Neighborhood Planning Council 4 - Northeast

Minutes: Northeast Planning Council NPC#4 Meeting Date: Wednesday, April 20, 7:00 PM Location: First Congregational Church, 145 NE Capital Ave Call to Order: 7:06 PM Attendance: Members: Mark Jones, Kathleen Faris, Andy Helmboldt, Mary Conklin, Nathan Grajek, Dave Salerno, Chuck Yarger, John Paul Wilson, Steve Smith (9) Guests: John Perry, Carl Fedders ( Asst. Director, Department of Public Works, City of BC), Doug Stewart (City of BC Engineering), Darren Campbell, Chad Perry (BCPD), Mikael Ziegler (BCPD), Laura Adams Members Absent: Kate Flores, Denise Rust, Jonna Siano, John Whittaker, Daniel Rall, Laurie Sullivan, Sean Lewis, Sherry Sofia, John Hennink, Marcia Austin, Kim Yarger, Tricha Grajek, Jim Baldwin Chair Notes/Announcements/Correspondence: Still straightening out the correspondence as it is being sent to prior chair, Kathleen Faris. Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: Next meeting, Michigan Works will be presenting on changing the way they are operating and mission change. Program: Darren Campbell, Civil Engineer, Battle Creek Department of Public Works, on 2016 Road Treatments. Distributed map of NPC 4 showing which roads will receive Pavement Replacement, Reconstruction, Resurfacing and Chipseal. Explained how each process is handled and duration. There will be press releases announcing the times during the summer (Resurfacing between July and end of season in fall, chipseal in July and August). Residents affected will also receive door hangers the day before work is scheduled to begin. Chuck Yarger noted that the company doing the chipseal has a habit of not completing the process by doing the fog seal and recommended city keep an eye on them. Also brought large maps showing the overall work being done throughout the city for residents to look at. Chuck Yarger noted that he appreciates the condition of our streets, as compared to those outside the city limit and gave them kudos. Mark Jones seconded that. Carl Fedders, Assistant DPW Director, spoke about Water and Sewer departments. Noted that there will be changes in the lead and copper requirements and they will be working with the DEQ and reacting to that. They are developing a new process for wastewater treatment. Mark Jones asked could what’s happening in Flint happen here and why not? According to Fedders, ground water is less corrosive than river water used in Flint. They also treat our water with phosphates, which prevents corrosion. Older piping fixtures in homes and drinking fountains can leach lead into drinking water. They are working on identifying lead services. Mark Jones asked about the Pulver Dryer project (for human waste treatment). According to Fedders, that went away, they are using a different process to get the end product in a form that they can truck it. They are land applying it. Approval of Previous Minutes: Mark did not bring copies Chuck moved and Steve Smith supported a motion to postpone approving minutes until next month. Motion approved by a vote of 9-0 Governmental Reports Code Compliance: Todd Nowicki noted they will be making changes. Currently 30 days is the time for an order to repair. This will be changed to 60 days. Problem properties in the NPC: 83 N. McKinley is now owned by the Land Bank. They are seeking funding to demo it as load bearing walls are missing and there was a fire in the attic and the roof has been ventilated. It has been condemned. 255 Cherry Street also needs to be demoed. Kathleen Faris noted that the ‘hardest hit’ fund has received monies from the Federal Government. Resident asked how a homeowner can only have a 999 sq. foot garage. Anything over that is considered a commercial property? 223 Central St. (Adult Foster Care) at Pleasant View is running what appears to be a commercial garage for up to 7 Mobility Transport vans. Todd will talk to Dave Farmer as this appears to be a zoning issue. 314 East Avenue North is reportedly back to selling things in their front yard, including 2 vehicles. 321 Garfield usually has their vehicle parked on the curb lawn during the afternoon. Also noted that somebody is living there and nobody is supposed to be. They have been ticketed for junk and trash, peeling paint, and other issues. Todd will check the certificate of occupancy. 278 Garfield, a car parked using the sidewalk to the entry as a parking space. 3 cars parked in the driveway. Battle Creek Area Transportation Study (BCATS): None Calhoun County Land Bank: None City Commission Report: Andy Helmboldt noted that Kate Flores wanted him to let members know the City Commission voted to become part of the Welcoming Community network, in order to better support members of the community who are immigrants. New Assist. City manager is the point of contact. Mark Jones asked about the controversy regarding the form of the approval. They mentioned wanting to do a proclamation (a non-binding statement) rather than a resolution (which is binding), which is required to become a member of the organization. Kathleen Faris noted that we have Lutheran Services in town and they handle most of the immigrants in Michigan and they operated outside of government, and making sure that local government is accessible to them has kept people in their homes. They are also looking at the LEP (Limited English Proficiency) plan as a city. Being part of the network gives them access to information from other communities and can save money instead of hiring consultants. Andy noted that there is a budget workshop 4/21 at 6:00 p.m. at DPW. Invited people to come to the workshop, which is combined with capital improvement plan (Planning Commission). Both police and fire chiefs have been to NPC meetings talking about facility needed. Workshop held 4/19 about police facility needed, rough estimate given for new police station just short of $19 million. They also have an option on the former Southwest Rehab facility and renovations, which would be roughly $14.5 million. Each place has advantages and disadvantages. Mark Jones asked if it makes a difference. According to Chief Blocker, there is a convenience factor to being next to the courthouse, but no. The vast majority of their work is being done out in the community. Location is not a factor. Kathleen Faris noted that the courthouse is a county facility and most communities are not close to one another. Mark Jones asked if any sociological/psychological reason for a police station downtown? Lynn Ward Gray noted that BCPD Chief Jim Blocker stated that the new SW Rehab building would put the police station more out in the community than the downtown location. Changing the existing building to suit current needs is not an option. Her feeling is that the commission is currently split on the two options. Mark Jones asked if there are vacant plots along Michigan Avenue that could be utilized for new construction. Lynn Ward