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 – October 22, 2014 1. 7:00 PM – Welcome and opening – Randall Champlin 2. Attendance sheet: Ann Wyson, Dave Hawks, Frank Egland, Sally Goss, Nola Baker, Norma Mayo, Randall Champlin, Talia Champlin, Tim Martinovich, City Rep: Susan Bedsole, Battle Creek Police Department Rep: Sargent Mike Woods, Officer Huggett, Chief Jim Blocker, County Commissioner Jim Haadsma, City Commissioner Andy Hemboldt, John Bizon, Lynn Amari, Richard Meade, Danyelle Maitland, Ronald Fitzgerald 3. Additions or deletions to this agenda: None 4. Approval of the previous month’s meeting’s minutes. Tim Martinovich moved to approve and Dave Hawks supported the motion. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Correspondence sent/received • Please see end of minutes 6. City staff reports: Public Office Candidate Statements – Dr. John Bizon served in the military, worked with Dr. Schwartz during the time Dr. Schwartz was serving in the legislature, acted as District Chair for Boy Scouts, Legislative Policy Chair and President of Michigan Medical Society, 25 years in Battle Creek. He believes in the development of good jobs so our kids will come back to Michigan to work after they finish their educations. He believes in education as an entry to the job market, and supports technical training to put people in jobs. Roads may be an issue for the next legislature, if not this issue is not resolved during the lame duck session. Our Health Care system is abysmal – and he will work toward an effective, affordable, preventative health care system. He feels his life has been a life of service. Andy Hemboldt has lived in Battle Creek for 15 years. He started as a middle school teacher in Harper Creek, and now owns his own small business. He has served as an at- large city commissioner 2 terms. Andy believes that at least ½ the job of being our representative is advocating for citizens in the state government. He feels he has been a good bridge at the city level, and is looking forward to providing these services at the state level. If elected, his emphasis will be on education and infrastructure -- companies coming to Michigan want a reliable workforce and dependable infrastructure. Issues of equality and social justice are important to him – he will work for fair and equitable results. He emphasized that economic discussions can’t just be about big business and tax breaks. More people work for small businesses, and these small businesses need support from their government, as well. Regarding roads: Hemboldt feels that with the size of the hole we have dug for ourselves, revenue has to come from somewhere. A dedicated millage works well for the city because residents can see what they are getting for what they are paying. Bizon feels savings from the budget could be as much as $5 - 7million, and that would go a long way toward making a difference in road maintenance. Too many repairs that have been made are of a temporary nature, and there needs to be accountability for the contractor who does the  work. He would advocate for methods that take care of the issue in a more long-term way. Raising taxes should be the last resort rather than the first solution. There are innovative technologies that might need to be adopted. Opinion on part-time legislation: Bizon feels there are good and bad aspects – less laws would be passed, but bureaucracy and administration would be strengthened. Currently 3 days per week, 40 weeks per year. Hemboldt is not in favor of a part-time legislature. The problems we need to solve are too big to be handled by a part-time representative. City Representative Report – Susan Bedsole, Interim Assistant City Manager – No Parking Signs are in place along Riverside south of Golden Avenue to help address the issue of people parking and then backing out into traffic. A reminder that we do not have curb leaf pick up, so please don’t just rake leaves into streets. Waste Management will pick up bagged yard waste through November. On Riverside Drive, the new surface seems much rougher than the other parts of the road that were recently redone. Susan explained that chip seal extends the life of the current road for seven years vs. mill and resurfacing which is very expensive. Appreciation was expressed for getting the Riverside work done over a weekend rather than during school hours. A question was asked regarding trash accumulating at NE corner of Beckley and Capital, as well as drug use. This area is controlled by MDOT, and is not in the City’s jurisdiction. Can there be pressure put on MDOT to mow and keep it neater? Question regarding panhandling at retail intersections and camping in roadway open spaces. City is trying to help with No Trespassing signs so officers can then enforce. Police don’t currently have an ordinance to enforce regarding panhandling, and until an ordinance is in place, the police cannot address the problem. Supreme Court has determined that panhandling is a form of free speech, so we have to restructure existing ordinances. Question regarding prioritizing of snow removal on school and city bus routes. Susan reported that the city learned a lot during the heavy snow last year. She asked that residents help keep the storm drains cleared. Suggestion about using prisoners to clean up roads. This would be a County function, and Jim Haadsma will report back on feasibility. County Commissioners’ reports: Commissioner Jim Haadsma – County Budget is in the best shape it has been in many years. The county will pass a balanced budget in early December. The new road maintenance supervisor is setting up a plan for fall road upkeep. As a candidate, Commissioner Haadsma has been door knocking, and expressed appreciation to Susan Bedsole and her staff for willingness to handle issues that come up that are city rather than county matters. City Commissioner Reports: Andy Hembodlt gave the report: Rebecca Fleury started as our new City Manager on October 1, and there is a learning curve for getting to know staff and issues. Susan had been doing the jobs of three people, and with some of those spots filled, more things should start happening at the city level. Commission is working on a new evaluation procedure