Neighborhood Planning Council 2 - North Central

NORTHCENTRAL NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL #2 Meeting Minutes – Monday, April 13, 2015 – 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, Bettie Robertson, Steve Lee, Kitty Hillian, David Draper (Grace Health), Jeffrey Dinkins, Dawn Wilkerson (NIBC), Ron Sweet, Joe Hooper; Absent: Geraldine King, Sheryl McDonald; Members Excused Absence: Erin Mapes (Chemical Bank), Terris Todd, Karen Lynn Todd; Guests: Chris Lussier (City of Battle Creek), Officer Scott Cipcic (Battle Creek Police Department), Rick Jones (BCPS), Commissioner Susan Baldwin, Devon Gibson (Sprout Urban Farms), Barbara Travis (Community Health Care Connections), Linnea Mobly (Community Health Care Connections). 3. Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve the March 9, 2015, meeting minutes was made by Pastor Joe Hooper. Seconded by Kitty Hillian. Motion Carried. 4. Correspondence (cent/received) & Announcements: Sam Gray reported The Zoning Appeals Committee meeting is scheduled Tuesday, April 14, at 4:00 p.m. Sam Gray encouraged individuals to vote on May 5, 2015, Proposal #1 is on the ballot. We need to AMEND the agenda, and add Guest Presentation made by Devon Gibson (Sprout Urban Farms), Agenda Item: #5, Guest Presentation. 5. Guest Presentation: Barbara Travis reported on Community Health Care Connections. She is the new Executive Director for Community Health Care Connections. Community Health Care Connections has move to 62 Michigan Avenue East. There motto is as follows: “No missed opportunities.” Devon Gibson reported Sprout Urban Farms received a $90,000, grant from the Department of Agriculture. Sprout Urban Farms will be setting up a farm stand inside beginning on May 28. The farm is located at 245 Kendall N, which they have expanded the land to have the ability to plant more fruits and vegetables. 6. Committee & City Staff Reports: a. Police Department – Officer Scott Cipcic provided a report to the members. Officer Scott Cipcic has been with BCPD for sixteen years. He has been assigned to the “Traffic Enforcement Unit,” as a trial period, which is his sole responsibility. They are targeting certain areas within the City of Battle Creek. Due to low attendance, April 2015 Town Hall meeting will be the last one for the year. b. Neighborhood Services – Chris Lussier passed out a sheet for members to add any specific addresses that need to be addressed (code violations). Here are a few addresses that are in question: 34 Baldwin W, 45 Baldwin W, & 66 Manchester. c. Beautiful Battle Creek Award Nominations – Vice Mayor Lynn Ward nominated the following addresses: 777 Van Buren West & 303 Howland. d. Membership – N/A  e. Community Engagement – The Community Engagement Committee met on March 12; and minutes were passed out to the members. They are looking to advertise for membership via the Shopper and door knocking. The committee is still looking at hosting a block party. Also, looking into publishing a newsletter for NPC#2. f. Elected Officials – Vice Mayor Lynn Ward Gray encourage individuals to get out and vote on th Proposal 1. The military is looking for another mission for the 110 Fighter Wing, possibly Cyber Security Mission. “Keeping you Informed” next topic will be the City of Battle Creek, fleet. She also encouraged individuals to participate in the survey regarding the City of Battle Creek. The City of Battle Creek is looking for new members of the Youth Advisory Board (YAB). g. Battle Creek Public Schools – Rick Jones reported the BCPS are looking to close two of the elementary schools. The BCPS Board was facilitating a meeting the night of the NPC #2 meeting. Dudley Stem School received a 1.5 grant (over the next 3 years). The parents at Northwestern have been able to increase attendance, due to their involvement. There is a “Pool Group” meeting scheduled Thursday, April 16, at 6:30 p.m. 7. Old Business: There is a NPC #2 Church Luncheon scheduled on Thursday, April 16, at 1:00 p.m. Yvonne Powell (NIBC Staff) will be in attendance. 8. New Business: The next Byrne Meeting is scheduled Tuesday, April 21, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Department of Public Works (DPW) 150 Kendall N. There was a memo from Marcie Gillette (City of Battle Creek) regarding a “draft” of the “Dissolution Policy” – need to table it for next month’s meeting (May) so members have more time to review. Initial comments included: 1) Line 24-26 add specific language somewhere that defines what “non-compliance of Open Meetings Act” means, not just the violation for breaking it, 2) Line 80 correct spelling “appointment” to “appoint.” 9. Public Comments/Member Comments: Bettie Robertson inquired about where CDBG money is being spent. After the meeting, she will speak further with Chris Lussier. Grace Health reported they are facilitating cooking classes; Buckeye Community Garden is in the process of starting to come together. The Food Bank is still going on at 9 Hazel, Mondays & Thursdays. The Women’s Center will be conducting classes to educate individuals about prenatal care. 10. Next Meeting: Monday, May 11, 2015, 7:00 p.m. at the Battle Creek Area Math & Science Center, 171 W. Michigan Ave. A tour will be available at the conclusion of the meeting for those who are interested. 11. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 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.