Neighborhood Planning Council 5 - Urbandale

Urbandale Neighborhood Planning Council #5 Council Minutes – March 10, 2014 Meeting at Christ United Methodist Church 65 North Bedford Road Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Robert Whitfield, chair. Attendance: Robert Whitfield, Chair; David Moore; Dale Stratton; Mary Lou Ramon; Fred Bachman; Deborah Owens; Sara Schmanske; Joe Britvec; Hal Longman; Eric Morris; Deborah Gregory; Rebecca Runyon; Joshua Fausey; Kathy Antaya; Patricia Graw; Seth Parker; Thomas Freeman; Betty Parker; Susan Bedsole; Officer Jon Hancotte; Jim Blocker; Terris Todd Previous Minutes: November 11, 2013 minutes were approved by voice vote January 13, 2014 minutes were approved by voice vote Correspondence: N/A Police Report: Officer Jon Hancotte fielded questions from the council. Guest Speaker: Susan Bedsole – Interim City Manager – discussed the Harwood Institute / Beacon Community Initiative, funded by a grant from the Kellogg Foundation through the United Way. She discussed how this study teaches people and organizations to understand their community and fundamentally change the way we work and do business. This initiative began in 2013 when over 100 community members joined together to focus on how we make decisions and what we need to do to be successful. Any questions can be referred to Laura Otts at (269) 962-9538 Interim Police Chief Jim Blocker introduced himself and discussed his background and training in both the military as well as police work. He discussed Battle Creek community development as well as what we can do for one another. Commissioner’s Report: Deb Owens discussed the positive changes to our community. She also discussed the committee formed to gather community input in the search for the new city manager. Ms. Owens discussed the Urbandale flower planting scheduled for 5/31/14 and the Urbandale Homecoming on 6/21/14. She encouraged the group to get involved in these events. School Report: Deborah Gregory from Battle Creek Public Schools field questions from the council and discussed the upcoming board meeting on 3/17/2014. Code Report: Eric Morris handed out a written report and fielded questions from the council. Eric also discussed the garbage ordinance of not putting your refuse on the curb before 3 p.m. the day before. Membership: Carl Brockman had an excused absence. Beautiful Battle Creek Award: 96 South Bedford Road as reported by Dale Stratton Old Business: Hal Longman was approved as a member by the BC City Commission on 12/3/2013 Kathy Antaya & Patricia Graw were approved as members by the BC City Commission on 9/03/2013 New Business: The speaker for the April NPC meeting will be Theresa Osborn from Community Health Connections. She will be speaking on the Affordable Health Care Act. (cont) Public Comment: Terris Todd informed the group that he is running for the State House of Representatives for the 62nd District. Other new guests included Freeman Thomas and Betty Parker. Both were introduced by current NPC members. Seth Parker, Principal of Lamora Park Elementary at 65 North Woodlawn, talked about the positives now happening at Battle Creek Public Schools. He encouraged the council members to consider volunteering to read to students at one of the 9 elementary buildings in the Battle Creek Public Schools district. Members of the council were informed of the following upcoming events: 3/27/14 Calhoun County Tea Party – Burnham Brook 6:30 p.m. 3/29/14 Good Food Matters – Career Center 9a.m. – 1 p.m. 5/9/14 Kingman Museum – Marywood Golf Outing. 8 a.m. Urban Farmer - Saturday gardening classes at Leila Arboratum March 15 – May 10, 2014 269-969-0270 x 123 for more information. Adjournment: Chair Whitfield adjourned the meeting at 8:20 PM Respectively submitted by: Deborah L. Gregory