Neighborhood Planning Council 5 - Urbandale

NOTICE OF MEETING URBANDALE NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL – NPC 5 (Christ United Methodist Church, 65 Bedford Rd) Monday, June 10, 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 @ 7:03 PM: (Invocation/Moment of Silence) 2. Attendance [Member (M) Guest (G) City Rep (C)]: Fred Bachman (M), Freeman Thomas (M), Hal Longman (M), Johnny Vick (M), Joshua Fausey (M), Kathy Antaya (M), Kristin Blood (M), Nancy Hoard (M), Patricia Graw (M), Robert Whitfield (M), Roger Ballard (M), Sara Schmanske (M), Amanda Paffhausen (G), J.Barrons (C), John Griffin (C), Ollie Griffin (G), Brenda Hunt (G) EXCUSED: Catherine LaValley, Curtis Roberts, Terry Lancaster, Wayne Hoard 3. Approval of Previous Minutes: Moved by Hal Longman to approve the minutes from May 2019, supported by Pat Graw and carried by unanimous vote. 4. Chair Notes/Announcements/Correspondence: No notes from the Chair Robert Whitfield. Kristin Blood mentioned the Sustainable BC Committee meeting in city chambers the fourth Monday of each month @ 1pm. 5. Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: Kristin Blood asked that Amanda Paffhausen, Willard Library, and Brenda Hunt, BCCF, be added to the agenda as guest speakers. 6. Police Report: Officer Barrons was present with reports. He commented that larceny is at its peak in June and July. This is usually due to opportunity based larceny (unlocked vehicles). Officer Barrons reminds everyone to lock their cars. Sara Schmanske mentioned that her lawn ornaments have been taken, Officer Barrons to follow up. 7. Guest Speaker: Brenda Hunt, BCCF, was present to discuss the work BCCF is doing in the city and specifically in the Urbandale area. Brenda has been with BCCF for 26 years and they are currently celebrating their 45th year with over $130 million in assets. Ms. Hunt spoke of a BCPS cooperative with BC Health, funded by BCCF, which is doing work in the Lamora park area. Star Common Wealth has been contracted to connect with families in the area, connecting them with local services. This is being done in hopes of increasing school attendance. BCCF is looking at writing plans for community based work, through a neighborhood approach. Ms. Hunt mentioned that BCCF would love to work with anyone in Urbandale who would collaboratively work on updating the signs in the area. Ms Hunt has seen that small updates, even sights helps influence community. Ms. Hunt told us that the building adjacent to New Line Sports field, which was donated by the city, could become a possible basketball arena in the future. There are many grant making opportunities available with BCCF for our BC area. August 14the is the 45th anniversary at 4pm, hosted at the ice arena. The public is welcome. This meeting location was strategically chosen to help uplift and expand the business services available through the Rink. Hal Longman asked about the geese around Irving park, to which Ms. Hunt acknowledged the issue and stated that KCC is aware and looking in to it. Ms. Hunt said that BCCF is constantly looking for assets that produce assets giving back to the community of BC. Ms. Hunt notified us of the new renovations taking place at the Kool Family Center to bring live theatre back downtown, in collaboration with What A Do Theatre (who were recently displaced from their normal venue). Robert Whitfield asked about the displacing of seniors at the Kool center due to the remodel, acknowledging the concern Ms. Hunt stated that there are not enough seniors investing in the Kool center to keep it afloat solely on their contributions, alternative business use and community use was essential.Mr. Whitfield thanked Ms. Hunt and BCCF for their support of our Fall Fest. Roger Ballard also issued a thank you to Ms. Hunt and BCCF for their support of Home Run Dog Park here in BC. July: Eric Feldt Aug: Hal Longman Sept: Jim Haadsma Oct: NO GUEST SPEAKER NEEDED Nov: Johnny Vick Dec: Joshua Fausey 8. Committee Reports: (Comments limited to 3 min per topic) a. School: none b. Code Report: none c. Food Pantry: Roger Ballard was present and stated that the pantry has been bare, without much food going in. Canned goods are in need and always accepted. Pat Graw gave a testimony, supported