Neighborhood Planning Council 10 - Lakeview west

WESTALKE/PRAIRIEVIEW NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL #10 Meeting Minutes January 26th , 2015 The meeting was held at First Assembly of God Church , 800 s 24th Street, Battle Creek Michigan Call to Order & Welcome Chair, Jeff Koteles called the meeting to order at 7:01pm Invocation: A moment of silence was observed. Attendance: Members: Chairman: Jeff Koteles, Vice Chair: David Weaver, Secretary: Linda Patenaude, Tom Rose, Joyce Garrett, Diana Cole, Karol Henegar, Darlene Norman, MaryLou Ramon, Gary Dodd Commissioner Jeff Domenico Guests: Vice-mayor Lynn Ward Gray, Commissioner Susan Baldwin, & Mary Jane Cipcic City staff: Marcie Gillette, Police Sargent Mike Wood, Officer Clark, Officer Leach, Christine Kosmowski, Randy Ramsey Chair Notes/Correspondence/Announcements: December’s Planning Commission approved a child care center on Wabscon Rd. Planning commission canceled January’s meeting and the next one will be February 25th. Zoning board of Appeals cancelled it January meeting. Next one will be Feb 10. Neighborhoods Inc. annual report was passed around with opportunity to donate. Additions/Deletions to the Agenda: none Minutes: Minutes were unanimously approved after a motion by Mary Lou Ramon and seconded by Jeff Domenico with a correction on the last page with the next meeting date changed from February 26 to January 23. Police Report: Officer Leach passed out reports on serious crime activity in our area. Our area has many B&E’s. Stolen items were found at a home on Woodrow Ave and arrests were made. Several body cameras are being tested by officers. Placement of the camera seems to be an issue, especially when in a physical conflict. Public Service Announcements from Commissioners: Vice-mayor Lynn Ward was glad to be here and turned it over to our ward commissioner. Jeff Domenico who shared • Workshop on how our mayors are elected will be held on February 17th at City Hall.  • Neighborhood Planning Councils changes are being discussed and Jeff will keep us informed and urged you to contact him if you have concerns. It was decided that a draft of the changes will be provided to our council within the next 30 days from Marcie. Lynn Ward Gray announced that • Many commissioners are attending a priority based budgeting workshop to • The change in public comment at commission meetings from 3 minutes to 5 is under way as a pilot program. Pros and cons were discussed. • Battle Creek Police Dept. has started a series of town halls including home safety and fire safety. Accessvision is airing them. Identity theft will be the next project. • Mayor and vice mayor will be doing bi-monthly coffee hours around town. • Battle Creek has a new tv series coming out named after it. Many viewing parties will be coming with it. Susan Baldwin was happy to be here • Mayor office hours are 10am-1pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. Call to make an appointment with her. • There will be a joint meeting of the city commissioners and the planning commissioners to take a look at the 5 year plan. • City hall will be closed on Presidents Day. • Policies are being looked at regarding city parks and the serving of alcohol at special events. • We are generous about public comment at our meetings. There are some individuals that abuse the public comment by using offensive language or using that time as a public platform that does not further the commissions business. Jeff Domenico • Kudos to the police dept. for going into to the public schools and teaching preparatory measures for emergencies Committee Reports:. a. Membership: Always looking. Possible representatives from businesses in area and schools. b. Beautiful Battle Creek Award-. None this month again! c. Neighborhood Planning: See chair comments d. Woodland Park Joyce shared that the committee has new members coming aboard. A 5th Eagle Scout project is underway putting benches by the entranceway. Blue bird houses are being replaced. The weather now prevents the trial signs from being put in. City Staff Report: The City Traffic Engineer wants to follow up on traffic in the Ferndale neighborhood in February. He wants to present his findings and some recommendations. Marcie handed out code reports. She stressed the threat of serious safety issues with no utilities on in homes during the winter months. Enforcement of small signs along Columbia Avenue was addressed. Calhoun County Land Bank has a new program that allows groups to apply for payment to mow vacant lots in their area. Old Business: Officers Chairman: Jeff Koteles, Vice Chair: David Weaver, Secretary: Linda Patenaude were elected again by a voice acclamation motion by Joyce Garrett seconded by Gary Dodd vote was unanimous. Special Presentation: Drain Commissioner Kristine Kosmowski and Randy Ramsey from CEI came to report on the finishing of the drain project, affected Horseshoe Pond, that our Council has been working on for many years. The council thanked them and Jeff Domenico for an awesome job. They answered questions about the Big Marsh Drain project. Comments for the Good of the Order: • Mary Jane Cipcic- Lakeview School board had their election of officers • Vice Mayor Lynn Ward Gray-A community workshop session was held with 86 business people for making Battle Creek more business friendly. Work continues on this. • Jeff Koteles asked about minor home repair dollars. They are available. Contact Matt Flanders at the city. • Gary Dodd- Attended MDOT meeting and was disappointed. Has concerns about the Skyline Drive closure and truck routes from I-94 with work on the bridge. Will Helmer be used heavily? Round abouts are also a concern. • Adjournment: 8:45pm Next Meeting: February 23, 2015 We will be discussing the Ferndale Ct area with traffic engineering to resolve parking on city sidewalks. Submitted by Linda Patenaude Members who will not able to attend our meeting for an excused absence, please call Linda @ 269-962-8514