Gray noted that there is some discussion around that possibility for the fire department’s needs. Steve Smith questioned how a hospital can become a police station. Andy Helmboldt noted that the bones of the former SW Rehab building are very flexible and that plans of the building were provided to the commissioners. Kathleen Faris noted the commissioners had a presentation on the International Property Maintenance code and a proposal will be coming up for changes to the Vacant and Abandoned Building ordinance, which adds commercial properties. Battle Creek Unlimited had requested new reporting requests and they received a one-page document on the strategic planning and financials. They will probably have an actual workshop in the future with BCU. Workshop also included discussion of GIS and recordkeeping and how that is used to keep track of what is physically here, such as roads and sewer/water. Update on railroad crossing is that Graphic Packaging is planning that they will no longer be using Capital Avenue for their trucks. Lynn Ward Gray reported that the Youth Advisory Board is extending their application period (TBD) and asked for candidates to submit the application to the City Manager’s Office. The annual town hall she organizes will be exploring those public school closures and what to do about the vacant buildings. County Commissioners Report: None. According to chair, Jim Haadsma will probably not be providing reports to the NPC until after the election. Battle Creek Public School Board Report: Nathan Grajek reported that National Merit Scholars in the last few years is zero. BC College Access Network makes the signs for the Legacy Scholars and asked members to encourage them to change the signage. They voted to close Urbandale and Fremont elementary schools effective the end of the current school year. Parents can choose to keep their children in the same elementary school even if they move. Chuck Yarger asked if the parents are aware of that. Grajek said he will follow up with the Superintendent to make sure that information is available. Committed to exploring all options for the vacant school buildings, demolition is the last option. Most likely Dudley will also have to close. Approved the installation of small learning academies in the high school focusing on subjects like skilled trades or STEM. Early college program will allow students to start college classes in their 11th year and stay on for a 13th year and graduate with an Associates degree. Police Report: Mark Jones noted that loud music is under discussion on Nextdoor and confirmed with the officers. Police Officers have to witness the noise violation in order to issue a citation. They have to hear it within 50 feet (25 feet at night). If they have documentation on video of an ongoing issue, they can send something to the city prosecutor’s office and they may issue a citation. Mark Jones asked that the Smart Cart on East Avenue be turned the other direction, noting it was slowing southbound people down as they were already coming to a stop. Officers noted they are writing a lot of tickets there. His concern was the northbound drivers. It was shared that the Smart Cart’s take pictures of speeders. They can’t issue tickets from it, but they can use it as documentation for cort. 149 Fremont Street (blue house just north of Quaker Park) suspected of dealing drugs, also illegal car repairs (child was hit in the driveway recently). Police are working on this. 206 Cherry Street, unsecured after a fire. Front door standing and basement accessible. Safety concerns expressed. Building inspector taking property owner to court. External Commission Reports: . Zoning Board of Appeals Report: Nothing in our area. Mark Jones has joined that commission. . Planning Commission Report: Capital improvement plan. Andy Helmboldt explained this is a running 5-year wishlist of projects. A binder full of prioritized projects that we wish we could do but we never get to any of it. Urban agriculture. Lynn Ward Gray noted that there are people in NPC2 that want to have more conversations and more understanding of it. Need for community conversations before making any decisions. . Historic District Commission Report: Approved a fence in a backyard and a house on 20 Ann Avenue approved changes in windows and siding. John Paul Wilson noted that was a really well put together presentation and was really impressed. . Housing Board of Appeals Report: None Beautiful Battle Creek Awards: Kathleen Faris noted list has been exhausted. Chair noted that a committee of two people to seek more nominations is needed. Membership Committee: John Paul Wilson noted that a lot of members haven’t been there in a long time, and will propose at the May meeting that anyone who is not at that meeting and has missed the previous three meetings be removed. Mark Jones will send out a courtesy email. Mark noted that there appears to be increasing activity on Nextdoor and will be reporting back to those posts and using it as a membership tool. Dangerous and Abandoned Buildings: Chair noted need for a couple of people to look out for these buildings and communicate them with the city about them, instead of the same addresses each month. Chair comments for the Good of the Order: Youth Advisory Board really needs young people to join them. Fair Housing commission is currently taking public comment, requested that members please attend and come back and report to the group. Membership Comments for the Good of the Order: Chuck Yarger appreciates the commission is starting the budget process. Noted that the Kramer report is seriously flawed and the public forums on the subject did not allow for critical questions and were nothing more than an expensive dog and pony show. Number of firefighters needed glossed over and ignored. Station location on Dickman one of the worst locations for a fire station but the city was conned into buying land in that area. For a fire station, it should be easy to get to where you are going. Think about working across the street from a railroad track. Engine noise high as they leave the yard hard and fast under full power due to grade. Also, junk yard noise. This location was killed 12 years ago. Horrible plan, not done right, they were told to make it for station locations in not good areas. Incomplete study, they need to do a proper study. Noted increased need for fire response in the Verona area due to demographics change. Plan does not address it. Mary Conklin: Informative Public Comments for the Good of the Order: Lynn Ward Gray: Juneteenth will be June 18th at Claude Evans Park and offered NPC 4 opportunity to join the NPC 2 at their informational booth. Family Day will be separate this year due to Urban League 50th anniversary (July 23rd). Adjournment: 8:54 p.m. Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. , First Congregational Church, 145 NE Capital Ave