Neighborhood Planning Council 2 - North Central

NORTHCENTRAL NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL #2 Meeting Minutes – Monday, June 13, 2016 Located at NIBC Board Room d/b/a Southwest Michigan Community Development Corporation Board Room Members Present: Joe Hooper, Ron Sweet, Lynn Ward Gray, Kittie Hillian, Bettie Robertson, Jeffrey Dinkins, Geraldine King, Grace Health (former FHC), Larz Martin Bey, Roger Wood, SWMCDC/Neighborhoods Inc. Guests: Officer Chad Francisco (City of Battle Creek), Nelson Karre, Dave Enders, Sonia Gobbini, Lee McDonald, Chris Lussier (City of Battle Creek), Kelly Brandt, Cal Thompson, Prentice Thompson Members Absent: Samuel Gray, Terris Todd, Steve Lee, Karen Lynn Todd, Sheryl McDonald, Chemical Bank, Michelle Williams, Tina Wood 1. Call to Order & Welcome: Mr. Hooper called the NPC #2 meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Mr. Hooper welcomed everyone. 2. Attendance: 3. Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the May 9, 2016 Meeting - Approved 4. Correspondence (sent/received) & Announcements: Pastor Hooper read an Email received from the Planning Manager in reference to a public Round Table about Urban Agriculture, to elicit feedback (interest and opposition) regarding ordinances and to determine level of interest in a variety of types of urban agriculture. Wed. June 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the DPW on Kendall Street, in the Multi-purpose room. Ron Sweet reported speaking to a juvenile probation officer, Mark Mohler, who is developing a mentoring class for young men and young women during the summer (high school age). Handed out his cards for interested members. (269) 967-8804. mmohler@calhouncountymi.gov. Addition to the agenda: Presentation by Migdalia Echeverria, requesting a Special Use Permit for a day care center located at 118 E. Van Buren. 5. Guest Presentations: Presenation #1: Nelson Karre, attorney for the Church of Scientology Dave Enders (COS in Battle Creek) and Sonia Gobbini (COS International) from COS. Karre shared that he had made a presentation on the zoning issue before the city of Battle Creek and request has been made on behalf of the Church regarding the property they own, the former Hart Hotel on Washington Ave, which they purchased in 2002. A building to be used as a church requires a Special Use Permit (SUP) and has applied to the city for an SUP for the property . The COS would hold church services, and use the building for education purposes, meeting purposes, and provide public space to a certain extent. Karre reviewed the SUP criteria and indicated that the use will be in compliance with them. Karre requested the support of NPC2 for the SUP. The COS does not plan to dramatically change the appearance of the building, although it will be restored. Planning Commission has already recommended to the city that the SUP be granted. Karre apologized for the delay in coming to the NPC. Karre noted that they were eager to get the application on the May agenda for the Planning Commission. Sonia from COS International, asked the board to give them a chance to prove themselves. Issues raised by members included not requesting NPC support before going to the Planning Commission and potential other uses for the building, including a school, a halfway house, etc. Karre reported the building is the equivalent of a white box, will need HVAC systems, walls built out, utilities brought in. Dave reported that the building will be entirely utilized. 150 to 250 staff members working there. Ron Sweet asked if they have plans for the building. Sonia from COS International reported that they have a general idea and design of what goes inside, but with new assessment will be meeting with architect to do a new report and new plans, should be ready by August. Jeffrey asked about the types of conferences they plan to be having and if they will be inclusive, or part of their religion. Sonia clarified that they will not be proselytizing. They will be working on anti-drug initiatives, separate from their religious beliefs. Sonia from COS International noted that there is a lack of understanding regarding what activities take place in their Churches. Offered to return and make a presentation at the July meeting. Member asked for definition of the SUP, and Karre defined it as, “to be able to use the building for a Church and church-related activities”. Clarified that there is no requirement for the specific plans for the building. Ron Sweet invited them to come to the next meeting to present about the COS.  Question about property taxes, and Karre was not able to answer whether or not the building is currently tax-exempt, but that it will be once the SUP is approved. Request is on the City Commission’s agenda for July 19. Ron Sweet made a motion to table the issue until next month’s meeting, seconded by multiple members. Lynn Ward Gray recused herself from the vote because she is a city commission member. Motion carried. They will return to provide further information at the July meeting. Presentation #2 by Migdalia Echeverria. Requesting a Special Use Permit for a day care at 118 E. Van Buren, that she’s run for 2 years in order to be able to serve more than 6 children as currently licensed, has the capacity to serve up to 14 children. Brought her application and her certifications from the State of Michigan, CPR training, etc. Due to her address, she was referred to NPC 4 and given the chair’s contact info and meeting time/date. She reported that the city referred her to NPC2. 