Neighborhood Planning Council 2 - North Central

NORTHCENTRAL NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL #2 Meeting Minutes – Monday, March 09, 2015 – Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek 1. Call to Order & Welcome: Sam Gray called the NPC #2 meeting at 7:06 p.m. 2. Attendance, Members Present: Samuel Gray, Lynn Ward Gray, Geraldine King, Kitty Hillian, Erin Mapes (Chemical Bank), Jeffrey Dinkins, Bill Phillips (NIBC), Dawn Wilkerson (NIBC), Pastor Joe Hooper, Karen Lynn Todd; Absent: David Draper (FHC), Steve Lee & Bettie Robertson; Members Excused Sheryl McDonald, Ron Sweet & Terris Todd; Guests: Chris Lussier (City of Battle Creek), Officer Chad Francisco (Battle Creek Police Department), Christopher McCoy (New Level Sports), Katie Barnes (New Level Sports). 3. Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve the February 9, 2015, meeting minutes was made by Kitty Hillian. Seconded by Pastor Joe Hooper. Motion Carried. 4. Correspondence (cent/received) & Announcements: Sam Gray reported he attended the CERT training and encouraged other members to attend the training as well. We need to AMEND the agenda, and add Guest Presentation made by Christopher McCoy (New Level Sports), Agenda Item: #5, Guest Presentation. Motion to add Christopher McCoy to the agenda was made by Karen Todd. Seconded by Lynn Ward Gray. Motion Carried. 5. Guest Presentation: Christopher McCoy presented the group with an update regarding the expansion of New Level Sports. He would like NPC #2 support to expand their lines of business as well as purchase the old Department of Public Works building on Michigan Avenue. 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. NIBC has kindly offered to print and provide next month’s newsletter. The next monthly Town Hall meeting takes place on March 26 at Post Franklin Elementary. b. Neighborhood Services – Chris Lussier passed out a sheet for members to add any specific addresses that need to be addressed (code violations). Chris Lussier reported that the Community Development budget will be discussed at the City Commission meeting on March 17. The Community Development Department is looking to do Home Repair loans (60). They also provide assistance to seniors. In addition, they are looking to fill the gap for individuals to get better access to housing. c. Beautiful Battle Creek Award Nominations – Officer Chad Francisco provided the following addresses: Three residential homes & two businesses. 18 Bowen, 69 Hanover, 211 Wood Street North, 485 Washington Ave N., & 181 Emmett Street West. d. Membership – No Report e. Elected Officials – Vice Mayor Lynn Ward Gray reported the “Keeping you Informed” April topic will be WK Kellogg Airport, which happens to be one of the top 5 busiest airports in Michigan. The next “What’s Brewing…” with the Mayor & Vice Mayor is scheduled 7:30 a.m. on April 2, at the Pancake House. She also announced the parks and recreation job fair for teens interested in summer employment.  Vice Mayor Lynn Ward Gray also reported there is an opportunity for residents to comment before the “resolutions” part of the agenda. f. Battle Creek Public Schools – N/A g. Community Engagement Committee – Reported on their recent meeting and provided notes from their meeting on February 13. Would like to put on a neighborhood event in Parkway Manor in August if enough members participate in the planning & other efforts leading up to the event. 7. Old Business: a. Feedback & Updates regarding the BCPD Crime Prevention Unit Town Hall on 2/19/2015 – Identity Theft, attendance was low. b. Feedback & Updates regarding the Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Grant meeting on 2/26/15 – The meeting was very engaging. The next meeting is scheduled March 19 @ DPW. c. Feedback & Updates regarding the second Building Inspections comm. Conversation on 2/26/15 – The community expressed their concerns with code compliance. There is another meeting scheduled, however, it was not known at the time of today’s meeting. 8. New Business: The Church Leaders Luncheon has been scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2015 at 1:00 p.m., location TBD. Karen Todd offered to check on Miller College as a possible location. The city manager, Rebecca Fleury will be present. 9. Public Comments/Member Comments: Sam Gray has requested NIBC to assist with a direct mailer to obtain membership from NPC #2. Vice Mayor Lynn Ward Gray has requested to avoid Thursday, April 23, 2015, for the April Police Department Town Hall Meeting. 10. Next Meeting: Monday, April 13, 2015, 7:00 p.m. at Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek 47 Washington Avenue North. 11. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 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.