Neighborhood Planning Council 1 - Post-Franklin

POST/FRANKLIN NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL Doris Hale Facility 100 Green Street Thursday, December 7, 2023 @ 7:00 PM James Moreno called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm at the Doris Hale Facility. Attendance: Members Present: Pamela Geleff, Andre Hoaglin-Jackson, Ryan Hoaglin-Jackson, James Moreno, Cindy Fritz, Yvonne Powell, Pat Shellenberger, Faye Washington Members Excused: Kjersten Sullivan LaMarr Mingle, Guests and Visitors: Sherry Sofia, Vice Mayor, Officer Darryn Gorman, Battle Creek Police Department, Tommy Engles, Code Department, Mary Fields, Michael McCullough, Williard Library Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: None Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes: Motion to approve the November 2, 2023, minutes was made by Andre Hoaglin-Jackson, seconded by Pamela Geleff. Motion carried. Correspondence and Announcements: Passed out BCATS information. Reminded all about the Cleanup Guidelines information that was provided in the November Water Bill. Good idea to share with neighbors that are new to area. All were reminded that there was hot coco, cookies, crustless cranberry pie, and peppermint candy canes for all to enjoy; refreshments courtesy of the NPC. Committee and Staff Reports Code: Tommy distributed the Code Report. He shared that the vehicle reported on Midway Court had been removed; Mary thanked him. Tommy shared that he was able to sort the report based on Street Name per conversation earlier with Chair. Mary was especially pleased. Question was asked about the house on corner of Horton and Willow – first floor openings need to be secured; Tommy stated that was correct; he will look to ensure they are in compliance. Junky house on South Ave., it needs to be addressed. Car at Academy and Lathrop – in-op; sitting there a few weeks. 155 Post – junky yard reported. All thanked Tommy for work being done and issues addressed. Police: Officer Gorman distributed Police Report. He shared that there was increased activity in our neighborhood; juvenile activity has dropped some. He shared that drug overdoses are up; he noted the incident Thanksgiving Day. It was noted that there is a car that travels at high speed down and up Main Street, typically between 12-2am; can’t make out model as it is traveling too fast. Also, noted, car’s using turning lane on Main Street as a passing lane; going north or south on Main St. Beautiful Battle Creek: There were no new addresses provided. Membership: Motion made to accept Mary Fields as member, motion made by Yvonne, second by Andre. Motion carried. 29 Lathrop St. Membership renewal – Mingle and Powell – motion made by Cindy Fritz second by Pat Shellenberger. Motion carried. Commissioner Comments: Sherry Sofia spoke about recent events: there was a public open house at DPW to discuss the I94 highway/boulevard concept. MDOT is taking public comments regarding this proposal. The affected area is from Hamblin/Division to Sojourner Truth Parkway (M66) to the East/West *I94 ramps. This stretch of highway is reaching end of life. The following links will provide more information and allow for public comment. Share your input on the I-194 Planning and Environmental Linkages Study (office.com) Video - I-194 in Battle Creek - Community meeting with MDOT June 2023 (youtube.com) There was a workshop held for commissioner regarding the Community Oversight Board (COB), This will be handled via city’s board/membership application process. January/February apps accepted, March selections made, training to follow prior to this board being operational. Individuals interested should put in their application. City Commission held a special meeting to address 3 housing projects that needed to be addressed before the next regular meeting. All items were approved. Battle Creek Public Schools: None Old Business: None New Business: Michael McCullough presented an update on activities and services at Willard Libraries. The library has fully embraced technology as a means to deliver a robust array of services to the community. Willard Library has started allowing individuals that are homeless to get a library card, which allows them to access library services and material, but cannot checkout items. The libraries’ History archives are full of information, so much so, that there are items that have not been fully utilized. The Battle Creek history archives that Mary Butler maintained were acquired by Williard Library and recently opened and dedicated to Mary Butler. There was some discussion about food pantry at library – it is an idea that has brought up and needs to be looked into further. The library has programming and events that are very diverse and welcomes the community to look into. Michael will return in 2024 with an update on the library’s 2024 calendar. Calhoun County Landbank asked the NPC for a letter of support for the grant they were submitting to the State Landbank Authority. The grant seeks to rehab two house in the Post Addition – 56 Lathrop and 156 Bennett. Motion made by Pamela Geleff, support Cindy Fritz. Discussion, Ryan Hoaglin-Jackson expressed concern of their application denial to purchase a rear lot behind their 37 Inn Road home from Calhoun County Landbank. He and Andre were not in support of this motion. Motion passed with 2 no votes. Letter of Support submitted. This matter will be discussed further at our March 2024 meeting. Calhoun County Landbank will be in attendance to update NPC on their programming initiatives. Member Comments: Thank you to our visitors and thanks everyone for coming. Have a safe and Merry Christmas to all. Public Comments: None Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm Next Scheduled Meeting: Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 7 pm, Doris Hale Facility. Respectfully submitted, Cindy Fritz, Acting Secretary