6. Committee & City Staff Reports: a. Fire Department: None b. Police department: Chad Francisco distributed crime reports. Assaults and property damage reports are up, which is normal for the warmer weather, all other categories are lower or the same. Foot patrols for the month of May were 138 in NPC2 and 39 in NPC4, traffic stops were 45 and in NPC4, they were 34. c. Neighborhood Services: Chris Lussier of Neighborhood Services passed around the code report, noted 2/3 of it is grass/weed violations. Out of 450 citywide, 90 were in NPC2. Reported that the city is now staggering parcel by parcel property evaluations, doing 1/3 of the city each year, instead of the entire city every three years. Reminded NPC to make sure that they get their minutes in to the city within 8 days. Not a problem with this group. Reviewed the HOME program, and distributed a map developed by the group leading the project that shows the potential target areas and neighborhood features in NPC2. End result is an area where they can direct their resources of $127,000. Discussion included neighborhood safety, impact of poverty and low employment on neighborhoods, parks impact, brush and lawn maintenance, open spaces, gardening, etc. A lot of interest in wanting to have more community process to address some of the subjects in a fuller way. Ron Sweet and Bettie Robertson participated in the committee. Jeffrey noted that this money came into  the city for low-income people to apply for to do things to their homes and $127,000 is not going to make an impact on a street. Fransisco noted that the recipients cannot have any pre-existing code enforcement issues. Ron noted that money was not brought up during the conversation when they determined the target areas. Bettie noted that this is not a lot of money, but it is either use it or lose it. Resources will be available only to the people in the target area. Ron noted that he does not agree with the requirement for taxes to be up to date, in an area where a majority of residents are in arrears or close to foreclosure due to property taxes. Chris noted that the city and NIBC want to promote their repair programs more aggressively. Jeffrey noted that the money was so small an amount it may only benefit 4 to 5 houses (up to $35,000 each), which is not enough to make an impact. Francisco noted that the plan is to do he homes close together on one to two streets. The hope is that people living adjacent to those properties will take more pride in their own and do minor repairs. Lynn Ward Gray asked if a target area is necessary. Chris reported that when you have large-dollar projects like this it works better in a concentrated no, but it is not a requirement. Lynn suggested that the target area be broadened to allow more individuals to apply and create a system to evaluate the properties to determine the ones that they will approve. Prentice Thompson spoke to the assumption that the neighbors will run out and improve their homes. Asked what the end goal is for the program. Jeffrey brought up the fact that part of the target area has in the past had a major home renovation program, which did not lead to additional repairs by neighbors. A member noted that people are not likely to be able to do those repairs without funding and are likely to be angry. d. Beautiful Battle Creek Award Nominations: Ron Sweet nominated: 775 North Avenue, 74 Ann Street. e. Membership: Welcomed Tina and Roger Wood as members, approved by city commission May 17, 2016. Ron Sweet introduced a young resident, Lee McDonald, who he invited to the meeting and asked him to attend a couple of more meetings, speak up and join the NPC. f. Community Engagement: None. g. Elected Officials: Lynn Ward Gray (Ward 2 Commissioner) Next meeting is the 21st, there will be a work session at 5:30 about the Binder Park Zoo operations and they have until June 30 to approve a budget. h. Battle Creek Public Schools:  None 7. Old Business: Lynn Ward Gray noted that they were handing out information on NPC’s and Crimewatch at the Cereal Festival, and will be doing the same thing at Juneteenth. Booths are only for Saturday, between 11 am and 6 pm. Recommended people bring their lawn chairs. Pastor Hooper in charge of flyers to hand out promoting the NPC 2 Back 2 School Block Party, International Summerfest and the Urban League Family Day. Handed around a signup sheet for volunteers to help man the booth. 8. New Business: None 9. Public Comments/Member Comments: David Kemp III handed out flyers about the Hubbard Street community house regarding the Eat Up/Meet Up program 4:00 to 4:30 p.m. for students 18 and under (26 and under who are individuals with disabilities enrolled in an education program), and also the listing all over town. Ron Sweet said that has been an interesting meeting, we kind of agreed to not agree and we need to keep an eye on the time so we can get out a little quicker. ”If you don’t have any old news, you shouldn’t have any new news.” Jeffrey Dinkins apologized to anyone who felt attacked during the discussions, and noted that she is very passionate and she will stand up when she thinks something is wrong. “I’d rather stand alone than stand for nothing.” Lynn Ward Gray asked if the group will be meeting over the summer, as they generally vote in June to decide whether to have July or August. No action taken. Bettie Robertson noted that people are always talking about wanting something to come into our neighborhood, and when something is offered we want to argue about it. “Let’s don’t hold up progress and get the right attitude.” 10. Next Meeting: Monday, July 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 9:00 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