Neighborhood Planning Council 5 - Urbandale

NPC#5 - URBANDLAE NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 10TH 2018 Call to Order 7pm by Robert Whitfield Attendance – Member (M) Guest (G) City Rep (C): Johnny Vick (M), Patty Gray (G), Sally McCune (G), Terry Lancaster (M), Melissa Makinder (G), Judy Brown (G), Bev Cene (M), Roger Ballard (M), Deb Owens (M), Kathy Antaya (M), Regina Kilgore (M), Kathy Melendez (M), Fred Bachman (M), Patricia Graw (M), Sara Schmaske (M), Eric Morris (C), Ollie Griffin (G), John Griffin (C), David Moore (M), Curtis Roberts (M), Bernadette Llewellyn (G), Gloria Zanetti (M), Freeman Thomas (M), Robert Whitfield (M), Kristin Blood (M), Officer Hopkins (C) Excused – Wayne and Nancy Hoard, Josh Fausey, Catherine LaValley, Walt McIIroy Prior meeting minutes approved. Police Report: Officer Hopkins - (highlights) - Urbandale Stats handed out had a correction, page 4 were not Urbandale stats. - BNEs are low, at zero for this last month - Officer Hopkins attempted to make contact with the drug rehab business at Washington and MI, however they have been closed each time. He will continue to attempt to make contact. - Bev asked about the fire/police/etc. commotion this past Friday, seeking if BCPD was involved. Hopkins did not hear of anything, does not feel BCPD was involved. Freeman stated he felt it could have been a car chase that had gone through town. - Hopkins had mentioned that he requested that our NPC hold a meeting down at the new station and take a personal tour of the station. He stated it was the wish of BCPD that all NPCs visit and tour the new facility. - Curtis asked about the drone status. Hopkins responded that he believed we had the drone, however policies and procedures were being written up prior to use, it has not been in service yet. - Curtis asked about communications out of the new building. Hopkins responded that everything is going well, no issues he is aware of. - Roger asked about parking the wrong way on the street, if it was still illegal. Hopkins confirmed it was, to which Roger noted on Willard cars are parking the wrong way on the street. Speaker (no formal speaker had been arranged, however Robert noted that Teri was able to secure a speaker last minute): Melissa Mackinder and Judy Brown were here on behalf of Bronson Battle Creek and their volunteer department. (highlights) - Melissa noted that volunteers are invested in Bronson and Battle Creek serving in many areas: inpatient, outpatient, transport, gift shop, cancer care center, ER, popcorn service, raising funds, cuddler program, pet therapy, monthly guilds, etc. - Current volunteers are looking to provide funds to help purchase a 6-degree pitch couch for radiation treatment patients. - Last year over 33,000 volunteer hours were put in at Bronson Battle Creek. - They have volunteers in mainly Mon-Fri during business hours, but are flexible to work with all volunteers. - Robert had asked about some of the differences between Kazoo and BC cancer centers and the volunteer interacting with patients. Melissa stated it depended on the patients and volunteers who decided the level of interaction. School Board – no one present (Kristin Blood did attend a portion of the school board meeting and recapped her interpretation of the meeting.) - Public comment was short, only two. One commented on busing, while the other (Kristin) commented on the approved accountability of the LINK crew at BCCHS. - Mentioned the Sept 13 6pm meeting at McQuiston all were invited to discuss the Ford Institute collaboration. - Talked about current election two open seats and three running. Poole-Gray was present and spoke about this as well NPC#5 - URBANDLAE NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 10TH 2018 (she is currently running for one of the open seats, mentioned elections are Nov 6.) - Confirmed that Grajek and LaValley are up for reelection to the school board. Code Report – Eric Morris present from the city (highlights) - 42 properties are up for rental permit renewals - 4 properties are without water - Roger asked about the corner of MI and Ridgemore due to the weeds/grape leaves blocking the view of traffic. Not sure if owners were aware they are responsible for those. Mentioned it is not accessible for those with physical challenges. - Teri mentioned that Presidential acres was mowed late June but not since and the grass was very tall. It was questioned by Roger if he had to mow due to being over an acre of size and being the same owner. Eric said he would follow up on it. - Robert asked about the pending beautification report, why it was pending. Eric responded that it was pending due to needing to be closed. - Robert asked for an updated/extra resource guides/leaflet to hand out. Stated the website was too long to list. - Patty Graw asked about a home with a broken window and caved in door. Eric stated it was owner occupied, he was aware of it and was working on it. - Regina asked whom she speaks to about the light poles having burnt out bulbs. It was stated