びびなび : World : () World

** City Council Reallocates Funds for Tree Care Program (https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/document/393704/Consideration%20of%20a%20FY2025%20budget%20amendment%20to%20r.pdf?handle=42AC4E8B88694EC7A98CE129AB08C2D8)
------------------------------------------------------------

The City’s new block pruning program focuses on improving the health, safety and resilience of the urban forest. Distinct from "utility pruning," the City's block pruning program includes performing structural pruning, end-weight reduction and young-tree training. The program enhances the longevity of individual trees and strengthens the urban canopy against extreme weather. Regular arborist assessments also identify and address potential defects, preventing hazards to public safety and property.

With Cycle 1 now complete, Cycle 2 begins this winter, fully funded through a budget amendment approved by City Council on Jan. 7. This phase will include pruning public street trees in Harrison Meadows, Northern Meadows and parts of the Glencairn and Bailey neighborhoods. Homeowners adjacent to pruning activity will receive notification letters in the coming weeks to alert them of the activity.


** City Council Recognizes Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/document/393871/Approve%20a%20Resolution%20to%20Pay%20Tribute%20to%20Dr.%20Mart.pdf?handle=F4B63F91F82747579192AB4AD8F14A12)
------------------------------------------------------------
On Tuesday, Jan. 7, the East Lansing City Council approved a resolution to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the work of the MLK Commission of Mid-Michigan over the past 40 years. The resolution encourages citizens to participate in the
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Celebration on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the Lansing Center (https://mlkmidmichigan.com/tickets) (use link to purchase tickets).

Civil Rights icon Dr. Bernard LaFayette Jr., who is recognized globally as an authority on nonviolent social change strategies, is the speaker for this year's event. He is also notable for the following:
* Co-founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in 1960.
* Led efforts to desegregate lunch counters in Nashville through sit-ins.
* Challenged segregation in interstate bus travel on the Freedom Rides.
* Played a crucial role in the Selma Voting Rights Movement, leading to passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
* Served as national coordinator of the 1968 Poor People's Campaign, an initiative organized by Martin Luther King Jr. to address economic justice.

MSU events to commemorate Dr. King are being held from Jan. 16-Jan. 24. Learn more here (https://inclusion.msu.edu/awards/mlk-commemorative-celebration/mlk-calendar.html) .
A jazz performance will be held in Fairchild Theatre on Sunday, Jan. 19. Admission is free, but tickets are required (https://music.msu.edu/news-item/msu-music-celebrates-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-with-jazz/) .
The National Day of Racial Healing will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 21. Learn more at https://dayofracialhealing.org (https://dayofracialhealing.org/) .
Christmas Tree Recycling and Dropoff + Holiday Light Recycling
Through Friday, Jan. 17
The City will collect live-cut Christmas trees to be chipped and used as mulch in City parks or donated to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for use as rabbit habitats. Remove all bags, holiday decorations and tree stands. Trees taller than 6 feet should be cut in half. Trees can be left curbside for no-fee collection without advance request or they can be dropped off at one of the following locations throughout the City:
* Patriarche Park - parking lot on Alton Road
* Emerson Park - Arbor Drive entrance
* Henry Fine Park - parking lot on Winchester Drive
* Valley Court Park - south of the Community Center
* White Memorial Park - parking lot at Pebblebrook Lane

Functioning and non-functioning holiday lights can be recycled at the East Lansing Department of Public Works (DPW), 1800 E. State Road in the cart inside the entrance. Do NOT place lights in curbside collection - thank you!


** Five Year Parks Plan Approved by Council (https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/document/393505/Approve%20a%20resolution%20to%20adopt%20the%202025-2029%20Par.pdf?handle=86A1BE0C4C5542828DC9F42FAA01C7C8)
------------------------------------------------------------
The 2025-2029 Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Greenways Plan guides planning and decision making for recreation facilities and programs in the City of East Lansing. The plan includes an inventory of existing facilities and resources, identifies community recreation and open space needs, and sets an action plan for the next five years. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources requires adoption of a community park and recreation plan every five years to maintain eligibility for grant programs, including the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant program.


