Neighborhood Planning Council 2 - North Central

NORTHCENTRAL NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL #2 Meeting Minutes – Monday, February 09, 2015 – Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek 1. Call to Order & Welcome: Sam Gray called the NPC #2 meeting at 7:01 p.m. 2. Attendance, Members Present: Samuel Gray, Vice Mayor Lynn Ward Gray, David Draper (Grace Health), Kitty Hillian, Bettie Robertson, Jeffrey Dinkins, Geraldine King, Dawn Wilkerson (NIBC), Pastor Joe Hooper, Karen Lynn Todd; Absent: Steve Lee, Sheryl McDonald; Members Excused Absence: Erin Mapes (Chemical Bank), Terris Todd; Guests: Jeanette Cook (City of Battle Creek), Officer Chad Francisco (Battle Creek Police Department), Lt. Jim Walters (Battle Creek Police Department), Krista Trout-Edwards (Calhoun County Land Bank), Amy Rose Wallace-Robinson (Calhoun County Land Bank), B.D. Alexander, Victor Hillman, JoAnn Cribbs (Urban League of Battle Creek), Earl Moore, Irene Moore, & Randy Young. 3. Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve the January 12, 2015, meeting minutes was made by Kitty Hillian. Seconded by Geraldine King. Motion Carried. 4. Correspondence (cent/received) & Announcements: Sam Gray reported the Zoning Appeals & Historic District meetings were cancelled. Sam Gray reported Scott Hutchings (Grace Health) submitted his letter of resignation. David Draper (Manager of Facilities & Security) will be replacing Scott Hutchings. A letter was mailed out to Scott thanking him for his service to NPC #2. Lynn Ward Gray provided pamphlets regarding a couple of community events for Black History month. 5. Guest Presentation: Krista Trout-Edwards & Amy Rose Wallace-Robinson presented the Neighborhood Mow & Maintenance Program to NPC #2 The Calhoun County Land Bank is looking to network with area groups, non-profits, local businesses to assist in property maintenance for the 2015 season. If a group, non-profit, or local business would be interested in participating, they would have to mow a minimum of 20 properties, with a $3,000 stipend, those who participate in this program agree to mow the properties at minimum of every three weeks. 6. Committee & City Staff Reports: a. Police Department – Officer Chad Francisco provided the monthly crime report along with limited copies of the monthly Battle Creek Police Department newsletter. Officer Chad Francisco wondered if maybe NIBC would be willing to make copies available to interested members/individuals for the meeting.  According to the report, the crime statistics were increased for the month of January. There were four houses that were raided along with two storage units. There is a Police Explorer Program for individuals ages 14-21. There is Town Hall meeting scheduled Thursday, February 19, at 5:30 p.m. the topic will be “Identity Theft”. Sam Gray thanked NPC #2 participants for supporting the last Town Hall meeting in January on “Home Safety”. b. Neighborhood Services – Jeanette Cook provided a report to the NPC and requested that if there were any specific concerns to write them down on the paper, which was passed among the table. Jeanette Cook also reported they would be more aggressive in sidewalk snow removal, especially after the 18.5 inches we received last week. c. Beautiful Battle Creek Award Nominations – Vice Mayor Lynn Ward Gray expressed we need to identify additional nominations. d. Membership – Sam Gray encouraged Byron Alexander, Earl, & Irene Moore to become members of NPC #2. e. Elected Officials – Vice Mayor Lynn Ward Gray provided a handout: “What’s Brewing in Battle Creek,” which are coffee hours for residents with Mayor Deb Owens & Vice Mayor Lynn Ward Gray. They take place bi-monthly starting Feb. 5 on the first Thursday at various local locations and times through October. Keeping you Informed’s February topic is on the city assessor department with guest speak Steve Hudson, City of Battle Creek’s Assessor. The next City Commission meeting there will be a work session prior to the City Commission meeting. The work session will include a discussion regarding the process of electing a mayor and vice mayor for the City of Battle Creek. Vice Mayor Lynn Ward Gray also reported on the pilot regarding resident comments before the “resolutions” part of the city commission agenda. f. Battle Creek Public Schools – N/A 7. Old Business: The Byrne Grant meeting scheduled January 29 was well attended. 8. New Business: N/A  9. Public Comments/Member Comments: Pastor Joe Hooper has offered his services to residents who may need help with snow removal; however, he will need monetary assistance in return for the services. David Draper mentioned Grace Health (formerly Family Health Center), still provides food Mondays & Thursdays starting at 10:00 a.m. Grace Health will also be applying for additional signage, which will need to be presented to the Historic Committee for approval. Victor Hillman provides Mentorship Mondays for children ages 6-11. Victor is also looking for individuals or businesses to assist with the support of his program and mission. The name of his business is called: Mind, Body, & Soul, the program is offered year round. 10. Next Meeting: Monday, March 9, 2015, 7:00 p.m. at Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek 47 Washington Avenue North. 11. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 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.