Neighborhood Planning Council 4 - Northeast

MINUTES: Neighborhood Planning Council #4, Fremont/Verona/McKinley Meeting Date: Wednesday, January 16, 2013, 7:00 PM Location: Maple United Methodist Church, 342 Capital Ave. N.E. Call to Order 7:00 pm Attendance and Introduction of Guests Members Present (8): Laura Adams, Mary Conklin, Kathleen Faris, Rick Harrison, John Hennink, David Nielsen, Sherry Sofia, Helen VanValkenberg Guests Present: (5): Carlton Lartigue, Naomi Curtis, Chad Curtis, Dave Gauthier, Ron Cady City Officials Present (4): Chris Lussier, Officer Tanya Wilt, Officer Justin Broughden, Sgt. Greg Huggett Presentation: Carlton Lartigue of the Haven, thanked the NPC for participating in the process that led to them getting a special use permit, noting the feedback from residents helped them to develop part of the program to address our concerns and invited residents to a community open house at the new Women’s LRP facility, 3:00 to 5:00 on Sunday, January 20. Noted that there were job openings posted and requested that local residents apply. Changes to Agenda: None Approval of Minutes Dave Neilsen moved to approve minutes of the December meeting as presented, Sherry Sofia moved to support, motion carried, 8 to 0 in favor. Governmental Reports • Police Report Officer Wilt noted that the department recommends people lock their vehicles even when in garages to avoid B&E’s, and not leave items of value in sight in vehicles ‐John Hennink requested information on illegal guns in the city, including those reported stolen, those recovered  ‐Resident noted that a couple of men in the area were going from house to house on Calhoun and Fremont Streets looking for odd jobs with questionable story but were hired by residents and paid them for the work and then noticed that items were stolen. One told by reporting resident to leave his property. Another resident was familiar with them. Sgt. Huggett noted that people doing work for people need a vendors license and hours are limited to 9 am to dark, but that most people don’t have vendors licenses. Another resident noticed they were residents of 41 Fremont, which are AFC homes. Mike (dark‐complected black individual) and a white male who has been thrown out of 41 Fremont, who OD’d in the alley behind 114 Fremont. ‐A resident noticed traffic issues with the Penetrator. Sgt. Huggett reported that one officer has been working on stopping drivers and issuing tickets ‐A resident noted issues with calling dispatch and not receiving officer contact on three incidents recently for police and fire. ‐A resident noted numerous drug houses and houses of prostitution that have existed in his area for 10‐12 years. 80 Merritt Street is full of prostitutes, activity every night into early hours. ‐A resident requested to know how many officers total are assigned to the Northside, what shifts and who they are. Office Broughden recommended that residents get officers cards and call and leave then voice mails for non‐emergency situations • Code Compliance Chris Lussier brought the vacant and abandoned properties list, but he reported that the report he brought had some inaccuracies. Recommended residents run the NPC reports, which can be downloaded as Excel spreadsheets. Chris also brought the comprehensive plans from the Planning Department ‐255 Cherry Street, dangerous building currently being occupied, has water connected, residents have been told to vacate but have not. Listed as a dangerous building that is currently abandoned/vacant. Garbage being stored in the garage, which is attracting rats. ‐89 Frelinghuysen has been purchased, placard taken down stating the house is on the dangerous buildings list. Chris noted that an order to demolish has been issued against the building.  ‐8 Elizabeth, a roof covered with a tarp for at least a year that has blown off, rotting fascia, pieces of roof hanging down. ‐25 Elizabeth, has two giant pine trees that have grown over the sidewalk and made it unusable, also Elizabeth leaves his garbage cans out at the curb year‐around ‐32 Elizabeth has a dog and droppings in his backyard so unclean that neighbor cannot use her backyard, also has a hot tub upended in his driveway leaning against his fence for at least a year and a half ‐Naomi Curtis requested information on how to establish a community house, referred to Neighborhoods Inc. • City Commission Report: Sherry Sofia (Ward 3): Noted agenda has been fairly light in January, approved at 1/15 meeting to change the zoning on Hunter Street that came before the NPC at the November meeting. At the first meeting in January, a special use permit came before the commission and Comm. Sofia had requested a moratorium on any further special use permits before the handling of them is dealt with, expects a meeting with City Commissioners and Planning Commissioners to take place in the short term. Noted that there was a workshop on redistricting on 1/15 and that Ward 3 is the only Ward is not being redistricted. The new map is available on the Battle Creek Enquirer and the City’s website. A resident inquired about whether the commissioner supported amending the city charter to change to 5 Ward commissioners and no at‐large commissioners in order to avoid the bias of the preponderance of commissioners from Goguac Lake and the golf course. Another resident noted that Northsiders are not utilizing the system sufficiently, not voting, taking part in boards and commissions or running for elected office. • County Commission Report: none present Correspondence ‐Chair noted that a cancellation notice for the January 23 Planning Commission meeting was received, and handed out Battle Creek Transit study that was sent to past chair to be distributed at the meeting Committee Reports: Beautiful Battle Creek‐time to start looking for new addresses. External Commission Reports: • Planning Commission – January 23 meeting cancelled. Next meeting February 27 • Housing Board of Appeals/Dangerous Buildings Commission (these are combined under the HBA‐change agenda) ‐Order affirmed on 236 Capital Avenue SW (next to Nina’s) at the HBA meeting, but no funds for demolition Neighborhood Association Reports: None Program: None Action Items: None Old Business: Request for registered rental properties list‐chair reported that a FOIA request was submitted per Susan Bedsole New Business: Discussion of ideas for future programs. Suggestions were made by members: • Jill Fish of 911 Dispatch/Silent Observer to talk about how to report crime tips and issues with lack of contact and unwanted contact following 911 calls • Andy Helmboldt to discuss issues with the ignoring of the Northside in committees and commissions • Chris Lussier to provide an update on the progress of the NSP program • Jackie Hampton of the BCPD to discuss NPC concerns regarding police department policies and procedures that relate to the NPC Public Comments: None Member Comments: David Neilsen encouraged members to attend the Haven’s LRP open house David Neilsen provided the information requested during a prior meeting regarding the members of the Downtown Evaluation Advisory Committee David Neilsen brought up a recent article about the new day care center being considered by First Congregational Church which my require a special use permit John Hennink wants to put a stop to the different officers attending the meeting, “We don’t know who’s going to turn up, ever.” Including those who don’t work in the area, “that we as a group should stand up to the police department and take our swing at the plate and tell them we’re done”. Suggested a letter should be sent to the city saying, “We’re done with it.” David Neilsen recommended that we talk to the chairs of the other NPC’s to see if they are having the same problems. John Hennink was impressed when he called 911 about an iced over intersection and the city showed up to salt it in 15 minutes. John Hennink brought up the issue of code compliance not getting back to him regarding issues that he’s reported. Adjourned at 9:02 pm