Author Archives: John LaMacchia II

Vulnerable Roadway User Legislation Pedals Forward

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House Criminal Justice Committee this week voted out HB 5080. This bill would increase the penalties for a driver who committed a moving violation that injured a killed a vulnerable roadway user on a roadway who was in compliance with the vehicle code.

A vulnerable roadway user is defined a pedestrian, a wheelchair user, a bicyclist, or a person operating a transportation device that is in compliance with the Michigan Vehicle Code such as an electric assist bicycle or wheelchair.

Also moving the week was HB 4866 which would add an outward extended right arm as an allowable indicator for a right hand turn while riding a bicycle. This legislation in moving on to the Senate after being voted unanimously out of the House.

The Michigan Municipal League Supports both of these bills.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-905-0303.

SAW Grant Application Now Available

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The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has released the finalized application for SAW Grants. A link to the application can be found here. We encourage each community to carefully consider applying for the grants and to keep a few things in mind while doing so. Consider the implication it may have on your ability to negotiate the terms and conditions of future permits, consider how accepting the grant could affect your flexibility in maintaining your systems in the future, and the short term and long term affect it could have on your community and the services it provides.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

Drainage District Legislation Voted Out of House Local Government Committee

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With the support of the Michigan Municipal League HB 4622 was pass out of House Local Government Committee without opposition today. This legislation would set an additional process to review changes to drainage district boundaries that would not utilize the board of determination.

The League advocated for, and received, language that would require the use of the new review process or the use of a board of determination for any change, large or small, to the boundaries of a drainage district. Under the new process notice must be provided to each of the municipalities within the changing drainage district, notification must be publish in the newspaper that a revision and review of the boundary will be taking place, and any change in the boundary must be supported by substantial, material, and competent evidence.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

ORV Legislation Signed by the Governor

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With the help of the Michigan Municipal League the Governor signed three pieces of legislation that improve access and local control over the use of ORVs in Michigan.

Senate Bill 50 would allow the DNR to create free ORV riding days. These would be similar to the free fishing weekends currently established by the DNR and would allow riders to use Michigan’s trail system without purchasing a license.

House Bill 4284 would establish a process for local units of government to approach MDOT with a request allowing ORV use on State Trunklines within their jurisdiction. It would also limit MDOTs ability to designate State Trunklines for ORV use for the purpose of connecting trails for access to food, fuel, or lodging, without consulting with the affected local units of government.

House Bill 4299 would expand the ability of a local unit of government to pass an ordinance allowing or preventing the use of ORVs on roadways under their jurisdiction in all 83 counties.

Through discussion with the sponsors of these bills all of the League’s requests to protect local control were met resulting in support from the League on these bills.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

Scrap Tire Grants Available Through DEQ

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The Department of Environmental Quality announced the availability of grant applications for the fiscal year 2014 Scrap Tire Market Development Program and the Scrap Tire Cleanup Program.

The Scrap Tire Market Development Program Grants are available to reimburse up to 50 percent of the cost of purchasing scrap tires to support the development of increased markets for scrap tires. Grants are also available to reimburse up to 50 percent of the cost of purchasing equipment and/or for research and development to provide for a new or increased use for scrap tires. More information can be found here.

FY14 Market Development PRESS RELEASE

The Scrap Tire Cleanup Grant Program is available to property owners with abandon scrap tires or scrap tires at collection sites. The DEQ will give priority to funding activities at collection sites where the scrap tires were accumulated prior to January 1, 1991, and collection sites that pose an imminent threat to public health, safety, welfare, or the environment. More information can be found here.

FY14 Cleanup Grant PRESS RELEASE

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@ml.org or 517-908-0303.

 

Transportation Asset Management Fall Conference

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The Annual Fall Asset Management Conference will be taking place in Escanaba, Michigan on Thursday October 24th. This will be a great opportunity for you or DPW/City Engineer to get caught up to date on the latest in Transportation Asset Management. Michigan Municipal League Executive Director Dan Gilmartin will be participating in a panel discussion outlining the views of MML on various transportation issues. The brochure for the conference can be found below.

2013 Fall Asset Management Conference Brochure

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

 

Timeliness Report for Bridge Safety Inspections for Local Agencies Released by MDOT

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MDOT has released the the timeliness report for bridge safety inspections for local agencies. A copy of the report can be found below.

Local Summary Sept 2013

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

League Testifies in Support of Vulnerable Roadway User Legislation

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Today the Michigan Municipal League offered their support for legislation that would help strengthen protections for Vulnerable Roadway Users such as pedestrians and bicyclists. Under HB 4792 and HB 4799 a person who commits a moving violation and injures or kills a Vulnerable Roadway User would be subject to fines, community service, or imprisonment.

The League has advocated for complete streets and talked about the importance of creating livable communities that support the safe interaction of all modes of transportation. Support for this legislation helps further that advocacy.

The House Criminal Justice committee did not vote on this legislation today but we are hopeful that these bills will be voted on in the near future.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

DEQ to Offer Stormwater, Asset Management and Wastewater (SAW) Grant Seminars

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The DEQ is now offering grants for stormwater and wastewater asset management plan development, stormwater management plan development, sewage collection and treatment plan development, and state funded loans to construct projects identified in an asset management plan or stromwater management plan.

The purpose of this seminar is to provide information and tools to understand the new SAW eligibility, guidance, and assistance on the application process. The seminar has been designed to provide relevant and timely information to municipal officials, drain commission offices, municipal supervisors, managers, operators, and consulting engineers.

Seminar date are September 17th, 19th, 24th, and 26th. For registration information and location details please click here.

For frequently asked question please visit: FAQ. For general information about SAW grants please visit: SAW Grants

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

Applications Being Accepted for Federal Lands Access Program

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The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Eastern Federal Lands (EFL) Division will be accepting applications for Federal Lands Access Program funding via electronic submittal through October 4, 2013.

Projects eligible for FLAP funding include transportation facilities such as public highway, road, bridge, trail, or transit system that is located on, adjacent to, or provides access to Federal lands for which title or maintenance responsibility is vested in a State, county, town, township, municipal, or local government.

For further information on how to apply please see the following letter sent to the League by MDOT. Call for Projects FLAP Program

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling Transportation issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.