Neighborhood Planning Council 2 - North Central

NORTHCENTRAL NEIGHBORHOODPLANNINGCOUNCIL #2 Meeting Minutes – Monday, May 12, 2014 – Urban League of Battle Creek 1. Call to Order & Welcome: Sam Gray called the meeting to order and introduced our topic for this NPC meeting along with the facilitator. The Community Conversation started at 7:00 p.m. 2. Attendance, Members Present: Samuel Gray, Lynn Ward Gray, Terris Todd, Kitty Hillian, Dawn Wilkerson (NIBC), Absent: Karen Lynn Todd, Joe Hooper, Cal Thompson, Jeffrey Dinkins, Fredrico Porter, Steve Lee, Keith McDonald, Sheryl McDonald, Tammie Porter Members Excused Absence: Erin Mapes (Chemical Bank) & Scott Hutchings (FHC) Guests: Jeanette Cook (City of Battle Creek), Officer Chad Francisco (Battle Creek Police Department), Commissioner Andy Helmboldt, Jennifer Bowman (BC Enquirer), Nick Garrison (BC Enquirer), Tim Elliott, Al Williams, Lorraine Hunter, Gurtha Laws, Alecia Rhan, Laura Adams, Carlton Lartigue, Ebony Thorpe, Cassandra Portes, Nina LaGrand and Laura Otte. A quorum was not present. 3. Community Conversation: Laura Otte facilitated the community conversation regarding the city manager search. The community conversation covered the following topics: Aspirations for Battle Creek: Resources to support all, improve quality of life, for people who already live there activities for youth, safety, drugs, affordable, spirit of welcoming Issues/Challenges: Police Department ‐ visible, listen more, understand history and past relationships (positive & negative), learn about silos, cultures, pockets in community, dysfunctional commission, address corruption, hold selves accountable, transparency, let too many jobs leave the city, communication with employees; listen to concerns 550 employees, commission understand they have two employees, the process in search of a City Manager; should also be provided in the search for the Police Chief as well as the Fire Chief, move out of a conservative state – viable downtown, etc. – be more progressive, support small businesses Qualities, Skills, Etc.: Visionary (capacity to make things happen), integrity, led by examples, identify, hire good people, flexible (not one trick pony), ability to work with commission, live in city Candidate to know: History, potential, we are the 3rd largest city in the State, smells good (cereal), diversity, we do not want people, jobs to leave – find out why, more schools – less crowded, issues, with vacant positions, close gap of unemployment – criminal history 4. Public Comments/Member Comments: Sam Gray went around the room and asked for any public/member comments. Jeanette provided NPC #2 Code Report and Crime Report for those who wanted a copy. Terris Todd commented that the community conversation was conducted very well and in a timely manner. Terris also “thanked” Sam & Lynn for pulling the meeting together. Lynn Ward Gray reported the Ethics committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, May 13, 2014, at 5: 30 p.m. There is a Youth Advisory Board scheduled on Sunday, May 18, 2014. If anyone knows any youth who would like to be part of the board they are more than welcome to attend the meeting, which will be held at the Battle Creek Community Foundation. Lynn Ward Gray also reported there will be a Town Hall Meeting scheduled on Thursday, May 29 at 6:00 p.m. This format will be slightly different with “Issue Action Tables” instead of lecture style. This month’s “Keeping You informed” topic on AccessVision is on street sweeping. Nina LaGrand wanted to thank the community in assisting with the Tuskegee Airman Exhibit. Sam Gray reported NPC #2 would be participating at the “Safe Kids/Safe Community” event, which is scheduled on Saturday, May 31, 2014, at the Second Missionary Baptist Church from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.. The booth will have Community Watch diaries along with magnets available for participants. 5. Next Meeting: Monday, June 9, 2014, 7:00 pm at Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek, 47 Washington Avenue North. 6. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm. Respectfully Submitted: Dawn Wilkerson (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.