Neighborhood Planning Council 4 - Northeast

members: Mary Conklin, Kaytee Faris, Sean Lewis, Mary Lusk, David Salerno, Sherry Sofia, JP Wilson, Chuck Yarger, Kim Yarger guests: Kelly Dillman, Chad Francisco, Nathan Grajek, Jenifer Kay, Roger Koning, Joe Rocha, Melissa Rocha, Ben Yarger, Chris Zuzga 7:00 Jan 17, 2018 BCPS: Jenifer Kay, HS principal: Talked about the community partnership with MI Dept of Education, National Honor Society soul food dinner Feb 27 Nov minutes were approved with the following change: Sarah Smith is vice chair, not Sean. BCPD: Chad Francisco, Byrne grant officer: Commended officer Kerschen on making drug arrests during his shift between 2-10pm. Added two new sheets to police report that compare crime statistics 10.1 17- 1.11.18 with prior year. Cherry St area RA20 all categories down 50-100%; Calhoun St RA14 all categories down except burglary, up 180%. 48 foot patrol, 79 traffic stops for the month. Animal control activity not reported. BCPD: Kelly Dillman, outreach liaison: Byrne grant not just enforcement. Includes an information and community project orientation. Gave handout about the restart of Citizen Police Academy. Ben Yarger: Interested in opening a gym for youth. Interested in converting the old laundromat on Calhoun St. Code compliance: Chris Zuzga: The Masterplan is going up to the city commission for review . Commented on tweaking the zoning district for North Ave and Calhoun St to reflect existing realities. Officer Francisco recommended calling in snowmobile activity on the streets to the police. Commission: Kaytee Faris: Dec 1 workshop about Binder Golf Course; dependent on the general fund to pay off bond debt until 2025. Fees cover operating expenses but not the debt. New initiatives are complicated by location in Emmett Township. Recommends pay off debt before attempting to sell. Regular meeting; reviewed rental property ordinances, special use permit granted for tattoo parlor downtown, looking to consolidate voter precincts, revoked tax exemption for Heritage Tower (transferred) and 180 Urban Development, transferred tax exemption from Kellogg to Duncan Aviation, working with KCC and Michigan Works for employment initiatives, expediting a 5 million dollar loan to Heritage Tower from Kellogg Foundation, considering charter changes for direct election of mayor, length of terms of commissioners, gave tax exemption to Prairie Farms for saving and adding jobs. School Board: Nathan Grajek explained the MDE news as streamlining the partnership with BCPS, KF, BCCF. Policy manual updated includes tobacco free facility. Urbandale School up for sale, Fremont not. Sherry answered a question about a death in the railroad quiet zone. Engineers can sound horn in an emergency. Kaytee listed the names that were nominated for a blue ribbon advisory committee to review the city charter and provide recommendations to the city commission about any potential changes. Joe Rocha a real estate owner and property manager and his wife Melissa talked about buying and fixing up rental properties in our neighborhood area. Recounted past experience with the city over zoning issues that didn't make sense. Referred to the 85 unit building on Capital Ave NE ( 250?) as little Beruit. Would like to continue neighborhood transformation. Comments: Mary Conklin wondered if Ben Yarger's youth group could tap into a Byrne grant. Kaytee noted there is a workshop to determine the goals for the city manager. Joe invited people to view his properties on Facebook. Mary Lusk took Kim's request for a prayer for Officer Kerschen and his wife new baby girl. 8:22 adjourn