she should connect with consumers, who then reaches out to public works. She was also told she could contact public works directly as well. Membership – Excused members were mentioned (Walt, LaValley, Josh, Hoard (x2)) Beautification – 133 Geneva Ave Old Business – (highlights) - Roger mentioned that there was progress for the dog park, however it would be moved to Bailey Park due to funding. Urbandale cannot obtain funding at this time, however there is a Grant available for the Bailey Park area. The committee will be meeting with the mayor within three weeks. The proposed park would be 100x300 and on the NE corner where there is good shade and grass - Kathy reminded the group that the Fall Festival would be this Sat from 11a-3p, hosted by the Urbandale NPC. Funding was received from BCCF and individual contributions. It was stated there would be ice cream, food, bouncy house, hay rides, games, resources, etc. There is a final meeting Tues Sept 11 at Spankys at 12p. Kathy and Fred were on Access vision promoting the festival (air times were not known), also promoted in the shopper and local businesses. There is still a need for volunteers. **Late in the meeting Teri had missed old business and wanted to remind the group of Highway Clean up Sept 22 at 9am behind the Shell station, rain or shine. He said he would make calls for reminders.** Written here to be included, will also be typed in order when spoken at meeting. Nominating Committee (Fred Bachman) – (highlights) - Fred called for nominations for voting next month and appointment in Nov. It was stated that Kristin had stated she was willing to serve in a capacity needed. Open positions are: Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary. - Kathy nominated Kristin Blood for Chair, Roger seconded the nomination. Approved by group. - Robert nominated Freeman Thomas for Chair, Patty Graw seconded the nomination. Approved by group. Rescinded by Freeman, he did not desire that position – stated he was willing to serve as Vice Chair. - Roger nominated Freeman for Vice Chair, Teri seconded the nomination. Approved by group. - Fred asked Robert if he wanted to run again, Robert stated he was running, no formal nomination for Robert to run. Robert self-nominated and then spoke of rescinding to be secretary if necessary. Asked Kristin if she would like to be secretary. Robert stated he has served in many capacities and wanted to see the NPC succeed. He asked Kristin if she had served as a Chair prior. Kristin responded that she had acted as a PTO President, Vice President and has run groups NPC#5 - URBANDLAE NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 10TH 2018 before, but never chaired a neighborhood planning council. - Kristin stated she would serve the NPC based on the nominations of the members. If they feel she would best serve as chair or secretary she was willing to help however needed. - Discussion ensued about who could be nominated, if Robert was formally nominated, if one person could be nominated for two positions, seeking secretary, etc. - Robert made motions for several members to act as secretary (went fast hard to grab all names) all members asked declined. - Robert moved to have the nominations be postponed until more members could be present, no second. - Kathy asked that all members be notified of the election process and time frame. - Patty Gray attempted to make a motion, declined based on not being a member. - Patty Graw made a motion to have Patty Gray appointed as a member, seconded by Kathy. NPC is seeking membership for Patty Poole-Gray. - Freeman asked to table the discussion, opposed by Roger and Deb. No discussion, Deb called to order and asked for discussion based on opposed votes. - Roger mentioned that there is turmoil in leadership and he is dissatisfied with leadership, asked that Robert’s Rules of Order be used. - Deb stated that after the nominations of Chair and Vice Chair things are in order and that those nominations should be carried forward and that nominations from the floor could take place next month, during the vote. - Kathy clarified that tabling does not need to be done, as it slows down the process and is not necessary for the situation. - Freeman clarified that we would keep the ballot and seek floor nominations next month, confirmed by Deb and Kathy. - Freeman withdrew his tabling motion, Teri agreed to remove his second. Nominations were not tabled. - Kathy urged that the executive committee contact members and seek nominations for positions and Robert said he would call members. Commissioner Report (John Griffin) – (highlights) - No PFAs in water per city report, full use without fear - New Vice Mayor - @ large S. Sophia - New Fire Chief - Brian Studivant (Battle Creek raised) - Blue Ribbon Panel Work Session, Tues Sept 18th 530pm 302 A @ City Hall - Mentioned why he didn’t vote for Lynn Ward Gray, due to he didn’t feel she wanted to run, he was reading lips and didn’t feel that she wanted the position and was deciding last minute during the session - During