Neighborhood Planning Council 2 - North Central

NORTHCENTRAL NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL #2 Meeting Minutes—September 10, 2018 NIBC 47 N. Washington Avenue Battle Creek, MI 1. Call to Order & Welcome: Pastor Joe Hooper, Chair called the NPC#2 meeting at 7:00 p.m. 2. Attendance: Members Present: Lynn Ward Gray, Nicholas Virgil, Kitty Hillian, Bettie Robertson, Jeffrey Dinkins, Barbra Travis, Geraldine King, NIBC—Kristin Denison; Guests: Valerie Byrnes, Robmieka Gibson, Bridget Banks, Yolanda Johnson, Whitney Wardell, Kelly Dillman. 3. Approval of Minutes: Postponed, lack of quorum. 4. Correspondence (sent/received) & Announcements: none 5. Guest Presentation: Valerie Byrnes and John Hart, Business Retention and Development Manager Contact info: vabyrnes@battlecreekmi.gov – (268) 966-3355 Ext. 1193, 34 W Jackson St. Suite 38:, Small Business Directors Battle Creek just over one years old. Presentation highlights * The SBDF works for city to access ecosystem throughout city and work to connect people/places resources for small business start- ups. *Battle Creek is the third largest city in Michigan area wise. * BC has 25 hundred small businesses with 50 or less employees * SBDF can secure funding for small business start- ups. * BC Cargo- shop $1600 for season through October. * The SBDF is working on development of W. Michigan Ave, from Washington to limit street. * African American Collaborative and Urban League’s joint venture, Urbana Cargo shop. *Get the Weekly e-mail blast of small business news, get on list! Resumed agenda with approval of minutes motion was made and seconded, vote taken motion passed. 6. Committee & City Staff Reports: a) Police Department: Officer Gentry reporting: annual comparison of data highlight assaults and damage to property increase. For request or problems and concerns contact officer Gentry at (269) 966-3306 ext. 2167 or e-mail bdgentry@battlecreekmi.gov Kelly Dillman- NPC Leadership meetings 4th Thursday @ 5:30 at Police Department, Dinner served. *Youth Village Grand opening was a great success. * introduction of NPC Ambassador (a 6- month position). Held by Robmieka Gibson and Whitney Wardell. Welcomed to NPC2 Council by chairperson. b) Neighborhood Services— Yolanda Johnson contact e-mail: yjohnson@battlecreekmi.gov NPC Report 8-13 to 9-10, 2018 Highlights- Issues totaling 98, most-weeds next highest front yard parking. Residents can request parking information and permit from the code office Yolanda request forming a task force to address dumping issues in several areas, up- date on 100 Roseneath, still working with out of town owner. Chair shared Bulk pick up September 17-21, 2018  C) Beautiful Battle Creek Award Nominations—None d) Membership—The council moved and seconded to grant membership to the two ambassor Robmieka Gibson and Whitney Wardell. Vote was unanimously approved. Moved and seconded to remove Sprout BC Devon Gibson, Tina Woods, and Roger Woods, vote taken unanimous motion carried. e) Community Engagement: NPC2 – Improvement Committee chair not present, Larz Martin. Vice Chair Ron Sweet gave up date on yard light project. *Lynn Gray- Suggest a training for sub-committee- vs- council meetings and the role each play to move projects from planning to completion. *Vice-Chair, Ron Sweet ask for a vote from the council to continue with the yard light burn grant project or NOT, a vote was taken, six votes in favor to continue. The sub committee will move forward as the estimation for the electrical work and installing new solar lights is received. *Book bag project received 35 book bags from Charlotte, we partnered with Pastor Lee of New Harvest and together with associate Pastor Dwayne Kelly, we were able to impact 200 plus children with a total of 333 in attendance. f) Elected Officials: Commissioner Gray requested that the presentation position be moved up on agenda---Chair agreed with request The new personnel: Vice-Mayor, Fire Chief Dedication of new Police Station; other issues: Virtual attendance for commissioner, The commissioners voted against due to state legislation wording (be present in meetings) and many other issues that could arise. Vote to support GERRYMANDERING, forming of nonpartisan board on November ballot. 7. Old Business: none 8. New Business: 1) Get information on sub-committee role 2) Secretary position open, Kelly Dillman will check with ambassadors to serve as NPC secretary 9. Public Comments/Member Comments: Bridget Banks- support for library, uses for ID Cards sec of state, community rooms, DVDS, working to improve community relations and explore creative ways of sharing information, shared hats and other promotional Willard library items. Jeff Breedlove ….Grants process is slow so keep working Bettie Robertson……Lets work Together Lynn Gray- Small Business Development fund host work shop Kelly Dillman- Police and Willard teaming up working with youth 10) Next Meeting: Monday October 8, 2018, 7:00 p.m. at NIBC 47 N. Washington Ave. 11) Adjournment: Hooper- The Meeting was adjourned at 9:47 p.m. JLH