Neighborhood Planning Council 5 - Urbandale

URBANDALE NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL Minutes from May 14th, 2018 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, Roger Ballard, David Moore, Patricia Graw, Sara Schmanske, Terry Lancaster, Beverly Case, Fred Bachman, Joshua Fausey, Kathy Antaya, Curis Roberts, Walt McIlroy, Johny Vick, City Staff: Corporal Kris Brown, Commissioner John Griffin, Battle Creek Transit Manager Richard Werner, Eric Morris (Senior Code of Compliance), Anthony Mulvey (BCPS), Nancy Hoard, Wayne Hoard, Excused: Deborah Owens, Catherine LaValley 3. Announcements: Chairman Whitfield announced about the Byrne Grant Project and the next meeting is Monday, June 4th at the Salvation Army (400 NE Capital Ave). Chairman Whitfield also gave information about an application that was submitted to win the All-American City Award, presented annually by the National Civic League. The city is seeking individuals to Co-design a presentation that will be given June 21-24 in Denver. Please contact Jessica Vanderkolk at jvanderkolk@battlecreekmi.gov, 269-966-3355, x 1204. Roger Ballard gave an update on potential dog parks in the area, specifically in Fell Park. People can look on Facebook at Friends of Calhoun County Dog Parks for meeting times and more information. 4. Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: None 5. Approval of Previous Minutes: The previous month’s minutes were approved. 6. Police Report: Corporal Kris Brown gave the police report. There was a lengthy report of foot patrol, which shows that officers are interacting and talking with citizens. He also said there Were numerous traffic stops on Michigan Avenue, which is common. There were also isolated assaults and larcenies. Corporal Brown also took questions from the council. 7. Guest Speaker: Roger Ballard introduced Richard Werner who is the Transit Manager of the City of Battle Creek. Werner gave a brief personal and vocational background and explained his office’s organizational set-up. Werner gave information on the transit facilities and where they are located in the city. He also explained how they received a grant to develop a transit master plan to re-evaluate the transit system to meet the needs of the community better. Werner told the council how his department receives funding as well. There were also several public meetings where the department could receive feedback. The department is looking into some new equipment, but tries to keep their buses running as long as possible due to high costs. The eventual Master Plan will be voted on and submitted by the full City Commission. There will still be more public meetings before the final recommendation. Werner then took questions from the council. 8. Committee Reports: School Report: Anthony Mulvey from BCPS was here to give the school report. The biggest accomplishment was the millage approval. One of the biggest positives in recent years is that BCPS attendance has stabilized instead of continuing on a downward trend. They are looking forward to the future to reverse the trend and increase attendance. Talks regarding the former Urbandale Elementary are on the radar but nothing significant has happened. Code Report: Eric Morris gave a verbal report. He said there has not been anything significant but it has helped to have the same code officer in the same area in the past year. He then took concerns from the council. Beautification: 125 Mason Avenue North. 9. Old Business: Roger Ballard thanked everyone who encouraged him to attend the citizen’s police academy. He will graduate this week. He said it was very opening to see both sides of police work. 10. New Business: Secretary Brian Steele thanked the council for their work the past three years. Steele will be moving in June and this is his last meeting. 11. Nominating Committee: Nothing to report 12. Public Service Comments from Commissioner: Commissioner John Griffin announced that the ordinance on raising chickens was passed by a vote of 5-4. Commissioner Griffin said he voted against it because the majority of the information he received was that our NPC area was not in favor of it. Kathy Antaya said City Hall started to receive applications for chickens today. She said the city has received only four applications thus far. 13. Comments for the Good of the Order: Public Comments: None Member Comments: Kathy Antaya said there would be a Fall Festival meeting May, 15th, Noon-1:00 at Spanky’s. It is open to the public. Walt McIlroy asked who was going to replace Brian Steele. We will contact a prospective candidate. McIlroy also said that while we appreciate everything Chairman Whitfield does and he does an excellent job, some new candidates could benefit so Whitfield can have a break. He has done the job for 20 years and cannot do it forever. Interested candidates can contact nominating committee chair Fred Bachman. The Blue Ribbon Committee was also extensively discussed and what our NPC would like to see happen. 14. Next Meeting: June 11th, 2018 15. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.