Neighborhood Planning Council 2 - North Central

NORTHCENTRAL NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL #2 Meeting Minutes – Monday, January 11, 2016 Located at NIBC Board Room d/b/a Southwest Michigan Community Development Corporation) Board Room Members Present: Joe Hooper, Ron Sweet, Chris Lussier (City of Battle Creek) handed out Community Development Report, Larz Martin Bey, Dave Draper (Grace Health), Kitty Hillian, Mary Ann Hooten (NIBC d/b/a SWMCDC), Bill Phillips (NIBC d/b/a SWMCDC), two posters on Rise Up, Restore the Dream, MLK Celebrations and MLK Celebrations calendar. Guests: Officer Chad Francisco (City of Battle Creek), Amy Rose Robinson (CCLB), Officer Sarah Bentley (City of Battle Creek) handed out reports on activity, Darren Campbell (Department of Public Safety, Engineering) handed out Status of Road Treatments, Public Involvement and Outreach -Battle Creek Transportation Study submitted by Pat Karr who was not present. Members Absent: Karen Lynn Todd, Sheryl McDonald, Geraldine King, Steve Lee, Jeffrey Dinkins, Lynn Ward Gray, Bettie Robertson, Sam Gray 1. Call to Order & Welcome: Mr. Hooper called the NPC #2 meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Mr. Hooper requested the members include physical addresses. 2. Approval of Minutes: No Approval for Minutes of the December 14, 2015, no quorum 3. Correspondence (sent/received) & Announcements/ Guest Presentations a. Presentation by Darren Campbell – City of Battle Creek Engineering Department to discuss road treatments in the NPC this summer. He provided overview of the report and described the treatments planned. Several questions on specifics by Joe Hooper and Chris Lussier were answered by Mr. Campbell. Kitty Hillian also had some questions for Mr. Campbell. Discussion occurred about whether the City of Battle Creek or Michigan Department of Transportation were in charge of certain streets, specifically MDOT in charge of Columbia Avenue. b. Amy Rose Robinson here to kick off the lawn maintenance program. A group can commit to mow a certain area all summer and get a $3,000 donation. She has cards, posters and post cards to hand out. Applications are on-line. New website is up and running. March 5 – March Madness Spring Fling Side lot Sale. They hope to move a large number of lots to landowners whose property ownership boundaries touch the lot to be sold. Calhoun County Land Bank has a great deal of information on their website. A discussion was held at the taxes involved. Any lot under 10,000 sq. ft will be sold for $110.00.  c. Shelbourne Project was finalized but he was unable to attend this meeting. 4. Committee & City Staff Reports: a. Fire Department – None b. Police department - Officer Chad Francisco said that he researched the reason that there were 50 traffic stops in NPC2, because the NPC2 residents felt that they did not have as much police protection. Officer Francisco explained that the numbers were very similar to those at Capital North East NPC. Last month, NPC2 had 39 traffic stops and Capital North East PC had 30. He added more detail comparing the two. Officers in NPC2 emphasize foot patrol. NPC2 had 91 foot patrol stops. Officer Sarah Bentley was introduced. She explained the ATM fraud item in the report. The listing also includes the time the activity is occurring. Discussion was held about the activity in the NPC and the police activity. The Police Department is addressing the dead end at Oaklawn. That is all he could report at this point. He solicited any other questions from those in attendance. c. Neighborhood Services – Chris Lussier, Community Development Department from the City of Battle Creek, handed out a Community Development Report as well as a report on where dollars were being spent by the City. He explained the process for the Annual Action Plan. Citizens will have 30 days to review it and are able to make written comment or can attend the City Commission meeting to express views. It will be addressed and voted upon by the City Commission. The home repair funds that the City has, in the past several years have been spent in the Urbandale Area. He welcomed additional discussions about focusing those resources in NPC2. He also mentioned a Paint Voucher Program. The use of these funds should be quick and easy projects but benefits the entire neighborhood. The Paint Voucher Program will provide paint for the residents so they can improve their property, without having to pay for the paint. He also mentioned modifying the Vacant and Abandoned Building Ordinance to be less of a barrier to bringing those properties back into productive use. As of January 1st, of this year, 882 properties are vacant. The majority of those are in NPC2. The City is working to address issues in NPC2 and is aware that NPC2 residents feel that it’s problems are not addressed by the City, like in other NPC areas. Kitty Hillian added examples of problems with the appearance in the neighborhood that are not being addressed by the City. Mr.  d. Lussier explained that the City is doing more today than they have ever done in the past. Mr. Lussier said he will investigate the problems brought up this evening. The Community Development Plan will provide information on the City’s strategies but the City would appreciate input from the NPC2 residents and would schedule additional meetings, in or outside the NPC structure. Mr. Bill Phillips suggested people getting into a car and identifying the issues so everyone is on the same page. The problems can be identified and follow up will be clear. Mr. Phillips introduced David Kemp, as the staff person from NIBC d/b/a SWMCDC, to work on problems and solutions and projects. Officer Francisco added the example of the store (Handy’s) that was a problem and the store was closed down because people coordinated the effort to address the problem. Mr. Kemp introduced himself. He explained that he was working on Community Building and Engagement. He said he was very invested in Battle Creek and he wants to make this City a City that people want to move to, especially our graduates. He is excited about working on improving the City through his job and personal efforts. Mr. Hooper welcomed Mr. Kemp. e. Beautiful Battle Creek Award Nominations – Officer Francisco did not submit any this month because of the back log and the snow fall. Kitty Hillian mentioned an address that she had submitted to Sam Gray. Officer Francisco said he has submitted 25. f. Membership – None g. Community Engagement – Joe Hooper, Sam Gray, Jeffrey Dinkins, David Kemp and Ron Sweet are on this committee. They will plan to meet before the next meeting. h. Elected Officials – Katyae Ferris came in right before the meeting was adjourned. She solicited any questions but none were made. i. Battle Creek Public Schools – None 5. Old Business: The calendar for meetings is being reviewed to see if the meeting falls on any holiday. July is generally very busy with other activities. August was also suggested.  6. New Business: The Share Center was on the Agenda but withdrew their request. Mr. Phillips explained why they were unable to proceed. 25 Howland is owned by NIBC d/b/a SWMCDC. 7. Public Comments/Member Comments: Advertisement for MLK Celebration and Black History Month Calendar passed out. 8. Next Meeting: Monday, February 9, 2016, 7:00 p.m. at Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek d/b/a Southwest Michigan Community Development Corporation. 9. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. 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.