Neighborhood Planning Council 1 - Post-Franklin

-POST/FRANKLIN NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL- Thursday October 4, 2018 Chair James Moreno called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. at CA Board Room. Attendance: Members Present: James Moreno, Kjersten Priddy, Cindy Fritz, Yvonne Powell, Pat Shellenberger; LaMarr Mingle,and Linda Carmona via phone). Members Excused: Jack Childs and Katie Hubbard Guest and Visitors: Tommy Rivera and Kelly Dillman - BCPD, Tommy Engels - BC Code, Deondra Raumsey BCPS, Michelle Williamson, CA CEO, Barb Travis, MI Works, John Cash Additions and Deletions to the Agenda: None Approval of Minutes: For June and September Minutes were requested. Motion Cindy and second LaMarr; both sets of Minutes approved. Correspondence and Announcements: Oct 12, 6-9pm McCamly Hotel Voces will host a fund raiser, tickets are $35. Contact 269-841-4111 if you want more information or to purchase tickets. Art Center, Latino Art Exhibit, food and music fund raiser, Oct 14, 3-6pm. Contact 269-962-9511 for tickets and information. Post Foundation Dinner and Silent Auction, Oct 27, 5-9pm Riverside Golf Club and Banquet facility. Tickets are $40. Contact 269-9622-181 for tickets and information. Police: Officer Rivera passed out last months and this month’s reports. He discussed the highlighted areas of the report that indicated changes in activity compared to previous 2 years. He indicated that his focus has been to ensure he is addressing the trends and determining what is causing them and how to correct them. He asked if there were any issues or concerns with regards to the reports and the information he had shared. BCPS asked if he was coordinating efforts with BCPS and he shared that he and other officers are working directly with the Liaison Officers assigned to the schools. Kelly shared how she too is engaging in these matters under the Be Safe Battle Creek initiative. The front yard parking on Grenville was shared with Officer Rivera. It was noted that there is a Jeep vehicle that comes off of Main St and speeds down E Kingman at about 6:50am and this is about the time that school buses are picking up students. Kelly Dillman reported that she is looking forward to seeing grants from the NPCs as there have been none. Chair noted that the NPC#1 grant would be in before end of the month and that it was for $20K in support of our Pocket Park and Rain Garden projects. “Be Safe Battle Creek” project meetings will take place the 4th Thursday of the month at the Police Station Community Rm. A lite dinner from 5:30-6:00 pm with the meeting starting at 6 ending at 8. If anyone is interested in a tour call/text Kelly at 269-832-4597. Byrne Grant Ambassador’s for the program; Kelly has talked to two individuals in our area and they are interested. We now need to get a Youth Ambassador for NPC#1. If anyone knows someone who is interested please contact Kelly Dillman, Comm. Outreach Liaison kldillman@battlecreekmi.gov or call 269-966-3416 or Jacob Schacht, Byrne Grant assistant jrschacht@battlecreekmi.gov or call 269-966-3378. Kelly and Officer Rivera talked about the Police Explorer program and how BCPD is using it to engage with youth 14-21 in our communities in order to establish a positive relationship. This program is currently being targeted to the NPCs under the Byrne Grant, but is open to the City as a whole. There are individuals that have completed the program and have been hired by the BCPD Code: Tommy distributed Code report. He reported on the following items from last month: 268 Cliff – Junk and Trash addressed 23-29 E Kingman – vacant lot vehicles parking there – referred to Zoning. Following was reported to Tommy: House near CA Playground, CA is looking into acquiring it from County. 81 and 83 E Kingman – Junk accumulation 107 Lathrop – status of property – large dumpster in front on lawn. Tommy shared that the house is being cleared by the estate. 126 Greenville – front yard parking. Issue also given to Officer Rivera. 135 E Kingman – Tree debris 146 E Kingman – Junk accumulation Beautiful Battle Creek Award: 88 Post and 71 Lathrop were presented for consideration. Motion by Yvonne and second by LaMarr to accept; motion passed. 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: There are two potential members that are being pursued; one will come to November meeting. 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. Commission Comments: Commissioner Flores was ill and unable to attend. Commissioner Gray had scheduling conflict. Battle Creek Public Schools: Deondra Raumsey of BCPs reported the following: BCPS is working to improve their enrichment programming and to work with Parents and students regarding needs and barrier that prevent student attendance. She shared that BCPs is using the WKKF grant to help improve their communication to the community and demonstrate that BCPS is a good choice for your child’s education. She will be the representative attending our meetings and looks forward to working with the NPC. Old Business: Rev. Kjersten Priddy reported on the Post Franklin Neighborhood Clean Up and the lessons learned from this event. She thanked Officer Rivera and Kelly Dillman for their input and work at the Clean Up and members of the NPC that participated in the event. A humorous take away was that they needed to go to the trash instead of it coming to them. The lessons learned will be incorporated into next year’s event. New Business: Nominating Committee established for Officer Election in November. Cindy, Pat, and Yvonne agreed to serve on the committee. Election of Vice Chair was discussed and it was determined that we are so close to election of Officers, that it could wait. Ms. Williamson gave an update on CA – they are seeking to purchase property around their campus in order to help beautify the area. They currently have 3-4 Pre- School spots open. KCC is working with CA to host FASBE (student aid) sign up and assistance for individuals wishing to attend college and need financial aid. For more information contact CA 269-965-7766. MI Works – Barb shared that Fallon is pursuing her Master’s degree and she will be attending in her stead as her classes are in the evening. She distributed the new Hub business hours. The program has been very successful and they need downtime on Friday’s to get caught up on paperwork. This year’s goal was 700 encounters and to-date they have 411; well on the way to goal. Members Comments: James thanked Ms. Williamson for attending and providing up on CA activity and for agreeing to allow the Pocket Park on their property adjacent to the Transportation Center. He also thanked Ms. Raumsey, BCPD, and Code for their support and attendance. Public Comments: John Cash expressed interest in re-joining the NPC; matter to be discussed at November meeting. Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Next Scheduled Meeting: November 1, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. in the CA Board Room. Respectfully Submitted by Cynthia Fritz, Recording Secretary