Neighborhood Planning Council 2 - North Central

NORTHCENTRAL NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL #2 Meeting Minutes – Monday, March 14, 2016 Located at NIBC Board Room d/b/a Southwest Michigan Community Development Corporation Board Room Members Present: Joe Hooper, Ron Sweet, Jeffrey Dinkins, David Kemp III (NIBC d/b/a SWMCDC), Lynn Ward Gray, Sam Gray, Kitty Hillian, Bettie Robertson, Geraldine King, Grace Health, Larz Martin Bey. Guests: Officer Chad Francisco (City of Battle Creek) handed out stat report, Dennis McKinley (Battle Creek Police Department), Chris Lussier (Community Services, City of Battle Creek), Ted Hanson (City of Battle Creek, Chief Building Inspector), Laura Adams Members Absent: Terris Todd, Steve Lee, Karen Lynn Todd, Sheryl McDonald, Chemical Bank, Michelle Williams 1. Call to Order & Welcome: Mr. Hooper called the NPC #2 meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.Mr. Hooper welcomed everyone. 2. Attendance: Chair noted new format for attendance sheet. 3. Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the February 8, 1016 Meeting - Approved 4. Correspondence (sent/received) & Announcements: Lynn Ward Gray Juneteenth schedule 6/18, next planning meeting March 29, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Urban League. Pastor Hooper received an email from the Shelbourne Apartment Project, have received the approval to begin the project, they are looking at a date in August for it to be operational, and they will be presenting to NPC 2 at April meeting (tentative date). 5. Guest Presentation: Dennis McKinley of the Code Compliance explained the restructuring at City Hall, he is now the BCPD Community Assets Administrator to serve as a liaison between City Hall and the Police Department. Explained his duties, including going in to crime scenes to look at code compliance violations and how they can be resolved, as well as ensuring that people stealing water are prosecuted. Houses may be occupied by people being checked for parole compliance or buildings ordered to be vacant that are reported to be occupied. Ted Hanson was introduced, new Chief Building Official for the City of Battle Creek, overseeing inspections department and handling demolitions. Distributed an informational report on Vacant and Dangerous Buildings, showing that 5 buildings have received grant demolition award. Distributed business cards with contact information to members. Email: thanson@battlecreekmi.gov. Phone: (269) 966-3382. Shared that he  will be attending NPC1 and NPC5 meetings monthly, but will be available to attend any NPC meetings upon request. 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. 73 foot patrols for the month of February, 32 traffic stops for the same period. B&E count for the month of February was only 3, a good trend he noted. New deployment started March 13, Officers Gentry and Hopkins continue working in this area. Wrapping up training normally held during winter months, including Active Shooter Training. Three-quarters of the department are now trained to administer Narcan for heroin overdoses. He noted that Narcan is being distributed to citizens by Families Against Narcotics. c. Community Services: Chris Lussier distributed the code compliance reports. He reported that the City is holding quarterly leadership meetings to bring the leaders of all the NPCs together. Distributed leadership guides to members, and reviewed the contents. Chris asked for feedback from members, and that the BCPD 3-hole-punch their reports so they can be put directly into the binders at meetings. Chris shared that they are looking to target areas for funding and activities to provide a “neighborhood-wide benefit”, and asked for two volunteers to represent the NPC. Noted that anyone who volunteers to serve on the committee will be ineligible for those benefits. He will be sending Pastor Joe an official letter with detailed information to be reviewed at the April NPC meeting. d. NIBC (d/b/a SWMCDC): David Kemp III reported that Hands On Battle Creek will be doing a Youth Day of Caring on May 13 and will be using some of their volunteers on projects in the NPC 2 area, asked what project in this community high school students will be able to participate in such as cleanups, looking to utilize 50 students in a project that will be transformative. Sam Gray wrote up a list, and said he will type it out for David: Claude Evans Park surrounding area, Irving Park Disc Golf Course, Parkway, 251 Wood Street (backyard), vacant lot at Wood and May Street, vacant lot 40 Wood