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 25, 2016 1. 7:00 PM – Welcome and opening – Randall Champlin 2. Attendance sheet: Dave Hawks, Frank Egland, Ken Long, Laura Herzing, Leah Ortiz, Randall Champlin, Rudy Barda, Talia Champlin, Tina Yost, City Rep: Jason Francisco, Battle Creek Police Department Rep: Officer Barton, County Commissioner Jim Haadsma, Manuel Marleda, Elizabeth Insley, Linda Phelps, Jon Haadsma 3. Additions or deletions to this agenda: None 4. Approval of the previous month’s meeting’s minutes. Dave Hawks moved to approve and Frank Egland supported the motion. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Correspondence sent/received BC Ice Cream Century on June 4, 2016 “The Signal” from Battle Creek Transportation Study announcing street projects and other infrastructure updates 6. City staff reports: City staff reports and Commissioner Comments:  City Commissioners’ reports: No city commissioners in attendance  County Commissioners’ reports: Commissioner Haadsma reported a light week that included some staffing issues at the Health Department; and some interest by local municipalities interested in regional transportation collaboratives.  Police Department Report: Officer Barton let us know that an Oakland Drive break-in was reported - a thin white male broke in and took a purse. In 9 of the 10 car thefts, the cars were unlocked. Burglars seem to be looking for unlocked garage service doors. We are providing “crime opportunities” by leaving cars (even in garages) unlocked. Be sure to call 911 if you see or experience suspicious activity. Question about how to get invincible teens and 20-somethings to believe that they shouldn’t bait for thieving. Tongue in cheek, Officer Barton suggested stealing things from your kids’ cars to make the point. Comment regarding thieves taking door openers and identification info from cars, then going to the house and accessing through an opened garage door. Comment that key hooks by a door can motivate someone to break a window, grab the keys, and then steal a car. Question about briefings from one shift to another to make sure there is continuity and information shared about thefts or sexual assaults in an area.  City Representative Report: Jason Francisco shared the most information he has ever brought to an NPC meeting. Weed inspector has started her spring rounds. Neighborhoods Inc., now Southwest Michigan Community Development Corporation has 3 new programs and flyers were shared.  There are major changes as the city transitions to the enforcement to the International Property Maintenance Code adopted by the City Commission. Question about who mows the offending properties – the City has a contracted company. Remember the city must give the home owner 10 days to mow, so please call as soon as grass gets 9” tall because it will be much taller by the time the mowing is enforced or executed. Question about who is responsible for the thick areas in the woods in Riverside Park, and whether it presents a safety hazard – the city is not typically responsible for wooded areas, but Jason will take a look. Question about a playground equipment repair that needs to be made by the Kellogg Foundation in Mill Race Park. 7. Committee reports:  Beautiful Battle Creek Award Nominations –. Dave Hawks – We had two names last month, so no new nominees this month.  Neighborhoods and Land Use – John Godfrey – John is out of town.  NPC 11 Programs – Laura Herzing – Our May speaker will be moved to September. 8. Old business: The Nominating Committee identified the following as potential officers for the upcoming year: Chair – Randall Champlin; Vice Chair – Tina Yost helped by Leah Ortiz; Secretary – Talia Champlin. It was moved by Dave Hawks, seconded by Rudy Barda that a unanimous ballot be cast for these officers. Motion carried. 9. New business: May Program: Bonnie Rennecker is the Manager of MedExpress Urgent Care on Columbia Ave. She explained the difference between urgent care versus emergency care. Urgent care provides treatment for colds, staples/stiches, broken arms, but nothing life-threatening like chest pains or head injuries. It is less expensive to go to urgent care – great for people without insurance coverage or a high deductible. MedExpress always has a doctor available. MedExpress is a national firm. They accept Medicaid and Medicare patients, as well as most other insurances. One of their goals is to have the visit be 45 minutes or less. The agency is located at Capital and Columbia with hours 8am – 8pm. They don’t carry any narcotics. They do sports physicals, drug testing, and lots of stitches. Mondays are very busy. Only closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Comment about Urgent Care being less scary for a child to go to than an ER. Question about competition with primary care providers – no conflict because they only treat the urgent need and then refer the patient back to their primary care provider. There was consensus that this was very helpful information and Randall thanked Bonnie for presenting. 10. Public comments: None 11. Member Comments: Tina Yost reported on information from Sherii Sherban regarding Miles for Memories program to protect dementia sufferers by compiling a database of personal information to be used by law enforcement agencies. Once someone is signed up, if that person gets missing, the police will have relevant pictures, nicknames, and contact information to aid in properly returning the individual to safety. Question about whether there is capability to register on a website. Tina is going to see if she can find out. This same organization is working to provide respite care – back up for caregivers who need a break. And a reminder to cast your vote in the August primary – Tina is running for Circuit Court Judge, Family Division. 12. Next Month’s Meeting: 7:00PM Wednesday, September 28th, Riverside Elementary Library Program: Jean Thompson - Program Coordinator for the Calhoun County Cancer Control Coalition - http://www.calhouncancer.org/about.php 13. Adjournment: There being no further business, Randall Champlin adjourned the meeting at 7:52pm and wished everyone a great summer.