Neighborhood Planning Council 11 - Lakeview east

Minges Brook/Riverside Neighborhood Planning Council (NPC) #11 Riverside Elementary School Library 650 Riverside Drive Battle Creek, MI 49015 Wednesday, January 27, 2016 1. 7:00 PM – Welcome and opening – Randall Champlin 2. Attendance sheet: Marge Barda, Rudy Barda, Jan Barry, Randall Champlin, Talia Champlin, Frank Egland, John Godfrey, Sally Goss, Dave Hawks, Ken Long, Tim Martinovich, Norma Mayo, Elizabeth Insley, Jean Godfrey, Colleen Jewell, Cindi Buckley, Mayor Dave Walters, City Employees -Perry Hart, Matt Miller, Jason Francisco, Officers Thomas Wirebaugh and Brice Kerschen, State Representative John Bizon 3. Additions or deletions to this agenda: None 4. Approval of the previous month’s meeting’s minutes. John Godfrey moved to approve and Frank Egland supported the motion. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Correspondence sent/received  Planning Commission 1/27/16 at 4:00PM City Hall Rm 301. Conditional rezoning of 4900 W. Dickman Rd.  Battle Creek Area Transportation Study – Handouts provided at the meeting  All NPCs Meeting at Department of Public Works, 150 S Kendall St, Feb 1 at 5:00 PM 6. City staff reports: City staff reports and Commissioner Comments:  City Commissioners’ reports: Mayor Dave Walters and Ward 5 commissioner stated it is an honor to be a mayor of our city. The commission is now engaged in priority-based budgeting – one of only two cities in the state. The commission and city staff listen to community aspirations and preferences, and based allocations on those. Any students with student IDs can ride the city buses for free. Walters feels this is a prime example of something the city can do with policies and budget to enhance educational opportunities for kids – Commissioner Hemboldt and Representative Bizon helped in this effort and Walters thanked them. New police information management system is so effective that Kalamazoo has reached out to us to learn from our experiences. The Thunderbirds are coming back to the Balloon Festival this year. A workshop held on the golf course generated the idea of rekindling Binder Winter Park-type activities. Team Active will be a partner with the City to hold a Binder Winter Festival on February 27th, including 1 – 5 mile fat bike course, snow shoeing, and cross country skiing.  State Representative John Bizon – Talked about the challenges faced by Flint and their water supply, explaining the problem and the actions being taken to remedy the situation. Talked about the $500 million shortfall for the Detroit Schools, and the governor’s proposal for resolution. Because the Detroit School system is rated as one of the worst in the nation he believes that a bailout would only put the students back into a poor system. Talks continue.  County Commissioners’ reports: No representative in attendance  Police Department Report: The information management system provides very detailed data and is very helpful for police work. They are looking forward to sharing information with Kalamazoo. Purse snatchers were caught today, but another group  may still be at large, so please be careful. Targets include older women carrying a purse over the shoulder.  City Representative Report: Jason Francisco reported that the department is catching up on inspections of multi-unit rentals. They are not having the snow complaints they have had in the past, but we haven’t had much snow, either. Representatives from the water department, Perry Hart an Matt Miller, visited to explain the new metering process and answer any questions. As the water meters are being upgraded, plumbing upgrades may also be required. If a meter is in a pit, the homeowner must raise the input point so that it is not the lowest point in the home’s water system, which creates a threat to the cleanliness of the water. The department is working hard to make sure every meter is properly read and everyone pays for water used. Same type of system as installed in 2003, with a new vendor for the meters. City manager wanted to make sure the process was done in a transparent manner. City has some concessions to help residents for whom the changes are a financial burden. Question regarding placement of speeding sign on Riverside, suggesting that its position be adjusted. People on Riverside from Minges to the Mall, and businesses from the Middle School to 20th, are not clearing their sidewalk snow, and walkers are forced into the street, which seems dangerous. Jason encouraged us to call these violations in so they can send an enforcement officer out. Question about dissemination of new voting locations. Jason will check these locations and get them to Randall by email. 7. Committee reports:  Beautiful Battle Creek Award Nominations – Dave Hawks recommended Janice and Rick Nordine, 163 W. Langley Road  Neighborhoods and Land Use – John Godfrey – Only one issue was discussed at the last meeting, and it did not apply to this NPC  NPC 11 Programs – Laura Herzing – Next month, Mark Dycus of Lakeview Square Mall 8. Old business: None 9. New business:  Vote to renew the membership of those members whose terms have expired – moved by John Godfrey, and seconded by Dave Hawks. Motion carried. (Members renewed with this vote were: Susan Baldwin, Frank Egland, John Godfrey, Jim Haadsma, Nola Baker, Talia Champlin, Mike Sherzer)  Nominating Committee Appointed (voluntold) – Dave Hawks and Tim Martinovich 10. January Program – David Peterson, Superintendent of Lakeview School District came to explain the three millage requests that will be voted on May 3, 2016:  $30 million, 30-year bond estimated to cost taxpayers 1.6 mills for facility improvements and additions   0.4 mill, 10-year sinking fund proposal for site improvements and facility maintenance. Based on today's taxable value, the sinking fund is estimated to generate $240,000 a year.  $3.25 million, up to 30-year bond estimated to cost the taxpayers an additional 0.3 mills to upgrade the Lakeview Middle School auditorium and install artificial turf at Lakeview High School The elementary schools’ four boilers are in need of replacement – the district can’t get parts, can’t regulate the systems, and can’t shut the systems down when not in use, resulting in excessive energy costs and uneven heating comfort for building users. As long as the district needed to raise money, meetings were held to assess total needs. In elementaries, the recommended upgrades will generally provide for more art and science space, plumbing and heating, some windows, and separating cafeterias from gyms. The high school is paid for in 2032, so the long-range plan would be to do what is necessary, with no further millage requests until after 2032. Major renovations may be necessary at that time, but no tax increase would be required since old bonds would be paid off. Question about whether our student population is increasing or decreasing (which is projected across the state.) The district is currently serving 4000 kids. Although our student count is projected to grow 7%, we are not planning to provide building space for more students because we can simply accept fewer School-of-Choice kids. Dave reported that this is a well-run district, with adequate operating funds to run the district without borrowing. Question regarding elementary consolidation – Community meetings and survey data show that closing any elementary schools is strongly opposed, and the district has dropped that idea. 11. Public comments: Tina Yost from the Family Division of the Prosecutor’s Office explained that the division orders collection of child support for families on public support, and they are 7th in the State for establishing these orders. Regarding 2015 paternity cases, the division was successful in establishing support in 100% of cases. Tina gave credit to Dave Gilbert and Dan Busher, who gave the group the support they needed to accomplish these stellar results. Then, as a resident and family court referee, she announced she is running for Family Court Judge, 37th Circuit Court. Judge Stephen Miller will be 70 and can’t run again. She asked us to sign a petition to put her name on the ballot, and petitions were made available. 12. Member Comments: None. 13. Next Month’s Meeting: 7:00PM Wednesday, Feb 24th, Riverside Elementary Library.  Program: Mark Dycus - General Manager of Lakeview Square Mall 14. Adjournment: There being no further business, Randall Champlin adjourned the meeting at 8:30pm.