Neighborhood Planning Council 2 - North Central

NORTHCENTRAL NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL #2 Meeting Minutes – Monday, May 13, 2013 – Neighborhoods, Inc. (Revised 6‐10‐2013) 1. Call to Order & Welcome: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by S. Gray, Chair. 2. Attendance, Members Present: Scott Hutchings (FHC), Lynn Ward Gray, Samuel Gray, Steve Lee, Keith McDonald, William Phillips (NIBC), Fredrico Porter Members Excused Absence: Kitty Hillian, Sheryl McDonald, Tammie Porter, Betty Settles, Karen Lynn Todd, Dorothy Young Members Absent: Jeffrey Dinkins, Joe Hooper Guests: William Burton, Marcie Gillette (City Staff), John Hennink, Geraldine King, Mark Jones, Stacy Wines & Greg Gauss (BCCF), Ofcr. Ryan Thayer (BCPD), Cal Thompson. 3. Approval of Minutes: The minutes from April 8, 2013 meeting were approved, after a quorum was reached. A motion was made by Scott Hutchings to approve the minutes, second was made by Steve Lee, motion carried. The April 23 NPC2 church leaders luncheon meeting notes were shared as information for those present. 4. Correspondences & Announcements: The Zoning Board has a meeting scheduled and if anyone would like to attend the meeting, Sam Gray encourages individuals to attend. Sam Gray attended the Historic District Commission meeting, which was scheduled at 4:00 pm. today. He reported 80 Oaklawn is scheduled to be demolished & 78 Ann was removed from the demolition list. 5. Committee & City Staff Reports: a. Police Department – A report was distributed by the BCPD. Although the weather is getting warmer, the police department has not had to respond to very many calls. b. Neighborhood Services – Marcie Gillette – property and weed enforcement surveys were handed out to residents. Lynn Ward Gray gave an update on the collaboration between the Calhoun County Land Bank, Sprout Urban Farms and the City regarding cleaning up the vacant lot at Wood & Roosevelt. The City is working with property owners who have property in or near Family Dollar to clean up the area. The owner of Family Dollar is working with residents to clean‐up the area as well. Sam Gray requests the City look at the following properties: 57 Oneita (boarded incorrectly) & 200 Hubbard (vacant, siding coming off). c. Beautiful Battle Creek Award Nominations – 69 Hanover, lawn is well maintained. d. Membership – Motion to remove Jim Bradshaw from NPC2 membership was made William Phillips, second was made by Steve Lee, due to his purchase of a home in NPC2 being delayed for an unknown period of time, motion carried. Page 1 of 3  e. City/County Commissioner(s) – Lynn Ward Gray announced Juneteenth Family Day will be held on Saturday, June 15, at Claude Evans Park. The City Commission has appointed Jill Steele, the current Assistant City Attorney, as the Interim City Attorney until September 30, 2013. A search is being conducted to fill the City Attorney position. Asst. City Attorney Steele has expressed interest in the position. The Commission approved resolution regarding Battle Creek Police Department take home police vehicles. Comm. Gray, thanked Bill Phillips for the continued ads on NPC’s in the Battle Creek Shopper. The City Attorney is currently putting together information to present to the Commissioners regarding possible ordinance changes to address various donation bins being placed throughout the Battle Creek community. Many community agencies are concerned of reduced donations since they appeared. Comm. Gray reminded individuals of the Town Hall meeting on Thursday, May 30, 2013. Congress recently voted to keep Air Traffic Control Towers formerly scheduled for staff layoffs open. The next Youth Advisory Board meeting is on June 6, 18 members were appointed on May 7, there hasn’t been a YAB since 2004. Kellogg Area is seeking $3.4 million in capital improvements in order to stay competitive. The role of the Ethics Policy Review Committee was discussed. Discussion held regarding Neighborhood residents and involvement; need to create unity, will be available to discuss more in detail after the meeting adjourns. f. Battle Creek Public Schools – William Burton attended the meeting, but had to leave prior to reporting: millage renewal proposal passed. Lynn Ward Gray was assured by Dr. Hicks that there would be staff representation at all NPC meetings including NPC2 meetings. 6. Presentation: Stacy Wines & Greg Gauss presented on the various grant opportunities available at the Battle Creek Community Foundation. The individuals who were in attendance will have the ability to apply for neighborhood grants through the Battle Creek Community Foundation for a year. Small Things Matter Grants (grants up to $250) and Engage in Change (grants up to $1000) grant applications can take up to three weeks to process. These are one page grants, no need for approval for through a committee. BCCF offers sponsorships as well. Neighborhood grant making is submitted by three NON related residents coming together, present in front of the grant committee. Grant committee interviews are scheduled on the 3rd Wednesday of the month and take 10‐15 minutes. There are no applications online, need‐to‐ apply in‐person. They do not offer grants for food, due to possible liability. The next general grant application deadline is June 4, 2013. The Battle Creek Community Foundation has an average of three grant applications/proposals submitted in a month. If individuals are seeking scholarships for school, they will need to contact the Battle Creek Community Foundation directly. Page 2 of 3  7. Old Businesses: We are looking for suggestions on a new meeting location for NPC2 meetings as attendance has started to increase, we are currently running out of space at Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek (NIBC). Urban League has a bigger room and is available on the 2nd Monday of the month. However all suggestions are welcomed. 8. New Business: Motion to take the summer off (July & August) was made by Keith McDonald, and seconded by Scott Hutchings, motion carried. Lynn Ward Gray suggested for the June meeting to come with grant suggestions – we need to utilize the dollars. Sam Gray led a discussion regarding coming together, working together, and staying together as a community. 9. Public Comments/Member Comments: New Harvest & Emmanuel Covenant Church will host a program “Kingdom Mind Set.” Dale Boyer, Pastor Lee, and Pastor Sweet are presenting. On Sunday, May 26, there will be a Memorial Day service at 2:00 pm at Fort Custer Cemetery, flags will be placed on May 25. There’s a Memorial Day program on Monday, May 27 at KCC as well. 10. Next Meeting: Monday, June 10, 2013, 7:00 pm at Neighborhoods, Inc., 47 N Washington Ave. 11. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:02 pm. 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. Page 3 of 3