Neighborhood Planning Council 4 - Northeast

Fremont/Verona/McKinley NPC #4 Meeting Minutes February 15, 2012 Call to Order at 7:00pm Attendance and Introduction of Guests: Members Attending: Marcia Austin, Mary Conklin, John Hennink, Mark Jones , Szenoria Smith, Sherry Sofia, Helen Van Valkenburg, John Walton Members Absent: John Anderson, Katy Faris, Glenn Holmwall, Marcia Holmwall, David Nielsen, Dave Salerno, Laurie Sullivan Elected and City Officials: Battle Creek Police Department Lt. Todd Madsen (BCPD); Ryan Thayer (BCPD) City of Battle Creek None present City Commissioners Andy Helmboldt (At‐Large), Sherry Sofia (Ward 3) Calhoun County Government Jon Bartlett (Asst County Treasurer); Krista Trout‐Edwards (County Land Bank) County Commissioners None Present Guests: Laura Adams (Shopper News); A. G. Goodman (property owner in the NPC); Bill Phillips (NIBC), Approval of Minutes: Marcia Austin MOVED and Helen Van Valkenburg SECONDED to Approve the NOVEMBER 2010 Minutes. One line was stricken from the minutes and the corrected minutes were passed. Program: County Land Bank and NSP programs by Krista Trout­Edwards • Krista gave us an update on the Neighborhood Stabilization Program with the County and the City. She spoke about the program’s goals and the respective roles of the City and the County. • Their accomplishments so far are 112 buildings demolished, with 19 in progress, and 5 pending. They have rehabilitated 29 homes and built 4 new ones. • Krista explained the State Historic Properties Office and how it impacts the NSP program and city actions. Member questions and concerns: • Drug dealers are using vacant properties and using vacant land as parking lots. ‐‐ The county is working with towing companies to tow all vehicles on these properties. Page 1 of 3  NPC #4 – Fremont/Verona/McKinley Meeting Minutes for 15 February 2012 • Helen Van Valkenburg is concerned about the property at 26 S. Union. ‐‐ This building is in the midst of being demolished. Governmental Reports Police Report – Lt. Madsen Police are looking to do an area clean‐up in the Capital Avenue Corridor similar to Main St. On Main Street, they had trees growing through abandoned cars and near abandoned buildings with broken and boarded up windows which had been broken into and severely vandalized. Several officers led by Officer Bell volunteered their time to remove trees and brush and generally tidy up the area. Specific Items: • Larceny by an energy survey imposter. A Nixle fraud alert was sent out informing people that an imposter was using fake credentials to enter people’s home then steal items when they left the room. There is a real employee of an energy company offering energy surveys of homes. • There has been increased traffic enforcement in the Orchard and Sherman areas. • Noticeable upkeep and lower reported crime on Wabash St because of code compliance enforcement Member questions and concerns: • There appears to be no results on police calls to apartment complexes. Police appear not to be enforcing the law and the County Prosecutor appears not to want to pursue action even after arrests have been made. • Is there a report from the Questionnaire passed out by Lt. Madsen a couple months ago? He says not yet, they are still compiling data. A report is expected next month. • Do the officers present work in this area? Yes, but they also have to provide back‐up for officers on the entire north side of Battle Creek to Urbandale. Code Compliance No Compliance official was present. City Commission Sherry Sofia – Ward 4 Commissioner Workload this month has been fairly light with just a couple of workshops on capital improvements in the CDBG. No specific items to report. Nothing coming up except the budget. County Commission Jim Haadsma – District 3 Jim Haadsma was not present. NPC Reports Chairman’s Report Planning Commission There were no specific items affecting our NPC. Historic District Commission Mark Jones has been appointed to the Historic District Commission. Page 2 of 3  NPC #4 – Fremont/Verona/McKinley Meeting Minutes for 15 February 2012 • All of the properties on this month’s agenda were in a different NPC. Committee Reports Membership Committee See Action Items Neighborhood Watch The Neighborhood Watch Coalition meets the 6pm, 4th Thursday of the month at the Calhoun Street Community House. They are working on signage and a crime diary. Beautiful Battle Creek Awards No new suggestions Master Planning Committee The MPC has not met. Neighborhood Associations Freedom Acres Is holding their next meeting at the Calhoun Street Community House on Feb 27. Action Items • John Hennick MOVED and Sherry Sofia SECONDED to remove the following members from the NPC: Terms expiring December 2012: Jeremy Andrews, James Berry, Gentry Hammons, Kathy Medaugh, Lorraine Nelson,and George Wilson. Terms expiring December 2013: John Anderson, Jackie Braman, Bobbie Chapman, Carl Chapman, and Taylor Jones. Terms expiring December 2014: Jana Davis, Art Heagney, and Jason Pancost. Passed without dissent. • Sherry Sofia MOVED and John Hennick SECONDED to add John Walton, 618 Joy Road, Battle Creek, MI to our membership. Passed without dissent. Old Business • The NPC Secretary position is still open. No action. New Business • No new business Community News: • NIBC is holding an NPC Education event on March 5. Bill Phillips elaborated on the event and passed out flyers inviting all present . Member/Guest Comments Meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm Next Meeting: 7pm, Wednesday, 21 March 2012 Page 3 of 3