Neighborhood Planning Council 4 - Northeast

Call to Order & Welcome: 7:01 Members Present Mary Conklin, Kaytee Faris, Rick Harrison, Andy Helmboldt, John Hennink, Mark Jones, Dean Newsome, David Neilsen, Jonna Siano,Sherry Sofia, John Walton, John Whitaker, Kim Yarger, Members Absent Marcia Austin, David Salerno, Helen Van Valkenburg, Chuck Yarger. Guests Nathan Grajek Charitable Union, Daniel Rall, Tricha Grajek, R Thayer BCPD, Jennifer Newsome, Jim Lance, Jim Haadsma County Commissioner, Jack Langford, David Gauthier, Kathy Mohney BCPS, Art Kale County Commissioner. Approval of Minutes Andy Helmboldt moved to approve. Sherry Sofia seconded motion. During discussion it was decided that Mark Jones not John Hennink moved to approve new members at February’s meeting and that the Art Center was not part of the motion. Andy Helmboldt made friendly motion to approve revised minutes showing the above changes. Sherry Sophia seconded motion. Motion passed Chair Notes/Correspondence/Announcements: We have a new sign in sheet. Sherry Sophia received membership award, gift to come. Housing Board of Appeals and Historic District Commission did not meet in March John Hennink asked other NPCs if they would mind if we asked to rename our NPC and none minded. Updates to NPC#4 folder on will be on table at each meeting. Voter turnout is low. John Hennink will file FOIA for voters list to increase numbers. Todd Elliot BCPD was contacted in regard to sound ordinances and littering enforcement. Garrison Hills area was canvassed in effort to increase NPC membership. Committee members are still needed. Secretary is still needed. “Discussion 30” next month will be for Northside planning. Additions & Deletions to the agenda: First Congregational Church as possible meeting place. Program: Sarah Gilbert PharmD from Walgreen’s Pharmacy gave a presentation on drug safety and frequently asked pharmacy questions. **New store to open May 9, 2014. Correspondence (Sent/Received) Letter was sent to United Maple Methodist Church thanking them for use of their facility. Motions/Discussion/Vote: No new motions made Committee Reports: Membership: none Beautiful BC Awards: 20 Chestnut was added to list. Neighborhood Planning: none City and County Staff Reports: Jim Blocker, Interim Chief of Police, said groups like this are fundamental to coming together to solve problems. Andy Helboldt, city commissioner, shared that the city manager search committee has a link on city website that is just for the search information. A special email address to give the committee your ideas and suggestions: CMSearchCommittee@battlecreekmi.gov Dean Newsome, city commissioner, said the next city manager search committee meeting is April 2 at 8:30am in the United Way Board room to discuss how to collect public input. He said that Mike Sherzer will strategize leveraging the NPC’s for input. There will also be a meeting on April 10 at 5pm meeting room 302a at City Hall. BC leaders are in Boston, learning about blight and vacant buildings. Mark Jones questioned why meeting is being held in United Way board room. Dean Newsome responded that it is a joint meeting between Project 20/20 and Beacon Community Project and city manager search committee. Mark Jones asked if there will be time at April 10th meeting for public input. Dean Newsome responded that there would be a period for public comment. No code compliance officer or report. Kathy Mahoney, Fremont Elementary School Principal, just had kindergarten round up. Asks how, together, we can we keep people in BCPS. John Hennink asked how strong PTA is? Kathy Mahoney stated that 4-15 people are members. No one from city code compliance was in attendance. Jim Haadsma, county commissioner, said that at the next meeting action would be made on consolidating the public safety building on old 27 in Marshall. Marshall, Calhoun County and State of Michigan will use the facility. It most likely will pass. He has no word yet on an innovation grant for this shared State and County collaboration. Old Business: Officer Thayer said that BCPD is paying special attention to 80 Merritt and 235 Cherry St. There is continued drug activity and police have made some stops for drugs. Special investigations unit is going to work on it they have resources like undercover plain clothes unmarked cars. This house has been part of the “line-up” meaning that it is a hot top and officers are kept abreast of activity there, officers carry the line up with them to seamlessly share information. John Hennink asked about the spike in domestic violence. Thayer responded that spousal arguments are dispatched the same as a domestic violence regardless of severity any domestic dispute is grouped under the same heading. Jonna Siano asked about cars towed during the snow emergency. Thayer said that most owners were contacted. Mark Jones asked about reports of destruction of mail. Thayer would need to see specifics will get back to us with details Dean Newsome shared that 411-415 NE Capital Ave will come down by May. They have to do some engineering work to keep surrounding buildings safe. A request was made for a NPC secretary. New Business: A brief discussion was had regarding moving the meetings to First Congregational Church. Comments for the good of the order: Member Comments: John Walton shared that the Youth Challenge Academy would be having an event at St. Paul’s Kaytee Faris asked group to think about separating the speaker portion from the actual NPC meeting for those looking to keep meeting to one hour. Mark Jones said that he comes to meetings for discussion and that simple exchange of information may as well be sent in an email. Long meeting times are of no concern to him. Andy Helmholdt said that growth in NPC membership speaks well of current leadership. Public Comments: Art Kale announced his candidacy for State Representative, hoping to fill Kate Segal’s seat. She is leaving because of term limits. Adjournment: 8:25PM Next Meeting Date: April 16, 2014