Street, dumping grounds on Coolidge Street between Washington and Redner, Coolidge to Goodale on Wild Street. Pastor Hooper will forward additional ideas to David Kemp III. e. Beautiful Battle Creek Award Nominations: One residential and one commercial property per NPC can be submitted per month. There is a list for this NPC waiting with the City of Battle Creek. Chad Francisco noted that if they need additional nominations to let him know. Pastor Hooper recommended checking with Teresa Poole for the status of the list. Lynn Ward Gray noted that guidelines for frequency of nominating the same address were voted on six months to a year ago and should be in the minutes. Jeffrey  Dinkins reported that at the December meeting it was determined that a nominee who receives a BBC Award is not eligible for 3 years. f. Membership: None g. Community Engagement: Ron Sweet distributed the report on the Tuesday, February 15, 2015 meeting between himself, Sam Gray and Joe Hooper. Sam Gray reported out. It was decided to go ahead with a neighborhood block party, at one of three locations discussed: Claude Evans Park, Parkway Manor (HUD) and Washington Heights UMC (the big field). To be held either July 23 or August 27 (Back to School). Lynn Ward Gray noted that the Urban League will be holding their 50th anniversary Family Day event on July 23. Committee members asked for help determining community resources to table at the event. Committee members suggested doing a back pack drive and/or a fundraiser for Dudley STEM students who can’t afford uniforms. Jeffrey Dinkins asked if the NPC can write a grant to the BCCF to purchase uniforms to needy students. Discussion of funding ideas for student uniforms with a goal of having students start the year with 3 uniforms. Sam Gray asked for approval of the August 27th date: Approved. Discussion of locations, including alternative of Dudley STEM as site. h. Elected Officials: Lynn Ward Gray gave a report. Keeping You Informed this month is the Youth Advisory Board, which is currently recruiting new members (age 14-20), turn application into City Manager’s office by April 11, 2016. Ernesto Reyes, the new Assistant City Manager for operations has attended his first commission meeting. There will be a “meet and greet” for Ernesto Reyes at 5:30 on March 15 at City Hall. A Job Fair is coming up for young people for Parks and Rec., a number of positions available, March 24 and March 26, must contact Parks and Rec. to set up interview by March 23, limited to first 60 applicants. NPC1 has expressed concern over closure of fire station on Cliff Street, community conversation to be held on March 21 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Doris Hale Child Development Center. Press releases have been sent out regarding the water meter program through 2017 to upgrade to the new meters. Noted that there was confusion around Welcoming Michigan initiative, that it provides resources to anyone who is a newcomer to the city, not just immigrants. That is planned to be on the April 12th agenda for the City Commission. i. Battle Creek Public Schools: None 7. Old Business: None 8. New Business: Lynn Ward Gray passed around ground rules developed by the Rental Property Owners ground rules and the CDI Working Agreement for members to review for the possibility of developing ground rules to keep the meeting moving along in a more efficient, effective and respectful manner. Pastor Hooper indicates we do need  something to move our agenda forward. Sam Gray recommended that it be tabled and discussed at the next meeting. 9. Public Comments/Member Comments: Chad Francisco gave the contact information for Nancy King to get the Narcan kits: 269)580-8290. Joe Hooper shared that the city has battery recycling kits that he will bring in one for each member at the April meeting. Sam Gray reported that Battle Creek CERT will have another class beginning in April (1,2 and 9). Theater at Lakeview Square will be opening soon and is hiring. Joe Hooper noted that Harper Creek will be screening the Butler on March 30th at 5:30 at the High School Auditorium as part of the Black History Month events that was rescheduled due to weather. Jeffrey Dinkins passed around a flyer for a play “Defiant” that Cynthia Tucker will be performing in at the State Theater on March 25th. 10. Next Meeting: Monday, April 11, 2016, 7:00 p.m. at Southwest Michigan Community Development Corporation – 47 N. Washington Avenue, Battle Creek, MI 11. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:11 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