Neighborhood Planning Council 4 - Northeast

NORTHEAST PLANNING COUNCIL #4 Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, August 20, 2013 – Neighborhoods, Inc. 1. Call to Order & Welcome: The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by John Hennink. 2. Attendance: Members Present: Marcia Austin, Charitable Union, Mary Conklin, Nathan Grajek, Tricha Grajek, Rick Harrison, Commissioner Andy Helmbolt, John Hennink, Mark Jones, David Salerno, Jonna Siano, John Whittaker; Absent: Kaytee Faris, Commissioner Dean Newsome, David Nielsen, Daniel Rall, Sherry Sofia, Laurie Sullivan, Helen Van Valkenburg, John Walton, Kim Yarger, Chuck Yarger, Guests:, Jim Haadsma (County Commissioner), Mary Juhnke, Jim Baldwin, Dawn Wilkerson (NIBC), Jim Sykes, Ruth Sykes, Officer Ryan Thayer, Officer Todd Madsen, John‐Paul Wilson, John Wright (Fremont Tomato Heads), John Zeigler, Art Heagney, & Chris Lussier (City of Battle Creek). 3. Introduction of Guests/Members: The group of individuals went around the room to introduce themselves. 4. Additions or deletions to the Agenda: N/A 5. Approval of Previous Minutes: Motion to approve the June 18, 2014 & July 16, 2013 meeting minutes was made by Commissioner Andy Helmbolt. Seconded by Nathan Grajek. Motion approved. 6. Monthly Member Award: John Hennink nominated Rick Harrison, a long‐time member along with being very supportive of NPC #4. 7. Chair Notes/Announcements/Correspondence: John Hennink had the following topics he would like to add under “New Business”: Banners, Speeding, Wires on Poles, Street Cleaning, Loud Music, Election Signs, & Trash. John Hennink reported that Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek has offered up to $1,000 for each NPC. John would like to the funds for either t‐shirts, picnic, place house numbers on the curbs are just a few suggestions/ideas. Commissioner Andy Helmbolt has offered to assist with the NPC logo. John Hennink would like to have the banners in the Northeast Planning Council removed. John Hennink has had prior conversations with Todd Gerber regarding the banners; however, was informed that Consumers Energy has to give the approval. John Hennink contacted Consumers Energy and was given the approval to remove the banners. There is a concern with speeding and the residents are concerned with the children that live in the neighborhood. Residents would like more involvement with the Police Department regarding the speeding. There are wires on poles that are hanging in varies areas of the NPC. Apparently, there are residents who were concerned with this and contacted Consumers Energy who informed them the lines belong to the cable companies. There should be a more reasonable schedule for street cleaning. John Hennink is requesting a schedule of the street cleaning in the NPC.  John Hennink would like to see the Police Department become more involved with loud music. He would also like to see that election signs are properly removed in the time allotted. Trash has also been an issue that needs to be addressed throughout the neighborhood. The Police Department will be going back to the Chief of Police regarding the following three following issues: speeding, loud music, and trash and will report back at the meeting in September. 8. Program/Speaker Topic: Jeremy Andrews (Sprout Urban Farms) was scheduled to be the speaker for the evening; however, he was sick and unable to make the meeting. 9. Old Business ‐ 255 Cherry – John Hennink has expressed his concern with the raw trash that is in the garage – he believes it is a health hazard to the residents. The owner has until October 16, 2014, to bring the property up to code. If at this time, the property is not up to code, the homeowner will be evicted from the property. After a lengthy group conversation regarding the on‐going matter of 255 Cherry and the health hazard of the garage, there was a motion made. Motion for John Hennink to draft an email/letter to the City of Battle Creek in addition to the Calhoun County Health Department regarding the health concern of the raw trash was made by Nathan Grajek. Seconded by Rick Harrison. Motion approved. ‐ 80 Merritt – this property’s issues have been addressed; 235 Cherry – need to address to look into as it is being used as a drug house. Both properties are owned by the same business. Apparently, there is a Church in Kalamazoo that owns the property. 10. New Business ‐ Benjamin Park, John Hennink was not too sure about this subject; therefore, it was tabled until next month. Interested parties may contact John Wright as he is the realtor selling the property. 11. Action Items/Introductions: N/A 12. City Staff & Committee Reports: a. City Commission Report – Andy Helmbolt reported Jim Blocker was appointed Chief of Police by Interim City Manager, Susan Bedsole. There is a meet n greet Friday, August 22, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 pm., at Burnham Brook Community Center are hoping to present 10‐12 City Manager candidates by August 2014. b. Police Department – Officer Chris Klein & Officer Cody Logan were in attendance; however, were unable to provide a report due to the software upgrade. c. Neighborhood Services – N/A d. Code Compliance – e. County Commissioners Report –Jim Haadsma was in attendance.  f. Beautiful Battle Creek Award Nominations – N/A g. Membership – Motion to add Jim Baldwin as a member of NPC #4 was made by Mark Jones. Seconded by Nathan Grajek. Motion approved. h. Planning & Zoning Committee – N/A i. Code & Ordinance Enforcement Committee – N/A j. Public Relations Committee – N/A 13. Member/Public Comments: N/A 14. Next Meeting: Wednesday, September 17, 2014, 7:00 pm at First Congregational Church 145 Capital Avenue NE in the Court Yard. 15. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.