Neighborhood Planning Council 2 - North Central

NORTHCENTRAL NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL #2 Southwest Michigan CDC, 47 N. Washington Ave., Battle Creek, MI Monday November 13, 2017 Minutes 1. Call to order and welcome: Vice Chairperson- Ron Sweet 2. Attendance: Members- ,Ron Sweet, Larz Martin Bey, Prentice Thompson, Kitty Hillian, Jeffrey Dinkins, Bettie Robertson, SWMCDC-Yvonne Powell, , Lynn Ward Gray,Geraldine King, Guests:BCPC- Chad Francisco-BCPC, Kelly Dillman- BCPD Byrne Grant, Chris Lussier City of Battle Creek, SWMCDC -Kristyn Denison, , Sharon Yoskulski, Deborah Nuzzi- Battle Creek Public Schools, Jeff Breedlove- Church of Scientology, Barbara Travis- Michigan Works, 3. Approval of minutes: A motion was made by Kitty and 2nd, Prentice to approve the October 9, 2017 minutes; motion carried. 4. Correspondence: No Correspondence 5. Announcements: Barbara Travis- Michigan Works- Coordinator Employment HUB project. This projects aim is to provide services of Michigan Works in the neighborhoods, to encourage more minority involvement and individuals needing job placement services, support services, work readiness and training services in conjunction with Community Partners. The goal is to have Neighborhood Employment HUBs at locations in the community. Ms. Travis talked with churches in Washington Heights area. The goal is to have one or two locations on the North Side/Washington Heights area and one location in Post addition. Ms. Travis has talked with Macedonia, New Level Sports and they have responded favorably. She has made contact with 2nd Baptist and is waiting to talk Rev. Wyne. Ms. Travis is also open to other locations and suggestions. Committee & Staff Reports: a. Police Department. Officer Chad Francisco gave report on activities in NPC2 past month. There were 145 foot patrol and 69 traffic stops. In the short term because of the Byrne grant there seems to be more activity reported, but in the long term they hope to see these numbers reduced. Aggravated Assaults- 19 (8 from high school) Burglary 12 (5-high school) because the high school is included in this area after school started in August, some numbers increased. Officer Chad did street light survey showed problems on Champion Street with lighting that was quickly resolved from city. In conjunction with police calls, the Village of Irving Park was having problems with youth smoking weed, peeing in hallway. They asked for assistance from the police department in a security assessment. This has shown them various ways to improve the safety and problems at their site. Byrne Grant is focusing on quality of life issues as well as crime. Looking at abandoned cars, on street. b. Kelly Dillman- Byrne Grant, Officer Chris Rabbitt is now with the Byrne grant area. Correction to last month’s information- Learn by Doing Grant (LBD) there will be 6-7 with a maximum of $20,000. We are Pride Grants- that will be 10 at $2,5000 each. c. Neighborhood services- Chris Lussier- provided information code compliance for NPC 2. The report from community development showed the amount of funds spent from HOME and CDBG programs. NPC2 area minor home repairs were second and was the only area for acquisition and resale as seen on the chart. A 2017 Community Needs Questionnaire and Work sheet was passed out for members to give their input that will be used at the Public Hearing on Community Needs, Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 7:00 in the city commission chamber. Jeffery Dinkins, asked about the two properties’ that were rehabbed in NPC2 for the exact locations, which was asked before but never addressed. The question was that the Community Development department stated these specific houses were chosen in a location to have a greater impact on the neighborhood with other projects coming from minor home repair. If these projects were completed what neighborhood impact was seen from this project? Chris will provide the addresses for those two projects.  NEP- program report- Kristen Denison-Yvonne Powell- SWMCDC. - Currently there are 24 applications, 14 were sent to MSHDA and 10 waiting for completion. The process is after the application and all supporting documents (bids, pictures, and description of the project) MSHDA reviews and gives the approval to move forward with the project. Chris and Matt from the City have been working with SWMCDC and homeowners on projects, where the City is able to partner with some matching dollars from Minor Home Repair Program. Both Kristen and Yvonne provided new flyers that were handed out to NPC2 members to solicit more homeowners to apply. There was further discussion on the process and if the boundaries could be moved to include more of the NPC2 areas. This would have to be approved by MSHDA since the boundaries was originally submitted and approved with the grant application. Joe also with SWMCDC has contacted those on the list that attended the town hall meeting as a follow up to see how many applied and if others would apply. Pastor Hooper and his wife, Ron Sweet and another volunteer were the ones to do the beautification piece of this project. Special thanks to them for their dedication to the project. d. Beautiful Battle Creek: Nominations- Officer Chad submitted two addresses, 101 Collage and 202 Garfield. Another address was given 283 N. Washington- Jeffrey. e. Membership: f. Community Engagement g. Elected Officials- Commissioner Gray- Swearing in of new council will be at next meeting. This will be from 2017-2020 as future elections will follow the general election. NPC2 members were renewed from the last meeting. h. Old Business: Election committee- Jeffery, discussed holding election in December since some members had to leave, this was moved and second and passed. All offices are open to fill, including secretary. i. Public Comments-Dr. Deborah Nuzzi – Battle Creek Public Schools- gave an update on current strategic plans instituted this school year. There are more student support personnel and counselors to assist students and ensure that attendance is increased and families receive more support and encouraging better outcomes for all students. j. Jeff Breedlove- Church of Scientology- wanted to attend as a community member. Their new location next to SWMCDC building has been in renovation and they expect to have it fully operational in 2 years to have various programs. k. New Business- Motion to adjourn meeting: Next meeting date: December 11, 2017, 7:00pm SWMCDC, 47 N. Washington Avenue, BC NPC 2 Mission: To improve the quality of life by listening and engaging residents. NPC2 Vison: A safe, friendly, family-drive neighborhood where everyone wants to live.