Neighborhood Planning Council 2 - North Central

January 9, 2023 NPC #2 Meeting Minutes (1) Call to Order & Welcome: The meeting was called at 6:05 p.m. (2) Attendance: Yolanda Johnson (Code Violations NPC#2), Brad Gentry (BCPS rep),Whitney Wardell, Jeff Breedlove, Larz Martin Bey, Lynn Ward Gray, Prentice Thompson (NPC2 Secretary), Bettie Roberson, Mary Bourgeois, Pastor Monique French (Chairperson) (3) Approval/Amendments of Meeting/Adoption of Today’s Meeting: There was one amendment to last meeting. The minutes of the last meeting was moved by Jeff Breedlove and seconded by NPC#2 Leader. Lynn Ward Gray. The minutes were adopted. The motion to adopt January 9, 2023 Agenda was made by Jeff Breedlove and seconded by Lynn Ward Gray The agenda was adopted. (4) Correspondence (sent & received) & Announcements:  MLK day January 16, 2023 to be held at Kellogg Arena Patrick needs volunteers E-mail: patrick@battlecreekcan.org  South Western Michigan Urban League Future Force Program accepting enrollees. Contact: www.swmul.org or Director: Kyra Wallace Kyraul@swmul.org  Whitney Wardell—Coordinator for The Count the Homeless in the Calhoun County’s 1st area wide count and raining will be Wednesday January 25 (8:30 -12:00 a.m.) and January 26 to do observation and interview surveys with those individuals. Whitney Wardell/Share Center Collecting Blankets to distribute during the count.  Annual Picnic (More information to come) (Please submit all announcements in writing) (5) Committee & City Staff Reports: a. Police Department, Brad Gentry (community services)—Since Co-Vid, numbers or statistics have not been consistent. 12 foot patrols last month (January), the goal is 6 to 8 foot patrols a day. 57 traffic stops which is on par for a lot of neighborhoods in the city. Traffic stop numbers will probably increase due to the fact, BCPS just had 17 new people sworn in right before Christmas holiday. Understanding they are brand new, the new recruits will probably be pulling people over, not just NPC 2, but have two on day and one at night which add to their training experience, so that number may go up more than before.  Gray asked which of the traffic stops were the most difficult and there were no break down in numbers, only stated traffic and location. The focus has been; however, cars with no license plate which is an easy pull over. Part 1 Crimes---Felony Crimes; Assault. Wasn’t that busy: Three (3) B & E’s, Five (5) Larcenies and Six (6) Aggravated Assaults – Weapon used of some type in a domestic crime or serious injury Part 2 Crimes – One (1) disorderly conduct. Three (3) Retail fraud. One (1) animal cruelty and Eight (8) non-aggravated crimes—D.V. Domestic Violence. Eight (8) Obstruct justice—catch all for also like warrant. Two (2) (OUIL,OWI) – Driving While Drunk. No CSCs –No Drug Related Charges. One (1) Weapons Offense. Arrests—26 total—17 Misdemeanor and 9 Felony. This was a very slow month compared to 2019. Brad Gentry is very reachable by phone and e-mail. Please do not hesitate. b. Elected Officials—No Report c. Neighborhood Services—Yolanda Johnson (Battle Creek Housing Code) Submitted Report. Housing Code Report does not have all violations as some are pending, others are calling in to correct the violation, and being short-staffed due to Co-Vid. Thanks to the new employee, Kimberly Brown, who is doing a phenomenal job in NPC#3, and hope she will stay. There were no houses at the meeting of concern. Breedlove, asked about O-T, overtime, and only two hours a month is allocated. We no longer have our “High Weeds” code official. It may runover some O-T in the summer. d. Beautiful Battle Creek Award All Recommendations from NPC#2 must include: Name of home owner and contact information so that city staff can contact them to appear at the City Commission on the second Tuesday of every month. For those who wish to nominate include why Beautiful Battle Creek Award, e.g.) like the changing of the landscape, brand new windows or whatever they are doing to add value to the NPC#2 community as a whole. Gray nominated Washington Heights United Methodist Church under the auspice of the Pastor and Visionary, The Rev. Monique French who has improved the community with the walking path, playground, benches, the new lighting—so much beautification has gone on at 153 N. Wood Street. Johnson also chimed in to notice the change as well. e. Membership Two names on the NPC#2 needs updating Church of Scientology and Rev. Hoopers, Faith Temple C.O.G.I.C. as organizatgional members. f. Committees Lars Bey Martin states no reports currently.  