Neighborhood Planning Council 11 - Lakeview east

Meeting Minutes Minges Brook/Riverside Neighborhood Planning Council (NPC) #11 Riverside Elementary School Library 650 Riverside Drive Battle Creek, MI 49015 Wednesday – May 28, 2014 1. 7:00 PM – Welcome and opening – Randall Champlin 2. Attendance sheet: Dave Hawks, Frank Egland, John Godfrey, Nola Baker, Norma Mayo, Beverly Vallilee, George Vallillee, Randall Champlin, Tim Martinovich, Talia Champlin, Joe Goss, Ken Long, Interim City Manager Susan Bedsole, County Commissioner Jim Haadsma, Neighborhoods Inc. CEO Bill Phillips. 3. Additions or deletions to this agenda: none 4. Approval of the previous month’s meeting’s minutes. John Godfrey moved to approve and Dave Hawks supported the motion. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Correspondence sent/received • May 1st, Marci Gillette notified the NPCs that they may nominate a business monthly for a Beautiful Battle award in addition to the residential nominee. • May 5th Ken Long of 406 Lincoln Hill Dr. Would like to discuss the noise resulting from having a basketball court across the street from residences. What can be done to reduce the noise? Is moving the Basketball court an option? • May 21st, Member Jim Baldwin has moved out of the NPC 11 area and therefore resigned from the NPC. • May, 28 Wednesday, 4:00 PM Planning Commission Mtg. Commission Chambers 10 North Division • May, 29 City Manager Search Committee 5..1. 10 a.m. Thursday, Calhoun Community High School gymnasium 15 Arbor St., enter through front doors 5..2. 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Minges Brook Elementary School 435 Lincoln Hill Drive • May 31st: Saturday, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM FF/JOHAH/BCPD working together for firearm safety and elimination of illegal firearms. Second Baptist Church 485 N Washington Ave. More info: http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20140424/NEWS01/304240027/Safety-theme-May- eventJun, • 03 Tuesday 7:00 PM City Commission meeting • Jun, 05 Thursday, 5..1. 4:00 PM Goguac Lake Board Meeting 5..2. 5:00 PM City Manager Search Committee, Location: City Hall Conference Room 302A • Jun, 09, Monday,4:00 PM CANCELED-Historic District Commission Mtg. (No Petitions/Applications for review) Duration: 1 hour • Tuesday, Jun, 10th 5..1. LCC/LAC Meeting 1:30 -2:00 PM 10 DPW 150 S. Kendall St 5..2. Zoning Board Mtg 4:00 PM • June 11, Dangerous Building hearing Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Location: Commission Chambers • June 13, Zoning Board Petition Deadline for July Mtg. Time: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM • June 14th Shenanigans on the water - Up the Creek River Rafting Regatta see: http://www.bcmams.com/ for details and entry form. Entry forms needed by June 1st for discounted entry rate  • June 17, City Commission workshop Time: 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Commission Chambers followed by 7:00 PM City Commission meeting • Jun, 18 Wednesday, 1:00 PM Housing Board of Appeals Commission Chambers • Jun, 20 Friday, Historic District Petition Deadline for July Mtg • Jun, 27 Friday, Petition Deadline for Planning Commission July Mtg 6. City staff reports: • City Representative Report – Susan Bedsole said the most recent crime report looked very positive, but not all items are being reported through the new software system. She reminded us that if we have neighbors who aren’t mowing, please let the city know. The process takes about 2 weeks before the city will actually mow for them – the resident has 10 days to mow before the city can step in. The city has managed to stay out of the newspaper for the last couple of weeks, and that is a relief. • Ken Long, a neighbor across from the Minges Brook basketball court, voiced his concern about the noise and congestion that has escalated over the last three years. He suggested that if the ball diamond and the basketball court were reversed, this might solve the problem for the neighbors. The players respect the curfew, but it is consistently noisy in the evenings. Other members supported Ken’s concerns, and some suggested that Riverside could use a few more courts. Susan said she would look into what could or should be done and have someone get back with Ken. • Questions were asked about community input regarding the city manager position. Susan responded that some comments are aimed not just at the position of the city manager, but at aspirations the residents hold for Battle Creek. It is hoped that a by- product of the conversations will be a renewed sense of trust between residents and government. Susan explained that the search firm will screen applications to create a list of the most viable candidates. A member suggested the city manager can sometimes be the scapegoat when the commission is not happy with the progress on their own agendas. Susan feels that clear goals and a clear evaluation process will make it much easier for a city manager to set priorities, and to get feedback on the job being done. Both the manager and the commission would benefit from this clarity. Susan encourages residents to attend committee meetings currently being held to clarify commission behaviors. She feels there is a positive momentum for the city and our future is bright. Another topic covered was the importance of voting to hold elected officials accountable. The commissioners need the input from citizens in order to know how to best represent the common good. • The topic of the Kellogg Project K move was discussed and John Godfrey gave an update garnered from a Kellogg representative attending a Downtown Partnership meeting. According to this report, the overall net loss in jobs between now and 2017 is expected to be about 100 jobs. Susan feels that the whole situation helped Kellogg understand how important communication is from both a public relations and an economic development standpoint. • Regrets were mentioned that there was no police officer in attendance. Graffiti on the Riverside overpass has not been addressed since our last meeting. In addition, the panhandling along Beckley seems to be out of hand. Susan explained that courts have affirmed people’s right to ask for money. The city can address panhandlers if they are aggressive, but not if they are passively sitting with signs. Regarding the homeless people living at the intersection of Beckley and Capital - if there are No Trespassing signs, they can be moved. Concerns were also voiced regarding the prevalence of speeding on many city streets. City/County Commissioners’ reports: No city commissioners in attendance. County Commissioner Jim Haadsma: Jim encouraged citizens to attend County Commission meetings on 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 315 Green Street, Marshall. Next meeting is June 4th. The current county road department administrator had been successful in his Manistee position in getting grants for road and bridge maintenance. He is going to be applying for grants to aid with repairs around our county. The shared public safety building should be moving forward when they get one more approval at the June 4 commission meeting. Ground breaking will then be expected to take place in late summer. 