Neighborhood Planning Council 4 - Northeast

AGENDA:​ Northeast Planning Council NPC#4 Meeting Date:​ Wednesday, January 20, 2016 7:00 PM Location:​ First Congregational Church, 145 NE Capital Ave Call to Order 7:01 Attendance: Members: K​aytee Faris, Denise Rust, David Salerno, Mary Conklin, Sean Lewis, John­Paul Wilson, Andy Helmboldt, Mark Jones, John Whitaker, Members Absent:​Jonna Siano, Daniel Rall, Laurie Sullivan, Nathan Grajek, Sherry Sofia, John Hennink, Marcia Austin, Kim Yarger, Chuck Yarger, Tricha Grajek, Jim Baldwin Guests:​Amy Rose Robinson, ​ ​andy Suddeth, Mike Rust, Sarah Bentley, Jessica Clanton, Mike Ziegler, Chad C Perry, Chris Zuzga, Jim Haadsma Chair Notes/Announcements/Correspondence: J​ essica Clanton from the Share Center requests time on agenda. She will speak at February’s meeting. Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: None Approval of Previous Minutes: S ​ean Lewis made motion to approve November 18, 2015 minutes. Mary Conklin gave support. Minutes were unanimously approved. Form a Nominating Committee, Nominate 2016 Officials, Elect 2016 Officials: T ​he NPC chose to forgo a committee, at this time and took nominations from the floor. Mark Jones self nominated for NPC Chairperson and John­Paul Wilson self nominated for the Vice Chairperson. NPC voted unanimously to approve these nominations. Police Report: S​uspect related to recent vehicle larcenies is in custody. This time of year sees an uptick in domestic disputes. Also, more excessive speed tickets due to snow. Governmental Reports City Commission Report: Commission has had many workshops this term including, Community Development, Welcoming Michigan, and The Golf Course finances. Some of the things the commission has voted on since the last meeting include changes to the code of ethics allowing commissioners to have a lawyer present for consultation, allowing residents to check a box to donate their city tax return to the nonprofit of their choice, approving funding for Boys and Girls Club, eliminating the sunset clause on the downtown mobile vendor ordinance, approving a new Waste Management contract that includes covered recycling roller bins for residents, and approving Fresh Coast capital to farm trees at the former Wilson School site. In other city news, work continues on the Master Plan, the City has a new website, the city now has same day trade permits, parking signs purchased by Hilliard Lyons will designate Wounded Veteran parking spaces at city buildings, code compliance pre­trials have been moved to City Hall for customer convenience. County Commissioners Report: Jim Haadsma shared that Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health Substance Abuse Disorder Policy Oversight Board granted a substance abuse licence to Family and Children’s Services Inc. to help them better treat women with substance abuse problems. County Treasurer's Office Report: Amy Rose Robinson let us know that the County land Bank is accepting applications for the 2016 Mow and Maintenance program. She also let us know that there will be a sale on “Sidelots” on March 5th. More information on the sidelot program can be found on the Land Bank’s new website calhounlandbank.org Battle Creek Public School Board Report: Nathan Grajek shared that the board continues their strategic planning and invites residents to attend ongoing community conversations. They are working with a consultant to form a five year vision and to pick a new superintendent. the Policy Committee will review new policy at the February meeting and vote on it at the March meeting. Code Compliance Report: C ​hris Zuzga shared that on Feb. 16 there will be a City Commission Workshop on Urban Agriculture and that on Feb. 18 there will be a Master Planning Workshop at Kool Family Center. External Commission Reports: No new news from Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Commission or Housing Board of Appeals. Historic District Commission approved new signage for Southwest Michigan Community Development Corporation, formerly Neighborhood’s Inc. ​one Membership Comments for the Good of the Order: N Public Comments for the Good of the Order: J​ essica Clanton from the Share Center invited the NPC to an Open House at 690 Capital Ave. NE. The Share Center will seek a Special Use Permit to change this property to a Substance Use Recovery House for adult men exiting inpatient substance abuse services. She will speak at February’s meeting, as well. Mike Rust of 81 Broad St and Steve Smith of (need address) would like to join NPC#4. NPC unanimously voted to add them as members. Adjournment:​ 8:27PM ​ext Meeting: February 17, 2016 N