Neighborhood Planning Council 2 - North Central

NORTHCENTRAL NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL #2 Meeting Minutes – Monday, February 8, 2016 Located at NIBC Board Room d/b/a Southwest Michigan Community Development Corporation Board Room Members Present: Joe Hooper, Ron Sweet, Sam Gray, passed out Pizza Hut Fundraiser Flyer, Larz Martin Bey, passed out flyer on Water Collection, LaVonza Wilson-Fields, Mary Ann Hooten (NIBC d/b/a SWMCDC), Pat Karr sent in BCATS Newsletter (not present), Bettie Robertson, Michelle Williams, Kitty Hillian, Lynn Ward Gray arrived at 8:45. Guests: Officer Chad Francisco (City of Battle Creek) handed out stat report, Jeanette Cook (City of Battle Creek, Code Compliance), Matt Miller (City of Battle Creek Water Department). Members Absent: Karen Lynn Todd, Sheryl McDonald, Geraldine King, Steve Lee, Jeffrey Dinkins 1. Call to Order & Welcome: Mr. Hooper called the NPC #2 meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. Mr. Hooper welcomed everyone. 2. Attendance: Two sets of minutes for approval because no quorum in January. 3. Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the December 14, 2015 Meeting - Approved Minutes of the January 11, 2016 Meeting - Approved 4. Correspondence (sent/received) & Announcements: Mr. Hooper noted the BCATS Newsletter. Today the Zone of Appeals met but the meeting for tomorrow has been cancelled. Mr. Bey commented that he had been to Flint and they wanted to help humanity. They presently have 50 cases, but are hoping for 2,000. Community Healthcare Connections is doing a fundraiser for those un or underinsured. 100% of the sale goes into the funds directly used to help the public. 5. Guest Presentation: Matt Miller has been asked to attend each NPC to see if there are any questions or concerns about water. The lead and copper sampling done every three years has just completed sampling - is lead at 1.7 parts per billion (15 fed level), copper at 717 parts per billion (1300 fed level). New meters are being installed. They are not “smart meters,” they are just mobile, very quick reading by driving by the house. They broadcast a radio signal. The City is confirming that the meters are operating properly and registering accurately.  New meters can now register at a much smaller level and they are digital. To be NSF compliant, meters must be installed. There is an “opt out” provision for people concerned about radio towers. There is a fee if you “opt out.” The FCC has approved this technology. The EPA classifies it as non-ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation is used in cancer treatment. Many studies on these meters have determined that these meters do not impact anyone with a pace maker. No health hazards have been identified with this technology except body temperature at very high levels of exposure. This technology has been used for decades. Instead of 4 days to read, the meters can be read in 4 minutes at the City desk. There is no additional charge to have the meter installed and have the meter report your water usage. 6. Committee & City Staff Reports: a. Fire Department: None b. Police department: Officer Chad Francisco passed out the Crime Stats Report. He read the highlights. Foot patrols are higher around schools. A general discussion was held about the report and how it is read. All police officers in Battle Creek are getting new uniforms. The new uniform have slight changes. The Police Department is also putting a Fusion Team into place. Fusion Team works with officers out on the road to help with research or other coordination. The police department is discussing the “bad batch” of heroin that has caused overdose rates to spike in the last couple of weeks. They are now using Narcan, which has made a great deal of difference. A discussion was had about crimes committed in the same neighborhood in one evening. A discussion was had about repeated crime in one area without police activity. As to fire on 10 Oneita, Ron Sweet complimented Officer Francisco for being first on the spot at the house fire. Mr. Hooper recommended that the Engagement Committee meet on the Crime issue. The Next Door program was highlighted and explained. c. Neighborhood Services: Jeannette Cook, Code Compliance Department from the City of Battle Creek, distributed NPC Report. Dennis McKinley has a new position. He now works at the City, no longer a Compliance Officer. Chris asked to distribute the list of properties proposed to be demolished which are the subject of the grant just submitted by the City. A flyer was also distributed to volunteer to work at the Election. Jeannette passed around the street for  anyone to address concerns for code compliance. The City is hoping to offer vouchers for paint. It will start soon. d. Beautiful Battle Creek Award Nominations: One resident or one non-membership per NPC per month. There is a list for this NPC waiting with the City of Battle Creek. e. Membership: Michelle Williams, Mr. Bey and LaVonza Wilson-Fields are now members. Chemical Bank is closing a branch in the NPC. Discussion about the fact that LaVonza was elected by NPC 2 in October but has not been approved by the City Commission. The NPC would like her membership to be confirmed by the City Commission. f. Community Engagement: David Kemp will be coming to the meeting in the future. They have not been able to set a meeting date. g. Elected Officials: Meeting of the Ethics and Meeting Rules Committee is tomorrow. The issue is about the detail taken in the Meeting Minutes. Also addressing the time for discussion on resolutions or other issues to be combined. City Manager Evaluation Committee is on the 10th at noon. City Manager has moved to Battle Creek. Ernesto Reyes has been added as the second Assistant City Manager. He is a Cuban American and moving from Florida, to start in March. h. Battle Creek Public Schools: None 7. Old Business: 2016 Calendar: Every second Monday of the month, with July, August and December up for discussion and vote, for 2016. Approved  8. New Business: Mr. Sweet attended the quarterly all-NPC Meeting. February 18, 2016, in Lew Boyd room, Kool Family Center, is a meeting on the City of Battle Creek Master Plan. It begins at 6:30. A cover has been distributed and updated binders will be out next month. 9. Public Comments/Member Comments: Calendar of Black History Month distributed. Sam Gray got a call today for income taxes. CA and Goodwill are VITA sites. Chemical Bank branch on Bedford Road will offer services. All are by appointment. Still collecting water. Ms. Ward Gray said that the City helped with getting water to Flint. 10. Next Meeting: Monday, March 14, 2016, 7:00 p.m. at Southhwest Michigan Community Development Corporation – 47 N. Washington Avenue, Battle Creek, MI 11. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:01 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. Mailing Address: City Hall, 10 N. Division St., Room 111, Battle Creek, MI 49014 Phone (269) 966-3348 Fax(269) 966-3555 Web: www.battlecreekmi.gov