g. Battle Creek Public Schools No report (6) Presentation: None (7) Old Business: None (8) New Business: Pastor French began with the question, “Why are we here” as a NPC#2? And repeated the mission statement of the NPC#2. To improve the quality of life for our NPC#2 residents. Pastor French added, what are going to do to fulfill our mission. We need to set new goals. Gray chimed in saying it is whatever the “New” NPC #2 wishes to fulfill. It has been a long time since our physical meetings due to Co-Vid. Breedlove stated we could begin our new goals by doing a survey and says he would not mind going house-to-house to do a resident needs and wants survey and while concurrently asking residents to join NPC#2. Thompson says there is a city survey already used and to draw ideas from that. Gray asks that we could set a goal for membership between 2 to 5 members and that NPC#2 currently has a roster of 14 members. Johnson says we should encourage members to bring a member. Gray says there are two goals: to work on Claude Evans Park and Lighting. And for this year’s Juneteenth Celebration to have a survey on hand. We want to ensure that NPC#2 has a voice in the determining of what things are accomplished at Claude Evans Park. Thompson stated that a long sidewalk is needed on Parkway Avenue as many cars during an event park on that street. Breedlove says there is a city plan to put a parking lot in the wooded area. Gray says Mr. Sweet would like to have a sidewalk on Hubbard and has been working toward that goal. Jenasia Morris has done a lot to improve Claude Evans Park. It was stated that she should be invited to attend next NPC#2 Meeting on February 13. There has been some improvement on the Lighting Project, and Walters Street was chosen because of its high crimes area. A house has been demolished in this area and now less crime. What is the update on this project? Lars Bey Martin stated how NPC#2 was highly involved in the Lighting Project attending several meetings outside of NPC#2 meeting. However, there were so many limitations and stated we have to change the narrative as to the impact that NPC#2 can make and has credited Bettie Roberson with providing names related to the management of the City of Battle Creek that would greatly improve our NPC#2 goals. Lars Bey Martin emphasized we need to get more community input and frankly, get our young people involved. Gray said what brought people out was the financial/economic assistance to NPC#2 residents e.g.) Stair project to help those with broken down steps and free paint project. Johnson said target senior citizens that are on fixed income for home improvements. She says that NPC#2 might want to talk to Michelle ______________because there is new project regarding community development and there are economic resources yet to be used. This was be a good project to bring people out. We must be committed to NPC#2’s ability to be able to assist in these projects and not to promise something we can not deliver. Bettie Roberson added that we should make a list of what NPC#2 would like to see done as well as the community’s input. Says there is a lot we can do and was directed to the Helen Guzo and referred to Kool Family Center and no one will answer the phone to reach Senior Services. Many residents are frustrated because of the long wait to economic resources. Roberson says she is still awaiting a report about how many houses in the city have been refurbished or built anew, 52 houses was stated. Breedlove stated how many roofs he has completed, so he knows there has been some improvement of neighborhood homes. (9) Public Comments/Member Comments: It was stated that we need to limit public comments to two minutes and not allow residents to belabor points to make the meeting too long. Gray said we need to come up with a procedure for guest speaking and residents speaking. Rationale: more guests were so outspoken, much more than members of the NPC#2. (10) Next Meeting: February 13, 2023 at Washington Heights United Methodist Church, 153 N. Wood Street. (11) Adjournment at 7:15 (Motion by Pastor French seconded by Gray)