Neighborhood Planning Council 5 - Urbandale

MINUTES OF MEETING URBANDALE NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL – NPC 5 (Christ United Methodist Church, 65 Bedford Rd) Monday, January 14, 2019 @ 7:00 p.m. **PLEASE SEND ANY MEETING ABSENCES and AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO SECRETARY** KristinBloodWard1@gmail.com OR call chair Robert Whitfield MINUTES 1. Call to Order & Welcome @ 7:03p.m.: (Invocation/Moment of Silence) 2. Attendance [Member (M) Guest (G) City Rep (C)]: Catherine LaValley (M), Rodney Stein (G), Terry Lancaster (M), Patty Poole Gray (M), John Griffin (C), Amanda Paffhausen (G), Jordan Barrons (G), Deborah Owens (M), Johnny Vick (M), Curtis Roberts (M), Bernadette Lyn (G), Patricia Graw (M), Sara Schmanske (M), Freeman Thomas (M), Roger Ballard (M), David Moore (M), Rebecca Pierce (M), Eric Morris (C), Kathy Antaya (M), Robert Whitfield (M) EXCUSED: Fred Bachman, Joshua Fausey, Nancy Hoard, Wayne Hoard 3. Approval of Previous Minutes: Moved by Curtis, seconded and supported by all 4. Chair Notes/Announcements/Correspondence: Chair Robert Whitfield offered a Happy New Year to all 5. Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: None 6. Police Report: Officer Barrons was present. We will be seeing a new report for statistics that the department is now using. There was a shooting at Arbor Point recently, however no update at the time of our NPC meeting. It was mentioned again that tickets were not helping the situation of cars being parked the wrong way (if they were being issued). 7. Guest Speaker: Amanda Paffhausen from Willard Library was introduced by Kristin Blood. Amanda Paffhausen brought a winter flier highlighting all the “Love Where You Live” series happening in BC. She mentioned Color of Law, Kalamazoo River discussion, Using Photography to Tell the Story of your Community, Author visits, volunteer events (spring), etc. Amanda also reminded us of the meeting rooms available for use, vinyl cutting lab, maker kits available for check out, new MI works partnership, knitting and crochet club, book art, etc. Library swag was presented on tables and free. 8. Committee Reports: (Comments limited to 3 min per topic) a. School: Catherine LaValley presented mentioning the new board members appointed today, one of which was Patty Poole Gray (NPC #5 member). Catherine mentioned that new officers were also elected. She was happy to confirm attendance is up (the five challenge is doing well). There are still yard signs available to those who would like one posted in their yard for the attendance challenge. This was the 82nd year of band follies, looking forward to next year. b. Code Report: Eric Morris was present and discussed junk accumulation, front yard parking, E-paint program, free mattress bags @ city hall, Mr Murphy’s property, a recent death within the department, Horseless Carriage violations, enforcement of sidewalk clearing, Urbandale plaza debris from closed bank, how notices are given for junk accumulation and front yard parking, Senate St trash pick up. Most conversation with Mr. Morris was driven by questions asked from NPC members. 9. New Membership & Renewal: Catherine LaValley, Rebecca Runyon, Freeman Thomas, Fred Bachman and Joshua Fausey all ask that their membership be renewed. Please remember to call if you are going to miss meetings, information is at the top of these minutes. 10. Beautiful Battle Creek Award/Nominations: Brief follow up discussion confirming our decision last month to honor city request to fulfill current BBCA addresses before sending more. It was noted that the Chair Robert Whitfield disagrees with this process but will accept the decision of the members and Sarah Schmanske, awaiting the list to be depleted before offering more addresses for consideration. 11. Old Business: 1. Kathy Antaya has agreed to chair the festival again. She mentioned there will be a meeting Feb 12th (2nd Tues of the month) at Spanky’s. This will be the first meeting to set up volunteers. Chair Robert Whitfield asked that alternatives be put in place in case Ms. Antaya becomes ill. Teri Lancaster reminded Ms. Antaya to include Paula S. in the email list. 12. New Business: 1. April 13 is the 1st date of the Adopt a Highway pick up. 2. Chair Robert Whitfield commented that he’d like our NPC to become involved with school system programming. Deborah Owens and Catherine LaValley stated they’d work together on arranging young folks to get involved with NPC. 3. Clothes Closet and Food Pantry @ Church is in need of items. It was moved by Deborah Owens and supported by unanimous vote, that our NPC include the Food pantry on our agenda, ensuring we as an NPC are aware of the needs. Kristin Blood asked that Roger Ballard work with the church, identifying the Food Pantry needs, notifying our NPC each month, ensuring we can support the pantry. Motion: Amend the current agenda to include the Food Pantry, created/supported by ULABA into our agenda under committee reports. CANNED FOODS ARE NEEDED FOR FEBRUARY 13. Nominating Committee: None 14. Public Service Comments from Commissioners: Commissioner John Griffin was present. He started by wishing everyone a Happy New Year. Questions were raised and discussion ensued regarding BC budget deficit of $2.4 million. By-outs were suggested for senior employees, in hopes to save money on incoming new hires. Mr. Griffin mentioned an $80,000 walk in van that the city just purchased, a new $3million/2 year Waste Management contract that was signed and the recent proclamation awarded for city election workers. 15. Comments for the Good of the Order: (Comments limited to three (3) minutes per person) a. Public Comments: It was asked by Freeman Thomas who (which company) delivered the “advertisement packet” wrapped in a yellow baggie. It was mentioned that these bags are being thrown at homes without regard to where they land (litter the yard/street). It was suggested that we call and complain to the company and/or city. b. Members Comments: 1. Kathy Antaya mentioned that Jan 28th @ 1st Methodist church would be hosting Lizzy from Program Management, who would be talking about Recycling and a Zero Waste Lifestyle. 2. Commissioner Griffin was asked if our garbage rates were going to go up, to which he answered no, however recycling will now only occur every other week. Deborah Owens asked what the schedule would be and when it would start, no information given in response. 3. Kathy Antaya mentioned that Jan 22 would be the national day of racial healing. This would be demonstrated on streets by people holding large red hearts. 4. Chair Robert Whitfield ask that 2019 run as previous years: speakers have 20 mins, no interruptions and to be out by 8pm. 16. Next Meeting: March 11, 2019 17. Adjournment: 8:08pm City of Battle Creek Home Page: http://www.battlecreekmi.gov/site3.aspx Crime Map: www.ci.battle-creek.mi.us/crimesearch City Commission Agenda & Minutes: http://www.battlecreekmi.gov/City_Government/Mayor_and_Commission/Current_Agendas_and_Minutes.htm The City of Battle Creek will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered in the meeting upon reasonable notice to the City of Battle Creek. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the City of Battle Creek by writing or calling the following: City Clerk (269) 966-3348/T DD