Neighborhood Planning Council 4 - Northeast

NPC#4 November 20, 2013 Call to Order & Welcome: Called to order at 7:16PM by Vice Chair David Nielsen Attendance: Members Present: David Salerno, Sherry Sophia, John Whittaker, Rick Harrison, Kaytee Faris, Mary Conklin, John Walton, David Nielsen, Jonna Siano and John Hennink Members Absent: Mark Jones, Laura Adams, Marcia Austin, Helen VanValkenburg, Ed Lawrence, Teresa Poole, Guests: Joe Ziegler, Jennifer Newsome, Daniel Rall, Kim Yarger, Chuck Yarger, Mary Lou Ramon, Jonathan Bowen, Nathan Grajek, Tricia Grajek, Sue Hennink, Robert Ashley, and Laurie Sullivan City Staff: Todd Nowicki (Code Compliance) and Ryan Thayer (Battle Creek Police Department) Commissioners: Andy Helmboldt and Dean Newsome Approval of Minutes: Sherry Sophia, with support of John Hennink Chair Notes/Correspondence/Announcements: David Nielsen gave a brief reminder that public comment would come at the end of the meeting and that speakers would be given 3 minutes each. The City will no longer make paper copies of crime reports available to each NPC member but that this information along with crime mapping was available through the city’s website. Additions & Deletions to the agenda: None Program: No program Correspondence (Sent/Received) Marcia and Glen Holmwall requested to be removed from the NPC. Motions/Discussion/Vote: -David Nielsen moved to approve minutes from September and October. Kaytee Faris gave support. Minutes were approved for September and October. -Movement made to make Kim Yarger, Chuck Yarger, Dean Newsome and Andy Helmboldt NPC members was approved. -Movement made to draft letter to Ken Tschiyama regarding clogged storm drains at Emmett and Yale by John Hennink on behalf of NPC#4 was approved. -Movement made to hold next meeting on January 15, 2014 approved. -Election of new officers: John Hennink voted in as new chair. Kaytee Faris voted in as new vice chair. Position of secretary left unfilled. Announcements: Zoning Board meeting was cancelled. Planning Commission approved special use permit to First Congregational Church for preschool. Historic Commission had no action. The Housing Board of Appeals had no action in NPC #4. Committee Reports: Membership: No Report Beautiful BC Awards: No Report. No new nominations. Nominations should be given to the NPC chair. Neighborhood Planning: No Report City Commissioner Reports: -Dean Newsome encouraged members to visit neighboring NPCs to see how their meetings are conducted. -First Congregational Church had a special use permit approved for their preschool. John Hennink requested that future special use permits receive approval from the NPC before reaching the City Commission. Both Commissioners agreed. -Andy Helmboldt said that food carts will be on a future agenda. -Dean Newsome sought input into new avenues through which the commission to receive public input. City Staff Reports: Officer Ryan Thayer reported 12 larcenies, 11 assaults and 18 breaking and entries in our NPC. He advised to stay alert and to be aware of early morning break-ins. Officer Thayer can be reached at 269-565-5309 Wednesday to Sunday between 2PM and 10PM. Todd Nowicki had nothing to report. Old Business: Demolition of the condemned buildings near Mix Hardware on Capital Ave NE was discussed. Dean Newsome said he was awaiting a list of buildings to be demolished. New Business:NPC Chair John Hennink to send letter to Ken Tsuchiyama requesting that the storm drains at Emmett and Yale St. be repaired. Comments for the good of the order: Member Comments: -David Nielsen expressed concern regarding a Union City School bus parked on Latta St. He also inquired the purpose of Robert Ashley’s digital recording of the meeting. Mr. Ashley said it was for personal use. -Kaytee Faris encouraged members to visit and learn from neighboring NPC meetings and to use connections made at meetings to foster relationships outside of meeting times. Public Comments: -Chuck Yarger asked the commissioners about abatements from the TIFA fund and if there was a review process for TIFA districts to assess current need. -Joe Ziegler said that non-profits receiving city funds (ie BCU, NIBC, etc) should have more transparent and open budget review. Adjournment: 8:35PM Next Meeting Date: January 15, 2014