Neighborhood Planning Council 2 - North Central

Meeting Minutes NORTHCENTRAL NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL #2 Washington Heights United Methodist Church - Hub of Hope, 153 N. Wood St. June 12th, 2023 at 6:00 PM MINUTES 1.Call to Order & Welcome @ 6:05 PM: Pastor Monique French called to order and had everyone introduce themselves and what they were excited about that day. 2. Attendance [Renew/Join (R or J); Member (M); Guest (G); City Rep (C)]: Monique French (M), Joe Hooper – Faith Temple (M), Larz Martin-Bey (M), Bettie Robertson (M), Jeff Breedlove -- Scientology (M), Whitney Wardell -- NIBC (M), Corporal Brad Gentry (BCPD), Corp Shawn O’Bryant (BCPD), Cinthia Wyatt (G), Mary Bourgeois (M), Prentice Thompson (M), Shirley McCinny (G), Eric Morris (C), Nancy Crawford (G), Larry Martin (G), Patricia Martin (G), Rep. Jim Haadsma (C), ? Finnie – Land Bank (M). Excused:Lynn Ward Gray (M) Absent: 3. Approval/Amendment of Minutes: Minutes read aloud to group. Moved and Supported to approve Minutes of May 8th 2023. Motion Carried Unanimously. 18 Votes for, 0 against 4. Adoption of the Agenda: Moved and supported to adopt the June 12th, 2023 agenda: Motion Carried Unanimously. 18 votes for, 0 against. 5. Correspondence (sent/received) & Announcements: None provided here. See below 6. Committee & City Staff Reports: a. Police Department/Fire Department: Corp Gentry: Corp Gentry gave the crime statistic report. He let us know that he is turning over his hat in the neighborhood to Corp O’Bryant and will be more concerned with the housing commission. Discussion regarding why so many traffic stops. He let us know that initially there were trainees who were required to give traffic stops as part of their training. Following that the department had more police officers who are in the neighborhood subsequently more stops. Additionally, there is a “no tolerance” for no license plates on vehicles. That was a pandemic problem that doesn’t exist now. Discussion about speeding and traffic violations in neighborhood: Racing down Greenwood. Very hard for Police to do something about it because they have to witness it themselves to give a ticket. People not stopping at Redner. There are no stop signs. Pastor French assured guests that this is the right place to start the process to solve these situations. Question about the traffic study on W. Roosevelt and how to get speed bumps. Corp Gentry did not know who was doing the study, but Corp. O’Bryant will look into it. Pastor French mentioned that Lynn Ward Gray just sent her the process she went through to get speed bumps on her street. Corp O’Bryant: Discussion of “Hot Sheet” This is designed for senior citizens but can be used by anybody. It is meant for people to feel safe in communicating with the Police Department. Corp O’Bryant will receive these weekly and will determine if it is a police issue or community issue. Shootings. There have been several shootings since last meeting. Parkway/Greenwood/Hubbard. There was one house in particular on Hubbard that came up. That person will be evicted and hopefully take care of the crime. When there is a shooting, then Corp O’Bryant will order more traffic stops in that area. Corp O’Bryant mentioned she just got done dealing with a Juvenile who had a BB gun that looked like a police officers gun. Discussion regarding priorities and house parties: O’Bryant handles all crimes by priority. Shootings are highest priority. If there is fighting and a shooting then the fighting is lower priority. If there is a shooting then doors will be knocked on to find people with warrants. There is a house that is owned on Redner that hosts house parties. It’s hard to do something about it. O’Bryant mentions we can be creative but still need to operate within the law. O’Bryant also mentions the police found out about a party of 500 and it was stopped be going to the establishment it was going to be held and showed the owners what the party was and that it violated their agreement. However, they may find another place to hold it. It will be the same night as Juneteenth, somewhere in the Bedford area. b. Elected Officials: Rep. Jim Haadsma said the priority is the ‘23/’24 budget completing by June 30th. Looks like a deal will be reached week of the 26th. Haadsma has a request for money for Battle Creek, Springfield and Albion. Hopefully will be successful. c. Neighborhood Services: Eric Morris gave his report. Discussion of trash on Redner, Hilldale and Wild. Working on it. d. Beautiful Battle Creek Award: 4 nominees: 1) Bright Star Farm nominated by Mary Bourgeois 2) 97 Redner nominated by Patricia Martin 3) NIBC nominated by Whitney Wardell 4) 105 Redner nominated by Patricia Martin e. Membership: Motion to add three candidates to membership and to remove one: 1) Patricia Martin asked for membership 2) Larry Martin asked for membership 3) Cinthia Wyatt asked for membership 4) Whitney Wardell asked to be removed herself as she already represents NIBC. Moved by Betty Robertson, Supported by Mary Bourgeois. Motion carried Unanimously 16 votes for, 0 against. f. Committees: None g. Battle Creek Public Schools: None 7. Presentation: none 8. Old Business: Hillsdale and Wild already discussed. Lighting on Graves, city department will handle that. Corp O’Bryant was side tracked with the shootings but will be following up on that. 9. New Business: None 10. Public Comments/Member Comments: Betty Roberston asked if someone is bringing a business into the neighborhood they should at least hire someone from that neighborhood. Pastor French said that we need to make sure we are at that table when those discussions are being made in the city. That we need to have the community involved. Also, there is street light out on Gordon and Redner. There were several announcements made here: 1) Juneteenth at Claude Evans Park this Saturday. 2) Miranda in the Park on July 13th. Washington Heights UMC 3) Community Carnival on July 22nd from 12-4pm. Set ups start at 8am Washington Heights UMC 4) Outdoor worship service that Sunday at Washington Heights. UMC 5) Urban League: 5th-8th graders camp from July 19th-Aug 3rd Mackinaw lsland. $50/child. 6) Summer Youth Employment 16-18 year olds. 12 person program. Academic and work skill. Partner with KCC. Washington Heights UMC 11. Next Meeting: Monday, July 10th, 2023 at 6:00 PM @ Washington Heights UMC. 12. Adjournment: @ 7:24 PM by Monique French, Chair Minutes submitted by: Jeff Breedlove NPC2 Member NPC 2 Mission: To improve the quality of life by listening and engaging residents. NPC 2 Vision: A safe, friendly, family-driven neighborhood where everyone wants to live. The City of Battle Creek will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered in the meeting upon reasonable notice to the City of Battle Creek. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the City of Battle Creek by writing or calling the following: City Clerk Office (269) 966-3348/TDD Mailing Address: City Hall, 10 N. Division St., Room 104, Battle Creek, MI 49014 Phone: (269) 966-3315 ~ Fax: (269) 441.0380 ~ Web: www.battlecreekmi.gov