Neighborhood Planning Council 2 - North Central

NORTHCENTRAL NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL #2 Meeting Minutes – Monday, November 10, 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, Steve Lee, Erin Mapes (Chemical Bank), Geraldine King, Jeffrey Dinkins, Bill Phillips (NIBC), Dawn Wilkerson (NIBC), Absent: Terris Todd, Karen Lynn Todd, Cal Thompson, Fredrico Porter, Tammie Porter, Keith McDonald, Sheryl McDonald; Members Excused Absence: Scott Hutchings (FHC), Pastor Joe Hooper; Guests: Chris Lussier (City of Battle Creek), Officer Chad Francisco (Battle Creek Police Department), Ron Sweet, Byron D. Alexander, Glenn Whitt & Hosea Whitt. 3. Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve the September 8, 2014 meeting minutes was made by Kitty Hillian. Seconded by Steve Lee. Motion Carried. Meeting notes for the October 13, 2014 meeting were distributed for information because there was not a quorum at the October meeting. 4. Correspondence (cent/received) & Announcements: Sam Gray reported there is a grant orientation for organizations or individuals who are seeking grants from the Battle Creek Community Foundation. The orientation is scheduled on Wednesday, November 12 at 2:00 p.m. Orientation is also held on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month – call ahead. Sam Gray also reported Battle Creek Habitat for Humanity Re-Store has a soft grand opening; however, there is a Grand Re-Opening scheduled this coming weekend. Lynn Ward Gray reported there is a celebration for Sojourner Truth’s Legacy on November 23, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Second Missionary Baptist Church. Lynn Ward Gray also reported the Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) & Kellogg Area Annual Reports have been published for the public. If anyone is interested in viewing the BCU Annual Report it is available on their website. If anyone is interested in viewing the Kellogg Area Annual Report, please contact Lynn Ward Gray and she will email the report to you. 5. Committee & City Staff Reports: a. Police Department – Officer Chad Francisco provided a report from the new system. Officer Chad Francisco reported the Trunk or Treat that took place on Halloween was a success. The Battle Creek Police Department received $1500 in donation of candy. Shop With A Cop fundraiser is being held this evening at Barista Blues Café. Officer Chad Francisco also reported the homicide that occurred last weekend, was handled very well – the suspect was apprehended within three hours. Chief Jim Blocker sent an email to the police department commending everyone for the hard work regarding this case. Kitty Hillian reported the loud music continues to be an issue on Manchester.  There have been two break-ins in the Heatherridge Neighborhood, which is NPC #4. There was a Trunk or Treat that took place at Claude Evans Park, which was a big success with individuals in the neighborhood. Officer Chad Francisco thanked Cereal City Hoopsters for their great work over the years in Claude Evans Park. There have been many enhancements to the park including the newest update, the baseball field. b. Neighborhood Services – Chris Lussier reported the “weed” program ended last month. Geraldine King reported her neighbors who currently live behind her and next door have had weeds going on their fence, which have not been addressed. Lynn Ward Gray would like clarification regarding the “leaf” ordinance as she was informed from Jason Francisco that individuals who pile leaves in their yard could possibly receive a citation. Chris Lussier stated he would follow-up regarding clarification of the “leaf” ordinance. Kitty Hillian stated there is neighbor who burns furniture in their fire pit. According the both City of Battle Creek and the Police Department, that is a violation. There was a concern regarding vacant/blight homes within the neighborhood. 92 Manchester was a concern due to broken windows and the opened door. Residents were reminded to report these time sensitive code concerns right away, please do not wait till the monthly meeting to report issues such as these. c. Beautiful Battle Creek Award Nominations – N/A d. Membership – Ron Sweet who has attended the last three months of NPC #2 meetings would like to become a member. There was a motion to add Ron Sweet as an NPC #2 member, term ending December 4, 2015. Motion Carried. The Berean Seventh Day Adventist Church recognizes they need to get more involved with the NPC #2. There are church members who are unaware there are Neighborhood Planning Councils in particular NPC #2. According to the Bylaws: ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP, SECTION 4 (Revised: January 14, 2013): states the following: Any regular member of the council who is absent three consecutive meetings, without notifying the secretary or chairperson, in one operational year, may be removed from membership by a vote of a seven member quorum. This does not mean that extenuating circumstances will not be considered. The following NPC #2 members have not been in attendance according the Bylaws: Pastor Keith McDonald, Sheryl McDonald, Fredrico Porter, Tammy Porter, & Cal Thompson. After discussion, removed Sheryl McDonald from consideration because we weren’t clear if she had requested an extended absence due to school. A motion to  remove Pastor Keith McDonald, Fredrico Porter, Tammy Porter, & Cal Thompson according to ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP, SECTION 4 as NPC #2 members was made by Bill Phillips. Seconded by Steve Lee. 6 yea/3 nay. Motion Carried. A motion to renew NPC #2 member terms through December 4, 2017 for Jeffrey Dinkins, Pastor Joe Hooper, Geraldine King, & Steve Lee was made by Bill Phillips. Seconded by Kitty Hillian. Motion Carried. Motion to approve the 2015 NPC #2 meeting calendar was made by Erin Mapes. Seconded by Kitty Hillian. Motion Carried. e. Nominating Committee – Motion to approve the slate of officers presented (Samuel Gray – chair, Joe Hooper – vice chair, NIBC – secretary, Lynn Ward Gray – assistant secretary) for a term of January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015 was made by Jeffrey Dinkins. Seconded by Erin Mapes. Motion Carried. f. Elected Officials – Vice Mayor Lynn Ward Gray reported Battle Creek Unlimited will be giving a presentation at the Department of Public Works on Thursday, November 13 at 6:00 p.m. Vice Mayor Lynn Ward Gray also reported that Keeping You Informed (channel 17) topic of the month is the City of Battle Creek, Community Development Department: Chris Lussier & Helen Guzzo. Jonah has partnered with New Harvest Church to provide transportation for Battle Creek residents to Fort Custer, called BC Rides. If anyone knows of any churches who would be interested in this program or riders, they are asked to contact New Harvest Church. Vice Mayor Lynn Ward Gray also reported there was a Gleaning Project meeting held on October 29, 2014, at First United Methodist Church. Washington Heights United Methodist Church is still planning on moving forward with the Urban Farm. Washington Heights United Methodist Church has formed three “Teams”: Property, Research, and Finance to assist in moving forward with the planning stage of the Urban Farm during the winter months. g. Battle Creek Public Schools – No representation present. 6. Old Business: Sam Gray & Vice Mayor Lynn Ward Gray attended the NTI in Washington, D.C. and were very grateful for the opportunity that was given to them. 7. New Business: N/A 8. Public Comments/Member Comments: Paul Kendrick is concerned about individuals who wear dark clothing and walk in the street at night – is there a way to issue “jay walking” tickets.  Byron Alexander met with Rev. Marshall regarding the Urban Farm, which is in a planning stage until spring 2015. Byron believes the youth could play a big part in participating at the Urban Farm. The NPC is looking to plan a “Block Party” in the spring at Parkway Manor. The residents are nervous about allowing their children to play outside. We as an NPC need to look at creating a safer environment for our children of the future. After some discussion, members are asked to come with 3 projects they’d like to see NPC #2 take on in 2015. The community visioning project around economic development, BC Vision, will be revealed in May 2015. 9. Next Meeting: Monday, January 12, 2015, 7:00 p.m. at Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek 47 Washington Avenue North. 10. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:59 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.