Neighborhood Planning Council 5 - Urbandale

Urbandale Neighborhood Planning Council #5 Council Minutes – March 14, 2016 Meeting at Christ United Methodist Church Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:04 PM by Robert Whitfield, chair. Attendance: Robert Whitfield; Brian Steele; Sara Schmanske; Paula Scarbrough; Curtis Roberts; Deb Owens; David Moore; Walt McIlroy; Hal Longman; Terry Lancaster; Pat Graw; Joshua Fausey; Bev Case; Fred Bachman; Kathy Antaya, Rebecca Runyon; Catherine LaValley; Freeman Thomas. A quorum of at least seven members was present. ** Members please call 963-7148 for “excused absence” (leave message) ** Guests included: Mayor Dave Walter; Calhoun Co Commissioner Jim Haadsma. City staff included: Eric Morris; Marcie Gillette; Officer VanDyke; Darren Campbell. Additions/deletions to the Agenda: Changes to agenda order, due to extra guest speakers. Previous Minutes: Minutes from February mtg were approved by voice vote. Police Report: Our new liaison, Officer VanDyke provided a written and oral report of crimes in the Urbandale area in Feb. 30 crimes in the Urbandale area last month. We discussed speeding vehicles along Morgan Ave. Guest Speakers: Mayor Dave Walters discussed the eight miles of trail left, to complete a continuous bike trail from South Haven to Battle Creek. Plans to finish this work this summer. BC Civel Engineer Darren Campbell discussed road work planned for Urbandale this summer. He also provide a map of all city road work planned for 2016. Jim Haadsma discussed his reasons for running for Michigan State House of Representatives, and his qualifications. School Report: Catherine LaValley, gave us an update on schools.  Thanked Deb Owens for sitting on the Steering Committee for Strategic Planning.  April 16 is Bearcats Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, at BCCHS. 16 new inductees. Code Report: Eric Morris noted “code issues have declined noticeably.” Answered member questions. Passed out the NPC Resource Guide (3-ring binder) to all members present. Left extra guides for members that were absent. Marcie Gillette, Community Services Director, discussed “same day permits” for most home- owner projects (but not projects that require code review). City received $99,000 from the state Blight Elimination Fund. April 12 there will be a workshop, prior to the City Comm mtg, in 301 City Hall. Topic: new ordinance on Vacant and Abandoned Bldgs. Beautiful Battle Creek Award: Sara Schmanske nominated 1665 W. Mich Ave. Old Business: Reminder that we will discuss the SWMCDC grant (no guest speaker). New Business: New recycle bins will be distributed in April. Waste Management will take your old bin and leave a new one. No Urbandale Homecoming Parade/Event will be held this year. Cannot get enough people to help organize this event. Public Service Comments from Commissioner: Comments from Commissioner Owens.  The BC Public Transportation Committee is discussing and making recommendations on the I-94 corridor from Indiana to Jackson, due to more than 6,500 accidents along this stretch, from 2012-2014  City of BC is finalizing plans for consolidation/possible closure of some fire stations.  Water meter replacement is 44% complete. For a fee, you may “opt out” from receiving the new meters. However, no notice is given to individual residences before the city replaces your meter. New meters provide a more accurate water reading.  On April 12 at the City Com mtg, the Commissioners will vote on making Battle Creek part of the “Welcoming City” program in Michigan. Next Meeting: April 11, 2016 Adjournment: 8:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted by: Kathy Antaya