his explanation Griffin referred to the fellow female commissioners as girls, Kathy asked that he refer to them as women. - Roger asked if there was a consensus at the last meeting that our NPC was asking that Griffin vote for Gray. Griffin responded and said there was no such consensus. - Kristin responded and stated she had made a motion that Griffin vote on behalf of Gray for Vice Mayor, Kathy had seconded it and support had been given. Roger explained that this would mean we were seeking his vote for Gray. - Roger asked that Griffin be a representation of the people of the NPCs, he understands there are two NPCs, however he’d like to see representation in his votes of those he serves. - Discussion ensued about the difference in size of the NPCs, membership, voting power for ward 1 based on size of NPC, NPC 10 being composed of Ward 1 and 5, NPC 5 being solely Ward 1, etc. - Griffin asked Deb, based on her being a past commissioner, if commissioners were bound to residents based on their recommendations. Deb said commissioners are not bound, however historically they have voted on behalf of those they represent and what they ask the commissioner to vote on. NPC#5 - URBANDLAE NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 10TH 2018 - Owens asked Griffin how he voted on Gerrymandering when the commission last met, she stated she missed his vote. He said he voted in favor of it as it was presented to the commission. - Dave mentioned that Sophia won 6 v 3, Griffin stating she would have won if he had voted for Gray any way. - Kristin sought clarification on the workshop for the Blue-Ribbon committee, asking Griffin if he had a position, reminding him it was discussed last meeting at the NPC. He stated he didn’t have a position, but he’d prefer to keep things as they are now. New Business – (highlights) - Patty mentioned that representatives from the Willard library would be trying to visit NPCs every/every other month to keep the NPCs aware of what the library is doing/offering. - Roger wanted to ask a follow up to Patty, stating that the library drop box at Comerica was removed, which surprised him and hindered him in his recent travels. Asked that it be put back. - Dave asked when the blue-ribbon committee recommendations would be decided upon. Griffin did not know, but said not this next meeting. - Gloria stated that ULABA will be holding their only fundraiser, the pancake dinner, the first Friday of Nov, 5-7pm. She stated that this fundraiser helps fund the Christmas lights, flowers, etc. Family Fare has been instrumental in supplying food and they are seeking volunteers. - Deb asked about the follow up questions and comments of the commissioner, what came of the meeting. Robert commented that he didn’t want to ask the commissioner random questions, he wanted something prepared and since there were not prepared questions he canceled it. Deb mentioned she felt it would be good to hold this type of question/comment session. Public Comment – (highlights) - Ollie asked since there are two NPCs if the commissioner was to listen only to Urbandale as they were larger, or should he take a combined approach. Conversation ensued again discussing the size of ward 1 in both NPC 5 and NPC 10, that the majority of his voters are at the Urbandale NPC 5, since NPC 10 is a mixture of ward 1 and 5. Robert stated that both should count, the commissioner should use his best judgement. Bev asked how communication between the NPC takes place and who communicates that to the NPCs. Robert stated he communicated with NPC 10 however did not share that with NPC 5 always. Robert directed folks to use their resource book to help answer some of these questions, it was mentioned not all had a resource book or they were outdated. - Kathy mentioned she had received a box, perhaps it contained resource books, however she passed that to Brian she believes. Roger said he would check with Brian to see if he had the box or resource books. It was stated that we required 4-5 resource books for new members, or members without a book. - Fred mentioned that there would be a band area at the Fall Festival and stated that folks should bring chairs, so they don’t have to stand and listen. - Robert stated that the church gave him a key and he worked with Sue Wells at the church to coordinate NPC 5 meetings. He said the church is always running a deficit so it was asked that whomever is the new chair or vice chair work with Sue and keep costs (lights, AC, etc.) to a minimum. - Curtis requested that there be guidelines for the nominating committee, Fred Bachman, so moving forward it is more structured. Robert let Curtis know that would fall on the new executive committee moving forward. - Teri asked about old business, missed it and wanted to remind everyone that Sept 22nd there would be a highway clean up. Meet up would be at 9am behind the Shell station, rain or shine. He said he would make calls to the people on the list who said they would volunteer in Aug, ensuring they could help in Sept. Adjourned at 834pm