Neighborhood Planning Council 5 - Urbandale

Urbandale Neighborhood Planning Council #5 Council Minutes – May 11, 2015 Meeting at Christ United Methodist Church 65 North Bedford Road Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:01 PM by Robert Whitfield, chair. Attendance: Robert Whitfield, Chair; Johnny Vick; Dale Stratton; Sara Schmanske; Curtis Roberts; Deb Owens; David Moore; Walt McIlroy; Hal Longman; Pat Graw; Joshua Fausey; Fred Bachman; Kathy Antaya. A quorum of at least seven members was present. Excused absences: Rebecca Runyon; Paul Sajtar; Carl Brockman ** Members please call 269-963-7148 for “excused absence” (leave message) ** Guests included: Freeman Thomas; Paula Scarbrough; Catherine LaValley; Wesley Seely BCPS City staff included: Eric Morris; Dennis McKinley; Officer Thomas Burke; Sgt. Ken Milliken; Darren Campbell Previous Minutes: Minutes from April meeting were approved by voice vote. Chair Announcements/Correspondence: none Police Report: Officer Burke provided a written and oral report for police activity in Urbandale in April.  Police have arrested two suspects for the recent spate of “breaking and entering” crimes.  The dedicated Traffic Unit has spent 6 hours in the last two weeks watching for speeders and other traffic issues.  Officer Burke also answered questions from members.  Sgt Ken Milliken said BCPD have asked MI State Police to conduct more weight assessments for trucks. This is in response to concerns/complaints about excessive noise and vibrations and speeds of semis in our area.  A member noted that Rev. Bobby Holley is leading a PRO-police march on Sat., May 16. Several other members noted that they (we) are grateful to our BCPD for their community efforts, especially in light of the nationwide concerns regarding police activities and accusations of racism.  3rd Town Hall Meeting was March 26, 6pm at Post-Franklin Elementary School. Notes from all three 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: none School Report: Wes Seely, Principal of Valley View Elem School  Summer school – elementary children will attend M-Th, with a split day – ½ academics and ½ enrichment  BC students filled 22 slots for the BC Area Math and Science Center  MSTEP has replaced MEAP for student testing. MSTEP is more aligned with Common Core Standards. Tests will be given in spring.   Proposal for BC school closing still under consideration. The issue is too few students and big, expensive-to-maintain buildings. School Board will next meet May 18 at McQuiston.  BC Central recently participated in a Forensics Tournament. Individuals and team did very well. The school is ranked 10th in the state!  Monday, June 8 is the last day of school. Please ensure your child attends class that day – a head count of students will be made. If attendance falls below a certain number, that day will not count!  Bearcat PULL Team – Parents Ultimately Limiting Loss. Next meetings are May 14 and May 28, 7 pm at Northwestern Middle School Library. Code Report: Eric Morris provided a written report of code violations, and also answered questions from the group. Morris is working with Matt Flanders to increase resident participation in the Community Action Agency grant program. The CAA Housing Rehab Grants are available for residents who have been cited by the city for code violations. These grants are up to $5,000 ($12,000 for roofs) and are income dependent. Call Matt Flanders, 269-966-3387, for more details. Membership: no report Beautiful Battle Creek Award: Dale Stratton recommended 104 Bynum for this month’s award. Old Business: Mayor Owens updated the NPC on the Neighborhood Inc. grant. She proposes purchasing two self-standing banners (with portable, heavy bases), at approximately $600 total. They will be used to highlight Urbandale businesses. They could also be used at Urbandale events. Our NPC would own these banners, and a list of “standard operating procedures” would need to be created (i.e. which business, how long, who moves them, where stored, etc.) A member asked if private businesses could also purchase a banner. Owens will investigate. Owens is following through with the grant deadline and application (deadline June 30, 2015). She will work with the committee to finalize details. A member suggested the banner design could be selected from student-created artwork. Paula Scarbrough offered to follow through on this suggestion. A member suggested using the BC Shopper News to highlight the businesses displaying these banners. A picture of the banner in front of the business and a brief description could be submitted weekly. A motion, and second, was made to purchase the banners (through the Neighborhoods, Inc grant). Motion passed with a hand vote. New Business: none Nominating Committee: no business Public Service Comment from Commissioner (Mayor) Owens:  Proposal for BC school closing still under consideration. The issue is too few students and big, expensive-to-maintain buildings. School Board will next meet May 18 at McQuiston. Public Comment: BC Civil Engineer Darren Campbell reported on 2015 road repairs. He provided a map and definitions of the repair types. He indicated a notice will be hung on the front doors of the street being repaired, one day prior to the repair starting. Member Comment:  Leila Arboretum Plant Sale is Sat and Sun, May 16 and 17.  Leila Arboretum has a special weeklong event June 13-20. Called the Fantasy Forest Art Competition, it will transform the grove of dead Ash trees located at the arboretum entrance on Michigan Ave. A weeklong schedule of family friendly events culminates with prizes awarded for the best artistic sculptures created out of the massive tree trunks. For more details call 969- 0270 or see Leila’s Facebook or web page. Next Meeting: June 8, 2015 Adjournment: 8:01 P.M. Respectfully submitted by: Kathy Antaya