Neighborhood Planning Council 4 - Northeast

Minutes: Northeast Planning Council, NPC#4 Meeting Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2015 7:00 PM Location: First Congregational Church, 145 NE Capital Ave, 2nd Floor Youth Room Call to Order 7:07PM Attendance Members: Kaytee Faris, Mary Conklin, Andy Helmboldt, Nathan Grajek, John Hennink, John-Paul Wilson, Mark Jones, Mary Juhnke, Dean Newsome Guests: Clayton Weirsma, Kurt Roth (BCPD), Scott Cipcic (BCPD), Erick Hegelmann (BCPD), Todd Nowicki (City of Battle Creek), Sean Lewis, Scott Cubberly (BCPS Board), Sam Gray, Deanna Riggs, Kathy LaValley (BCPS Board) Members Absent: Helen Van Valkenburg, John Walton, Rick Harrison, Charitable Union, Jonna Siano, John Whittaker, Daniel Rall, Laurie Sullivan, Sherry Sofia, Dave Salerno, Marcia Austin, Kim Yarger, Chuck Yarger, Tricha Grajek, Jim Baldwin Chair Notes/Announcements/Correspondence: Project 20/20 forwarded the Beacon Youth Mentoring Survey. City of Battle Creek Has a City Citizen’s Survey. Chief Blocker sent an email to clarify Dennis McKinley’s new role working with the BCPD. Kara Werner from Habitat for Humanity asked to speak at an NPC meeting. Marcie Gillette said that the NPC can proceed with using the name “Northeast Planning Council.” The official name change will be submitted to the City Commission at the same time as the NPC Dissolution and Reinstatement document. A joint meeting of the NPCs will be announced for May. Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: School Board Repeort was added under Government Reports. The NPC Dissolution and Reinstatement Draft was added to Old Business. Approval of Previous Minutes: Mary Juhnke made motion to approve the minutes from February 18, 2015 and March 18, 2015 with Kurt Roth added to the attendance at March’s meeting and that the next meeting date be changed to April 15 on the March minutes. John Hennink seconded the motion. Motion passed 9-0. Governmental Reports Police Department Report- Officers explained the new traffic enforcement unit. This unit will soon have its own email address so that residents can easily communicate concerns. Residents can request to ride along with officers. Officer Cipcic said that he is available to help educate residents about speeding and that perceived speeding isn’t always accurate. Officers stated that thieves are taking advantage of opportunities like unlocked cars and houses to commit crimes. They suggest that residents keep a list of serial numbers for their electronics. Code Compliance Report and Community Development- 83 N. McKinley, 255 Cherry St, and 17 S. Wabash were identified as ongoing problems that show how property owners use compliance extensions to avoid coming into compliance. Kaytee Faris will write to Susan Bedsole and Jill Steele to request their attendance at an NPC meeting to further discuss extensions. City Commission Report- Dean Newsome shared that the City Manager evaluation, performance review process draft has been written and will be voted upon at the April 21, 2015 meeting. The City of Battle Creek has approved a contract for the Master Plan. BCU is to announce new CEO. County Commissioners Report- Jim Haadsma shared that total property value for Calhoun Co. is up 2%, taxable value is up 0.1%. Tax foreclosures are down from 340in 2014 to 242 in 2015. The circuit court is making jury development improvements including online applications to save the courts money. Roughly 40% of current applications are returned by mail because of invalid addresses. BCPS Board- Board members Kathy LaValley, Scott Cubberly and Nathan Grajek attended the meeting. Decreased property tax base and declining student population have decreased the BCPS fund balance to near the 15% recommended balance necessitating the possible closure of several BCPS schools. Committee Reports: Beautiful Battle Creek Awards: No new nominations Membership Committee- Reviewed membership list and discussed additions and deletions but did not have quorum at this point in the meeting. We will revisit in May’s old business. External Commission Reports: No actions were taken by Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Commission, Historic District Commission or Housing Board of Appeals that affected NPC#4. Old Business Updates on the Byrne Innovation Grant will be emailed to NPC members. “The Byrne planning process is a means for the community as a whole to come together for the purpose of not only identifying conditions which data have indicated lead to crime but also identify strategies which can help to prevent and reduce such crime.” Kaytee Faris to meet with Bill Phillips to discuss NIBC sponsored brochures, billboard and yard signs. New Business Nextdoor App is a place based social networking app that is helping to connect neighbors. The Fremont McKinley Verona group has approximately 100 members. NPC members are encouraged to sign up. A 30 minute discussion regarding the NPC’s direction and plans for 2015 will be moved to next month. Membership Comments for the Good of the Order: None Public Comments for the Good of the Order: None Adjournment: (Thanks for attending) Next Meeting: May 20, 2015