City may join 'Welcoming Michigan' next week
After first discussing the program in January, Battle Creek city commissioners will vote next week on whether to join Welcoming Michigan.
A resolution is on the agenda for the commission's regular meeting Tuesday for the statewide campaign, which works with municipalities to help their communities become more inclusive of immigrants and refugees. Commissioners were originally scheduled to vote on the program in early March, but the meeting was rescheduled because of a snowstorm. The Welcoming Michigan vote was again postponed because of scheduling issues.
To sign onto the initiative, the city's elected officials must pass a resolution. At least one staffer would have to be appointed as the contact for the program and the city would have to pay up to $200 in annual dues.
Commissioner Kate Flores has asked that the resolution be placed on the agenda. In a letter to fellow commissioners, she said joining the program would build on City Manager Rebecca Fleury's efforts and that of other city departments "to proactively reach out and connect with local communities."
Residents back 'Welcoming Michigan'
"Building equitable and inclusive organizations and communities is a long-term process," Flores said in her Feb. 24 letter. "I strongly believe and submit to you that joining Welcoming America would support and accelerate existing efforts by giving the city and local community partners access to additional resources, information, technical assistance and best practices."
Welcoming Michigan is part of Welcoming America, a nonpartisan nonprofit that was launched in 2009 and has 62 municipalities in its network. The city's Human Relations and Youth Advisory boards have both voted in support of joining the program, according to a staff memo.
Municipalities that have signed on have created language-access policies and naturalization ceremonies. Much of the program is customized based on the needs of the participating city.
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Flores stressed the program is not meant to attract new immigrants, but would instead focus on the community of those already living in Battle Creek.
About 3.4 percent of Calhoun County residents were born outside of the U.S., according to census data. That number is about 5.5 percent in Battle Creek, and 10.2 percent in Springfield.
Several residents expressed their support for the program when it was presented to the commission in January, while others said it would raise homelessness rates in the area. Some have since made racially charged comments while addressing the program during subsequent commission meetings.
Also on the agenda
Commissioners are also expected to vote on:
A resolution that would create an obsolete property rehabilitation district for four downtown properties owned by 180Urban Development and Management: 85 W. Michigan Ave., 15 Caryle St., 64 W. Michigan Ave. and 119 W. Michigan Ave. The district would make the buildings eligible for property tax abatements. In its application, 180Urban said it expects to invest between $11.8 million and $12.5 million in the properties to create as many as 120 jobs.
A resolution accepting a $1,115,848 bid from Hunter-Prell Co. to replace water mains this year. The affected mains are: 28th Street from Territorial Road to Goguac Street; 27th Street from Territorial to Highland Boulevard; 24th Street from Highland to Goguac; and Huntington Boulevard from Coventry Road to Abbington Circle. In Emmett Township, it also will install a new water main on Auburn Street from south of Columbia Avenue/M-96 North to South Shore Drive, and will extend the main east and west on South Shore.
A resolution affirming the denial of a used motor vehicles sale lot application from Blessings LLC, due to owner Anthony Elmore owing real and personal property taxes for real estate and various businesses totaling $20,447.