by Kathy Antaya, about a family in need who visited the pantry and was encouraged by Pat to utilized the pantry. It was noted that the woman and her  child only took what they needed and left some for those who came behind her. Roger also noted that the clothes closet at church is open on Wed from 1-5pm and Saturday from 11-3pm. There is always need for gently used clothing. d. Library: Amanda Paffhausen was present for the library and took time to discuss the summer reading programs, which includes an adult reading program (page 18 of the summer library catalog). For adults who complete the adult activities will have the opportunity to win a fanny pack. Amanda also mentioned the available maker space, vinyl labs, Tai Chi, care givers sessions, senior screenings, etc. All encouraged to get plugged in and involved with the library this summer. Roger Ballard thanked the library for their support of the dog park. 9. New Membership & Renewal: none 10. Beautiful Battle Creek Award/Nominations: 1665 W. Michigan Ave. (recently remodeled and updated) 11. Old Business: Kathy Antaya reminded everyone that June 18th at 12pm at Spanky’s is the Fall Fest meeting, at which a secret will be shared. Roger Ballard updated everyone on the dog park: a $10,000 estate donation, $5,000 Realtors donation came in late, ensuring the $30,000 goal was not only met but exceeded. Currently the $10,000 water systems is going in, along with the fence. Personalized benches, that cost a $500 donation, has been submitted to the Iron Workers Union and will be built and placed as available. 12. New Business: none 13. Public Service Comments from Commissioners: Commissioner John Griffin was present and updated the NPC on city business. He mentioned that a city ordinance was being introduced to form joint training for both the fire and ambulance teams, recently $80,000 was spent on aggregate that was spread on roadways, an insurance policy of $500,000 is being renewed, and a .185 higher mileage has been approved for the fire and police pensions. Nancy Hoard asked if the no cell phone usage signs were up yet, Mr. Griffin responded that they are not yet up and may take 6 months to go up. Kristin Blood asked about follow up on Murphy’s, Mr. Griffin had no response, however Robert Whitfield mentioned and encouraged that people are welcome to talk to Murphy himself, stating that Murphy is reasonable and will take comments. Roger Ballard made comments that there is clean up happening at Murphys. Robert Whitfield asked about the parking lot by city hall, asking if it was public or private. Mr. Griffin had no response, however Roger Ballard answered that it is city assigned parking before 5pm, however after 5pm it is free parking. 14. Comments for the Good of the Order: (Comments limited to three (3) minutes per person) a. Public Comments: none b. Members Comments: Hal Longman commented that Jim Lower and Tom Norton will be challenging Justin Amash in the primary. There will be an information session on June 27th, @ 6:30pm at the Kool Family Center, hosted by the Calhoun Tea Party. Amash has not yet been invited, but Hal is encouraging it. Pat Graw offered a group congratulations to Plumeria in Urbandale for winning the small business award recently in Battle Creek. It was suggested and accepted to send a congratulations card, to be taken on by Kristin Blood. Kristin did comment that thank you letters go out weekly to guest speakers as well. Kathy Antaya reminded us that on July 16th at 5:30PM in city chambers a recreational marijuana workshop would take place. Also that this weekend, Fri and Sat (11-6PM), are the Juneteenth celebration at Claude Evans Park. Roger Ballard reminded us all that when we speak up actions are taken on voiced concerns. Also, noted that recently at the cereal city festival someone posing as supporters for the dog park were collecting donations, this was a SCAM as the dog park is NO LONGER taking public donations. Pat Graw expressed confusion about speakers and after discussion it was agreed to add upcoming speakers to the meeting agenda/notes to ensure if there are gaps that NPC members can aide in filling those. 15. Next Meeting: July 8, 2019 16. Adjournment: 8:22 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