Neighborhood Planning Council 2 - North Central

February 13, 2023 NPC #2 Meeting Minutes (1) Call to Order & Welcome: The meeting was called at 6:06. (2) Attendance: Members: Pastor Monique French (Chp), Lynn Ward Gray, P. Thompson (Secretary) Pastor J. Hooper, Corporal Brad Gentry (BCPD), Jessica Gerteisen (Grace Health) Mary Bourgeois, Jeff Breedlove, Larz Bey Martin, and Bettie Robertson Presenters: Shannon Bagley Interim Chief of Police of BCPD), Todd Gerber (B.C. Govt), and Todd Everson (B.C. Govt) (3) Approve meeting minutes/Adopt agenda: Lynn Ward Gray provided to the revised minutes and will table the approval at today’s meeting. The motion to approve February 13 Agenda by L.W. Gray and supported by Breedlove. Agenda Adopted. (4) Correspondence (sent & received) & Announcements:  Literature on the Battle Creek Transportation Study  Literature on improvements at Claude Evan’s Par  Secretary of State to do a walk through to see if this could be a satellite site to make easier for people to get their license.  The Sunrise Rotary doing a diabetes awareness on February 24.  Next month is Minority Health Month (5) Committee & City Staff Reports (Please submit all announcements in writing) a. Police Department, Brad Gentry (community services)—1/1/23 until end of 1/1/31 Foot Patrols went up from 12 to 26. Traffic Stops significantly increased Part 1 Crimes---Felony Crimes; Assault. Wasn’t that busy: from 57 to 94 have license plates. 3rd highest in city behind NPC #4.(Note: Will provide side-by-side comparison with 2022 statistics when compiled) One (1) CSC, four (4) B & E’s, Five (5) Larcenies and One, (1) Motor Vehicle Theft Six (2) Aggravated Assaults – Weapon used of some type in a domestic crime or serious injury Part 2 Crimes – Four (4) MDOP (1) disorderly conduct. Three (2) Retail fraud. Eight (9) non-aggravated crimes—D.V. Domestic Violence. Eight (7) Obstruct justice—catch all for also like warrant. Two (2) (OUIL,OWI) – Driving While Drunk. No CSCs –No Drug Related Charges, Four (4) VCSA Drug Crimes One (1) Weapons Offense. Arrests—26 total—19 Misdemeanor and 9 Felony. Any questions? L.W. Gray says she is trying to understand his last statement in terms of rookie policepersons to get their repetitions increased since they are not be able to be on their own versus is there a standard in the pursuance of car violations. Corporal Gentry explain that most rookies come fresh out of the academy and need to gain experience in order to make arrest without supervision, or meet enough of the departments repetitions in order to make arrests on their own. Gentry explain had he not gained experience or repetitions on a Detroit beat, he would not have been prepared for a shooting that was on Hubbard Street, it would have probably turned  out differently for him. L.W. Gray, it is helpful to know from one NPC to the next the comparison rate of training stops. Gentry replied, yes, as already alluded to NPC#2 his third highest behind NPC#3, 36 arrest or NPC#4 34 arrest, NPC#1 36 arrest closely to NPC#2 28 arrests. L.W. Gray says mostly the Urban Areas. I’d be interested in like NPC#10 or others. The others are significantly lower: NPC#5(Urbandale) NPC#9 (Rural Southwest), NPC#10 (Westlake Prarieview), NPC#11 (Minges Brook Riverside—the lowest with 6 arrest, NPC #10 w/ 7, NPC#9 w/ 7 arrest. Gentry says these areas are not densely populated. Gentry states as a training officer he never left the Washington Heights Area. Gentry states he will put forth those concerns. The interim Chief of Police, Shannon Bagley was present and heard the concerns. Brad Gentry is very reachable by phone (269) 966-3306 ext. 2167 and e-mail bdgentry@battlecreekmi.gov. Please do not hesitate. b. Elected Officials—Pastor Monique French- County Commissioner. Two announcements: Broadband listening session February 13, at Squirrel Creek Golf Course. The New Automotive Production site in Marshall, MI is on the Commissioner Meeting Agenda regarding the Mega Site that will bring over 2500 jobs to Marshall, MI. Mary asked about the EPA impact statement—no details at moment. Met with the Lieutenant Governor of Michigan, Garlin Gilchrist at the Kimball House and wanted to know what would impact this community. If you have any ideas, please share them with me. c. Neighborhood Services—Yolanda reminding everyone to take off the doors of the appliances because it is a great hazard to kids in the building. Also, many people who have infractions have called to remedy the problem and is working with Code Violations department. Brochures passed out about lead paint. Ms. Robertson inquired about the water—and the pfas. Her watered was tested and too dangerous to drink. Is the city going to come and test the water? If my water is too dangerous to drink, what about the neighborhood? d. Beautiful Battle Creek Award All Recommendations from NPC#2 must include: Name of home owner or business, address, and contact information so that city staff can contact them to appear for the B.C. Award Presentation at the City Commission Meeting generally, the third 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. Pastor French was reminded that W.H.U.M.C. had been approved last meeting for the award. Commission has not approved this yet. e. Membership No report f. Committees Lars Bey Martin states no reports currently. g. Battle Creek Public Schools Pastor Monique French said she will meet the B.C. P.S. superintendent on February 20, 2023. If you have any questions, please submit them. (6) Presentation: Todd Gerber & Todd Everson (B.C. Govt—Claude Evans Park Revisions—Parking/parking lot. Discussion on redesigning Claude Evan’s Park,  parking lots problem and green space area. The posters had QR codes for everyone to have the same poster. New Battle Creek City Engineer, Jarret Geering will be head of the taskforce to redesign area: traffic calming, parking opportunities and cameras. We have gone through six different versions of this. Compiled feedback from public meeting. The greatest need was for additional parking at the Claude Evans Park 40% of respondents says greatest need. Add parking lot of 60 spaces. 10% for cameras in the park, and the green area was for storm water drain. Blue for sidewalks. This is only a proposal. Helen Montgomery would no longer be a thru thoroughfare and curve into Hanover Access on Hanover Street, of which Hanover would be a cul-de-sac and not connect to Parkway. A lively discussion ensued by the members of NPC#2. (More detail later of changes once NPC#2 has reviewed information thoroughly) (7) Old Business: Lynn Ward Gray said after all the brainstorming on how to get the community involved and increase membership should be revisited to come up with action plans. We will table this to next meeting. (8) New Business: Mrs. Gerteisen says that Grace Health says we are an open public pharmacy at Summit Pointe. Our second floor is almost complete. And this is her last meeting and will not re-fill the position so we will be awaiting a new spokesperson. (9) Public Comments/Member Comments: It was stated that we need to limit public comments to three minutes (at the times allotted on the agenda) 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: March 13, 2023 at Washington Heights United Methodist Church, 153 N. Wood Street at 6:00 p.m. Meetings are always the second Monday of each month. Members are only speakers otherwise and those speakers, city and elected officials as outlined in the agenda. (11) Adjournment at 7:15 (Motion by Gray and seconded by Breedlove.