for the city manager, including leadership competencies and long-term goals. The commission anticipates some planning with BCU as their board chooses the new BCU CEO. City representatives are participating in the WKKF/Kellogg Company Economic Vitality plan development. City Police Report: Officer Huggett will be in the area until at least March, 2015. Burglary has not been a big problem in the area, but larceny into vehicles is a problem. The police department is working on prevention: Please park your vehicle in a garage, or in a well-lit area, especially in a driveway rather than on the street. Country Club Hills Association was alerted by email that there had been a break-in. Very small groups seem to move around the city, leaving a neighborhood once suspicions are aroused and moving to another part of the city. Urbandale was hit hard in the summer, then the activity seemed to be moved to Springfield, and now may have moved to the south side and the police are taking proactive steps. Chief Blocker explained the “targets of opportunity” program – If the police can anticipate potential problems and alert citizens on preventative measures, they may be able to stop the crime before it happens. A secure network website is being set up so citizens can let the police know when they are going to be out of town, so local officers can keep an extra watch when people are gone. 7. Committee reports: • Beautiful Battle Creek Award Nominations –. Dave Hawks nominated Capital Health Plaza, 3770 Capital Ave. SW: BC Endoscopy and Surgery Center, Bronson Center for Colon and Rectal Diseases, Digestive Health Center • Neighborhoods and Land Use – John Godfrey – not in attendance • NPC 11 Programs – Nola Baker – Anticipates a speaker from the Charitable Union in December, Jim Hettinger on BCU’s Strategic Plan in January. 8. Old business: Welcome to Nola Baker as new vice chair, and gratitude expressed for her willingness to line up programs. 9. New business: October Program - Danyelle Maitland - Program Coordinator with the Battle Creek Substance Abuse Council (SAC), presented the “Lock Your Meds” program and the dangers of RX drug abuse. The Substance Abuse Council focuses on abuse of alcohol, marijuana, and prescription drugs. She explained that locking up your drugs helps to prevent unauthorized use and helps you keep track of the unused amount in each container. 1 of 6 high school students say they have abused some type of prescription drugs, often from dental work. Danyelle works with high school and middle school students to help them adopt the policy of Living Above the Influence. She asked residents to properly dispose of unused meds in RedMed Boxes in police stations across the county. Items that cannot be accepted by RedMed Boxes can be disposed of through Household Hazardous Waste at the Toeller Building. Several hundred pounds of expired and unused meds have been collected by the Substance Abuse Council to keep these meds out of circulation and out of the water supply. We can limit how many meds we accept in a prescription, not accepting more than we actually need. In addition, we need to be sure to cancel mail order meds when they are no longer being used, because once the meds have been delivered, they cannot be returned and proper disposal is then necessary. Danyelle provided website and email contact information for further questions, and passed out stress pills. 10. Public comments: None 11. Members’ comments: None 12. Next meeting: 7:00PM Wednesday December 3, 2014 at Riverside Elementary School Library. Program: To be determined Correspondence passed out at meeting: Kellogg & WKKF -The Community Readiness session to bring about economic development in Battle Creek is scheduled, Oct. 24- 25. The session will be held at Full Blast, 35 West Hamblin, in Battle Creek http://www.battlecreekvisitors.org/home • Wednesday, October 22-30, 2014 ZooBoo 5:00 - 8:00pm Binder Park Zoo • Friday, October 24, 2014 Haunted Trail 7:30 - 11:00pm 900 S. Marshall, Marshall, MI • Saturday, October 25, 2014 Zoo - Tricks & Trails 3:00 - 6:00pm Brooks Nature Area • Sunday, October 26, 2014 Haunted Adventures All-day Event Cornwell's Turkeyville • Wednesday, October 29, 2014 The Gilmore Spooktacular 5:00 - 8:00pm Gilmore Car Musuem • Wednesday, November 5, 2014 Battle Creek Symphony 7:30 - 9:30pm W.K. Kellogg Auditorium • Saturday, November 15, 2014 2014 Brew Tour All-day Event • Saturday, November 22, 2014 International Festival of Lights All-day Event Downtown Battle Creek begins 2014 Battle Creek Christmas Parade 6:00 - 9:00pm Downtown Battle Creek • Sunday, November 23, 2014 International Festival of Lights All-day Event Downtown Battle Creek • Monday, December 1, 2014 Marshall's 50th Annual Christmas Parade 7:00 - 9:00pm Downtown Marshall http://www.downtownbattlecreek.com/live-it-up_play_battle-creek-events • Educational 10/23/2014 5:00 PM Paws to Read to Sasha the Gentle Black Lab Willard Library • Educational 10/23/2014 6:30 PM Haunted Lighthouses: Michigan's Ghostly Beacons Willard Library • Children's Activities 10/24/2014 10:00 AM Fun Fridays Programming for children aged 4 to 8 Willard Library • Women's Events 10/24/2014 5:00 PM Fall Fashion Extravaganza Are you interested in the hottest fall fashion trends? Then you'll want to make plans to attend the Fall Fashion Extravaganza at the Cricket Club on Friday, October 24. A fashion show will take place at 6:30 PM and a raffle drawing at 8:00 PM. A portion of the raffle proceeds will go to a local charity. Appetizers and a cash bar available. • Fall Harvest/Halloween 10/25/2014 -- Halloween Art Exhibit Featuring the history of Halloween Day, Day of the Dead and ethnic masks). Art Center of Battle Creek • Farmers Market/Flea Market 10/25/2014 9:00 AM Battle Creek Farmers Market Come downtown for fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers! • Fundraisers 10/25/2014 9:00 AM Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Making Strides Calhoun County • Educational 10/25/2014 10:00 AM Sensory Storytime for Children Children's programming ages 2 - 10. Willard Library • Fall Harvest/Halloween 10/25/2014 1:00 PM Trick ART Treat - Children Event Kids focused Halloween event - 1-4 PM Art Center of Battle Creek