NORTHEAST MICHIGAN COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

YEAR 2003

STRATEGIC PLAN

ADOPTED: August 22, 2002 

Mission Statement: 

NEMCOG is a team of highly motivated individuals who are dedicated to the betterment of the Northeast Michigan Region.  The team is committed to facilitating the development of intergovernmental cooperation and coordination within the eight counties of the northeast region.  The agency provides for controlled growth policy, to preserve, and improve the environment, to pursue greater efficiency and responsibilities of local units of government, and to improve their ecological social, and economic well being. 

Our Members:  

The team is committed to providing the members with high quality programs and services which reflect upon the preservation and enhancement of the ecological, economic, and social well being of the region.  The team members will be comprised of individuals who are professionals with dedication and integrity.

Our Funders:  

The team is committed to completing the goals and objectives of projects and activities in a timely fashion, as set forth in the terms of the contracts. Funding will be sought and accepted as it relates to the overall mission of the agency. The decisions made within the confines of the projects will be carried out based on personal integrity and efficiency. 

Our Staff: 

The agency is committed to the recruitment and development of the best individuals to fulfill the goals of the programs. The individuals are provided opportunities to grow and have a vested interest in the success of the Agency. The agency maintains an open-door policy at all levels, encouraging the flow of communication and exchange of ideas. 

NEMCOG Organizational Goal: Obtain, Develop and Maintain Sufficient Human Resources and Organizational Infrastructure to accomplish the Mission of the Agency.  

Objective One: On an annual basis, evaluate staffing requirements in relation to organizational needs and provide for staff management, development, and evaluation. 

Objective Two: On an ongoing basis, obtain and maintain necessary equipment materials,  

NEMCOG Development Goal: Ensure Adequate and Stable Financial Resources. 

Objective One: Increase overall revenue in 2003 by at least 5%. 

Objective Two: Prepare a Balanced Budget and obtain board approval by September 30, 2003. 

Objective Three: Meet with executive committee to evaluate effectiveness of financial plan. 

Objective Four: Promote NEMCOG through the dissemination of quarterly newsletters, program highlights, and home page. 

NEMCOG Staff Development Goal: Increase staff skill s through training and educational opportunities. 

Objective One: Determine appropriate training/educational workshops for staff skill improvement.  

Objective Two: Attend programs, as determined appropriate for skill development. 

Objective Three: Provide an overview of educational training program at staff meetings.  

NEMCOG Information and Education Goal: Educate and inform key audiences on the Needs of the Region. 

Objective One: Develop handout on priority regional needs. 

Objective Two: Meet with MEDC, and other state and federal agencies, as well as key legislators on region's needs at least one time in FY 2003. 

Economic and Community Development Goal: Accommodate residential, commercial, and industrial development in a way that is compatible with the preservation and protection of the overall ecological and cultural values of the Northeast Region of Michigan. 

Objective One: Continue to provide economic and community planning assistance on a Regional and community-wide basis, with priority given to the Region’s most distressed areas. 

Objective Two: Continue to provide technical assistance to member communities in the realm of project planning including financial assistance, with priority given to the Region’s most distressed areas. 

Objective Three: Continue to provide technical assistance for entrepreneurial ventures which will create or retain permanent jobs, especially for low-income persons or other disadvantaged groups, and will encourage a sustainable economy or otherwise improve the communities economic health. 

Objective Four: Continue to provide other technical assistance to member communities and associated economic and community development agencies, especially for those groups and/or projects which will positively benefit low-income persons or other disadvantaged groups. 

Objective Five: Continue to provide updated data bases to local units and other public and private entities. 

Objective Six: Continue to support Regional Economic Development Advisory Committee to spur economic development activities in the region and to encourage cooperative networking between agencies and groups. 

Objective Seven: Continue to assist the CDC to increase the opportunities for construction of affordable housing in region. 

Objective Eight: Provide technical assistance (new EDA grant) to the highly distressed area within the region to improve new business and job opportunities. 

Objective Nine: Continue to implement the Huron Greenways Program for tourism promotion along the Lake Huron coast. 

Objective Ten: Continue to assist Northeast Consortium on the Career Development Strategic Planning efforts. 

Objective Eleven: Assist member communities to build on ongoing capacity within their organization to be able to plan and develop programs and projects. 

Regional Capacity Building Goal: Provide opportunities to improve the Region’s economic and social well-being. 

Objective One: Form a subcommittee to explore the feasibility of establishing a regional revolving loan program in partnership with existing Community Development Corporations. 

Objective Two: If determined feasible, draft and complete proposals to funders. 

Objective Three: Provide technical assistance in the development of a telecommunications plan for high-speed internet access throughout the region. 

Natural Resources Goal: Preserve, protect, and enhance the overall ecological values of the Northeast Region of Michigan, including its large forested areas, high quality water resources and groundwater resources. 

Objective One: Develop, in partnership with other agencies, a watershed protection plan for the lower reaches of the Cheboygan River Watershed. 

Objective Two: Implement, in partnership with other agencies, the Thunder Bay River Watershed Initiative for the Thunder Bay River Watershed. 

