Neighborhood Planning Council 2 - North Central

NORTHCENTRAL NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL#2 Southwest Michigan CDC, 47 N. Washington Avenue Mon day March 13, 2017 @7:00pm Minutes Call to Order $ Welcome: Pastor Joe Hooper, NPC Chair Attendance Members: Jeffrey Dinkins, David Draper(Grace Health), Lynn Ward Gray, Samuel Gray, Kitty Hillian, Joe Hooper, Steven Lee, Y Powell (SWMCDC) Bettie Robertson, Ronald Sweet, Larz Martin Bey, Prentice Thompson-excused. Guests: Officer Chad Francisco, Brian Wensauer, Chris Lussier, Melinda Weaver, Mary Ann Hooten, Nancy Walker. Approval of Minutes: February 13, 2017. Voted and approved. Correspondence (sent/received & Announcements) Ron gave report from Historic district committee, that there are continuing with plans from last meeting for demolitions. Planning commission meeting canceled for February, but is scheduled to meet March 22, 2017. Guest Presentation: Calhoun County Treasurer- Melinda Weaver, (Calhoun Co Treasurer- Brian Wensauer- also present) the Presentation focused on activities of the Treasurer’s office and the Property Tax Delinquency Process and timeline. The last date to pay for 2014 taxes prior to foreclosure is March 31, 2017. The County Treasurer’s office gave several steps to remedy this through applying for assistance through the Calhoun Co Treasurer’s Hardship Extension Program, and or Application to Step Forward Michigan- Hardest Hit Funds. SWMCDC- receives many referrals from County Treasurer’s office to assist in this application process. Residents just need to contact the Calhoun Co. Treasurer’s office for Hardship extension and payment arrangements, or SWMCDC if they are applying for Hardest Hit Funds. IF there is a mortgage, Hardest Hit Funds may also provide funds to bring them current. Presentation: Southwest Michigan CDC: Nancy Walker, Mary Ann Taylor- Neighborhood Enhance Program Grant –Request for Proposal- A draft of the document was distributed on the grant- that was a summation of the meetings held to outline the proposed project of “Porch Enhancements”. A copy of the minutes from the last committee meeting on March 9, 2017 at Faith Temple Church was also included with a map of the proposed areas eligible to apply for this project. SWMCDC also with the city of Battle Creek and the NPC2 have laid out the plan to implement this project along with other projects from the city and possibly some through the Federal Home Loan Program at SWMCDC. The RFP is due to MSHDA March 15, 2017. It was explained that the processes to be used came from MSHDA guidelines. This project will only be available to homeowners or l or 4 unit rental if the homeowner lives in the property. There may still be some revisions needed. Motion- Lynn was made to – for SWMCDC to submit the grant for the Neighborhoods Enhancement Program March 15, 2017- with any necessary revisions. 2nd Bettie- Motion- Passed. Committee & Staff Reports: a. Police Department: Officer Francisco provided a report on February activities. b. Neighborhood Services: Chris Lussier progress on property inspections from Code that have started. Discussion on what is available to assist homeowners that are sited for code. Some may be eligible for rehab programs through the city and later on the paint program will be available for anyone to get paint. c. Beautiful Battle Creek Award- none d. Membership- Pastor Hooper stated that Michelle Williams- stated she no longer lived in NPC2 and wanted her name removed from membership. Motion to remove her name Lynn, 2nd Kitty- Motion passed. e. Committee Report- Sam- May 12, 2017- Youth day of Caring NPC2- activity- Claude Evans Park cleanup. Time is 11:am – 1:00pm students will be dropped off. Sam will follow with more details. f. Elected Officials- Commissioner Lynn Ward Gray- Town Hall meeting May 23rd 6:30-8:00 Second Baptist Church, city personnel status of property of ownership family owned. Urban Farming ordinance draft- farm animals March 21st city hall chambers 5:30. To include feral cats- Motion Ron -NPC2- for not to support this ordinance, 2nd Bettie, motion carried. Next meeting- Monday April 10, 2017, 7:00PM at SWMCDC- 47 N. Washington Avenue. Adjournment NPC2- Mission- To Improve the quality of life by listening and engaging residents NPC2 Vision: A safe, friendly, family-driven neighborhood where everyone wants to live.