** New Lighting Added to William B. Sharp Park (https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/document/86037/Consideration%20of%20a%20Substantial%20Amendment%20to%20Eas.pdf?handle=F5B03A3DF41E4555B00DBBA9E4B216C3)
------------------------------------------------------------
New colorful light pillars were installed this week at William B. Sharp Park at the corner of Abbot Road and Albert Avenue. The lights are intended to increase safety and enhance the pedestrian experience during nighttime hours. The project was funded using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars allocated by East Lansing City Council in November 2022 after conversations with the East Lansing Police Department and Associated Students of Michigan State University.

Currently, in the early evenings the lights are set to green and white to welcome MSU students back to downtown East Lansing for the spring semester. Classes begin on Monday, Jan. 13!


** Other items from the Tuesday Council meeting:
------------------------------------------------------------
* Set a public hearing date of Feb. 4 to consider a substantial amendment to the FY2025 Community Development Block Grant program budget.
* Set a public hearing date of Feb. 4 to consider a special use request from 213 Ann St. for expansion and modification of interior spaces at FieldHouse Sports Bar.
* Approved a contract with Kirsten Ross Vogel of Focus Forward in the amount of $31,125.
* Had a first reading of Chapter 7 of the Rental Housing Regulations and referred it to the Housing Commission for review.
* Considered a request from the Human Rights Commission to allow non-East Lansing residents to serve as members of the Commission.
* Introduced and referred to the Planning Commission Ordinance 1543 with minor amendments to the Zoning Ordinance.
* Had a first reading of an amendment to Chapter 50 of the Zoning Code and referred to the Planning Commission for review.

Council held four public hearings on the following topics at this meeting:
* Ordinance 1542 to amend Chapter 20 of the City Code for items related to Historic Preservation including the staff issuance policy.
* Ordinance 1540, a request from Hagan Realty Inc. to conditionally rezone 743, 755 and 765 Grove St. from R-2 (Medium Density Single-Family Residential District) to RM-32 (City Center Multiple-Family Residential District) for construction of a multi-family residential building with up to 48 bedrooms and associated parking.
* Ordinance 1539, a request from Gunovid LLC to rezone a vacant parcel immediately adjacent to and to be combined with 16647 Chandler Road from D* (Bath Township development) to Office Industrial Park (OIP) to facilitate construction of a fabrication shop, a special use within the OIP zone district.
* A Special Use Request from Gunovid LLC to construct a fabrication shop at 16647 Chandler Road. Fabrication uses require special use approval by the Planning Commission and City Council in the OIP zone district.

After a closed session, Council approved a tentative agreement between the City and the Capital City Labor Program, dated Nov. 20, 2024, and authorized the City Manager to sign the updated collective bargaining agreement.

For more information about any of these items, view the agenda item report (https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=8778) .
To watch a recording of the Council meeting, visit the City's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/live/HMhngezwFPE?si=BLIll8U4tlbTGklc) .
A synopsis of the meeting can be found here (https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2383) .
https://events.engage.msu.edu/Registrations/Register/3525

The Michigan State University Center for Community and Economic Development will host the first-ever “Conversations on Community Benefits and Equitable Development” forum on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road. The free event will take place from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Community benefits have been used to specifically identify how large-scale development projects can positively impact the local economy and neighborhood. Some common benefits may include scholarships, environmental benefits, job training, right-to-organize commitments, quality of life considerations, priority hiring, increased affordable housing and transit units and community engagement.
Sessions will include:
* 9:45-11 a.m. Community benefits: a brief history
* 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Why community benefits matter, how they have been applied and their effects
* 1:15-2 p.m. The future of community benefits, including opportunities and challenges

Register here, attendance is free and open to all (https://events.engage.msu.edu/Registrations/Register/3525) .