7. Committee reports: • Beautiful Battle Creek Award – Ann Wyson was not present. Randall Champlin nominated residents Joe and Lindy Kurti, 199 Edgehill Drive, for their maintenance of the Country Club Hills boulevards and other common elements. He nominated Fire Station #6, 152 Beckwith Drive, for the business award. Agreement by consensus. • Neighborhoods and Land Use– John Godfrey reported that the Planning Department annual report and its projects list were presented and approved. Extended discussion was held on an upcoming requirement for a new 20-year plan. The committee is exploring whether a consultant should be hired. The existing plan does not need to be completely scrapped, but there are many changes and updates to be made. Public input will be sought. Scott Parker is a new Planning Commission member, replacing retiring member Preston Hicks. • NPC 11 Programs – James Haadsma – to be determined. John Godfrey suggested the new administrator of the Math and Science Center could talk about the production of the science kits that are distributed across the nation. Jim will look into this suggestion. 8. Old business: Nominating committee, Tim Martinovich and George Vallillee, nominated current officers. Jim Haadsma respectfully declined, and Nola Baker was willing to be Vice Chair. Jim Godfrey motioned and Dave Hawks seconded motion to cast unanimous vote on the slate as amended. Motion carried. 9. New business: May Program: Bill Phillips, President and CEO of Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek, talked about his organization. NIBC has been in operation since 1981, and its primary task is to revitalize neighborhoods. Its responsibilities cover four areas: Education and Counseling, Financial Services, Housing Restoration, and Community Engagement. No homes are sold to investors – purchasers of resale homes need to be owner-occupants who will commit to living in the homes for a minimum of 5 years. While the Neighborhood Inc. workload tends to remain steady, their areas of emphasis have been swinging from home ownership promotion to foreclosure avoidance, and now back to home ownership promotion again. Most of their neighborhood work is done in NPCs 1 – 5 because the highest concentration of need are in those areas. To execute their Community Engagement area of responsibility, the organization provides resources for the success of the NPCs. If our NPC has specific projects or concerns, NIBC will help if they possibly can. They no longer have paid community organizers, but staff is willing to support the execution of NPC projects. Each project, however, must be resident led. If residents are passionate about a project, NIBC wants to help. Bill reminded us that the pool of NPC members needs to be consistently refreshed.  New members allow fresh perspectives and lighten the load of responsibilities in NPC work. Our power is in our numbers, and we need core participation for the non- glamorous work, but we also need to be able to mobilize big support or input on big issues. He offered brochures to use in recruitment. Bill also discussed training being offered by a national organization, Neighborworks America. They provide training for community development issues. NIBC would like to send two reps from each NPC to get the education offered. His organization prefers reps take courses that emphasize community engagement and community development. Participants will have no out of pocket expenses – the investment would be time. Reps would be expected to provide a report back to our NPC and to NIBC. Please consider making this commitment. Bill would like to know who would want to go within the next couple of weeks. Randall asked for volunteers to go – Randall and Talia would be interested. Jim Haadsma complimented Glenwood Trace evacuation executed by Neighborhoods Inc. He also related an instance when they helped an elderly gentleman leave a home he really couldn’t handle and move to assisted living. 10. Public comments: Susan had the answer to the basketball question – The city doesn’t own the court and any changes would have to go through the Lakeview School Board. The cost to move the basketball court would be about $15,000. John Godfrey believed the School Board would be receptive to a request that included a concern AND a potential solution. -Joe Goss expressed concern over traffic around the ball diamonds at Riverside. People are parking on the grass rather than in the parking lot, and it causes damage to the grass, as well as traffic hazards as cars back out onto the road. The police can only ticket if the signs specifically say, “No Parking Between Signs.” He requested the placement of these signs along Riverside from Golden to the school entrance. -Beverly Vallillee asked about the burned-out house on Capital SW. Susan said the process has been started to address the problem, but it takes months to follow due process and get a house down. -Update on the On Deck building – the crime unit has completed their work and the process is moving forward, but the insurance company hasn’t made a decision on whether they will pay for demolition. Because of the location, the city will probably proceed with removal even if the owner’s insurance company refuses to pay. 11. Members’ comments: John Godfrey thanked Randall for his willingness to chair the NPC again. He thanked Jim Haadsma for years of service and accepted his resignation with regrets. Dave Hawks commended Officer Craig Wolf for his recent performance award and acknowledged him for living in our NPC. -Nola Baker asked for guidance on closing off the her neighborhood for a Peachtree children’s celebration. Susan described the process (written application – available on city website - and 2 weeks advance notice,) and let her know that Vicky Houser, city clerk, can help. 12. Next meeting: 7:00PM Wednesday September 24th, 2014 at Riverside Elementary School Library. Program: To be determined