Neighborhood Planning Council 5 - Urbandale

NOTICE OF MEETING URBANDALE NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL – NPC 5 (Christ United Methodist Church, 65 Bedford Rd) Monday, April 8, 2019 @ 7:00 p.m. **FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES and AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS CONTACT** KristinBloodWard1@gmail.com OR call Robert Whitfield @ 269-213-9774 MINUTES 1. Call to Order & Welcome @ 7:04 p.m.: (Invocation/Moment of Silence) 2. Attendance [Member (M) Guest (G) City Rep (C)]: Kate Rozeveld (G), Jessica Gilbert (G), Amanda Paffhausen (G), Terry Lancaster (M), Rodney Stein (G), Barbara Steele (G), Sara Schmanske (M), Pat Graw (M), Nancy Hoard (M), Fred Bachman (M), Curtis Roberts (M), Freeman Thomas (M), John Griffin (C), Ollie Griffin (G), Jordan Barrons (C), Johnny Vick (M), Eric Feldt (C), Eric Morris (C), Rebecca Pierce (M), Bernadette Lleweyn (G), Kathy Antaya (M), Kristin Blood (M), Robert Whitfield (M), Catherine LaValley (M), Jim Haadsma (G), Roger Ballard (M) EXCUSED: Joshua Fausey, Deb Owens, Beverly Case, Wayne Hoard, Walt McIlroy 3. Approval of Previous Minutes: Moved by Fred Bachman to accept previous minutes, supported and passed. 4. Chair Notes/Announcements/Correspondence: - Chair Robert Whitfield recognized Jim Haadsma, MI House Representative, who was present. Mr. Haadsma introduced himself and spoke about his community meetings hosted on the 1st Sat of the month, as noted in the Shopper. Mr. Haadsma enjoys coffee with community members, ensuring he is available to his constituents. - Chair Robert Whitfield mentioned that the Housing Board and Planning Committees have meetings, located at the city, on the 2nd Wed of the month at 1pm and 4pm respectively. 5. Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: None 6. Police Report: Officer Barrons was present and stated that there isn’t much change from last month, and crime seemed to be down from the previous month. He was asked about Murphy’s, to which the NPC was told it was turned over to Dennis McKinley with the city for follow up. Eric Morris was present and said at this time, there was no update. A question was asked about the stabbing on Kellogg and a short conversation took place around the incident. 7. Guest Speakers: Kate Rozeveld, with Calhoun County Senior Services, was present as one of our guest speakers. She spoke about the millage allocation of funds, which is decided on by a committee (brochure provided). The committee meets the first Friday of every month at the county building in Marshall @ 8am. The annual report was provided, which sets a goal for more visibility in communities. Senior services offers assistance through 21 different programs and 11 verified vendors. At this most recent senior fair there were 625 visitors and 93 supporting vendors. Kate compiled a sheet containing all Calhoun County transportation services available to seniors and handed that sheet out. Jessica Gilbert, with Humane Society of South Central MI, was present as one of our guest speakers. She spoke about the Humane Society’s history and how the funds raised/generated by the Humane Society are used directly in our city. The Humane Society of South Central MI is not affiliated with the city and is a stand along non profit. The Humane Society temperament tests all of the animals, conducts heart worm checks and preventive measures, spays and neuters, etc. Jessica spoke about heart worms becoming a larger issue for dogs and cats and how it can be prevented. She recommended annual testing and a 12 month treatment. You can listen to Jessica every Wednesday morning on WBCK where she has furry friends join her often. Eric Feldt, with City of Battle Creek Planning Division, was present as one of our guest speakers. Eric presented on the non-motorized transportation plan. It was mentioned that there would be two upcoming workshops on April 27th and 29th. Currently the Planning Division is looking at increased safety with motorized vehicles and are reaching out to locale groups on how they commute in and around Battle Creek. Eric mentioned a future connection path between cities and how a website will be created with trails accessible in and around the Battle Creek area. There are three planners that are available for questions and for permit reviews. Surveys will be available later this month, both via link in your water bill and on the website. In addition to the surveys that will be sent out later this month it was mentioned that there would also be surveys conducted in person at various biking, walking, canoeing, etc events. It was asked how this plan was being funded to which Eric replied that it was funded by tax dollars from the general fund. Another question arose regarding a sidewalk across from Coney Island, it was confirmed this sidewalk is in the Pennfield area and it was recommended the concerned resident reach out to Pennfield. Eric stated that May was bike month and encouraged all of those who could to get out and bike. 8. Committee Reports: (Comments limited to 3 min per topic) a. School: Catherine LaValley was present and announced that Hairspray would be put on by the theatre department on April 26 & 28 at McQuiston. On April 25th There would be a meeting around the Battle Creek Academies project, planning and updates. This meeting would be held at the Miller Stone Building at 9am and 6pm. On Aug 21st the school year would start for the 2019 year. Ms LaValley also mentioned that a sixth grade STEM program would be starting next year with 60 students, located at the Battle Creek Central High School location. It is the hope of BCPS to grow the program each subsequent year by adding an additional year. b. Code Report: Eric Morris was present and stated that Code is currently conducting property surveys in the Fremont area and stated ours will occur next year. Mr. Morris supplied our monthly code report. Various issues in our NPC were discussed by members during this time regarding code compliance issues. c. Food Pantry: Roger Ballard was present and stated that the pantry will fill and empty as quickly as it fills. The current need is for canned goods. Please deposit those directly in the pantry itself, no need to bring it inside the church. 9. New Membership & Renewal: None 10. Beautiful Battle Creek Award/Nominations: 46 Avery Ave 11. Old Business: Chair Robert Whitfield noted that the five year plan, put forth by the Planning Committee, does not include any funds for Fell Park. It was also noted that a gentleman pursuing a medical marijuana permit from a previous meeting completed surveying and did not chose to move forward after surveys. Kathy Antaya mentioned that last month there was Fall Fest meeting, about ½ of the committee showed up, however there is another meeting April 16 th at 12pm (open to all). Mr. Whitfield also reminded our NPC that the monies from NIBC fell through and the monies left over from the fall fest needs to be discussed, some could be donated and some could be kept. Roger Ballard updated us that the dog park fund raiser has collected $15,000 of the $30,000. Thirty days was given to raise $30,000 to be matched, increasing total to $60,000. Some of these monies would be used to install a smaller dog park at Fell Park. The dog park proposed for Bailey Park is a 1.5 acre dog park with spaces for both large and small dogs. 12. New Business: It was brought up that several residents have noticed that leaves and trash are being picked up and deposited into the same waste truck. They were guided to call Waste Management @ 1-800-796-9696 13. Public Service Comments from Commissioners: Commissioner John Griffin was present, no comments, next meeting would be April 9, 2019. 14. Comments for the Good of the Order: (Comments limited to three (3) minutes per person) a. Public Comments: none b. Members Comments: It was mentioned that the CoMerica bank location in the Family Fare parking lot seems to be a potential site for medical marijuana. Roger Ballard wanted to note that he is thankful for the city and their support for the dog park and apologized for any perceived gruffness at previous comments. Terry Lancaster was present and noted that Adopt a Highway would be taking place this Sat, April 13, 2019. The team should meet at 9am behind the Shell station. 15. Next Meeting: May 13, 2019 17. Adjournment: 818 PM 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