Neighborhood Planning Council 1 - Post-Franklin

-POST/FRANKLIN NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL- Thursday Feb 6, 2020 Chair James Moreno called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. at CA Board Room. Attendance: Members Present: James Moreno, Pat Shellenberger, Cindy Fritz, Pastor Priddy, Yvonne Powell, John Cash, Pam Geleff, and Linda Carmona (via phone). Members Excused: Fay Washington, LaMarr Mingle Guest and Visitors: Rosenberg – MWSW, Job Hub, Ray, Officer Hoggard, Brad Gentry BCPD, Tommy Engels, Code Compliance, Ron Sweet, NPC#2 Vice Chair, Kelly Dillman, Splash Pad Committee, Nicki Cummings, Splash Pad Committee Additions and Deletions to the Agenda: None Approval of December Minutes: Pam made motion to approve December minutes and Yvonne seconded. Minutes Approved. It was noted there was no meeting in January, and December’s minutes were provided in our package for this evening. Correspondence and Announcements: Kelly Dillman and members of NPC#2 gave a presentation on the Splash Pad project at Claude Evans Park. Total cost of project is $130,000; they are working on community partnerships and sponsorships in order to raise the funds. Fund raising will begin in mid-March and they’d like to complete project by Juneteenth celebration this year. Donations can be made at BCCF Splash pad; Facebook page @bcsplashpad. Please pass the word along and encourage others to contribute. Officer Gentry who is assigned to the NPC#2 area spoke about the positive effect that this project is for this park and the community as a whole. The perceptions of this area are negative, but the reality is completely different and he encouraged all to take an active role in making this community project a success. Masterpiece Creation Church Scholarship – this scholarship is in memory of Pastor Bobby Moore. Graduating High School seniors may apply, must have a GPA no lower than 2.7 and must have applied to an accredited college or university and plan to attend full time. Application and Essay are due by March 31, 2020. Individuals interested in obtaining an application may call Community Relations Department at 269-962-2505. March meeting will have an update on the September cleanup for Neighborhood and we will tie in Recycling and Clean Water efforts; City representatives will be in attendance. BCATS report was distributed. Police: Officer Hoggard – the number of incidents in our reporting area are down in comparison to December. He shared that if residents observe things, they should contact 911 and report them. The number of officers patrolling the city as a whole are down and this can mean that when a major issue happens all officers are diverted. Question was raised regarding possibility of deploying the sensor system utilized to pinpoint gun fire and type of gun involved. The city is a large geographic area and the cost for this system is significant. Jackson recently deployed this system. A request was made of Office Hoggard to check with the Jackson Police Department as to how this was funded. Officer Hoggard took questions and provided feedback to members and guests. If you have a non-emergency you can call 269-781-0911. Officer Hoggard asked if we had noticed an influx of homeless in our neighborhood; we have not observed this. Code: Tommy distributed Code reports and asked if there were any questions. He distributed the clipboard and asked that Issues and Addresses be annotated so he could provide feedback prior to our next meeting. It was noted on the report that several individuals in our NPC received notices to clean their sidewalks; both the Chair and Vice Chair noted how we each have kept our sidewalks clean. Question was asked by Chair regarding the number of units permitted at 247 Main St. It was originally 2 units and about 10 years ago they added a 3rd unit. Tommy checked with Zoning and was informed that 3 units are permitted by ordinance. Beautiful Battle Creek Award: No new nominations. All were reminded that if you see a possible candidate, you need only provide the address, city will do the rest. Homes, business, church, school, or a Non-Profit can be nominated as long as it is within our Council boundaries. The council will then vote and the address is submitted to Community Development who will send forward to City Commission for presentation of the Award. Note – once we submit the addresses the City takes control of the process. 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 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: No attendees. Battle Creek Public School: No representative Willard Library: No representative Old Business: None New Business: Terris Todd, CA Outreach Director was to have been in attendance, but due to weather and facility closure his attendance has been rescheduled to May meeting. Memmbers Comments: Jim thanked all for their attendance and participation this evening. John shared he is the Disabled American Veterans Commander and sits on the Committee at the Toller Building that assists vets with housing and other needs. If individuals know of a veteran in need of assistance, please refer them to Veteran Trust Fund Committee. Question was asked about homeless vets and if committee works with Haven; the Committee is aware of resource and has a point of contact. Niki Cummings shared that the Haven receives federal funds to hold beds at the facility for homeless vets. Public Comments: Michigan Works Hub – Amanda shared that they exceeded their 3 year number of participants by 500. Of the 1170 participants, they have a 49% retention rate. They are in the process of applying to extend program to 5 years. The two largest barriers they have encountered and are working to address is child care and transportation. Census Bureau is hiring workers and individuals can apply at the Job Hub on Wednesdays from 1-3 till the end of February. Positions pay $20.50 an hour and individuals will be trained. Please pass this along. The Trade Apprenticeship program stated in January and all positions were filled. Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Next Scheduled Meeting: March 5, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the CA Board Room. Respectfully Submitted by Cynthia Fritz, Recording Secretary