Neighborhood Planning Council 4 - Northeast

MINUTES: Northeast Planning Council NPC#4 Meeting Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2015 7:00 PM Location: First Congregational Church, 145 NE Capital Ave Call to Order 7:05pm Attendance Members: Kaytee Faris, Nathan Grajek, Mark Jones, John-Paul Wilson, Sean K. Lewis, Andy Helmboldt, Mary Conklin Guests: Marie Gillette, Todd Nowicki, Marcel Stoetzel, Lynn Ward Gray, Kate Florez, Kurt Roth, William Gensch Members Absent: Helen Van Valkenburg, John Walton, Rick Harrison, Dean Newsome, Charitable Union, Jonna Siano, John Whittaker, Daniel Rall, Laurie Sullivan, Sherry Sofia, John Hennink, Dave Salerno, Marcia Austin, Kim Yarger, Chuck Yarger, Tricia Grajek, Jim Baldwin, Mary Junkhe Chair Notes/Announcements/Correspondence: The only correspondences were email exchanges with Marcie Gillette in preparation for June Meeting. Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: The NPC Dissolution and Reinstatement Draft document was added to old business. Approval of Previous Minutes: Andy Helmboldt made motion to approve April 15, 2015and May 20, 2015 minutes, Mark Jones gave support. Vote was unanimous to approve minutes. Police Report: A suspect has been apprehended in relation to multiple vehicle break ins throughout Battle Creek. Guests: Jill Steele and Marcel Stoetzel will discussed the code compliance appeals process and problem properties. 83 N. McKinley, 255 Cherry St. and 17 S. Wabash will be specific examples of ongoing problem properties in NPC#4. Going forth, the city will make an effort to keep the NPC better informed of Housing Board of Appeals meetings and court dates for violation appeals within the NPC. NPC members are encouraged to attend HBA meetings and “show cause” hearings. Residents can look-up district court cases online using the defendant’s first and last name. The city is actively researching ways to make this system more efficient. One possibility would be setting up a quasi magistrate within the city that would act as a hearing board. With such a board, administrative costs could be collected the city and not the county court. This board would decrease manpower and recuperate the cost involved with the appeals process. Old Business  Update on the Byrne Innovation Grant: Key crime drivers have been identified and cross sector teams continue to meet to plan a strategy to address and correct these drivers.  Photos are needed for the NIBC sponsored brochures for NPC#4.  Membership Committee still needs to be formed to review membership list and discuss additions and deletions. Mary Junkhe has moved to Kalamazoo and should be removed from the membership list.  Beautiful Battle Creek nominations: Betty Caudil emailed the NPC to nominate 15 Eagle Street. This house will be submitted to the city commission.  The NPC Dissolution and Reinstatement Draft document will go before the City Commission in July. Any suggested changes to the resolution can still be corresponded to City Commissioners. Governmental Reports  From Andy Helmboldt: City Commission Report: A fire department study was completed to access the locations and conditions of current stations and equiptment and to suggest changes to improve service and efficiency. A new police station is still being discussed. Goal setting, a dashboard and benchmarks for the city are being formed. Jessica Vanderkolk the city communication director is looking to redo the city website and add online bill pay using credit  cards. The police department will take implicit bias training via grant moning funded by the Kellogg Foundation. An ethics hearing will be held by the City Commission on June 23, 2015 in commission chambers at 5:50pm to determine if Commissioner Jeff Domenico acted in violation of the commission’s ethics code. From Lynn Ward Gray: The Keeping You Informed Acess Vision Show will discuss Parks and Recreation in June, animal control in July and there will be a town hall meeting in August.  County Commissioners Report: no commissioners present  Battle Creek Public School Board Report: Nathan Grajek says that the board continues to address budget and that additional school closings are not off the table. External Commission Reports:  Zoning Board of Appeals Report June meeting cancelled  Planning Commission Report had special meeting: Master Plan Project Initiation Workshop. The master plan will be discussed in detail at the August NPC meeting. Public input will be sought during the planning process.  Historic District Commission Report no business concerning NPC#4  Housing Board of Appeals will in future forward to the NPC their agendas so that NPC members wishing to express their opinions, concerning appeals, can attend the HBA meeting. Membership Comments for the Good of the Order: none Public Comments for the Good of the Order: none Adjournment: 8:55pm Next Meeting: June 17, 2015