Neighborhood Planning Council 4 - Northeast

Agenda: Neighborhood Planning Council #4, Northeast Planning Council (Fremont/Verona/McKinley) Meeting Date: Wednesday November 16, 2016 7PM Location: First Congregational Church, 145 NE Capital Ave Call to Order: 7:04 PM Attendance of Members: Mark Jones, John Paul Wilson, Sean Lewis, Andy Helmboldt, Mary Conklin, Dave Salerno, Kim Yarger, Chuck Yarger, Quorum was met with 8. Lost quorum when Kim Yarger, Chuck Yarger an Andy Helmboldt left at 8 PM. Guests: Lisa Thornton (note taker), Todd Nowicki (City of Battle Creek), Sarah Smith (All Species Kinship “ASK”), Michelle Locke (resident), Roger Koning (resident), Mary Lusk (member of 1st Presbyterian Church), Aaron Cypert (resident), Kavonna Matthews (Battle Creek Public Schools), Officer Chad Perry (City of Battle Creek) Absent Members: Kate Flores, Steve Smith, Kathleen Faris, Denise Rust, Mike Rust, Jonna Siano, John Whittaker, Daniel Rail, Lurie Sullivan, Nathan Grajek, Sherry Sofia, Marcia Austin, Tricha Grajek, and Jim Baldwin Chair Notes/Announcements/Correspondence: 1. The Planning Commission approved the changes to the hospital on Roosevelt. This was presented at the October NPC 4 meeting. 2. Be thinking about any upcoming planned community events and report on it at the end of this meeting. 3. No meeting the month of December. Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: none Approval of Previous Minutes: October 19, 2016 Tabled until January Program: A) Urban Farming Issue Presented by Sarah Smith representing All Species Kinship (ASK) ASK is against Urban Farming (Note: Mr. Jones reached out to SPROUT several times inviting them to the meeting. He did receive a response on Sunday evening indicating that someone would be attending the meeting. Mr. Jones left them his phone number. The representative from SPROUT did not show up. Due to the Urban Farming issue being cantankerous Mr. Jones wants it to be clear that both he and Mr. Wilson reached out to SPROUT.) Governmental Reports:  Police Department Report: Officer Perry: Handed out the police report extra copies available at the January meeting. Asked if there are any concerns: Ms. Locke brought up several concerns: 1) 212 E Central Street - unlicensed cars 2) 231 Central Street has a trailer in front of the house 3) Central Street has “stuff” piling up on the side of the house. Discussion about 911 calls Mr. Yarger concern about the burning leaves and lack of ordinance enforcement. Ms. Yarger indicated that not all of the smoke is burning leaves but pot. Mr. Jones had 2 concerns: 1) He isn’t getting his Nixel alerts 2) The rules of the road for Electric Wheelchairs and people walking in the street   Code Compliance Report and Community Development: Mr. Nowicki had several items to report on: 1. There are mattresses everywhere. The city is looking into removing them. 2. The limb on property (October Meeting) has been removed. 3. The house on East Ave and Sherman (October Meeting) the people have moved out. 4. Reminded people to call the city of office with concerns. 5. New issue of concern: Ms. Locke reported on the water heater in front of her house and a letter from the Code Compliance Office.  Battle Creek Area Transportation Study (BCATS): No Report  Calhoun County Land Bank: No Report Elected Officials Reports  City Commission Report o Kate Flores – Ward 3 Commissioner: Didn’t attend o Lynn Ward-Gray – Ward 2 Commissioner: Didn’t attend o Kaytee Faris – Commissioner at-large: Didn’t attend o Andy Helmboldt – Commissioner at-large: Needed to leave and didn’t report. Mr. Jones indicated his concern about people leaving at 8 PM causing a loss of quorum. There was discussion.  Battle Creek Public Schools report given by Assistant Principal Kavonna Matthews: The school is working towards changes and looking into how to celebrate students. They are also addressing our concerns about students and any other things that need to be addressed. o Nathan Grajek did not attend  County Commissioners Report: o Jim Haadsma Mr. Jones indicated that Mr. Haadsma would be resigning and that he needs to get in touch with the new County Commissioner. There are two County Commissioners. Mr. Jones asked the members if he should contact one or both of the commissioners. The members responded one. External Commission Reports  Zoning Board of Appeals – November Meeting Cancelled  Planning Commission – October Meeting Cancelled  Historic District Commission: - Mr. Wilson indicated that the meeting was cancelled  Housing Board of Appeals: nothing heard Committee Reports:  Beautiful Battle Creek Awards: Mr. Tom Carroll, 215 Cornell Drive was nominated. More homes need to be nominated  Membership Committee. Tabled until January as quorum was not met. Old Business Bylaws Proof: Mr. Jones asked that everyone read through the Bylaws for mistakes. Bylaws were voted on during October meeting. Visitor Reports and Requests: New Business:  Election of Officers for 2016/2017 Three positions are up for elections; Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary. Nominations were from the floor as follows: 1. Position of Secretary: No one was nominated and no one volunteered. Motion closed with NO Secretary 2. Position of Chair: Mr. Jones nominated himself and Mr. Lewis nominated Mr. Wilson. A hand vote of the members was held with Mr. Jones receiving 5 votes and Mr. Wilson receiving 3 votes. There was no further discussion. The Chair for 2016/2017 will be Mark Jones 3. Position of Vice Chair: Mr. Jones nominated Mr. Wilson. Mr. Wilson accepted the nomination. The vote was anonymous 8 to 0.  Bike Path Map: There was a discussion about having bike path maps. Mr. Jones will bring the idea up to the city. Membership Comments for the Good of the Order: Ms. Conklin finds the meetings to be very informative. Public Comments for the Good of the Order: (Three minutes only per person): Mr. Cypert indicated that there is public event this Veteran’s Day at 7 PM at the First Congregational Church, 145 NE Capital Ave. is the Military Story Slam sponsored by the Battle Creek Enquirer. The stories are good. Ms. Lusk will be happy to take prayer requests back to her prayer group. She has a pen and a book for those interested to write down their prayers. Ms. Locke found the meeting tonight interesting and didn’t know what to expect. She has lived in her home since 1972 and is trying to get use to the changes. NO MEETING IN DECEMBER Adjourned: 8:55 PM Next Meeting: Wednesday, January 18, 2016, 7pm Topic: TBA . Community Information and Upcoming Calendar Community Information  City of Battle Creek Water Quality Reports are available on the web and at Utility Billing, 269-966- 3366  Navy League is trying to name a naval ship the USS Battle Creek, contact TR Shaw on how to help.  Public Hearing on Community Needs on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at 7 PM in the City Commission Chamber. Question to be discussed can be found on the city website in the Community Development area.  Lead Awareness Program Thursday, October 27th from 6:30 to 8 PM at the Kool Family Community Center, 200 W. Michigan Ave, Battle Creek Free