Neighborhood Planning Council 4 - Northeast

Fremont/Verona/McKinley Neighborhood Planning Council #4 Meeting Minutes October 17, 2012 Call to Order at 7:00 pm Attendance and Introduction of Guests: Members in Attendance (7): Laura Adams, David Nielsen, Mary Conklin, Mark Jones, Teresa Poole, Szenoria Smith, Marcia Austin, Members Absent (14 ): Sherry Sofia, Helen Van Valkenburg, , Glenn Holmwall, Marcia Holmwall, John Anderson, Katy Faris, Dave Salerno, John Hennink, John Walton, Rick Harrison, Jonna Siano, John Whittaker Guests in Attendance: Art Pardo Elected and City Officials: Battle Creek Police Department • Jennifer Appl City of Battle Creek: • Chris Lussier-Code Compliance City Commissioners: • Lynn Ward Gray (Ward 2)-absent • Sherry Sofia (Ward 3)-absent • Andy Helmboldt (At-Large)-absent • Mayor Susan Baldwin-(at large) present County Commissioners: • Jim Haadsma (District 3)-absent Changes to Agenda: Bill Lindsey unable to attend so no program this month Approval of minutes: David Neilsen moved they be accepted as amended to remove references to David Neilsen and Neighborhood Watch/Neighborhood Crime Watch, Szenoria seconded. Vote: 7-0 Minutes approved as amended. Governmental Reports: Police Department Report: Larcenies from vehicles and breaking and entering still an issue. Don’t hesitate to call 911 if something doesn’t look right. Keep vehicles locked, keep a light on (even when you are home) to prevent theft. Hot dog wagon at the corner of North Avenue and Calhoun Street has closed because of complaints and seasonal weather changes. Code Compliance Report: Chris Lussier noted that a code officer will attend every other meeting and a manager will attend every other meeting. Chris followed up on the request for an updated crime report and that the city is working on that. Discussion of recently demolished homes. 4 more houses on Calhoun to be coming down soon. City Commissioner (At Large) Report: Mayor Baldwin reported that they finished the repeal of the begging ordinance due to ruling that it was unconstitutional and violated freedom of speech. Stray animal spaying/neutering ordinance required additional clarification and has been postponed until the next meeting. Approved liquor license transfer to the restaurant Taste of India. Approved a tax abatement of 92 million to Denso to upgrade production lines, which will add 60 new jobs and 100 jobs retained. Before the meeting a workshop was held. Primarily discussed water billing fees. City carrying over 700 thousand in upaid bills currently, Also discussion of cooperation, including Area Metropolitan Service Agency-AMSA. Nixle was discussed and they will be looking at ways to notify residents about various advisories, such as boil water and road closures. Mark Jones asked if some type of paperwork be provided to new members recognizing the appointment to the NPC. NPC Reports: Chairman’s Report: • Zoning Board of Appeals: Mark offered to provide copies of the upcoming agenda to members. David Neilsen asked the Mayor if the agendas can be emailed instead of snail mailed.  • Planning Commission: 9/26 are in the midst of reevaluating the code of ordinances as they relate to the planning commission. Rewriting the three ordinances that the planning commission works under. David Neilsen recommended executive committee plus one member review it. Mark Jones recommended that member be Glenn Holmwall. Mayor Baldwin recommended identifying the top three issues. David Neilsen moved to establish ad hoc committee of executive committee and two others to review the ordinances applicable to the planning commission, Support from Szenoria Smith. Vote: 7-0 David Neilsen asked Mayor Baldwin regarding special use permits and planning commission, finds it bothersome that the commission does not represent the community geographically (one lives on Dickman Road, the rest South of Columbia) • Historic District Commission: One item-home at 120 Frelinghuysen (NSP) county now has ownership of that property for rehab Vice-Chairman’s Report: • Dangerous Buildings Committee-David Neilsen noted that he gets no mailings about this committee. Committee Reports: • Membership Committee: Mark Jones requested that someone reach out to residents of Cherry Hill Manor to find at least one new member. Laura distributed copies of the brochures provided by NIBC. .Mark Jones has a box of business card blanks and collected a list of contact information from members who want business cards. • Neighborhood Watch: A neighborhood watch coordinator is needed for the NPC, to help organize neighborhood watch groups. • Beautiful Battle Creek Award: Teresa has addresses through March Program: None Old Business: • Registered rental properties request is being compiled • Community Forum-Januaryish • Drug rehab facilities must be more than 1500 feet from schools. New Business: • Agenda planning-November meeting cancelled by chair. Next meeting will be12/19 Member and Guest Comments: Mark Jones brought up contest for residential lighting for International Festival of Lights- tentative prize is that Consumers Power will pay Dec. light bill. Two groups with three categories, encouraging people to do lighting displays and other residents to look at lighting displays. Mark also noted they are looking for volunteers for the warming house, that there will be a laser light show, an ice carving contest, and a gingerbread house contest. There will be a community candle walk, and a fitness event every Saturday for four hours. The glow in the dark dinner has been cancelled. The zoo is redoing their lights on Fridays from 6-8. If people sign up, there will be an event involving dinner at claras, a visit to the warming house a trolley trip to and from the zoo. Laura Adams reported on the Shop with a Cop program. If inteterested in serving on a city committee contact Mark Jones. Housing and Community Development had a public hearing two commission meetings ago and nobody showed up for it. The city is required to write a plan and if people are interested in housing as it effects the city and community development. Action Items: • Laura Adams to contact Accessvision, they are reporting our meeting time at 6:30 • Proof still saying Maple, Shopper is printing FUMC. Laura to contact NIBC and Shopper about this Property Concerns: The trampoline and garbage dumpster reported in the past are gone. Question: who is called to clean up road killed skunks. Mayor Baldwin suggested contacting the street department. Inquiry: front yard parking ordinances. Noted properties on Emmett Street near the corner with East Avenue, where cars park in the front yard, and one has created a parking area in the public easement. Teresa Poole noted that there are zoning requirements and that the parking surface must be dust-free like asphalt and recommended making a report to code compliance. There is a van parking in the front yard of 113 Calhoun Street. NOTE: This house is not owned by NIBC as reported by Marcia. 94 Harvard has multiple families living in one apartment, including 3 vehicles and 6 dogs. Police Issues: 163 Harvard Street, a lot of traffic and seeing tenant on the phone in the yard and hanging out at street corner, indicative of drug trafficking. Officer Appl will pass along to appropriate teams at PD. Panhandling at “Old Clark Station”, residents have reported people knocking on their car windows and being asked for money. Officer Appl recommended they call 911. Meeting Adjourned at 9:03 pm