Neighborhood Planning Council 11 - Lakeview east

Minutes Minges Brook/Riverside Neighborhood Planning Council (NPC) #11 Minges Brook Elementary School Library 435 Lincoln Hill Drive, Battle Creek, MI 49015 Wednesday – April 24th, 2013 1. 7:00 PM – Welcome and opening by Chairman Randall Champlin 2. Attendance sheet: Jim Baldwin, Rudy Barda, Randall Champlin, Frank Egland, Dave Hawks, Norma Mayo, Beverly Vallillee, George Vallillee City Representative Jeanette Cook, Mayor Susan Baldwin (At-Large Commissioner) Guests: Laura Herzing, Tim Martinovich, Nola Baker, Craig Wolf (BCPD), Erick Hegelmann (BCPD) 3. Additions or deletions to this agenda – Beverly Vallillee plans to submit a motion under new business 4. Approval of the March meeting’s minutes – Approved 5. Correspondence sent/received – BCATS flyer, Country Club Hills May Meeting Notification, flyer on 2013 Household Hazardous Waste collection. 6. City staff reports: 6.1. Police Department Report: 6.1.1. Officer Craig Wolf and Erick Hegelmann. Officer Hegelmann is new and was introduced to NPC 11, The officers reported on retail theft and catalytic converters from the north side mall parking lots. These devices sell to auto parts dealers for about $200 and sell for $500. 6.1.2. A question from the NPC was ask about counterfeit 100 dollar bills that had been circulating. The Officer Wolf responded that a suspect had been arrested for counterfeiting . 6.1.3. A neighborhood watch member ask if a report created when a call is made to the police. Officer Wolf responded yes. A report should be made every time. 6.1.4. No arrest has been made in the investigation of the Bank Robbery on April 22 at Southern Michigan Bank. Little money was taken. This looks similar to a previous robbery in Kalamazoo. 6.2. City representative Report – Jeanette Cook . Code compliance expects to have a new code officer available this week. The city representative followed up on parking near the Village Inn with the police department. The BCPD will check for cars being illegally parked. 6.3. City/County Commissioners’ reports 6.3.1. Mayor Susan Baldwin. 6.3.1.1. Budget work will continue in May. 6.3.1.2. Bleistahl North America announced plans to locate a facility in Battle Creek. A recent news release indicated that the company would invest $11.5M and create 58 new jobs. 6.3.1.3. The workshop on the issue of Battle Creek’s possible endorsement of the goals of “Mayors Against Illegal Guns” (MAIG)1. The workshop was not able to hear all of 1 MAIG was founded by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. Mayor Bloomberg is the largest funder of the group The City of Battle Creek will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered in the meeting upon reasonable notice to the City of Battle Creek. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the City of Battle Creek by writing or calling the following: City Clerk’s Office (269) 966-3348/TDD  the comments in the time allotted so another workshop is being scheduled. Some NPC members indicated that they were disturbed by people exercising their right to wear a weapon during the workshop. 6.3.2. County commissioner Jim Haadsma 6.3.2.1. The county is reconsidering its ICE program that provides boarding of immigration detainees. They are trying to determine if it is cost effective. 6.3.2.2. The country expects equalization assessments to start moving as property values rise. Over the last several years property values have declined. 6.3.2.3. County and several municipalities have agreed to a set of technology standards that will permit better sharing of crime information. This will entail software standardization and upgrades 6.3.2.4. County toxic waste pickup this Saturday by KCC Miller gym and a tire pickup are scheduled. Fliers were distributed. 7. Committee reports: 7.1. Beautiful Battle Creek Award: Ann Wyson – Ann not present 7.2. Neighborhoods and Land Use: John Godfrey - the April meeting was cancled due to no new business. 7.3. NPC 11 Programs: Jim Haadsma – Plans to invite a speaker for the May meeting. 8. Old business from previous meetings: None 9. New business: Program Topic : Motion made by Beverly Vallillee to have NPC 11 encourage the city commission to endorse the goals of “Mayors Against Illegal Guns”. Support by Rudy Barda. A lively discussion ensued. Jim Haadsma move to postpone further discussion and voting until the May meeting. Supported by Beverly Vallillee. The motion to postpone passed. 10. Public comments: None 11. Members’ comments: 11.1. Jim Haadsma indicated that he would not invite a program speaker for May as we now plan to discuss a previous motion. 11.2. Members also noted that: There will be a Thursday “Green Drinks” discussion of how latex paint can be reused. The Painted Chair auction for the woman’s COOP is the this Friday at the BC Country Club. 12. Next meeting: 7:00 May 22nd, 2013. No Program Planned 13. Adjournment – 8:15 PM The City of Battle Creek will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered in the meeting upon reasonable notice to the City of Battle Creek. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the City of Battle Creek by writing or calling the following: City Clerk’s Office (269) 966-3348/TDD