Objective Three: Work with RC&D, Conservation Districts, and others to initiate a River-care Program to facilitate on-going erosion control projects. 

Objective Four: Work with municipalities to initiate wellhead protection programs. 

Objective Five: Explore the opportunity for a regional water quality testing program. 

Objective Six: Complete Twin Lakes  (Albert Township) Septic System Impact Initiative with District #4 Health Department. 

Objective Seven: Assist with implementation of the Black Lake Watershed Plan. 

Objective Eight: Implement the Misery Bay Project in Alpena Township. 

Regional Solid Waste Management: Provide for the protection of the Public's health and quality of the natural resources: air, land, ground and surface waters, by reducing the dependency on landfills through the implementation of a resource recovery program. 

Objective One: On a fee basis, assist counties in the update of their solid waste plans. 

Objective Two: Continue to assist with the coordinated recycling programs throughout the region. 

Objective Three: Expand and improve composting opportunities throughout the region.           

Objective Four: Develop a coordinated Resource Recovery Education Program to increase the understanding of the benefits of reducing, reusing, and recycling solid wastes. 

Objective Five: Continue to assist the regional household hazardous waste collection and disposal initiative for the five county area. 

Regional Transportation Goal: Enhance and improve the transportation systems, including recreational links such as: bike trails, snowmobile trails, and ski trails. 

Objective One: Continue to sponsor rural transportation informational workshops for the Northeast Region. 

Objective Two: Continue to facilitate multi-county and multi- agency coordination of rural transit programs. 

Objective Three: Continue to promote improved access management within region. 

Objective Four: Continue to assist communities in development of corridor/transportation plans that will address current concerns and future needs. 

Objective Five: Continue to provide information and technical assistance on planning for walkable communities. 

Objective Six: Complete Implement US-23 Heritage Route Management Plan. 

Objective Seven: Meet with MDOT to encourage a meaningful role for regional rural transportation planning. 

Objective Eight: Implement Area-wide Transportation Studies in Alpena and Otsego Counties. 

Objective Nine: Participate in State-wide Asset Management Council to develop policies and ensure a meaningful role for Regional Councils. 

Geographic Information Services (GIS) Goal: Establish a successful regional geographic information system based on: 1) reliable and usable data, 2) organization and accessibility of data, and 3) data partnerships with other agencies and the private sector. 

Objective One: Determine the need for a regional GIS User group. 

Objective Two: Continue to build a database as completely as possible for the eight county region. 

Objective Three: Continue to make GIS available to units of government in the region. 

Objective Four: Continue to provide GIS training to Alcona County personnel and agencies. 

Community Planning Goal: To develop a regional, coordinated effort among agencies and local government for the management of future growth of private lands in the Northeast region. This effort will provide for economic prosperity, and ecosystem diversity within the framework of environmental integrity.  

Objective One: Assist communities with master/land use planning efforts.  

Objective Two: Organize a Regional Land Use Forum/Committee to initiate an ongoing effort from which land use principles and programs can be designed to promote and facilitate smart growth development. 

Objective Three: Explore funding opportunities to develop an inventory of natural resources within the region.

Objective Four: Meet with legislators to communicate the local/regional support for land use policies and to gain an understanding of the level of State support for land use initiatives. 

Objective Five: Establish a Clearinghouse of Technical Information & Assistance to provide sound land use management (growth management) information and assistance to local units of governments and watershed managers.  

Objective Six: In partnership with MSU Extension, develop a regional education program, which builds upon Smart Growth Development. 

Regional Recreational Goal: Enhance and improve the recreation systems, including

recreational corridors, destination sites, and community oriented facilities. 

Objective One: Assist in the proper management of the Region’s recreation corridor. 

Objective Two: Assist  communities in developing DNR approved Community Recreation Plans and applying for recreation grants. 

Community Corrections Goal: Provide for the fair and equitable treatment of convicted offenders in the Northern Michigan Region, using the least restrictive sentencing option available to the courts, consistent with the individual treatment needs of the client, and with the safety of the general public always being of paramount concern. 

Objective One: Continue to implement policies which are already in place, such as: Cheboygan County Jail Bed Allocation Agreement, Community Service Earned Release Policy, Earned Release for GED Participation, Credit for Participation in the Intensive Outpatient Program will continued to be implemented.  

Objective Two: Meet with Oscoda County to discuss program participation. 

Objective Three: Continue to implement policies in region to include: Faith-based Program, Mentally Ill Diversion Program, Targeted Assaultive Offender Program. Continue to assess alternative programs to meet the needs of the offender population. 

Objective Four: Continue to utilize the Transition House Intensive Supervision Program in Cheboygan County as an alternative to incarceration. Initiate the development of a transition house in Otsego and Crawford Counties. 

Objective Five: Continue to provide the following Community Corrections Programs: Probation Residential Services (PRS), Intensive Outpatient Counseling, Mental Health Services, and education and employment services.  

Objective Six: Evaluate the effectiveness of the Programs in all three counties. 

Objective Seven: Implement a Saturday Work Program in Crawford and continue the Cheboygan and Otsego County Programs.  

Objective Eight: Organize a regional committee to develop a rehabilitative program for juvenile offenders.