Neighborhood Planning Council 2 - North Central

NORTHCENTRAL NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL #2 Meeting Minutes – Monday, January 13, 2014 – Neighborhoods Inc. 1. Call to Order & Welcome: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by S. Gray, Chair. 2. Attendance, Members Present: Scott Hutchings (FHC), Cal Thompson, Lynn Ward Gray, Samuel Gray, Kitty Hillian, Pastor Joe Hooper, Dawn Wilkerson (NIBC), Absent: Jeffrey Dinkins, Fredrico Porter, Karen Lynn Todd and Steve Lee; Members Excused Absence: Keith McDonald, Sheryl McDonald, Tammie Porter and Dorothy Young Guests: Marcie Gillette (City of Battle Creek), Andy Helmbolt (City Commissioner), Terris Todd (Calhoun County Commissioner), Officer Chad Francisco (Battle Creek Police Department), Devon Gibson (Sprout Urban Farms/Bright Star Farm), Erin Mapes (Chemical Bank), & Cathy Ash (Chemical Bank). A quorum was present. 3. Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve the November 18, 2013 meeting minutes was made by Kitty Hillian. The motion was seconded by Scott Hutchings. Motion Carried. 4. Correspondences & Announcements: Pastor Joe Hooper reported a few upcoming Martin Luther King events within the community: Thursday, January 16, at the Hart, Doyle, Inouye Federal Center, Saturday, January 18, a MLK Prayer Breakfast, Sunday, January 19, a MLK Ecumenical Service, and Monday, January 20, MLK Celebration at Bronson Battle Creek Outpatient Atrium. Sam Gray reported there is an African American Community luncheon scheduled on Thursday, February 20, at noon, at the Hart, Doyle, Inouye Federal Center. There was a Historic District Commission meeting, which met at 4:00 p.m.; they meet the 2nd Monday of the month. 5. Committee & City Staff Reports: a. Police Department – Officer Francisco reported there were only two B&E’s for the month of December, which is good due to the holiday season. b. Neighborhood Services – Marcie Gillette reported the City would be soliciting rental registrations from property owners. Marcie also reported they are obtaining new software in hopes to report a more accurate number of incidents within the City of Battle Creek. Kitty Hillian reported a couple of address to further investigate 66 Manchester & 55 Howland. Kitty also expressed concerns of snow shoveling on Manchester & University. She also inquired about Cady’s vacant and abandoned building. c. Beautiful Battle Creek Award Nominations – No new addresses were submitted. d. Membership – We are still seeking information regarding Dorothy Young’s position as an NPC #2 member. Terris Todd (Calhoun County Commissioner), Erin Mapes (Chemical Bank), and Cathy Ash (Chemical Bank) were asked to become members. Cathy Ash stated Erin as Branch Manager would be the representative for Chemical Bank. Motion to accept Terris Todd (Calhoun County Commissioner) and Erin Mapes (Chemical  Bank) as members of NPC #2 was made by Scott Hutchings. Seconded by Kitty Hillian. Motion carried. e. Elected Officials – Lynn Ward Gray, Ward 2 City Commissioner reported the City Commission is in the process of scheduling a Strategic Planning Session. Andy Helmbolt, At‐large City Commissioner reported Waste Management’s contract is up in the spring with the City of Battle Creek. Waste Management is proposing a 10‐year contract, pick up recycle every other week, and provide customers with a 96 gal toter free of charge to customers. The City will also obtain 10 Solar Powered trash bins (scattered throughout the City), which will have a combined recycle & trash. Terris Todd, Cty. Comm. reported the County meets the 1st & 3rd Mondays of the month. f. Battle Creek Public Schools – No one available to report. 6. Presentation: Devon Gibson (Sprout Urban Farms/Bright Star Farm) reported that Sprout Urban Farms had a successful summer along with a good turnout of volunteers ‐ they look forward to another upcoming successful year. Sprout Urban Farms just recently received a $70,000 grant from the Fair Food Network. 7. Old Business: Scott Hutchings reported the Family Health Center’s Women’s Wraparound Center is coming along; they are looking to have a grand opening April 2014. 8. New Business: Sam Gray reported he emailed Bill Phillips (NIBC) to inquire a follow‐up NPC leadership meeting. Dawn Wilkerson (NIBC) informed the group she received the email and is working on scheduling the meeting. 9. Public Comments/Member Comments: Pastor Joe Hooper encouraged individuals to attend the MLK events throughout the Battle Creek community. Andy Helmbolt inquired about any issues of children walking to Northwestern. Officer Chad Francisco referred to the path as the “dirt road”, which needs attention. 10. Next Meeting: Monday, February 10, 2014, 7:00 pm at Neighborhoods, Inc. of Battle Creek, 47 Washington Avenue North. 11. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 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.