Neighborhood Planning Council 4 - Northeast

Fremont/Verona/McKinley Neighborhood Planning Council #4 Meeting Minutes September 19, 2012 Call to Order at 7:00 pm NOTE: Due to absence of chair, past chair David Neilsen served as chair for the meeting Attendance and Introduction of Guests: Members in Attendance (10 ): Marcia Austin, Mary Conklin, Szenoria Smith, Sherry Sofia, Laura Adams, Helen Van Valkenburg, David Nielsen, Glenn Holmwall, Marcia Holmwall, John Hennink,, Members Absent (5 ): Mark Jones, John Anderson, Katy Faris, Dave Salerno, John Walton, Guests in Attendance (8): Jonna Siano, John Whittaker, Teresa Poole, Rick Harrison, Karrie Kirkham, Chad Harrison, Mike Wolf, Art Pardo Elected and City Officials: Battle Creek Police Department • Officer Jennifer Appl City of Battle Creek: • Todd Nowicki City Commissioners: • Lynn Ward Gray (Ward 2)-present • Sherry Sofia (Ward 3)-present • Andy Helmboldt (At-Large)-absent County Commissioners: • Jim Haadsma (District 3)-present (too late for report) Changes to Agenda: None Approval of minutes: Glenn Holmwall made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 15, 2012 meeting. Sherry Sofia seconded. Vote: 10 to 0 in favor. Motion carried. Glenn Holmwall made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 2012 meeting, Sherry Sofia seconded. Vote: 10 to 0 in favor. Motion carried. Glenn Holmwall made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 2012 meeting, Sherry Sofia seconded. Vote: 10 to 0 in favor. Motion carried. Governmental Reports: Police Department Report: • Officer Appl, noted that a group of 45 people are breaking into houses in this area, Washington Heights and far South Side. Coming in daylight, early morning, afternoon, “they have no fear”. B&E Team is working around the clock. Home invasion on Hunter involved 3 guns (they brought 3 guns into house where resident was present). On foot. Mostly black males 19-30. Stealing largely small items to transport on foot in backpacks. Going on for 2 ½ to 3 weeks. • Marcia noted around 100 kids on Harvard Street after a football game, wrecked 2 cars, between 1:00 am and 3:00 am. • Resident near Central HS (31 College Street) noted issues with students congregating during the school day and smoking cigarettes and marijuana. Also problem with trash. Code Compliance Report: Chair read response to last month’s concerns. • Rooster reported on East Avenue. Address inspected, no rooster observed. • Trampoline on Latta Street. Has been removed • Heating oil system odor on Latta Street. Discussed with code compliance. Fire inspector has been out and it was turned over to that department. Odor comes and goes, still there. • Crime Data request: Susan Bedsole is going to see what they can do about creating a graph similar to the one generated by the code compliance report, • Report of dumpster in driveway. Usually 30 days is allowed. Notice sent to property owner. • Skunk issue: residents are on their own when it comes to wildlife. City Commissioner (Ward 2) Report:  • Does not have a quorum for Ethics Policy Review committee meeting and 9/27 meeting will be rescheduled. • Police Workshop postponed, unofficial public forum held by 3 commissioners without a quorum. Chair suggested that NPC 4 as a body recommend to the city commission that the issue not be brought to a public forum as it is a personnel matter. Glenn made a motion that a letter be sent to the Mayor from the NPC stating, “because this is an internal personnel matter within the police department, it is our recommendation that the city commission not pursue any public forum to discuss the issue”, Marcia Holmwall seconded. Sherry Sofia recused herself.9 members voting. 8 to 1 in favor. John Hennink asked to be recorded as the dissenting vote. A letter will be drawn up and sent to the Mayor. City Commissioner (Ward 3) Report: • Workshop held Monday 9/17 re: spay./neuter ordinance for/neutering. Animals picked up by spaying. Changing to 3rd pickup requiring spay/neuter before releasing pet and ascending fees. • 9/24 was proclaimed as “Family Day”, a day to eat dinner with your family. City Commissioner (At Large) Report: No report County Commissioner (District 3) Report: No report NPC Reports: Chairman’s Report: • Zoning Board of Appeals: No report • Planning Commission: No report • Historic District Commission: 9/10 meeting cancelled Vice-Chairman’s Report: No vice chair currently • Housing Board of Appeals: Met 9/19, 8 or 0 dangerous buildings, all orders affirmed. Numerous code violations • Dangerous Buildings Committee: Committee Reports: • Membership Committee: Glenn Holmwall brought a mockup of an NPC-4 “business card” to use when recruiting potential members. David requested feedback on the cards be emailed to Glenn at holmwall@comcast.net. John suggested that there be a logo for NPC-4. David Neilsen brought a mockup of a flyer for distribution. David requested suggestions be emailed to dpn44@comcast.net. Prohibition against door hangers discussed. Discussion of different options including insert in water bill or Shopper News.  Suggestion of generic all-NPC insert in water bill, or targeted flyer in water bill. Marcia noted that Fremont PTA meets on the second Tuesday. Glenn suggested promoting the meetings with the speaker. David Neilsen suggested a NPC 4 Facebook page. Will revisit in October. • Invitation made to Jonna Siano and John Whittaker of 32 Woodmer for recommendation to city commission. Sherry Sofia moved, Glenn supported, Vote: 10 to 0 in favor. • Beautiful Battle Creek Award: 315 Orchard Avenue was recognized at 9/18 commission meeting. Neighborhood Associations: • Freedom Acres: No report • Merritt Woods: No report • Merritt Commons: No report • Piper Park: No report • Neighborhood Crime Watch: No report. • Calhoun Street Community House: No report Program: None Old Business: • Request for Registered Rental Properties: update from Susan B. Working on getting a list, can be accessed via the city’s website. David will pursue that with her. • Community Forum: discussion tabled until October • North Ave. Rehab Home – unofficial: No report • Vice – Chair: Laura Adams moved that David Neilsen be appointed as Vice-Chair of the NPC until the end of the current terms of office. Glenn Holmwall seconded. Vote 10 to 0 in favor. New Business: • Transportation study distributed for informational purposes • Housing and community development public hearing. Letter dated 9/10, date of hearing 9/18. Not sufficient notice to notify residents at an NPC meeting Agenda Planning: • Possible reschedule of Bill Lindsey “How to avoid becoming a victim”? or Workshop explaining the meaning of the Ballot Proposals in October? Lynn noted that at the upcoming voter education rally, all 10 proposals will be discussed. Tuesday, 9/25, 6;00 at Sojourner Truth Monument (rain location FUMC). Workshop planning suggested. Member and Guest Comments:  • Carrie Kirkham requested metal mesh trash containers like those on North Avenue and Champion for the trash generated by students and residents in front of her residence on College Street. Willing to take care of the disposal of waste. They want to find out where to get one. Contacted city and they were referred to NPC. Interested in Neighborhood Watch. Inquired about direct purchase of homes gone back for taxes. • Lynn Ward Gray shared that the city having a public auction of seized items on 9/22 on Jackson Street, starting at 10:00 am. Invited people to event on Tuesday 9/25. • Jim Haadsma introduced Captain Mike Wolf, new commander of the Salvation Army Corps in BC Action Items: Property Concerns: • 42 Groveland “inoperative car parking driveway for more than one year with large chunk” Provided a set of pictures taken April 14, 2012. • 19 East Avenue “front yard car parking” Police Issues: • None reported Meeting Adjourned at 8:44 pm