Neighborhood Planning Council 1 - Post-Franklin

``POST/FRANKLIN NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL Thursday January 4, 2018 Chair Diana Quigg called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at CA Board Room. Attendance: Members Present: Cindy Fritz, James Moreno, Diana Quigg, Yvonne Powell, LaMar Mingle, John Cash; Linda Carmona and Pat Shellenberger (via phone). Members Excused: Katie Hubbard Guest and Visitors: Tom Rivera BCPD, Kelly Dillman, BCPD Community Liaison, Dennis McKinley, Code, Jack Childs, Kjersten Priddy – Pastor, Trinity Lutheran, Lynn Ward Gray, City Commissioner, Ward 2, Kate Flores, City Commissioner, Ward 3, Jenny Mualhlon, BCPD, Community Engagement Coordinator. Additions and Deletions to the Agenda: None Approval of Minutes: Motion for approval of December Minutes was made by Jim and seconded by Yvonne. Approved. Correspondence and Announcements: Zoning Board cancelled for January 2018. Historic District meeting cancelled for January 2018. Planning Commission meeting 1/1/18 at 4pm Commission Chamber. City Election Committee has proposed changes to precincts within our NPC that will affect Ward 2 and 3. This is based upon low voter turnout and their desire to save money by consolidating precincts. The voters at Trinity Lutheran site would be moved to the Fire Station #1 on E Michigan along with Precinct 1 voters. Voters in Precinct #7 would be moved to a different location on Washington St. Voters would be further disenfranchised by these consolidation proposals. We would urge residence to go to the public meeting on Jan 9, 2018 at City Hall Room 112 and express their concerns in this matter. NPC#1 Chair and Vice Chair have submitted comments objecting to this and have reached out to other community members to encourage them to provide their feedback. It was noted that in the December Newsletter that City Manager asked for active participation in community and City government, but neglected to mention the Neighborhood Planning Councils as a source for individuals to reach out to and engage with in these regards. NPC#1 was very disappointed in this lost opportunity. We will be reaching to Ms. VanderKolk to get an article in one of the upcoming Newsletters. Police: Officer Rivera distributed monthly reports. The report outlined the number of crimes reported for Part 1 and 2, and the Speed Radar report from mobile sign posted on E/W Cliff St. He provided a comparison of workload between 2016 and 2017 and there were a few interesting items. He shared it was his intent to use this as a gauge of what was working and what was not in order to better address Neighborhood concerns. He provided a report from the Radar Sign that was on E/W Cliff St last month. The report indicated that the vast majority of individuals were obeying the speed limit. This was a very interesting outcome. He is looking into the lighting issue that was shared at December meeting. He will provide an update at the February meeting. Kelly shared that she is looking into possible options that we could use the Bryn Grant for. She will be reaching out to the Council before the next meeting in order to provide the list of possible items we could select from in order to setup our project timeline. Kelly passed out a Bryn Grant Community Card that she asked that we each share with a neighbor as a means to further promote this grant and the possibilities that it holds for our neighborhoods. Ms. Mualhlun passed out flyers regarding the upcoming Citizen’s Police Academy class that will kick off in March 2018. Individuals must be 18 years of age and live in the City of Battle Creek or Bedford Township. For more information reach out to Ms. Mualhlun at 269-966-1678 X1678 or at jlmulhlun@battlecreekmio.gov . February 9th is deadline and there are 20 spots for this class. Code: Dennis passed out the Code reports. He updated us on the following: Dennis provide update on items reported last month. 246 Lathrop – a bench warrant was issued; this is standard practice when individuals cannot be contacted through normal channels. Dennis is contacting Todd Gerber to ask if he can attend next NPC meeting to discuss snow removal and plowing. James put out the idea again regarding the possibility of City undertaking the purchase of snow removal equipment that could be used to plow city sidewalks as is done in Grand Haven. This idea was given to City Commissioner Baldwin a few years ago when she was Mayor. 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: Two individuals expressed interest in membership – Kjersten Priddy and Jack Childs. James made a motion to accept them as members, LaMar seconded. Motion passed and both were thanked for joining council. Information to sent to City Commission for approval. Pastor Kjersten Priddy, Trinity Lutheran Church 2055 E Columbia Battle Creek, MI 49014 Jack Childs, 405 Main St., Battle Creek, MI 49014 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. Commission Comments: Commissioner Gray discussed the proposed precinct changes and shared that if any were interesting in presenting further comments to the Election Commission that they should be at City Hall on January 9th at 9am Room 112. She and Commissioner Flores thanked NPC for providing its input to them and the Election Commission. She spoke about the on air interview City Manager did regarding the Blue Ribbon Commission that is being set up to look into City Charter items – selection of Mayor and Vice Mayor, Commission Terms being staggered, etc. Individuals that have an interest in being considered should reach out to their Ward and At Large Commissioner’s as each will be able to provide the City Manager’s office with 2 names each for consideration and appointment. Medical marijuana discussions are still ongoing and as more becomes available it will be shared. There are two workshops coming up that citizens may wish to attends – Community Development (CDAC) January 16th 5:30pm Public Works Kendell St. Goal Setting workshop – January 18th 5:30pm Public Works Kendell St. Battle Creek Public Schools: No Representative Old Business: None New Business: None Members Comments: Jim welcomed new members and reminded all present to please attend the Election Commission meeting on January 9th at 9am City Hall, Room 112. Your opinion is important. Cindy reminded Kelly that we did not have to wait for next meeting, that she could reach out to Officers and a discussion could be had regarding possible project ideas for Bryn Grant. Diana thanked new members and the City Staff that attended the meeting. Public Comments: None Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Next Scheduled Meeting: February 1, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. in the CA Board Room. Respectfully Submitted by Cynthia Fritz, Recording Secretary