Neighborhood Planning Council 1 - Post-Franklin

POST/FRANKLIN NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL Doris Hale Facility 100 Green Street Thursday, March, 2, 2023 7:00 PM James Moreno called the meeting to order at 7:05pm. Doris Hale Facility. Attendance: Cindy Fritz, Pam Geleff, Andre Hoaglin-Jackson, Ryan Hoaglin-Jackson, James Moreno, Yvonne Powell, Faye Washington Members Excused: Pat Shellenberger, LaMarr Mingle, Kjersten Sullivan Guests and Visitors: Officer Street, BCPD Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: None Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes: Cindy Fritz Moved to approve the February 2, 2023 Minutes. Second by Andre Hoagland-Jackson ; motion carried Correspondence and Announcements: Spring Cleanup – May 22-26. Fall Cleanup – September 11-15. No electronics, car parts, or large construction/renovation. Committee and Staff Reports: Police: Officer Street passed out the Police report for last month and walked through it. He shared that there has been an increase in car jacking in neighborhood and city as a whole. Juveniles are largely behind this activity. Concern was passed on regarding individuals wearing red shirts congregating in Post Park. Question – do we know if this is associated with known gang activity in our area? Question was asked about shooting that happened in area near Kingdom Builders; an individual ran to this facility for shelter and another individual went to hospital seekin g treatment. Officer replied he was not aware of this and that it was likely under investigation; hence, the lack of information. He asked if there were any other questions, Ryan asked about the foot patrol activity for our area, officer explained that this was being used for logging in time spent in an area completing reports and not necessarily walking around an area. It was noted that one of the solar lamps in the pocket park was vandalized; it was sheared from its mounting and taken. Request was made to have night patrol give extra attention to this area to deter any further activity. Officer Street shared this was his last meeting as his tour ended and he will be reassigned to Columbia and Beckley area. Council thanked him for his service. Code: No representative. Item passed along to Code via telephone – 357 Main ST., 2 refrigerators sitting in back driveway with doors still attached, safety hazard. Beautiful Battle Creek: There were no new nominations put forth. All were reminded to look for nominations for this award. Criteria, house, business or an organization in our neighborhood can be nominated. Membership: No new members. Commissioner comments: None Battle Creek Public Schools: None Old Business: We discussed Membership Committee at the last meeting, and are seeking individuals interested in serving on this committee. Pam, Yvonne, and Pastor Sullivan expressed interest. Cindy will assist once things are put in place. Ryan volunteered to help do a weekend door-to-door contact after we have things up and running. We will discuss setting up a meeting in April and initiate conversation with Chris Lussier to do the targeted mailing. Another recommendation was to go to school and speak at one of their Parent/Teacher conferences. John Hart will attend our April meeting and we will continue conversation from February meeting that Assistant City Manager Dearing attended and spoke about economic development and affordable housing. New Business: Krista Trout-Edwards, Executive Director for Calhoun County Landbank presented information and update on the program and work they are doing in Washington Heights. There are currently 107 properties in the Post-Franklin neighborhood; of these there are 49 side lots and 57 developable lots. There are 250 properties in Washington Heights with a similar breakout. An Advisory Committee was established to map out and develop ideas and uses for properties located in the 5 zones the committee and Landbank mapped out. There is some interest in creating additional beautification areas within these zones. This would be similar to what has been done in Post-Franklin (property on Main and Cliff across from DQ, and the one by Post-Franklin Elementary. It is hoped that the work being done in the Washington Heights community will result in a blueprint of how that effort can be duplicated in other neighborhoods. Landbank is leveraging state funds to try and bolster stronger program and increased capacity. Land Trust topic was touched upon; it was noted that this is in the discussion and networking phase. Krista will provide a list of meeting dates and times so that if anyone from this council is interested in attending any of the Advisory Committee meetings they can. Landbank will be taking applications for its mowing program, applications are due March 15th. Opportunity is open to non-profit organizations. Member Comments: All were thanked for their attendance tonight and participation. Public Comments: None Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm Next Scheduled Meeting: April 6, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. Doris Hale Facility. Acting Secretary Cindy Fritz