In statement made earlier today, I said I could be wrong in expecting the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Board to publish meeting minutes. It was pointed out to me that meetings of purely advisory boards and committees are not subject to the Open Meetings Act, a state law. However, someone since has pointed out that the City of Lansing's own ordinances mirror the Open Meetings Act. The meetings of all boards must be open to the public and the "minutes of all board meetings shall be filed in the office of the Clerk as a public record." Article 5, Chapter 1.

The Neighborhood Advisory Board will host a public meeting at Letts Community Center on Thursday, October 21, from 6-8 p.m. to kick off the application process for Neighborhood Grants and Neighborhood Programs in 2022.

DeLisa, I'm looking for the meeting minutes of the Neighborhood Advisory Board. Are they on the City website? If so, could you send me a link or tell me where to find them? I  couldn't find them under Agendas and Minutes.

I would like the meeting minutes for each meeting in 2021 of the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Board. I couldn't find the NAB on the Agendas & Minutes.

In order to determine whether the City possesses records responsive to your request, we are extending the time for responding to your request by ten (10) business days, as permitted under MCL 15.235, Section 5(2)(d). Therefore, a written response will be issued on or before November 09, 2021.

A public body shall make proposed minutes available for public inspection within 8 business days after the meeting to which the minutes refer. The public body shall make approved minutes available for public inspection within 5 business days after the meeting at which the minutes are approved by the public body.

DeLisa, you said last night that 3 grant projects are on hold. Can you tell me which ones those are?

Overview

The Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Board (NAB) is made up of a group of individuals from each ward that provide support and guidance to neighborhoods and other organizations regarding the possibility of receiving a grant. The NAB member works with any group within their ward to provide guidance from start to finish and make sure all questions are answered; issues are solved; and their end goal is achieved.

Grant

The NAB grant is a tool to help groups obtain funding for many types of projects, events, functions that will enhance their area, and bring people together in a positive setting. The creativity is endless in how the funds are spent as long as they follow the simple guidelines within the application. At the end of their project a "Final Report" is due on what the funds were spent on, information on the event, how many attending, and the impact it had on the group. This report is mandatory for each participating group so we can track how the funds are spent and whether the project was beneficial.

Any registered civic organization or active neighborhood watch can apply for a neighborhood grant. Neighborhood organizations, associations and watches are the preferred grant recipients. All projects must impact a neighborhood in the City of Lansing. Your organization will be notified if you have been selected to receive a grant or if your application was denied. Once the project has been completed your organization is required to complete the Grant Final Report.

The grant cycle begins in October which gives each group time to plan their projects and "fine tune" any changes before submitting their application in February and funds are distributed in April.

Neighborhood Grants Forms

• BWL Tree Planting Program
• Civic Registration Form
• Neighborhood Bulk Trash Clean Up
• Neighborhood Grant ($200-$5,000) Application
• Neighborhood Mini Grant ($200) Application
• Neighborhoods In Bloom Application
• Walking Wednesday Application