Neighborhood Planning Council 4 - Northeast

Minutes: Neighborhood Planning Council #4, Fremont/Verona/McKinley Meeting Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2015 7:00 PM Location: First Congregational Church, 145 NE Capital Ave, 2nd Floor Youth Room Attendance: Members Present: Kaytee Faris, John-Paul Wilson, Nathan Grajek, Andy Helmboldt, Mark Jones, Sherry Sofia, Mary Juhnke Guests: Jonathan Bowen, Jim Lance, Jim Haadsma, Todd Gerber, Todd Nowicki, Zach Burgess, Amy Rose Wallace-Robinson, Krista Trout-Edwards Members Absent: Helen Van Valkenburg, John Walton, Rick Harrison, Dean Newsome, Charitable Union, Mary Conklin, Jonna Siano, John Whittaker, Dan Rall, Laurie Sullivan, John Hennink, Dave Salerno, Marcia Austin, Kim Yarger, Chuck Yarger, Jim Baldwin Announcements: Planning, Zoning and Historic District meetings were cancelled. Approval of Minutes: Sherry Sofia moved to approve minutes from November, 2014 and January, 2015 and Andy Helmboldt seconded. Minutes were approved. Presentation by County Land Bank: Krista Trout-Edwards and Amy Rose Wallace-Robinson This is the pilot year for Mow and Maintenance program. Our NPC has 20 parcels north of Capital, 40 parcels south of Capital. Ideal to have people who live in the community participate. Participants mow and maintain land bank held vacant lots for a stipend. This program is modeled after Genesee County Clean and Green. Garden leases, pocket parks are encouraged uses for vacant land. No old business New business The City of Battle Creek has obtained a Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Grant. This grant will be used to identify what is driving crime in Battle Creek. Information gathered by using this grant will be used when applying for a one million dollar grant to address the drivers. The BCPD, The Urban League, NPCs 1, 2, 3 and 4 and iEval are using data collected through Harwood community conversations, BC Vision, BC Pulse, Project 20/20 and others to identify these drivers. The next meeting is on Thursday the 26th February at the Department of Public Works, 150 S. Kendall. NPC members are invited to be part of this process. Governmental Reports Police department : Zach Burgess Crime stats: 7 break-ins, 15 larcenies, non aggravated assaults 20 a little up, 11 warrant arrests in January. Speeding continues to be an issue. 351 Garfield state raid was drug related. Town hall meeting at 5:30 at FHC will address identity theft there will be food and drink, March’s meeting will be personal safety at Post Franklin School. Code Compliance: Todd Nowicki 83 McKinley owner is out of the house. House is condemned 57 Chestnut owner is out. Cherry Street/Merritt owner has moved. Snow tickets have been issued on Capital, Emmet and around the schools right now just focusing on main roads. Streets and Parks Field Services Superintendant Todd Gerber just stopped in. His department is trying to do snow removal and sidewalks quicker. City commission report: Andy Helmboldt City Manager Performance Evaluation Committee continues its work. There may be some potential ordinance changes, Horvarter looking at alcohol restrictions in parks where we have larger successful events, looking at a more broad policy that will allow for alcohol at public events, looking at events like weddings at Full Blast. BCU’s CEO search is ongoing and they are reevaluating what BCU’s role will be with the city. Public input is needed in the mayor process. County Commission: Jim Haadsma Christopher Bolt utilizes snow clearing primaries in the first pass, then local streets and subdivisions. He shifted drivers to the areas in the county that have snow. Approved master parks and rec plan at the last meeting a lot of interest in a disk golf course at Kimball Pines and the new trail around. Meals on wheels ride a long talked with 15 or more seniors finding them happy with the meals and appreciative for the socialization. The change from CA to Senior services has brought a very positive change. Membership Comments for the Good of the Order: Neighborhood Inc of Battle Creek had put aside money $1,000 available until June, Mark and JP are on that committee. Kaytee Faris is meeting with city manager about placemaking ideas, discuss Calhoun and Frelinghuysen Adjourned: 8:38PM