Neighborhood Planning Council 5 - Urbandale

Urbandale Neighborhood Planning Council #5 Council Minutes – MARCH 9, 2015 Meeting at Christ United Methodist Church 65 North Bedford Road Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:04 PM by Robert Whitfield, chair. Attendance: Robert Whitfield, Chair; Dale Stratton; Sara Schmanske; Paul Sajtar; Deb Owens; David Moore; Hal Longman; Joshua Fausey; Stan Beckwith; Kathy Antaya. A quorum of at least seven members was present. Excused absences: Rebecca Runyon; Curtis Roberts; Pat Graw; Stan Beckwith; Fred Bachman ** Please call 269-963-7148 for “excused absence” (leave message) ** Guests included: Mary Lou Ramone; Freeman Thomas City staff included: Eric Morris; Officer Kurt Roth Previous Minutes: Corrected minutes from February 2015 meeting were approved by voice vote. January 2015 minutes were also approved by voice vote. Chair Announcements/Correspondence: Zoning Board Appeals will be heard on Tues, March 10, starting at 4pm. Go to room 301 City Hall. Police Report: Officer Kurt Roth provided an oral report for police activity in Urbandale in February.  Generally, crime rates are “average” or slightly down.  The recent “motorcycle gang” activities may be a bit exaggerated in the news and gossip. No specific link to national motorcycle gangs was made to the beatings or arson. An investigation was completed by the BC Police, State Police and Calhoun Co. Major Crimes Division. They are continuing to keep the situation under scrutiny.  3rd Town Hall Meeting is March 26, 6pm at Post-Franklin Elementary School. Topics: Business Safety and Home/Personal Safety. Notes from these Town Hall meetings are available on the BC City website.  Remember: recovered goods can be returned to the owners if properly identified – so, please mark your personal property! Also, police depend on us being observant neighbors and calling in reports of suspicious activity. Guest Speaker: no guest speaker School Report: Urbandale NPC is in need of a representative from the Urbandale “school system.” Ideally, this would be a parent, teacher or Board member that lives in our area. However, anyone with a sincere interest in our schools is qualified! We only ask a willingness to provide a monthly report of school activities and issues to the NPC. Code Report: Eric Morris distributed a written report and gave a verbal report. As expected, “snow on sidewalks” was the biggest code issue recently. A group of volunteers helped clear sidewalks, led by Dale Boyer at City Link Ministries. Morris also answered questions from the group. Funds are available for owner-occupied Urbandale homes to bring them up to code, if cited. Contact the City of Battle Creek. Special Note: It was publically noted by a member that the Morris family has several members recently inducted into the BCHS Bearcats Hall of Fame. Congratulations are due. Membership: No report. Beautiful Battle Creek Award: Dale Stratton recommended 92 Spalding for this month’s award. Old Business: Mayor Owens updated NPC on the Neighborhood Inc. grant ideas. A subcommittee has recommended we purchase 30”x94” banners (custom made) to be paced on the four light poles on the corner of Bedford Rd and Michigan Ave. (this is NOT final). Mayor Owens is following through with the grant deadline and application (deadline June 30, 2015). New Business: (This question of neighborhood concern, asked by a guest to the NPC, was added as new business.) “Has the weight limit for tractor-trailers and other trucks been increased for Bedford Rd, in Urbandale? The noise and rattling seem particularly bad in late afternoon and evening.” A brief discussion ensued. Officer Roth made a note of it and said they would look into it. Mayor Owens also promised to get more information. NOTE: arrangement have been made for our guest speakers at the April 13 meeting to address this issue. Nominating Committee: none Public Service Comment from Commissioner (Mayor) Owens:  By April 1, an offer should be made to a new Executive Director for Battle Creek Unlimited.  A second Assistant City Manager position was created and is now filled by Ted Dearing. The position is entitled Assistant City Manager for Community & Economic Development.  There has been some streamlining of city departments due to recent staff retirements.  The city is continuing to see success with the Pulver-Dryer pilot program. The Wastewater Treatment Facility uses this new technology to turn sewage sludge into combustible fuel. It would save money in the long run, and eliminate “land application” or direct incineration of sewage sludge. Public Comment: Kudos were given to the BC Roads Dept for starting to cold-patch the pot holes in March! Member Comment: Leila Arboretum is offering an Urban Farmer Training Program starting March 24. The whole 14-class program runs until May. Classes can be taken as a complete series, or individually. Call Leila Arboretum at 269-969-0270 x 123, or check it out on Facebook. Next Meeting: April 13, 2015 Adjournment: 7:59 P.M. Respectfully submitted by: Kathy Antaya