Neighborhood Planning Council 2 - North Central

NORTHCENTRAL NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL #2 Meeting Minutes – Monday, September 8, 2014 – Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek 1. Call to Order & Welcome: Sam Gray called the NPC #2 meeting at 7:00 p.m. 2. Attendance, Members Present: Samuel Gray, Lynn Ward Gray, Kitty Hillian, Joe Hooper, Steve Lee, Geraldine King, Terris Todd, Karen Lynn Todd, Jeffrey Dinkins, Bill Phillips (NIBC), Dawn Wilkerson (NIBC), Absent: Cal Thompson, Fredrico Porter, Tammie Porter, Keith McDonald, Sheryl McDonald; Members Excused Absence: Erin Mapes (Chemical Bank), Scott Hutchings (FHC); Guests: Chris Lussier (City of Battle Creek), Marcie Gillette (City of Battle Creek), Commissioner Andy Helmboldt, Officer Chad Francisco (Battle Creek Police Department), Lt. James Walters, (Battle Creek Police Department), Tony Walker, Gentry Hammons, Rev. Marshall Murphy, Rev. Scott Bouldrey, Jamy Wright, Velma Laws Clay, Count Laws, Walter Clough, Cynthia Wyatt, Guest- name illegible, Doris Dean, Don Scherencel, Betty Scherencel, Ron Sweet, Prentice Thompson, Terry Smith & Hazel Joplin. 3. Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve the June 9, 2014 meeting minutes was made by Kitty Hillian. Seconded by Joe Hooper. Motion Carried. 4. Correspondence (cent/received) & Announcements: Sam Gray reported as it is storm season, September is emergency preparedness month as well September 22, 2014, has been proclaimed as “Kindness Day.” Lynn Ward Gray mentioned she has a few cards for the “Kindness Day.” 5. Presentation: Chris Lussier presented information regarding the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The City of Battle Creek is responsible every five years in presenting to the community on how HUD dollars are spent in the community. The process is as follows: a needs assessment, market analysis, along with the community’s priorities. The City of Battle Creek has scheduled 50 consultations, 11 public meetings, will be conducting online surveys, as well as inserting surveys with the water bills. The HUD funds are allocated to agencies such as Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek, Community Action, and the City of Battle Creek (for minor home repairs). A portion of the funds were allocated for Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP 1 &2), which enabled 40 rehab homes, 5 new builds, and 149 demolitions within our community. The Calhoun County Land Bank demolished 207 houses as well. The residents requested the following topics to be considered for allocation of the HUD funds: build neighborhood watch program, neighborhood associations, increase job opportunities, provide entrepreneur opportunities, reduce blight, a program for felons to join the work force, youth programs, increase transportation to and from work. Due to transportation being an immense topic of conversation within the community, Chris Lussier has taken transportation into account for allocation of the HUD funds. Although, HUD funds cannot be allocated for transportation, there are supplementary ways for use of the funds. 6. Committee & City Staff Reports: a. Police Department – Officer Chad Francisco was able to provide a report from the new system. The report incorporates a broader area than NPC #2 the system is unable to separate by NPCs at this time. The Cereal City Hoopster event was well attended and a huge success. Interim City Manager, Susan Bedsole appointed Interim Chief of Police Jim Blocker as The Chief of Police. Jim Grafton & Austin Simons were promoted to Majors. Lt. Jim Walters has been assigned to afternoon shift (2-10 p.m.)for NPC #2. Members requested fireworks and loud music at late hours be addressed. NPC #2 residents would like to see more tickets issued for loud music and speeding. There is a speeding issue in the morning by Ann J Kellogg, requested Greg Rickmar be contacted again to see what could be done. b. Neighborhood Services – Lynn Gray reported Shelbourne Park’s tall grass is still a problem after being reported at June 9th meeting, it was finally cut but it needs to be cut again. Also, there are open doors that need to be secured as well. Commissioner Andy Helmboldt, reported 725 Van Buren West needs to be secured. Jeffrey Dinkins reported that a house on Wood Street is being stripped for the aluminum siding. There is another house located on the corner of Wood & Helen Montgomery, which it appears to have squatters and the porch has clothing on it. There is another house on Roseneath, which needs to be secured. Chris Lussier encouraged members to write down addresses as they would be extremely helpful to ensure the issue or issues are handled in a timely manner. Bettie Robertson would like to see the houses that sustained fire damage be demolished as they are dangerous to the neighborhood. Sam Gray encouraged residents to “report it as you see it” do not wait until a month goes by to report any issue or issues at the NPC meeting. c. Beautiful Battle Creek Award Nominations – Lynn Ward Gray nominated 36 Seedorf. d. Membership – Sam Gray extended an invitation to individuals who are interested in becoming a member of the NPC #2. Lynn Ward Gray requested individuals who may be interested in becoming a NPC member attend at least 2 NPC meetings. e. Elected Officials – Lynn Ward Gray reported the City Commission has hired a new City Manager, Rebecca Fleury, whose start date will be in October 1. Calhoun County Land Bank has created a Neighborhood Mow and Maintenance program; please contact Krista Trout-Edwards at the Land Bank for more information. Susan Bedsole will continue to act as Interim City Manager until Rebecca Fleury joins the staff, then she will resume her position as Community Services Director. The next City Commission meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 16.  Commissioner Andy Helmboldt along with Lynn Ward Gray sits on a sub-committee for the transportation department. They are currently in the process of working with transportation to find a solution for residents to get to and from work. f. Battle Creek Public Schools – A representative was not present. 7. Old Business: Sam Gray & Lynn Ward Gray had the opportunity to attend the NeighWorks America Training in Orlando, FL in August. They are eager to share the information with the group; however, this discussion has to be tabled for October 2014, as the meeting was running late due to the CDBG presentation from the City of Battle Creek. 8. New Business: Annual officer elections take place in November for Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary. Two members volunteered so far for the nominating committee: Jeffrey Dinkins & Lynn Ward Gray. Karen Lynn Todd represented Miller College in her new role as Enrollment Specialist. Miller College is an accredited college. Dr. Evon Walters is the new President. Please contact Karen if you or someone you know would like more information. Rev. Marshall Murphy & Rev. Scott Bouldrey were in attendance to discuss plans for the proposed urban farm on property adjacent to the Washington Heights Church and to answer questions, which is in the beginning stages. Rev. Marshall Murphy suggested a town hall meeting regarding the urban farm & aquaponic center be set to devote ample time to share the plans and hear from residents. The tentative town hall meeting is scheduled on Monday, September 29, at 6:00 p.m. Rev. Marshall Murphy will connect with Lynn Ward Gray to confirm date, time, and location. 9. Public Comments/Member Comments: Jeffrey Dinkins encouraged individuals to attend more NPC meetings and become more involved. 10. Next Meeting: Monday, October 13, 2014, 7:00 p.m. at Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek 47 Washington Avenue North. 11. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 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.