Neighborhood Planning Council 1 - Post-Franklin

POST/FRANKLIN NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL Thursday Jun 1, 2017 Chair Diana Quigg called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. at CA Board Room. Attendance: Members Present: Cindy Fritz, James Moreno, Diana Quigg, William (Jon) Hazel, John Cash, Yvonne Powell, Linda Carmona and Pat Shellenberger (via phone). Members Excused: Katie Hubbard and La Mar Mingle Guest and Visitors: Craig Long BCPD, Tommy Engels–Code Compliance, Linda Morrison – BC Finance Dir., Kate Flores–City Comm., Sam Lutzker – Columbia University Additions and Deletions to the Agenda: None Approval of Minutes: Motion for approval of May Minutes was made by James and seconded by Jon; with correction of February to May. Approved. Correspondence and Announcements: Cindy announced that she will plan the NPC #1 Potluck Picnic on Thu August 10th to be held either at the Doris Hale Center or the Post/Franklin Community Garden. Sam Lutzker, a Research Project Manager of Columbia University is working a study of how White Americans look at American and themselves. It is open to all in Calhoun County. For more information you may contact Sam Lutzker: 917-900-7966, email: sal12175@columbia.edu or the website: michiganstudy-columbia.org. This study was commissioned by the Mott Foundation in response to the racial climate in this country post the 2016 elections. Committee and Staff Reports: Police: Ofc. Long reported that overall, everything was okay in the neighborhood. The Fusion Center was down and he will have a printed report at our next meeting. There was a pursuit on Warren but they had to call it off. They did catch the person a few days later with stolen goods. Police was issuing a ticket at 255 Main St. which lead to a Meth arrest. Post Park is still being monitored and is doing well at this time. South Hill was broken into by juveniles but the Judge released them to their parents. The following was reported: Front yard parking at 255 Main St. and 208 Cliff St. Cars intermittently blocking the sidewalk between 17 and 21 E. Kingman Remember, if you see activity around a vacant or abandon building, please call 911 and report it. Code: Tommy distributed the monthly report. There were no issues. Beautiful Battle Creek Award: Jim made a motion to nominate 131 Cliff St. It was seconded by Joh. Approved. Jon made a motion to nominate 349 Main St. It was seconded by Jim. Approved. If you see a property that you feel deserves a BBC Award you may nominate that property, all that is required is the address. The council will then vote and the address is submitted to City Neighborhood Planning Office, who then proceed with the issuing of the Award. Note – once we submit the addresses the City takes control of the process and we have no say when an address will be awarded. If any member should have a question regarding an address that was submitted they need only ask and the inquiry will be made to the City and the outcome will be documented in the minutes. Membership: None Commissioner Comments: The city Budget is to be presented to the commission on Tuesday Jun 6 for a Jun 20 vote. There was a workshop on the Medical Marijuana. There are 5 types of licenses through the state. Cities will be able to pick what type and how many within their city. They are still gathering information and rules. Inquiries about Medical Marijuana have been from internal (city) and external (outside city) sources. This is a very lucrative investment that is beginning to proliferate. The Fair Housing Commission is holding informational workshops thru African American community about unfair housing practices against the Housing Commission. Battle Creek Public Schools: None Old Business: Yvonne is checking on a Mini-Grant for a “Clean the Sewer Drains” project. There are numerous drains in the neighborhood that are clogged. We believe this is a doable intitive. Jim will reach out to City Manager and Field Services to ask if they would collaborate in this initiative. New Business: Linda Morrison, Dir of Battle Creek Finance Department talked with us about the Budget. A .33 mil increase to property tax is in the budget. 48.7 mil budget will be presented to the Commission on Tue Jun 6 with a vote set for Jun 20. There were plenty of questions for Linda and we appreciate her time spent at the NPC#1 meeting. Concern was shared regarding the impact of the large number of vacant lots within our neighborhood and the impact on the general fund. She also reported that the Utility bill is now online for paying and they are looking at online Tax paying in the future. Council picnic – a motion was made by Cindy to move our picnic to August 10th, Jim supported. Motion passed. All were reminded that picnic is open to all and it is a potluck. Council will supply meat dish. Members Comments: Cindy and Jim will be providing the meat for the picnic. A flyer will be provided to Neighborhood Services for dissemination regarding our Council Picnic on the 2nd Thursday in August. Cindy will contact all via phone. The Post/Franklin Community Garden is now open. Fire Statin #3 is back in operation and Rescue 3 has returned to their house. Public Comments: None Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Next Scheduled Meeting: Sep 7, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the CA Board Room. Respectfully Submitted by Cynthia Fritz, Recording Secretary FEW THINGS TO REMEMBER:  WE DO NOT HAVE A MEETING IN JULY.  WE ARE HAVING A POTLUCK PICNIC ON AUGUST 10  NEXT OFFICIAL MEETING IS SEPTEMBER 7