Neighborhood Planning Council 1 - Post-Franklin

POST/FRANKLIN NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL Doris Hale Facility 100 Green Street Thursday, March 7, 2024 7:00 PM DRAFT James Moreno called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm at the Doris Hale Facility. Attendance: Members Present: Mary Fields, Cindy Fritz, Andre Hoaglin-Jackson, Ryan Hoaglin-Jackson, James Moreno, , Yvonne Powell, Pat Shellenberger Members Excused: LaMarr Mingle, Faye Washington. Pamela Geleff, Kjersten Sullivan City Staff/Commissioners: Tommy Engels, Code - City of Battle Creek, Cpl Emily Leach, BCPD, Helen A Guzzo, Community Development, Jarrett Geering, City Engineer, Amber Whitcomb, Civil Engineer Tech II, Guests and Visitors: Representative Jim Haadsma, Krista Trout-Edwards, Executive Director CCLBA, Quinton Hay, CCLBA Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: None Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes: Motion to approve the February 1, 2024, minutes was made by, Andre Hoaglin-Jackson, seconded by Yvonne Powell. Motion carried. Correspondence and Announcements: James and Cindy attended the February 28th Planning Commission meeting along with 4 residents and spoke against the proposed T3 rezoning of 42 parcels (Caine to Styles). The central message voiced was that this needed to be discussed with neighborhood residents, NPC, City, State, Landbank and other stakeholders before a decision of this magnitude should be undertaken. Planning Commission directed Planning to schedule a meeting with the parties noted above and bring this back for further discussion at their June meeting. March 20, 4-6pm Styrofoam collection at Department of Public Works on Kendell Street. Planning Department is looking to host a meeting to address the T3 rezoning discussion per direction of Planning Commission. Will advise membership once more information is available. Ryan Hoaglin-Jackson is running for Battle Creek Public School Board. Committee and Staff Reports Police: Corporal Leech reported that there haven’t been any new KIA thefts in last week. Suspected ring leader was apprehended and there has been a decline in activity. Our NPC saw the highest # of arrests based on outstanding warrants and from individuals interfering with or resisting arrest. Code: Tommy Engels distributed the Code Compliance report. There were no previous question from last month. Tommy was asked if during rental inspection were green tags on furnaces checked to ensure they matched city records; yes this is done. Question was asked about a fenced in area within Oakhill Cemetery; this is a warehouse that is being constructed. The following properties were reported to Tommy for follow up: 229 Lathrop, tree debris is being dumped, and 47 Lathrop; specifics were noted on Tommy’s log sheet. Beautiful Battle Creek: 29 & 39 Midway Court were proposed; Mary Fields made motion to accept, Andre Hoaglin-Jackson supported. Motion carried. Battle Creek Public Schools: None Old Business: None New Business: Helen Guzzo, Community Development presented their brochure, and provided following updates for the department: There are funds for up to 100 minor home repairs up to $15K each. $235K was reallocated from previous years of unused CDBG Home funds, the money will be utilized to fund Rental Assistance program. The funds will be used to provide rental assistance for 3 and 6 month timeframes so that an individual renter can establish their financial sustainability. Habitat housing projects, 2 on Cedar St., and 1 on Mckinley. City will not be re-establishing of the Community Development Advisory Group as previously shared; there is no HUD requirement for this as was previously thought. Public Works discussion: Jarrett and Ashley both provided information and an update on the upcoming water main replacement on E Kingman and the lead service removal within the Post Addition. A copy of the general letter that residents will receive was shared with NPC along with contact information should residents want to discuss this activity prior to the working being done. NPC was asked if they could share this information with neighbors to ensure that there was awareness so it would dove tail with the public service announcement that is being put together for this 3+ long year project that starts this year. There should be no costs to the residents for work being done. Questions or concerns should be directed to AMWhitcomb@battlecreekmi.gov or call 269-966311. Land Use Discussion: At the end of the February NPC presentation from the landbank and City Planning proposal to rezone 42 parcels to T3 within the NPC, there was interest expressed on having a conversation at March NPC on setting up a Land Use Advisory group similar to what Washington Heights NPC2 undertook. The landbank is interested in helping this NPC undertake the conversation and look at next steps if we are interested. After much discussion and concerns, there is interest in moving forward. Detailed discussion with landbank is the next step in this process. Member Comments: Thanked all for their attendance and input into the items discussed tonight. Public Comments: None Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 9 pm Next Scheduled Meeting: Thursday, April 4, 2024, at 7 pm, Doris Hale Facility. Respectfully submitted, Cindy Fritz, Acting Secretary