about the fee (which was only mildly reflected in the article). Several people I have spoken with support the fees, but have suggested to me that the fees should be lower. One proposal I am exploring is for the fees to equal the park fees, and promotion of the north entry into the dog park. That way, people don’t have to pay Hawk Island fees as well as the Dog Park fees if they are not planning to use Hawk Island. We would have to lower the fee recommended by staff, and I am exploring the consequences of that. I am also trying to figure out who from the county told the Lansing State Journal that this is a done deal when the county hasn’t even considered this yet. I know that there is a sign, which the City is free to put up because they own the property…but the county has not yet made the decision to support this fee yet (contrary to what people think). This issue will be decided over the next few weeks.

While I have some space available, I am gonna promote some upcoming events…

Our outstanding animal control department has informed commissioners about the following pet program coming up:

Neighborhood Vaccination & Licensing Program for low income pet owners
Date: Friday Sept. 10th 11 AM-5 PM
Location: Patrol Division Bldg (Old North Precinct) 740 May Street Lansing 48906
Info: Rabies vaccinations are free for any dog getting a license that day. Cat Rabies vaccination is free. Micro-chipping for dogs and cats is ONLY $15. Cat & Dog Distemper vaccines are $5. Veterinarians are volunteering their time to help the low income pet owners of Ingham County receive vaccinations that they might not otherwise receive. For more information call 517 676-8373 This program is made possible through donations, fees, sponsorships and volunteers.

The zoo also has a series of upcoming events. Check these out:

September 12
Grandparents Day at the Zoo
9 a.m to 6 p.m.
Activities from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
General Admission Rates Apply (free for county grandparents)
In honor of the day, all grandparents residing in Ingham County will receive free admission to the Zoo. Activities begin at 11 am and include a special Grandparents' Day themed animal enrichment, activities for the whole family, live animal presentations and much more.

September 12
Eagle Owl Exhibit Grand Opening
9 a.m to 6 p.m.
General Admission Rates Apply (free for county grandparents)
Join us on Sunday, September 12 as we celebrate the grand opening of the new Eurasian Eagle Owl exhibit. The approximately 1,060-square-foot exhibit will be home to two of the Zoo's Eurasian Eagle Owls. The exhibit is located just south of the previous Eagle Owl enclosure.

September 16
Wine and Stein
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
$20 per person for members; $25 for non-members
Autumn is beautiful at the zoo and this is your chance to stroll the grounds on a cool evening, sipping some wonderful wines and beers and eating fabulous hors d'oeuvres from Lansing area restaurants! Must be 21 years of age and older to attend.

September 19, 2010
Horsepower at the Zoo
10 am to 2:30pm
Standard Parking Fee (event is outside of the Zoo)
Put the pedal to the metal and cruise on out to the Potter Park Zoo. See cool classic cars, antique autos and vintage hot rods while strolling the park grounds... all for the price of parking!

September 19, 2010
Tailgate for the Animals
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
General Admission Rates Apply - Show your student ID and receive a 50% discount! Spartan and Wolverine fans are invited to begin the big game festivities early this year with a special day at Potter Park Zoo. Watch live enrichments as the animals of Potter Park Zoo make their prediction of who will win the big game.

If you are interested in finding out more about upcoming events at Potter Park Zoo please visit: www.potterparkzoo.org.