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 – December 3, 2014 1. 7:00 PM – Welcome and opening – Randall Champlin 2. Attendance sheet: Ann Wyson, Beverly Vallillee, Bobbie Wilson, Dave Hawks, Frank Egland, George Vallillee, John Godfrey, Nola Baker, Norma Mayo, Randall Champlin, Talia Champlin, Rudy Barda, Tim Martinovich, City Rep: Interim Assistant City Manager/Community Services Director Susan Bedsole, Battle Creek Police Chief Jim Blocker, County Commissioner Jim Haadsma, City Commissioner Mike Sherzer, Laura Daugherty, Carolyn Washington, Tayvon Hughes 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 • 11/17/2014 David Tanis, Battle Creek YMCA, Wellness & Community Engagement • 11/24/2014 Marci Gillette, City of BC, All NPC meeting – Randall gave a report on the meeting – NPC changes will be coming to our group for review before the City Commission acts on the changes. The Police Dept introduced a program *** • 11/25/2014 Diane Smith, WKKF, BCVision meeting – Randall encouraged us to review the information and attend one of the meetings on December 11 or 16 • Randall reported on the Drain Commission Project explained in mailings that came to area homes in the mail. The meeting is a formality and will announce to residents that City Drain work has been completed, although other jurisdictions still have work to fulfill. No assessments are expected, but Susan Bedsole explained the circumstances under which an assessment could be levied. 6. City staff reports: • City Representative Report –  Susan Bedsole, ***. First topic covered was snow removal from sidewalks. It is hoped that we won’t have as brutal a winter as last year, but the city is gearing up for enforcement. Residents need to remove snow from sidewalks within 24 hours of final snowfall.  17,200 properties have been assessed and this process helps with making sure that rentals are certified. • County Commissioners’ reports: Commissioner Jim Haadsma reported. The perimeter trail way around the Ott Nature Preserve is now open, and connects Ott with the County Bridge Park. The county budget was approved and it is a balanced budget. Increased property values will be helpful on the revenue side, and the new budget will allow the hiring of a much-needed Assistant Prosecutor. United Way has given the Senior Millage Allocation Committee a grant for senior dental services. • City Commissioner Reports: Commissioner Mike Sherzer reported. o The process for selecting the mayor is completed, and commissioners are not expecting further contention on leadership. o The mayor and vice-mayor have met with the CEO of WKKF and will meet with the CEO of the Kellogg Company to make sure the commission is on board with the BCVision efforts. o Sandwich sign enforcement is on hold while the differences between enforcement downtown and in Lakeview are resolved with amendments to the current law.  • City Police Report: No officer was in attendance, but Susan will check on the status of the police body cameras. They are part of a submitted plan but funding has not been allocated. Police Chief Jim Blocker arrived during the meeting. 7. Committee reports: • Beautiful Battle Creek Award Nominations –. Dave Hawks – Nola Baker Nominated Lynn and Eileen Smith 34 Woodbine Ln. 49017-7929. Mike Sherzer suggested the newly-renovated A-frame on South Hill Drive for a future nomination. There was no business nomination. • Neighborhoods and Land Use – John Godfrey – There are no November or December meetings. CVS is working to put a new location at the southeast corner of Capital and Columbia. • NPC 11 Programs – Nola Baker – Jim Hettinger is scheduled for February. Sustainable BC Committee – Randall presented “The purpose of the committee is to increase the city's efforts to incorporate cost-effective, environmentally responsible policies in the management of its built infrastructure, natural resources and in planning, administration and economic development. The committee may make recommendations to the city commission for their consideration and will be available to the commission as a resource on sustainability policy” There are openings on this committee if someone has an interest. Recent topics: • City Trash Pickup • Michigan Green Communities • Evaluation of 15 X 15 initiatives • Solar Panels and Wind Turbines • Solar – trash compacting bins that can report when they need to be serviced 8. Old business: None 9. New business: December Program - Laura Daugherty - Charitable Union Director of Fund Development and Caroline Washington. 127 years ago, 4 women 13,000 people clothed by 15 staff, mostly part-time plus over 1000 volunteers each year All families come to the agency by referral, and can then shop once per month in the store. Most dissemination happens at the Calhoun site, but this last year, they took their show on the road. Before school started, they served 2000 children in 6 different schools. Many people need services, but couldn’t get downtown to the Calhoun site. WK At the winter disbursement, over 800 coats were given out in the first 3 hours. Many volunteers are unemployed, and get valuable work habit experiences. Steel-toed boots program – almost 300 pairs per year Caroline Washington gave a testimonial on her experience with Charitable Union’s services, emphasizing the importance of presenting well during a job interview. For many, family budgets are so tight that the help offered by Charitable Union supplemented her income and helped make her budget work. Referrals come from the schools, local churches, 211, and Habitat for Humanity. Charitable Union also has a gift shop with handmade items and collectables. The gift shop provides about 13% of the agency’s budget, and are on target to raise $95,000 for the agency. 10. Public comments: Susan Bedsole’s responsibilities will change in 2015, and this was the last meeting she will attend in an official capacity. Marcie Gillette will be representing the city starting in January. Consensus 11. Members’ comments: Tim thanked the city for providing quick street clean-up when the need was reported. 12. Next meeting: 7:00PM Wednesday, Jan 28th, at Riverside Elementary School Library. Program: David Tanis- Director of Wellness, Battle Creek Y Center Upcoming events – from back of agenda: http://www.battlecreekvisitors.org/default.aspx?p 4:00 PM CANCELED -Historic District Commission =C3968FE5BCE3CF57&ppid=35124 Mtg. (No petitions submitted for review) Duration: 1 December 6, 2014 Brass Band of Battle Creek hour Holiday Concert 7:30 - 9:30pm W.K. Kellogg Tuesday, Dec, 09 - 4:00 PM Zoning Board Mtg. Auditorium Duration: 1 hour Saturday, December 13, 2014 Jingle Bash Holiday Wednesday, Dec, 10 Arts & Crafts Show 9:00am - 4:00pm Kellogg Arena 10:00 AM Mayor's office hours Duration: 3 hours Tinsel Toes 5k 5:30 - 7:30pm Full Blast in Downtown 1:00 PM Dangerous Building hearing Duration: 2 Battle Creek hours Cereal City Concert Band Christmas Concert 7:00 - Thursday, Dec, 11 - 5:00 PM HOME Grant 9:00pm Pennfield Performing Arts Center Applications Due Duration: 0 hours Battle Creek Symphony 7:30 - 9:30pm W.K. Kellogg Friday, Dec, 12 - 12:00 AM ZBA & HDC Petition Auditorium Deadline for Jan. Mtg. December 18- 23, 2014 ZooLights 5:00 - 8:00pm Tuesday, Dec, 16 - 7:00 PM City Commission Binder Park Zoo Duration: 2 hours Wednesday, Dec, 17 HOLIDAY - OFFICE CLOSED City Events: 1:00 PM Housing Board of Appeals Duration: 2 hours http://www.battlecreekmi.gov/Citywide_Calendar. 4:00 PM Planning Commission Meeting- Alternate htm Date Due to Holiday Duration: 1 hour Friday, Dec, 05 -12:00 AM Yard waste pickup ends Friday, Dec, 26 HOLIDAY - OFFICE CLOSED Duration: Today is the last day for yard waste pickup, 12:00 AM Petition Deadline for Planning Commission which has taken place since March 31. Check back in Jan Mtg. 2015. 12:00 AM Christmas tree pickup begins Monday, Dec, 08 Waste Management will begin picking up fresh 10:00 AM Mayor's office hours Duration: 3 hours Christmas trees from the curb.