Neighborhood Planning Council 5 - Urbandale

URBANDALE NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL Minutes from April 9th, 2018 E-Mail: ​Besteele@gmail.com Phone: 269-274-0029 1. ​Call to Order & Welcome​: Chairperson Robert Whitfield called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. 2. ​Attendance: ​Secretary Brian Steele, Chairman Robert Whitfield, Vice Chair Freeman Thomas, Walt McIlroy, Patricia Graw, Terry Lancaster, David Moore, Deborah Owens, Kristin Blood, Roger Ballard, Sara Schmanske, Curtis Roberts, Beverly Case City Staff: Officer Nathan Hopkins, Commissioner John Griffin, Dennis McKinley, Catherine LeValley, Commissioner Sherry Sofia Guest: Mary Lou Ramon, Bernadette Llewelyn, Leah Dodd Excused: Hal Longman, Fred Bachman, Joshua Fausey, Kathy Antaya, Deborah Nuzzi 3.​ Announcements: ​None 4. ​Additions or Deletions to the Agenda​: None 5.​ Approval of Previous Minutes:​ The previous month’s minutes were approved. 6. ​Police Report​: Officer Nathan Hopkins gave the police report. Officer Hopkins explained the incidents of the past month. He then took questions from the council. Officer Hopkins said that the investigation of the murder on Stringham Road is ongoing. He also answered questions on the development of the new police station. 7.​ Guest Speaker: ​Kristin Blood introduced Leah Dodd from Willard Library who came to explain the privileges of having a library card and what programs you can have access to. Ms. Dodd explained the new developments at the library, including a new sign so that the library is more visible to the general public. There are also new public meeting rooms and new small affinity groups that have formed at the library. The library also has apps such as hoopla and libby that gives access to various media platforms. For younger readers there is an app called “Tumble Books.” Of course, there are also multiple computers with public wireless access. Ms. Dodd then took questions from the council and asked what programs the public would like to see done at the library. 8. ​Committee Reports: School Report: Catherine LaValley gave the school report and introduced the BCPS secondary school superintendent Deborah Nuzzi. Ms. Nuzzi explained information that was distributed about the $51 million grant. She explained that they did not just receive money but wrote a grant based on what they discerned the needs of the students were through research. She also spoke about the upcoming vote on May 8th and the implications of the vote. It was explained that the millage is going to be sustained but not increased. Mr. Dean Newsome also spoke on the upcoming vote. Ms. Lavalley also said there would be a meeting to discuss about what the former Urbandale Elementary building could be used for. If people are unable to attend the meeting they can e-mail ​cathlavalley@yahoo.com​ with suggestions. Code Report: Dennis McKinley distributed the code report and asked if there were any questions. He will look into 104 N. Woodlawn Ave, a house that had been burned significantly as well as other local businesses and properties that are edging on not being in compliance. Beautification: 430 Presidential Drive 9. ​Old Business: ​Terry Lancaster announced that on the afternoon of April 21st Kristin Blood will be leading a group for the Adopt-A-Highway cleanup and Terry will be leading a group in the morning. He mentioned that he would like to have someone available to take photos to submit to the Battle Creek Shopper. You can see Terry to sign up. Chairman Whitfield also gave a brief update on the Urbandale Fall Festival. They will release more information once they know the amount of money they receive from a grant. Chairman Whitfield also gave an update on the Blue Ribbon Committee. Roger Ballard also gave an update on the potential of having a dog park at Fell Park. There is a facebook page called Friends of Calhoun County Dog Park people can see for more information. 10.​ New Business: ​Secretary Brian Steele announced that there is still a need for a new secretary as next month will unfortunately be his last meeting here. 11. ​Nominating Committee​: Nothing to report 12. ​Public Service Comments from Commissioner: ​Commissioner John Griffin said he did not understand the “chicken issue.” Commissioner Sherry Sofia spoke on the matter and said there will be a meeting on, she believes, April 17th about urban agriculture within the city boundaries. Commissioner Sofia explained the details of the legislation and what is being discussed. 13. ​Comments for the Good of the Order: Public Comments: Mary Lou Ramon brought information on the City of Public Works. She distributed the information to the council. There are concerns over backflowing water from personal properties. Member Comments: Roger Ballard asked ULABA members about pizza delivery service not being able to deliver to Bent Tree Apartments. Terry Lancaster said the next Fall Festival meeting is on April 17th at Spanky’s at noon. 14. ​Next Meeting​: May 14th, 2018 15. ​Adjournment: ​The meeting was adjourned at 8:38 p.m.