Neighborhood Planning Council 2 - North Central

NORTHCENTRAL NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL #2 Meeting Minutes – Monday April 8, 2013 – Neighborhoods, Inc. 1. Call to Order & Welcome: The meeting was called to order at 7:02 by S. Gray, Chair. 2. Attendance, Members Present: Scott Hutchings (FHC), Lynn Ward Gray, Samuel Gray, Kitty Hillian, Joe Hooper, Steve Lee, Keith McDonald, Nancy Walker (NIBC), Fredrico Porter, Tammie Porter, & Karen Lynn Todd. Members Excused Absence: Jeffrey Dinkins, Sheryl McDonald, Betty Settles, & Dorothy Young. Guests: William Burton, Glen Saint Johns, Bernard Brown (BCPS), John Hennink, Jeanette Cook (City Staff), Cal Thompson, Jim Bradshaw, Bettie Robertson, Officer Ryan Thayer (BCPD), Lt. Jim Grafton (BCPD). 3. Approval of Minutes: The minutes from March 11, 2013 meeting was approved, after a quorum was reached. A motion was made by Scott Hutchings to approve the minutes, second was made by Kitty Hillian, motion carried. 4. Correspondences & Announcements: There will be a Zoning Board meeting for zoning variance for the parking lot at Family Health Center on April 9, 2012, at 4:00 pm. City of Battle Creek Parks & Recreation Needs Assessment Survey – the public is invited to participate in focus group meeting to help determine the services over the next five years. There are several meetings at Full Blast on April 17, from 2:00 – 6:30 pm. Sam Gray was selected to receive the Frederick Douglass award from the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club on April 27 at their annual luncheon at Burnham Brook. 5. Committee & City Staff Reports: a. Police Department – A report was distributed by the BCPD. They noted locations that had repeat calls. As the weather gets warmer, they are expecting more calls. Officers requested that all incidents be reported as it may lead to getting someone dangerous off the streets. It was asked if tickets are issued for people littering out of their vehicles, and the officers stated that it is a civil infraction and they do issue tickets if they observe it. b. Neighborhood Services – Jeanette Cook updated on the property that was brought up at the last meeting that it will be cleaned up. The house that burned down near the school, 201 W. Roosevelt, will be torn down. Jeanette circulated a form for anyone to list properties that should be reviewed for code issues. c. Beautiful Battle Creek Award Nominations –There are several nominations, but if anyone has any others to nominate, there is a form to nominate circulating. d. Membership – Pastor Joe Hooper, is on the agenda for the meeting tomorrow to be voted as a member. Kitty Hililan made a motion for Cal Thompson and Jim Bradshaw to become members, Fredrico Porter, seconded, motion carried. e. City/County Commissioner(s) – L. Gray reported that there is a Town Hall Meeting scheduled on May 30.  If anyone knows of young people, ages 14 ‐20, who might be interested in the Youth Advisory Board to work with City Commissioners. Applications are due back to the City Manager’s Office by April 11. Letters were sent out to NPC2 area churches for the luncheon to be held on April 23. The Pastor and 2 church members are invited. On the agenda for tomorrow’s City Commissioner meeting – the contract for the air traffic controller at the WK Kellogg airport and the special use permit for FHC. The work on the bridges over Fountain Street will begin April 29 and is scheduled to be completed by November 2. There are two workshops coming up on April 16 (work session prior to commission meeting) and April 18 (special use permits). f. Battle Creek Public Schools – Assistant Principal Brown and Mr. Burton from Battle Creek Public Schools are going throughout the community to explain the upcoming millage election. The Sinking Fund millage comes up for renewal every five years. In the November 2012 election, the renewal was voted down by a very close margin. This is the first time since 1948 that it was not renewed. The Sinking Fund millage is only used for building and site repair. Some of the reasons why it may not have passed – • It was the last item on a very long November ballot, one out of five voters didn’t vote either way • There was some misunderstanding by voters as to whether it was an increase (which it was not) • Misunderstanding as to what the funds are used for – used for the entire district, not just one building If the Sinking fund millage is not passed, then the funds to repair/maintain/update buildings will either have to use bonds to fund them, which will include interest, prioritize some projects, or take funds out of the General Fund, which comes out of classrooms (reduce teachers, books, etc.) The current proposal on the ballot will be 2 mills for 6 years, instead of the normal 5 years, due to the loss from the last election. Mrs. Gray reminded everyone that you can go to Michigan.gov/vote to read the ballot now, understanding that “YES” vote is in support, and “NO” is not in support. A question was asked what determining factors are considered in closing a school building? Many of the reasons include decreased enrollment, the costs of maintaining  numerous buildings, as well as infrastructure issues and amenities available at each building. Another question was raised as to how many schools have been sold in the last 5 years, and how much money was made. Assistant Principal Brown recommended contacting the finance department. It was clarified that this is a millage based on your property value, but not a property tax. Since it did not pass in November, it was not assessed in December, so property owners should have seen a small decrease, so now it is considered a “new” millage on the May ballot. But, it is just to replace the millage that was there since 1948. 6. Presentation: Lt. Grafton (BCPD), introduced the Battle Creek School Safety Task Force. Several local law enforcement agencies were trained (12 officers) for the active shooter/intruder response program, which is a pilot program in the country. All the local schools will be trained over the next 12‐18 months. It’s a 3‐step response: lock out, get out, or take out, to empower teachers. This program was funded through the BCPD. 7. Old Business: As part of the Strategic Plan, we are planning a luncheon with churches within NPC2 or that border NPC2 (28 total). 8. New Business: Since the NPC2 membership is growing, it was suggested we begin to think about a larger venue for our meetings. A few suggestions were FHC, Urban League or any of the churches. They are very thankful to NIBC for providing the space. 9. Public Comments/Member Comments: Kitty – Thanks to Jeannette, Code Compliance for being on top of things. Pastor Joe – glad to be a part of NPC2. Steve – Concerned about the timeframe in which some homeowners are given to correct code compliance issues. Jeannette responded that homeowners can apply for additional time to comply. Lynn – Delta’s are having a Red Carpet Event on Sunday to see the movie “42”. The Community Prayer Breakfast is May 7 at 7:25 a.m. at Kellogg Arena. Sam – please keep Jeffrey in your prayers for her knee surgery, and also Dorothy Young is in the hospital, so keep her in your prayers as well. June 7 is the Cereal City Festival parade, breakfast table is June 8. Anyone interested in being a vendor, please see Sam (vendor chair). Sam met with representatives from Operation Cease Fire, and wanted to let everyone know that it is going on in the community.  Thank you to the City/County for taking care of the property at the corner of Roseneath & Wood St. Public Comments – Jim Bradshaw moving into the neighborhood and is promoting Boy Scouts throughout the schools/churches. John – commended FHC for their wonderful, quality care on the North side. 10. Next Meeting: Monday, May 13, 2013, 7:00 pm at Neighborhoods, Inc., 47 N Washington Ave. 11. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:37 pm. Respectfully Submitted: Nancy Walker (NIBC), Assistant Secretary NPC2 Mission: To improve the quality of life by listening and engaging residents. NPC 2 Vision: A safe, friendly, family‐driven neighborhood where everyone wants to live. The City of Battle Creek will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered in the meeting upon reasonable notice to the city of Battle Creek. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the City of Battle Creek by writing or calling the following: City Clerk Office at (269) 966‐3348/TDD.