Neighborhood Planning Council 4 - Northeast

Minutes: Northeast Planning Council NPC#4 Meeting Date: Wednesday, May 18, 2016, 7:00 PM Location: First Congregational Church, 145 NE Capital Ave Call to Order: 7:04 PM by John Paul Wilson, as chair is absent. Attendance Members: John Paul Wilson, Mary Conklin, Steve Smith, John Hennink, Andy Helmboldt, Kate Flores, Kathleen Faris, Sean Lewis, Dave Salerno Guests: John Perry, Sam West, Todd Nowicki (City of Battle Creek Code Compliance), Mike Ziegler (BCPD), Laura Adams Members Absent: Mark Jones, Denise Rust, Jonna Siano, John Whittaker, Daniel Rall, Laurie Sullivan, Nathan Grajek, Sherry Sofia, Marcia Austin, Kim Yarger, Chuck Yarger, Tricha Grajek, Jim Baldwin Chair Notes/Announcements/Correspondence: Chair absent, only one copy of agenda and minutes provided Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: None Approval of Previous Minutes: Minutes were not available, no copies of March and April minutes available. No action taken. Program: Christopher Walden, Michigan Works Neighborhood Services Chris shared that he just came from giving awards at the Chamber of Commerce, including the Young Entrepreneurship Academy. Noted that he lives near Piper Park and grew up in NPC4. Michigan Works is part of the BC Vision process. Explained merger of counties during the past year (they serve Calhoun, Kalamazoo, Branch and St. Joseph) and services offered by the agency. Hot Jobs in Michigan are currently skilled trade (training and resources available for all of them) due to shortage of skilled trade workers and average age of population of current skilled trade workers (59 in Battle Creek). They currently have 900 unfilled positions in the area, from entry level to executives. As part of the BCVision process (College and Career Readiness), they need to know what services are needed in the neighborhoods and are doing outreach. They serve people as young as 14 through youth programming. Suggestions included a youth event at Piper Park to introduce career possibilities to young people, discussion of bus routes and employment opportunities. Talent Tour (tour on a normal bus route and show youth what opportunities are available, including engaging the students at the businesses). He noted that they are encouraging employers to “ban the box” and to see the value behind returning citizens. “We can build more opportunities or we can build more jails”. There are some pretty nice incentives to help companies to take on those individuals. Open computer lab is available to the community, they also have a mobile computer lab. Governmental Reports Police Report: Officer Mike Ziegler distributed Crime Stats report. Noted it is nothing out of the ordinary. They’ve been hitting spots noted at prior meetings as problem areas. A lot of assaults, not too much enforcement action that can be taken to prevent. A lot of traffic stops for loud music. Resident asked that the speed tracking sign be placed on Sherman and Orchard. Robbery on Calhoun Street came up (during third shift), apparently not significant enough for whole department so he will follow up for next time. Chris Walden thanked for the officer patrolling in his neighborhood and dealing with issues. Kathleen Faris noted that he is very approachable. Code Compliance Report: Todd Nowicki reported: 83 McKinley has gone to the county and is on the top of their list to be demoed, along with 255 Cherry. The Land Bank is currently looking for funding for it. 223 Central (Mobility Transport) was asked about last year. Per Dave Farmer, 2 vehicles is what he is okay with, and they had as many as 7, and owner of property next door has given them permission to park there. Resident noted that after last months’ meeting, they have cut back on how many vehicles were present. 314 East Ave. North has received a $500 ticket for auto sales. 323 Garfield does not have a certificate of occupancy, has pulled a ton of permits, and is in the process. Sidewalk parking has diminished. 278 Garfield (car blocking the sidewalk), has been served a notice and this has ceased, and junked vehicle removed. Neighborhood Surveys: Every 3 years all NPC’s have been surveyed and citations issued which clogs up the courts, but as of this they will be staggering them and doing some NPC’s every year. It has been 2 years since NPC4 has been done and it will be surveyed this year. BCATS: None Calhoun County Land Bank: None Elected Officials Reports City Commission Report: Andy Helmboldt: Adopted International Property Maintenance Code (copies distributed to residents at meeting). According to the Planning Manager, analysis and study of foster care and group homes (largest concentration in this NPC), is in the process. There are only three remaining parcels available in NPC4 for new foster care/large group homes because of requirements for the property. Still in the middle of the police/fire facilities discussion. Consensus appears to be leaning towards new building downtown not converting the old SW Rehab facility. Budget workshop scheduled for May 19. Originally brought on John Hart to do an economic development plan for downtown Battle Creek, this has now become the “ecosystem” project involving the other business corridors as well as the downtown. The public meetings around the corridors (Columbia, North Avenue, Capital NE, Beckley, etc.) are part of that process as well. Kathleen Faris: Appeared the Capital Improvement Program to project future projects. Short workshop on Economic Development in Battle Creek. A police officer will be specifically assigned to the Bronson BC facility, who will be compensating the city at the rate of $98,000. The officer will concentrate on nights and weekends. Chris Brown will be the officer. John Hennink asked that traffic lights be better synchronized. Van Buren and McCamly and Capital by the police station were discussed as being particularly poorly timed. John Paul Wilson brought up the issue of stop lines at stop signs being needed to slow down drivers. County Commissioners Report: None Battle Creek Public School Board Report: No one present. Discussion by members about school closure. Kate Flores noted that Fremont does not have a gym and a cafeteria and one of the criteria for keeping the school open was that it have both. Verona does have a gym and a cafeteria. Also, Verona has a higher capacity than Fremont. Fremont has a better chance of resale due to KCC and the hospital being nearby. Kathleen Faris noted that parents have received notices in the public, Fremont students are either being sent to Verona (grades 3 to 5) or Post/Franklin (K-2). There will be a town hall meeting at Ann J on May 31 at 6 p.m. to discuss repurposing of closed schools. External Commission Reports . Zoning Board of Appeals Report: No new business. Meeting cancelled. . Planning Commission Report: Discussion of urban agriculture policy and capital improvement plan. John Paul Wilson asked if the presentation on urban agriculture, given by a consultant hired by Sprout Urban Farms could be brought to the NPC. Kathleen Faris agreed to look into it. . Historic District Commission Report: No new business. Meeting cancelled. . Housing Board of Appeals Report: None. Committee Reports Beautiful Battle Creek Awards: 145 Garrison nominated by Kate Flores, really nice landscaping. Membership Committee: John Paul noted that we will postpone the vote on removing people from the member list. Discussion of July and August meetings, cancelling them for the summer. Kathleen Faris noted that we have difficulty meeting quorum during that period. No action taken. Old Business Discussion of process for getting a $1000 grant from NIBC for yard signs and how to have them made. John Paul is not sure of the process. Recommended he talk to Mary Ann or Bill about it. New Business Membership Comments for the Good of the Order: John Hennink no longer lives at 36 Orchard Place, and he’s giving up his membership in the NPC, they are moving down south. They still retain ownership of the building in the downtown business district. Kathleen Faris thanked him for all that he’s done in the NPC over the years. Public Comments for the Good of the Order: Adjournment: 8:30 p.m Next Meeting: Wednesday June 15, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.