Neighborhood Planning Council 1 - Post-Franklin

POST/FRANKLIN NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL Thursday December 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, Yvonne Powell. John Cash, Linda Carmona and Pat Shellenberger (via phone). Members Excused: La Mar Mingle and Katie Hubbard Guest and Visitors: Tom Rivera BCPD, Kelly Dillman, BCPD Community Liaison, Tommy Engels, Code, Jack Childs, Leah Dodd, Willard Library, Kjersten Priddy – Pastor, Trinity Lutheran, Barb Travis, MiWorks, Tamara Carlton Additions and Deletions to the Agenda: None Approval of Minutes: Motion for approval of November Minutes was made by Jim and seconded by Cindy. Approved. Correspondence and Announcements: James reported that on December 8th from 7-9, open skating at the Rink for grades 8- 12th. Admission is free. Diana passed out the BCATS Transportation Newsletter and Transportation Study. Historic District meeting 12/11/17 at 4pm Commission Chamber. Planning Commission meeting 12/13/17 at 4pm Commission Chamber. Ms. Carlton shared that market was officially closed on December 7th due to poor business. Council thanked her for her efforts and good she had done for neighborhood. Committee and Staff Reports: Police: Officer Rivera distributed monthly reports. The report outlined the number of crimes reported for Part 1 and 2. This was very eye opening as it gave a quick view of just the number of incidents reported. He provided a report from the Radar Sign that was on North Main St last month. The report indicated that the vast majority of individuals were obeying the speed limit. The time of concern was at 5:30am; he shared he would patrol the area during this timeframe. A question was asked about accuracy of sign and he shared it was a proximity tool and that it was not as focused as a Radar gun. The sign is to be moved to Cliff St., for the month of December. He provided an update regarding tree trimming in our NPC neighborhoods – trimming will be done on Post to Main, From East Kingman to Illinois. More to follow as work and weather permit. Officer Rivera and Kelly shared that when they engage the other NPCs associated with the Bryne Grant they use our NPC involvement as a model as we have engaged with them very well and successfully. Kelli shared that as information becomes available she will be passing it along to the NPC. Officer Rivera gave a shot out to Carlton Market for providing BCPD with video surveillance footage that allowed them to make identification and arrest of suspects involved in an altercation in the area. 158 Cliff was reported as a suspected drug house. Code: Tommy passed out the Code reports. He updated us on the following: Tommy provide update on items reported last month. 246 Lathrop – a bench warrant was issued, individual is hard to get a hold of. 292 Main ST., issue addressed. 21 E Kingman – have until Nov 13 to fix violations 205 Cliff ST., issue addressed. Items reported at meeting: Highway and Douglas – 2 story boarded up – Tommy believes this is on tear down list; will double check. 406 and 397 Main ST., both are vacant and have been so for many years. Yard waste pick-up ends on December 8, 2017. 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: Guest were reminded if they are interested in joining council to let Chair or Vice Chair know and we will get a motion to add them to the membership. There are two potential new members; will confirm in January. Battle Creek Public Schools: No Representative Old Business: Election of Officers - Secretary: Jim announced that both Cindy and Yvonne had agreed to share duties of Secretary. A motion was made by Dana and seconded by John to have both ladies serve as Secretary. Motion passed. Ladies were both thanked for volunteering. New Business: Leah Dodd, Director Willard Library gave an informative update on the Library and the cutting edge services that are available at the library. She shared how new signage was making it easier for patrons and community to identify the library. She welcomed all to come down and visit the library and to tell their friends and neighbors about the numerous services and resources the library has to offer residents. She had a small basket of novelties to help promote the library, she encouraged individuals to take an item or two. Barb Travis, MiWorks Outreach Coordinator, shared that the Job Hub will be hosted out of Community Action (CA). The services are intended to assist individuals living in the Post/Franklin and Washington Heights neighborhoods to overcome barriers and obstacles to employment. This initiative is based upon the report commissioned by the WKKF in which both of these neighborhoods had higher unemployment and poverty numbers than other parts of the city as a whole. Plan is to have the hub up and running on January 2, 2018. Services and programming information to be published in newspaper and Shopper. Intent is for Ms. Travis or a member of the team to begin regularly attending NPC meetings. Members Comments: Yvonne shared that renovations at 94 Cliff has been completed and the house will be put on the market within the next week. An open house will be announced. Talia Chapman will be relator for this property. House has 3 to 4 bedrooms and 1-2 bathrooms. This is a must see property. Jim welcomed our guest and visitors Kjersten, Jack, Leah, Barb, and Tamara. He reminded them if any were interested in Membership to please let him know. He also thanked our City Partners – Tom, Kelly, and Tommy. Public Comments: Jack shared that the City’s focus on Main St., appeared to stop at Hamblin. He believes that the City and business along the Main St., corridor need to focus more on the rest of this corridor in order to make the rest of the street look nice. Idea would be to put in Rain gardens and create pocket parks for community to enjoy. James shared how CA under Nancy Macfarlane purchased vacant property between Metro PCS and CA campus and put in trees in order to create an inviting greenspace. Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Next Scheduled Meeting: January 4, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. in the CA Board Room. Respectfully Submitted by Cynthia Fritz, Recording Secretary