Neighborhood Planning Council 4 - Northeast

Fremont/Verona/McKinley Neighborhood Planning Council #4 Meeting Minutes August 15, 2012 Call to Order at 7:00 pm Attendance and Introduction of Guests: Members in Attendance (10): Marcia Austin, Mary Conklin, Mark Jones, Szenoria Smith, Sherry Sofia, Laura Adams, Helen Van Valkenburg, David Nielsen, Glenn Holmwall, Marcia Holmwall, Teresa Poole Members Absent (5): John Anderson, Katy Faris, Dave Salerno, John Hennink, John Walton, Guests in Attendance: Rick Harrison, Jonna Siano, John Siano, Susan Peaco Elected and City Officials: Battle Creek Police Department • No officers present City of Battle Creek: • Chris Lussier (Code Compliance)-present City Commissioners: • Lynn Ward Gray (Ward 2)-absent • Sherry Sofia (Ward 3)-present • Andy Helmboldt (At-Large)-absent County Commissioners: • Jim Haadsma (District 3)-absent Changes to Agenda: None Approval of minutes: Amended 07/15/12 to add Marcia Holmwall to absent list. David Neilsen moved to approve minutes as amended, seconded by Glenn Holmwall, vote 10-0 in favor Governmental Reports: Police Department Report: No officers present Code Compliance Report: Chris Lussier gave report. He is now the Community Development Supervisor, will be alternating with Todd Nowicki each month. Distributed code and crime reports. Discussion of issues with crime report. Chris offered to look into it. Susan Peaco reported hearing a rooster in the neighborhood, Sherry noted that a man was walking down North Avenue carrying two dead chickens..Mark Jones noted the law is that you can have three hens but not a rooster. David Nielsen noted that for several months he’s written down the same issue at 54 Latta with a broken trampoline in the front yard. Owners tell him they have the part to fix it, would like it dealt with in some way. Neilsen asked who to go to about a fuel oil odor in the neighborhood from someone dismantling an old oil heating system at 38 Latta creating a strong odor, noted that items have been disposed of in an open dumpster and that this has been sitting there all summer long. Chris Lussier suggested MDEQ, but will speak with Dennis McKinley and follow up with Neilsen. Marcia asked if there was someone to contact regarding the skunk problem. Chris Lussier promised to look into that. Szenoria Smith noted that the community gardens are attracting them. Chris Lussier reported regarding the request for registered rentals. Per Susan Bedsole, in 30-60 days that information will be queryable on the public website. City Commissioner (Ward 2) Report: No report, Commissioner absent City Commissioner (Ward 3) Report: Sherry Sofia reported on the prior night’s City Commission meeting. Approved introduction of an ordinance dealing with when and how late people can use fireworks. Approved introduction of an ordinance changing the requirement for a non-neutered pet picked up by Animal Control to be neutered before releasing to owner. Special Use Permit for Haven approved. Vacation of part of an alley off Emmett, between College and North Avenue was approved. Affirmed the denial of a taxi license due to a criminal record. Sherry Sofia reported that she requested a moratorium on new Special Use Permits until the Comprehensive Housing Study is completed. David Neilsen commented that all members of the Planning Committee live south of Columbia Avenue. Sherry suggested letters to the editor when inaccurate statements are made about the Northside. She also recommended that the NPC promote the Northside. City Commissioner (At Large) Report: No report, Commissioner absent County Commissioner (District 3) Report: No report, Commissioner absent NPC Reports: Chairman’s Report:  • Zoning Board of Appeals: Only piece of business is a request for a variance for a home to be built on a 15 acre parcel of land south of town • Planning Commission: No meeting • Historic District Commission: No meeting Chair reported on recent incident involving police department and warning of ATM theft issues (aka “skimmers”) that have been issued via Nixle recently. Vice-Chairman’s Report: No vice chair currently • Rental Property Hearings Board-David Neilsen reported that this board no longer exists • Dangerous Buildings Committee-No report Committee Reports: • Membership Committee: As this was Rick Harrison’s third meeting, he was offered membership. Sherry Sofia moved to recommend membership to the City Commission, David Neilsen supported, vote 10-0 in favor. Rick Harrison, 253 Cherry Street, Battle Creek, MI 49017 (269) 962-3837 • Neighborhood Watch: Mark has assigned David Neilsen as the coordinator for Neighborhood Watch (aka Citizens Watch) for the NPC. People are to contact him for organizing those groups. • Beautiful Battle Creek Award: Glenn and Marcia Holmwall have submitted a list of nominees for awards to Teresa Poole, she noted she has houses enough up until March. Neighborhood Associations: • Freedom Acres: No report • Merritt Woods: No report • Merritt Commons: No report • Piper Park: No report • Neighborhood Crime Watch: David Neilsen gave the report. Reported on Neighborhood Crime Watch Night at the Bombers. Laura Adams reported on upcoming activities. • Calhoun Street Community House: Program: Membership Recruitment Planning Glenn Holmwall noted that what brings people to meetings are hot issues under discussion and interesting programs.Marcia Austin suggested going to PTA meetings. Sherry Sofia suggested defining what the NPC is first and the reasons why they should join. Teresa Poole suggested posting at local businesses, “are you concerned about your neighborhood”, “do you have questions about your neighborhood”. Glenn Holmwall shared that facts sheets and business cards that were used at a prior NPC they belonged to. Mark Jones suggested having NIBC print 500 door hangers and each member take 50 and hang them on doors. David Neilsen suggested using an email account. David Neilsen suggested going through churches based in the neighborhoods-posting flyers, asking they talk about the importance about safe neighborhoods and NPC’s. Szenoria Smith shared that her church, First Congregational Church, prints a regular bulletin. Old Business: 1. Request for Rental Property list: discussed during Code Compliance report 2. North Avenue drug rehab home: will revisit next month 3. Community Forum: will revisit next month. Tentatively scheduled for January. New Business: 1. Vice-Chair-not discussed Member and Guest Comments: • Marcia asked when flyers will be ready? September timeframe • Laura Adams thanked Cool Mama Jonna Siano for bringing ice cream to the meeting and shared that the Community Foundation has free tickets available for Binder Park Zoo on August 22. • David Neilsen stated that in her first term as Commissioner, Sherry Sofia was quiet as she was learned. That has changed, she has now become a very vocal advocate for the Northside. • Mary Conklin is looking forward to handing out flyers. Action Items: • Laura Adams to ask Bill Phillips about printing 500 door hangers for membership recruiting-get samples • Marcia Austin to attend PTA meetings • Teresa Poole will distribute signs to local businesses, Mark Jones and David Neilsen to create signs • Glenn Holmwall to bring business cards and other items to next meeting • Mark Jones to contact area churches Property Concerns: • 54 Latta: broken trampoline in front yard, has been there since late winter • 42 Groveland: abandoned car in front yard and overgrown brush • Corner House on East Avenue and Radley has a rooster that is creating a racket early in the morning, day and evening Police Issues: • No police issues reported Meeting Adjourned at 9:02 pm