Neighborhood Planning Council 1 - Post-Franklin

POST/FRANKLIN NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL Thursday September 7, 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, La Mar Mingle, and Pat Shellenberger (via phone). Members Excused: Katie Hubbard and Linda Carmona Guest and Visitors: Tom Rivera BCPD, Tommy Engels–Code Compliance, Kelly Dillman, BCPD Community Liaison, John Kenifec, candidate Ward 2, Rev. Blackmen, Mike’s Place Additions and Deletions to the Agenda: None Approval of Minutes: Motion for approval of June Minutes was made by James and seconded by John. Approved. Correspondence and Announcements: Voces will host 3 different events throughout the Hispanic Heritage Month – Sept 15 – Oct 15, 2017. For specific dates, times and information contact Voces at 269- 841-4111. On Oct 16, McCamly Plaza Hotel Voces will hold their annual fundraiser, tickets are $35 if purchased early; at the door they are $40. Post Foundation will hold its fundraiser at the Riverside Country Club on Oct 28, 5-9pm. There will be a silent auction. Tickets are $40. Buffet meal included. Habitat will hold its fundraiser on the 16th floor McCamly Plaza Hotel; for specifics and ticket prices call (269) 966-2502 Committee and Staff Reports: Police: Ofc. Officer Rivera shared he was our new officer and that he would be working with Ms. Dillman, BCPD Community Liaison in support of the Bern Grant efforts. Both he and Ms. Dillman were very excited about the chance to engage community; specifically NPCs #1,2,3, and 4. Ms. Dillman shared how they are gearing up and looking forward to speaking with community and establishing roadmap of what community is seeking to address. Both individuals passed out their business cards and reminded council to call if there were issues or concerns. Issues reported to Officer Rivera: Front yard parking in our neighborhoods continues to be an issue and this is a gateway crime that gives rise to other opportunities. He pledged he would work to get this addressed as these are violation of established ordinances. Vandalism was reported in Hamilton Park and request made for patrols to stem this issue. Street lighting was noted as an issue – our neighborhoods have mature trees and their canopies block street lights. This creates opportunities for individuals to hide in the shadows and not be seen by police. 208 Cliff St. Remember, if you see activity around a vacant or abandon building, please call 911 and report it. Code: Tommy distributed the monthly report. 21 E Kingman – tenants have vacated and there is garbage at curb. Roof on driveway side needs to be looked at, it is falling apart. Tommy shared landlord is in middle of eviction process. He will look into the issues reported. 17 E Kingman – garbage being put out after pickup. Beautiful Battle Creek Award: None 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: Shared with Reverend Blackmen if he is interested in membership to let us know. Commissioner Comments: Commissioner Flores sent regrets she would not be able to attend as there was a death of a dear friend. She asked if there were any questions that individuals call her. Battle Creek Public Schools: No Representative Old Business: Yvonne shared that the Mini-Grant for a “Clean the Sewer Drains” project would not be possible as the window had closed. She also shared that she had contacted the City Field Services and was informed that they would not support us as there was a liability issue. This was news to Council considering that a few of us already clean the sewer drains around our properties and Field Services has never objected or raised liability concern. It was determined that we should work with Ms. Dillman and City Manager in this matter and plan this for next spring. New Business: Dianna passed out a presentation package from the Prosecuting Attorney Gilbert. He was to have spoken to council this evening but had a family emergency. Nominating Committee will need to be setup at October meeting. Members Comments: Council thanked both Officer Rivera and Ms. Dillman for their attendance and looked forward to working with both. Public Comments: John Kenifec, Ward 2 Candidate share importance of listening to information presented by Commission as some of their information is a distraction of the issue. Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Next Scheduled Meeting: Oct 5, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the CA Board Room. Respectfully Submitted by Cynthia Fritz, Recording Secretary