Neighborhood Planning Council 11 - Lakeview east

Meeting Minutes Minges Brook/Riverside Neighborhood Planning Council (NPC) #11 Central Christian Church - 713 Riverside Drive Battle Creek, MI 49015 Wednesday, December 6, 2017 1. 7:00 PM – Welcome and opening – Randall Champlin 2. Attendance sheet: Dave Hawks, Jan Frantz, Laura Herzing, Randall Champlin, Sally Goss, Talia Champlin, Battle Creek Police Department Rep: Officer Kilbourne, City Commissioner Chris Simmons, Tate Trujillo, Elizabeth Insley, James Hamlin, Don Bradstreet, Jim Haadsma 3. Additions or deletions to this agenda: None 4. Approval of the October 25 meeting minutes. Jan Frantz moved to approve and Dave Hawks supported the motion. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Correspondence sent/received - None 6. City staff reports: City staff reports and Commissioner Comments:  City Commissioners’ reports: Chris Simmons, our new City Commissioner, provided his business card with his city email (ccsimmons@battlecreekmi.gov) and cell number (269-274-8993). He plans to be accessible. He expressed his disappointment with the abysmal voter turnout in the City Commission election, but he is honored by the opportunity to serve us. Since the election, the commission has been working on how to implement the State’s medicinal marijuana statute. The State’s new law allows people to grow, transport and sell medical marijuana, but cities must decide how much marijuana they will allow. Marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, but Michigan can collect excise taxes, and 25% of that comes back to the municipality. Fort Custer may have the chance to house a production facility. Our Planning Commission will make the first recommendation. Chris is looking for feedback. Questions about what kind of processing might be allowed and where. Comment about both medicinal use and the concern about people who start with marijuana and move on to drug addiction. Comment that this may be putting processes in place to prepare for recreational use of marijuana, as well. There are enough signatures turned in to vote on recreational use on an upcoming ballot. Question about state-to-state commerce transport, so we can serve the Detroit and Chicago areas. Marijuana can be transported anywhere in Michigan, but not across state lines. Reported on workshop on Binder Park Golf Course. Since the golf course is operating in the red, the new commissioners seem to be in consensus that it needs to be self-sustaining, and that the City should not continue subsidizing its operations. Questions about the subsidies for the children’s golf programs. Chris is going to check on this. The golf course is $1.8 million in debt, so even if it is sold for $1.5 million, we would still be in the hole. The land can only be used for recreational purposes by deed covenant. Question regarding the report  given that the golf course can’t serve alcohol when they clearly do. By the end of the meeting, it was clarified that the bar is allowed to sell beer and wine, but not hard liquor.  County Commissioners’ report: No report  Police Department Report: Officer Kilbourne doesn’t want to waste paper, so he will now give Randall the monthly report and Randall will send it out electronically. Report is meant to provide generic information on the types of crimes in our area. Members would like a crime map and a summary rather than specific addresses. Question regarding whether trends can be represented. This month, trends show that accidents and retail theft will go up. Question regarding meaning of “foot patrol”. These are self-initiated officer visits in areas where crime is expected. Question regarding the change in parking signs along Lincoln Hill at Minges Brook Elementary. Officer Kilbourne will check on this. Concern about the children’s safety at dropoff and pickup.  City Representative Report: No report 7. Committee reports:  Beautiful Battle Creek Award Nominations – Dave Hawks – No nomination this month. Dave did check on our last nominations, and they are going to be awarded, but were delayed.  Neighborhoods and Land Use – John Godfrey had surgery, and we hope he gets well soon. – No report.  NPC 11 Programs – Laura Herzing – January program – Linda Morrison, City Finance Director, has been suggested as a knowledgeable speaker on the proper funding of our police and fire pension liability. Commissioner Susan Baldwin may also be a good speaker on this topic. 8. Old business: Vote to renew Rudy Barda’s membership in the NPC. Dave Hawks motioned, Jan Frantz seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. Norma Mayo and Marge Barda were thanked for their years of service. 9. New business: Monthly informational Program: None - This time will be used for members, new and old, to socialize and get to know each other better. 10. Public comments: Elizabeth attended the Master Planning Meeting held at the Kool Family Center. She was disappointed regarding the general apathy of residents as demonstrated by attendance, but our NPC was well represented. Jim Haadsma (who recently announced his intention to run for State Representative) is looking forward to hearing many perspectives and is energized by the conversation tonight. 11. Member Comments: Comment that Commissioner Jake Smith sent out the County budget, showing $20m shortfall over the next 5 years. The County is hoping that automating and attrition will be able to reduce costs enough to balance this shortfall. Tate Trujillo  encouraged Commissioner Chris Simmons to provide a newsletter that keep us updated on important upcoming decisions. Chris wants to use social media to let us know about upcoming workshops and to get input from residents. The issue of police/fire pension plans is being addressed at the state level, but members are very concerned that the budget is not carefully scruntinized and we are not planning adequately for our upcoming obligations. Overtime is a significant cost to the City. Question regarding reduction of staff vs. overtime increases. Sometimes it is cheaper to pay overtime than to hire another employee. Comment made regarding the common “racket” for employees in their last 3 years to take a lot of overtime to boost their average annual pay because their retirement benefits will be based on that increased income. 12. Next Month’s Meeting: 7:00PM Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at Central Christian Church, 713 Riverside Dr. Program: Funding Police and Fire Pensions. 13. Adjournment: There being no further business, Randall Champlin adjourned the meeting at 7:57pm and enrouraged everyone to eat Christmas treats and continue conversation.