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 2-10-25 Submited by Heather Straton DRAFT 1. Call to Order & Welcome Kathy Antaya called to order @ 7:03 2. Atendance [Member (M) Guest (G) City Rep (C)]: Kathy Antaya (M-Chair), Fed Bachman (M), Kris�n Blood (M), Paty Gray (M), Catherine LaValley (M-Vice Chair), Cheryl Roberts (M), Paul Sajtar (M), Sara Schmanske (M), Heather Straton (M-Secretary), Johnny Vick (M), Sue Bachman (G), Jessica LaCosse (C), Eric Morris (C), Cecil Rose (C) EXCUSED: Roger Ballard, Nancy Hoard, David Moore, Cur�s Roberts, Sharlene VanLuven, Robert Whi�ield 3. Approval of Previous Minutes: Fred B. made a mo�on to approve Jan. minutes--Paul S. began discussion of Shell as business nomina�on for Beau�ful BC Award missing from notes. Heather S. has noted and will amend. Kris�n B. supported mo�on, unanimously passed. Kris�n B. made a mo�on to approve Nov.’ 24 minutes which were not yet approved, Jonny V. supported mo�on, unanimously passed. 4. Chair Notes/Announcements/Correspondence: a.) Kathy men�oned Freeman Thomas passed away recently—he used to be an ac�ve NPC5 member + Urbandale fall fes�val organizer b.) Kathy proposed a guest speaker from Share Center for future mee�ng, discussion/members are interested. 5. Addi�ons or Dele�ons to the Agenda: none 6. Police Report: Officer Rose: up�ck in fraud—several warrant arrests—raided house twice on Taylor Ave— parole absconders removed, few guns seized. 7. Guest Speaker: Josita Todd from CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate). CASA connects children in the state system with an adult advocate who can help them through their cases and court hearings. It is a na�on-wide org. Ms. Todd is bringing to Calhoun. Calhoun County is #1 in state for child poverty + rate of removal from parents. Ms. Todd has begun a local chapter of CASA. Children connected to CASA have quan�fiably higher rates of permeant placement with a family and less likely to enter the prison system. CASA Volunteers do 30 hours training and to advocate for assigned child to s�ck with through their �me in state system. Around 600 children are in the state system in Calhoun County alone. Children who have CASA support are half as likely to re-enter the state system a�er placed. With CASA, children ideally have a single person who is with them for their journey in the system while without CASA, many children have more than a dozen different social workers/foster home placements. Ques�ons and Discussion--Ques�on from Paty G. and Sara S: Is Isaiah 147 House in BC (temp. housing for kids) s�ll ac�ve? Yes. NPC5 Member Cheryl R. is on the board and encouraged others to consider volunteering or serving on the board. 8. Commitee Reports: (Comments limited to 3 min per topic) a. School: Cathy L. delivered updates for BCPS, forthcoming zero dollar bond, explained the investment of current millage-$130m for sound, safe, secure facili�es-measurable success with +71% increase in scholas�c performance, 74% reten�on of talented staff 15% reduc�on in absenteeism + increase in test scores. Taxes stay the same, no increase--Phase One is in May. 1st Tuesday in May is the elec�on which could reevaluate the previous millage to lower current cost. Among priori�es: roofing + security + restora�on and repairs for CW Post sport stadium and updates for restroom, stands, team rooms, storage. In general, BCPS security + cameras need updates + installa�on of interior digital keypads. Playgrounds at several elementaries need playground equipment updates. Commitee mee�ngs open to public—on Zoom. Cathy L. will invite you to 0 bond commitee mee�ngs, forthcoming. b. Code Report: Eric M. delivered updates: Slow month for reports--more folks are calling back to discuss their code viola�ons which makes the process easier—4 rental proper�es in Urbandale became owner-occupied as renters bought their homes. Sara S. asked about street parking: city website has rules + look for street signs for direc�ons. Cheryl R. asked about trashcans: must be put away day a�er pickup by 1pm or you may receive a �cket for each day it is out. Paul S. asked about snow on sidewalks: 18 hours a�er last snowflake sidewalks must be clear. c. Food Pantry: None d. Library: None e. Nomina�ng Commitee: None 9. New Membership & Renewal: None 10. Beau�ful Batle Creek Award/Nomina�ons: Kathy A. read descrip�on of award—in recognition of business and residences—with efforts to improve neighborhood and community through property maintenance and beautification. Discussion of how the process works. Eric M. sent notes to Vanessa at BC City last month for Shell Sta�on (Heather S. will s�ll amend previous minutes to correctly reflect). Kris�n B. began discussion of new Speed’s loca�on. Sara S. nominated 36 Myrtle Ave. for their new siding and roofing + Speed’s at 1525 West Michigan Ave. for improving the previously vacant retail loca�on inside and out. Kris�n B. supported mo�on, unanimously passed. 11. Old Business: Kathy A. reminded that last month Red Cross was discussed to present on smoke detector programs. Confirm members want the Share Center as a future guest. Paty G. asked about Co2 detectors. 12. New Business: none 13. Public Service Comments from Commissioners: Comm’r Jessica LaCosse explained how mee�ngs at City Council work and what the processes are. For instance, council members and city staff have mee�ngs and email exchanges to discuss resolu�ons prior to open mee�ngs with the public where items are voted on. There is a current search for the vacant posi�on of City Manager. BC is using Michigan Municipal League to help find candidates. Group mee�ngs with candidates will be open to the public. BC City evaluated 9 different agencies before deciding on MML. Goal is to have a manager placed by May. Paul S. asked if they hire from within. Yes, possible. Kris�n B. asked for update on city bus schedules due to the need to expand weekends and a�er 3pm + visual branding to ID our buses. Jessica L. said she would follow up with Mallory to iden�fy BC busses and how to expand routes a�er 3pm. 14. Comments for the Good of the Order: a. Public Comments: None b. Members Comments: Cathy L. offered to talk a�er the mee�ng with anyone who wants more info on the millage or bond through BCPS. Johnny V. asked about which playgrounds are in need at BCPS. Cheryl R. asked about the credit union on Michigan Ave. and S. Bedford Rd.—Kris�n B. men�oned they are s�ll working on major projects but should have a �meline to open soon. Heather S. men�oned Black History Month ac�vi�es at KCC open to public. 15. Next Mee�ng: March 10, 2025 @ 7pm 16. Adjournment: Kris�n B. moved to adjourn. Paul S. supported the mo�on. Passed via unanimous vote @8:22pm City of Batle Creek Home Page: htp://www.batlecreekmi.gov/site3.aspx Crime Map: www.ci.batle-creek.mi.us/crimesearch City Commission Agenda & Minutes: htp://www.batlecreekmi.gov/City_Government/Mayor_and_Commission/Current_Agendas_a nd_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) 9663348/TDD