** Get Involved!
City Council and Other Meetings (https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/portal/) + Board Vacancies (https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/Portal/BoardApplication/)
------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, Jan. 13
6:30 p.m. Environmental Commission meeting, East Lansing Hannah Community Center (ELHCC), 819 Abbot Road
7 p.m. Human Rights Commission meeting, ELHCC

Tuesday, Jan. 14
5:15 p.m. University Student Commission, City Hall, 410 Abbot Road
7 p.m. East Lansing City Council Discussion Only meeting, ELHCC

Wednesday, Jan. 15
9 a.m.-2 p.m. Conversations on Community Benefits and Equitable Development, ELHCC Register here (https://events.engage.msu.edu/Registrations/Register/3525)
4:30 p.m. East Lansing Library Board of Trustees meeting, East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road
6 p.m. Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, ELHCC
7 p.m. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting, ELHCC

Thursday, Jan. 16
11 a.m. East Lansing-Meridian Water and Sewer Authority meeting, Water Treatment Plant, 2470 Burcham Drive
5:30 p.m. Arts Commission meeting, ELHCC

For meeting agendas, visit cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/portal (https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/portal/) .

To apply for a vacant position on a City board or commission, visit cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/Portal/BoardApplication/
https://www.facebook.com/share/1DwXz7Rzf1/


** Community Invited to Learn about Fourth Amendment Protections and Rights on Feb. 8
------------------------------------------------------------
East Lansing resident, attorney and Fourth Amendment expert Kathy Swedlow will lead a presentation about the protections and rights


** Get to Stepping with Izzo Legacy Run Walk Roll (https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/EastLansing/TheIzzo)
------------------------------------------------------------
The sixth annual Izzo Run/Walk/Roll 5K will take over the streets of downtown East Lansing and the campus of Michigan State University on Sunday, April 27. Learn more and get registered for this one-of-a-kind event that benefits the community through charitable giving. Prices increase on Feb. 1!

Start training with the Blue Cross® Winter Warm Up from Jan. 20-March 16. The program is free and open to all ages and abilities. Learn more here (https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/GreaterLansing/WinterWarmUpMI) .
https://nursing.msu.edu/research/research-projects/hpv-vaccine-game


** Share Opinions in Surveys from City
------------------------------------------------------------
The City is hoping to receive community feedback with two brief surveys.
* The Folk Festival Study Committee is considering reestablishing a folk or similar music festival in the City of East Lansing. Survey here (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5Z6RYJ6) .
* The City's Communications Department wants to hear from the community about how it receives City news. Survey here (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PTGJWRG) .

Thanks for reading this issue! If this email was forwarded to you or you are reading it on the website and you would like to receive it in your email inbox each week on Friday morning, visit cityofeastlansing.com/enews (https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/1865/Subscribe-to-the-Citys-E-Newsletters) to subscribe. There is no cost to subscribe and you may opt out at any time.

For questions or comments about this issue, help with subscribing or to suggest a news story, email Communications Director Carrie Sampson at csampson@cityofeastlansing.com (mailto:csampson@cityofeastlansing.com?subject=E-Dialog%20) .

============================================================
** (http://www.facebook.com/CityofEastLansing)
** (http://www.twitter.com/CityofEL)
** (http://www.instagram.com/cityofeastlansing)
** (http://www.cityofeastlansing.com)
Copyright © 2025 * City of East Lansing*, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website.

Our mailing address is:
City of East Lansing
410 Abbot Road
East Lansing, MI 48823
USA
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences (https://cityofeastlansing.us17.list-manage.com/profile?u=d99498ce3806962a5ede26662&id=2448aac30f&e=6bb0e1b589&c=6e91534609)
or ** unsubscribe from this list (https://cityofeastlansing.us17.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=d99498ce3806962a5ede26662&id=2448aac30f&t=b&e=6bb0e1b589&c=6e91534609)
.
Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp
https://login.mailchimp.com/signup/email-referral/?aid=d99498ce3806962a5ede26662