Neighborhood Planning Council 2 - North Central

NORTHCENTRAL NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL #2 Meeting Minutes – Monday, September 9, 2013 – Neighborhoods, Inc. 1. Call to Order & Welcome: The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by S. Gray, Chair. 2. Attendance, Members Present: Samuel Gray, Kitty Hillian, William Phillips (NIBC), Dawn Wilkerson (NIBC), Scott Hutchings (FHC), Steve Lee, Jeffrey Dinkins, Lynn Ward Gray, Cal Thompson, Karen Lynn Todd; Absent: Pastor Keith McDonald, Sheryl McDonald, Fredrico Porter, Tammie Porter; Members Excused Absence: Betty Settles, Dorothy Young; Guest: Mayor Susan Baldwin, Jeanette Cook (City of Battle Creek, Code Compliance) A quorum was present. 3. Approval of Minutes: Scott Hutchings (FHC) moved to approve the June 10, 2013 meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Kitty Hillian. Motion Carried. 4. Correspondences & Announcements: Sam Gray handed out information on BCATS, Battle Creek Area Transportation Study. Announcements: Sam Gray reported September 2013 is National Preparedness month. Here is a website individuals may visit for more information: www.ready.gov. There is also a hotline individuals may contact for more information: 1‐800‐BE‐READY. Sam Gray also reported on Wednesday, September 11, 2013, at 6:00 pm, there is an event scheduled to commemorate 9/11, McCamly Park – all are welcome. Lynn Ward Gray reported the Battle Creek Community Foundation had their Annual Meeting on August 28 – she provided Annual Reports. 5. Committee & City Staff Reports: a. Police Department – Jeanette Cook provided the crime report. b. Neighborhood Services – Jeanette Cook reported winding down on exterior code violations. The City has hired two new staff members to assist in the Code Compliance Department. The grass concerns keep resurfacing. Jeanette Cook reported on 200 Hubbard regarding the grass/weed violation was being addressed to the incorrect property owner – the City is current working on identifying the correct property owner. If individual’s have specific concerns please write down the issue along with the address, so they can be addressed properly. The City is doing their best on addressing residents’ concerns.  There was discussion regarding a grass/weed concern Jeffrey Dinkins had; however, she was not sure on the exact address. Jeanette Cook requested Jeffrey to provide an address in order to address the grass/weed concern. c. Beautiful Battle Creek Award Nominations – If you have any addresses you would like to recommend, please do so. Sam Gray hand delivered a Beautiful Battle Creek Award to Jeremy at the property located at 69 Hanover. d. Membership – Sam Gray requested ADD “ii” in order to select a nominations committee, 3 or more members. The Nominations Committee members consist of: Lynn Ward Gray, Jeffrey Dinkins, and Kitty Hillian. At the December 2013 meeting they will provide the final slate of the NPC #2 officers. e. City/County Commissioner(s) – Mayor Baldwin reported she is pleased the Anti‐ Discrimination Ordinance has passed. At the next City Commission meeting the City is looking at introducing an ordinance for the “donation” boxes that are being placed throughout the City. Introduced ordinance for Pawn shops, adopt to require all second pawn shops to identify items being purchased from individuals. The Mayor also reported Cosma International, the largest auto supplier in North America will be investing 44 Million into the factory located out in Fort Custer. They hope to employ at least 570 individuals, possibly up to 700. Discussion regarding pawn shops. How are the shops being held accountable for the items they are purchasing from the individuals? Mayor Baldwin explained the City of Battle Creek Pawn shops have a system in place to detect stolen goods; however, the issue at hand is the surrounding counties have not implemented the similar system. Notices that are being placed on vacant properties raises a red flag to individuals that the property is vacant. Susan Baldwin stated legally it is required to post notices on the properties. Is there another method to address or inform individuals regarding the issues with the property? Apparently, this is a “business” removing furnaces, hot water heaters, siding, copper piping, there is money involved. Vacant properties are becoming targets to this “business”. These individuals know more about the property than we do. Lynn Ward Gray reported “Keeping you Informed” on Access Vision this month’s topic is on utilities, guests include: Ken Kohls and Susan Bedsole. If you have any topics you would like to see addressed, please let Lynn Ward Gray aware of them. Sam Gray mentioned about a bus stop which is located in the Washington Heights which is in need of repair. According to Bill Phillips, the bus stop was put in via a grant; however, there are no funds for the up‐keep or maintenance of this particular bus stop.  f. Battle Creek Public Schools – No report. 6. Presentation: N/A 7. Old Businesses: N/A 8. New Business: Mayor Susan Baldwin, who has had 10 years of experience, would like to run one more time, yes there are challenges; however, as a City we will overcome them. Lynn Ward Gray has enjoyed the opportunity in serving as a City Commissioner the last couple of years. She has been an active member in her community: resident concerns, Access Vision, Lynn Ward Gray was an active participant in facilitating the restart of the Youth Advisory Board, in order to get the youth participating in the community they reside in. Her opponent is Beverli Carpenter‐Hunter. Karen Lynn Todd inquired about the funds from the Firekeepers, does the City of Battle Creek receive any funds. The City of Battle Creek does not receive a significant amount as the City does not loose tax dollars. Sam Gray, thanked Mayor Susan Baldwin & Commissioner Lynn Ward Gray for their service and wished them good luck. Sam Gray reported Second Baptist Church is hoping to obtain ownership of 453 Washington Avenue North, to be used as transitional housing, they already have a home located at 471 Washington Avenue North, which is in partnership with the Inasmuch House. The property located at 453 Washington Avenue N has a lien (Urban Renewal funds) against the property, which is in the process of being forgiving, by the City of Battle Creek. Second Baptist Church plans on using the house as part of their ministry. Discussion regarding the use of the property and intend the use of the property. Motion to support the Second Baptist Church in the acquisition of the property located at 453 Washington Avenue North. Kitty HIllian motioned, seconded by Cal Thompson. Motion Carried. Bill Phillips and Steve Lee abstained as well as opposed to the motion. Lynn Ward Gray did not comment regarding her position as City Commissioner. Bill, Steve, and Kitty would like clarification and regarding the intend use of the property. Will request clarification from Second Baptist Church regarding the intend use of the property located at 453 Washington Avenue North.  9. Public Comments/Member Comments: PNC closed the branch downtown and moved their staff to the other local branches. Scott Hutchings reported the Family Health Center is expanding and hopes the expansion will be completed by May 2014. Bill reported in Sunday’s paper there was an ad regarding the BC Good Neighbor Program. Lynn Ward Gray mentioned Christine Schauer will be attending an upcoming NPC meeting to discuss a possible partnership between the Calhoun County Land Bank and NPC 2. 10. Next Meeting: Monday, October 14, 2013, 7:00 pm at Neighborhoods, Inc. of Battle Creek, 47 Washington Avenue North. 11. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 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.