Is your community dealing with an aging water utility infrastructure (treatment facilities, piping, storage tanks, pumps, or other equipment and appurtenances)? Are you facing high replacement costs? Attend this seminar to learn how the implementation of an asset management plan can help you address these concerns.

The complex management of water, wastewater and collection systems has a direct impact on a community's public health and safety, environment, economic development and quality of life. Asset management is a tool to help utilities prioritize and classify the assets associated with the management and operation of a water system. What does this mean to your community? More efficient management of public utilities, lower replacement costs, and an overall healthier community.

Additionally, the DEQ is now including an asset management program requirement in reissued major municipal WWTP NPDES permits that expire on October 1, 2012, and thereafter. This seminar will provide information pertaining to these new requirements.

Dates and Locations

All seminars will be held from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

March 14, 2013 Ramada Inn Marquette, Michigan

March 19, 2013 Double Tree Hilton Bay City, Michigan

March 26, 2013 WMU Downtown Campus Grand Rapids, Michigan

March 28, 2013 Laurel Manor Livonia, Michigan

Register and find more details at the DEQ website.

Luke Forrest is Project Coordinator with the Center for 21st Century Communities. Contact him by email or Twitter.

You may have heard by now that food carts are all the buzz in some cities across the country.  The one that probably takes the cake is Portland, OR, with over 500 scattered throughout the city.  But a little bit of this craze is coming to Michigan and for good reason. 

Mark’s Carts was the first true stationary “food cart pod” (a grouping of food carts) in Michigan, opening two years ago in Ann Arbor.  With eight individually owned food carts serving a diverse array of food from early spring to late fall, it has proven to be a magnet for townies, the business community, and students who want to enjoy delicious local food and an informal outdoor communal seating experience.

But it’s not just about the food!  Well, okay, it’s mostly about the food -- but it’s so much more.  For the guests, it’s the whole experience of trying different foods in a casual outdoor setting with an opportunity for spontaneous social interactions.  For the vendors, it is an affordable entry into the food business which can be an incubator to try out new recipes and marketing strategies and to develop a loyal following before they move on to a more permanent establishment.  

That is exactly what happened to one very successful food cart called The Lunch Room.   They tried out different fares on their vegan menu over the course of two years, ( while occasionally providing some musical offerings and food tasting contests as well).  Among the favorites:  barbecue tofu sandwiches, Pad Tai and their hard to resist cookies.   Building on their success, they plan to open a more permanent restaurant in the Kerrytown area, one of the most vibrant gathering places in Ann Arbor. 

It is just this sort of organic entrepreneurial creativity that not only positively impacts the local economy, but contributes to a community's unique identity and vibrancy, and emotionally connects people to their place!

Colleen Layton is Director of Policy Development for the Michigan Municipal League.  She can be reached at 734.669.6320 or by clayton@mml.org.

The Snyder Administration recently initiated a public input process to gather feedback about the State's energy policy. Specific areas of focus include the renewable energy standard, energy efficiency incentives and electric choice. We encourage League members to submit their comments before April 25 at http://www.michigan.gov/energy. In addition to the website, there will seven in-person listening sessions in various locations starting February 14 and ending April 22. See http://www.michigan.gov/energy/0,4580,7-230-54408---,00.html for the complete schedule of events. 

Luke Forrest is Project Coordinator with the Center for 21st Century Communities. Contact him by email or on Twitter.

Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) and Michigan Energy Options (MEO) are excited to host an evening of information, conversation and refreshments with a focus on big-picture economics in a resource-constrained world.  Mr. Jim MacInnes, President & CEO of LEED-Certified Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa, will discuss his recent experience at the national Biophysical Economics (BPE) conference in Vermont.  He will be joined by MEC Energy Program Director David Gard who will report back on the Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas (ASPO) conference in Austin.

The event is free but space is limited. Please RSVP to ensure yourself a spot.

Feb. 4, 2013 4:30 - 6:30pm

Location: 405 Grove St., East Lansing, MI, 48823 (Map)

Luke Forrest is Project Coordinator with the Center for 21st Century Communities. Contact him by email or Twitter.