Neighborhood Planning Council 5 - Urbandale

MEETING MINUTES URBANDALE NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL – NPC 5 (Christ United Methodist Church, 65 Bedford Rd) Second Monday @ 7:00 p.m. MINUTES 2-12-2024 Submitted by Heather Stratton 1. Call to Order & Welcome @ 7:03 p.m.: (Invocation/Moment of Silence) 2. Attendance [Member (M) Guest (G) City Rep (C)]: Catherine LaValley (V-Chair/Acting Chair), Heather Stratton (M-substitute secretary), Roger Ballard (M), Curtis Roberts (M), Paul Sajtar (M), Sara Schmanske (M), Sharlene VanLuven (M), Carl Brockman (G), Dennis Shedd (G), Bernadette Llewellyn (G), Mario Talavera (G), Jim Haadsma (G), Dan LaValley (G), Helen Guzz (C), Cecil Rose (C ), Eric Morris (C) EXCUSED: Kathy Antaya (Chair), Kristin Blood (Secretary), Patricia Graw (M), Johnny Vick (M), Robert Whitfield (M), Otto Olson (M), Fred Bachman (M) 3. Approval of Previous Minutes: Moved by Curtis Roberts, supported by Paul Sajtar. No discussion. Passed via unanimous vote. 4. Chair Notes/Announcements/Correspondence: Battle Creek Field Services Superintendent, Todd Gerber responded via email to Kathy Antaya, read at the meeting by Catherine LaValley, with information on the recent tree harvesting along Jackson Street. This process is to encourage a 10-15 year harvest cycle. "Managing towards an uneven aged forest with three canopy levels that will increase biodiversity, aesthetics, and timber productivity" - from the Forest Stewardship Plan by Forester James Gray. They are currently seeking grant funding to assist with public education on the matter and continued local forest management. “The proceeds for the timber harvest will be used as a grant match to maximize the forest management goals. It is anticipated that we will know later this summer. If the grant is awarded, this would allow us to do some of the removal work in the fall and a large tree planting in the spring of 2025. This grant will require volunteer participation as part of the education element of the grant and the NPC 5 would be welcome to participate. More information on dates and times for these activities will be coming.” Paul S. inquired if the timber and stumps will be cleaned up. Several folks agreed it is a significant eye sore upon the community and expressed desire for something to be done to clean it up to look nicer. 5. Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: none 6. Police Report: Officer Cecil Rose gave updates on the local crime report, assuring that the suspect caught in nearby B&Es is in jail. Shoplifting group of women at Family Fare—be on the lookout and  say something if you see something. Car thefts are still a local concern, in addition to the KIAs, they are now targeting Dodges, Chryslers and others with hemi engines. Sarah S. inquired if there is concern for massive groups of folks storming stores to ransack them and Officer Rose assured that is not a local concern. Several folks thanked Officer Rose for his service. 7. Guest Speaker: Helen Guzzo from Community Development spoke about various supports the city has for low-income folks, unhoused folks, and senior citizens. Working with Code Compliance, Community Development seeks to help 100 families this year with grants for things like broken stair cases, broken furnaces and water heaters, or rotted floors, otherwise structural damage. They also have programs to help unhoused folks with short term rental assistance, they have lead safe programs, work with Habitat for Humanity, Community Action and more. Encourage folks who are in need to reach out and ask for help. 8. Committee Reports: (Comments limited to 3 min per topic) a. School: STEM @ BCCHS and Fremont IA (k-5) accepting new applicants until April 5-looking to have Springfield MS be accredited—chronic absenteeism is an issue—winter break 2/16----spring break last full week of March. b. Code Report: Lots of junk accumulation, mostly the same 3 houses which are repeat offenders. Nothing out of the ordinary. c. Food Pantry: none d. Library: none e. Nominating committee: none 9. New Membership & Renewal: Catherine LaValley opened discussion to nominate Mario Talavera for official membership. Roger Ballard made a motion, Paul Sajtar seconded, passed via unanimous vote. Talavera’s name will be put forth to the City Commission for consideration of membership. 10. Beautiful Battle Creek Award/Nominations: Sara Schmanske via Nancy Hoard moved to nominate 106 Barney Blvd. for the many exterior updates that have been done as of recent. Roger Ballard seconded the motion and it passed with unanimous vote. 11. Old Business: none 12. New Business: none 13. Public Service Comments from Commissioners: none 14. Comments for the Good of the Order: (Comments limited to three (3) minutes per person)  a. Public Comments: Jim Haadsma updated on the state house being in a state of impasse with a 54/54 split. Only a single bill passed last month and it was to rename a highway. Committee meetings are still occurring although not at the frequency expected due to excessive absenteeism of elected officials. b. Members Comments: Sharlene Vanluven recently completed the citizens academy with the Battle Creek Police Department. She highly recommends this for everyone. Officer Rose will update when another session is open. Catherine LaValley explained the new early voting protocols, beginning this February election. Early voting for local, state and general elections will take place for 9 days, including weekends from 8am-4pm at the Kool Family Center in Battle Creek, and the Marshall Courthouse. They are hoping for a large turnout. 15. Next Meeting: Monday, March 11th at 7pm 16. Adjournment: Motion from Curtis Roberts to adjourn, seconded by Paul Sajtar, unanimous vote concluded the meeting. 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