Neighborhood Planning Council 5 - Urbandale

NOTICE OF MEETING URBANDALE NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL – NPC 5 (Christ United Methodist Church, 65 N. Bedford Rd) FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES and AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS CONTACT Kathy Antaya 616-450-1884 AGENDA April 14, 2025 1. Call to Order & Welcome: from Kathy Antaya @ 7:04 p.m. 2. Attendance [Member (M) Guest (G) City Rep (C)], Excused: Robert Whitfield (M) Present: Kathy Antaya (M-Chair), Fred Bachman (M), Kristin Blood (M), Joanna Hacker (M), Nancy Hoard (M), David Moore (M), Otto Olson (M),Cheryle Roberts (M), Curtis Roberts (M), Sara Schmanske (M), Heather Stratton (M-Secretary), Sharlene VanLuven (M), Catherine LaValley (M-Vice Chair), Jessica LaCosse (C-Comm’r), Eric Morris (C-Code), Cecil Rose (C-Officer), Carrie Briggs (G), Lisa Gardner (G), Angela Morris (G), Rita Olson (G), June Parker (G), TaShaune Sparks (G), Kelly Tews (G) 3. Approval of Previous Minutes: From March 10, 2025: David Moore made a motion to approve, Fred Bachman seconded, all approved. 4. Chair Notes/Announcements/Correspondence: Kathy A. and Catherine LaValley attended Terry Lancaster’s funeral on behalf of NPC5 and donated to the Humane Society in his name. His wife gave a thank you letter to the NPC. April 28th Calhoun County household hazardous waste at Bailey Park 12- 5:30pm. (oil paint, batteries except car, medicine, electronics, etc.) 5. Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: David M. moved to abridge the agenda, Cheryl R. supported, all approved to move the library/food pantry/nominating/membership off agenda to make more time for guest speaker. 6. Police Report: Officer Cecil Rose delivered summary report—slight uptick of scams, robbery, aggravated assaults. Typical issues and following up on on-going nuisance homes. Rita Olson spoke about phone scams such as tolls, etc. and asked about ‘free phone’ tents—Office Rose said to call 911 if you want them to check something out if it’s suspicious. Officer Rose reminded us to call at the time something is happening or nothing can be done. 7. Guest Speaker: Robert Elchert, MSW--Executive Director of the SHARE Center, spoke on trauma and homelessness. The SHARE Center has operated for over 30 years as a day center (open 8am– 6pm/365), offering meals (55,000/year), hygiene, mental health support (via Summit Point), and recovery services. Most clients are chronically homeless, often facing addiction, mental illness, or trauma. Many are men, women, children, veterans, or human trafficking survivors. The center offers basic needs, trauma- informed care, and assistance with housing barriers (e.g., ID, records), aiming to transition clients to permanent supportive housing which is an upward battle. Questions: Fred B.--what happens after 6pm? Kristin B.—why was it difficult to open emergency overnight shelters? Cheryl R.---what about showers?  ● After 6pm, clients go to Haven (if accepted) or find shelter elsewhere. The Haven, a faith-based shelter, may turn people away due to religious bias—even in extreme weather. ● Housing initiative was placed near liquor stores and crack houses. City decisions were made without input from SHARE or the housing board;. Commissioner Jessica LaCrosse said she would reach out to the city for answers ● Opening emergency shelters is difficult—permits denied unless temps drop below -20°F—this is deadly weather ● SHARE added more services after renovations 1.5 years ago, including case management, meals, hygiene—laundry/showers/toiletries ● Children generally can't stay due to the drop-in model and safety concerns (e.g., presence of CSA offenders), though they can access cooling/warming areas and meals. ● Community lacks adequate support for families and children. Demand at The Haven exceeds capacity. Call to Action: SHARE Center urgently needs financial support. If you encounter encampments, contact SHARE—they work to ensure people have somewhere safe to go. Unhoused folks have to go somewhere once displaced. Robert’s contact info: Robert.elchert@sharecenterbc.org 269-964-8133 x 202 | Address 120 Grove Street---behind Ford Dealership 8. Committee Reports: A. Beautiful BC Nomination: Sara Schmanske nominated and Kristin B. supported 128 Althea Ave. bc new roof, new siding, cute little house, well maintained –passed unanimously B. Code Report: Eric Morris delivered the code report: Most issues are front yard parking and junk in the yard--Property surveys coming to NPC5—they speak with folks and offer support if they see a need that they can help with—for instance, someone got their garage taken down. Evicted a squatter 180 Woodlawn---cleaned it up. Kristin B. asked Eric M. if there were yard signs for Beautiful Battle Creek Award –Kathy A. answered yes we will have them. Plus certificates. C. School: Carrie Briggs delivered update: Zero Milage Bond—May 6 vote—only thing on the ballot. Taxes are not supposed to go up, but will raise $26m over 2 yrs. –safer and well maintained schools make for a better community. Roof, playgrounds, CW Post Stadium many improvements. ADA seating. Q: Sharri asked how it is going to go up. A: old mileage is expiring, this one will keep it the same. If it is not passed, taxes will go down slightly. School funding almost entirely uses mileages for facilities. School dollars go to staffing and operations. This will fund infrastructure, security, etc. Q: Cheryl asked if this is done in phases? A: already on Phase I--2 years to do—little to no impact to the students and staff while it is being worked on. 9. Membership and Renewal 10. Old Business: Kathy A. announced Fell Park Clean-up on April 26, 9am-noon in conjunction with BC city. Otto Olsen will use the trailer and pick stud up. Thank you! Please sign up on the website from the email sent out. You have to sign a permission slip. 11. New Business: May’s Guest Speaker is Regina Kilgore from Summit Pointe + Water issue—each person received a letter about the BC city water—it has high levels of TTHM. Average person will be okay. You can off-gas it by leaving it out overnight in open container. Open windows when bathing or boiling water. Sara S. asked how long to resolve A: Comm’r LaCosse says it is tested quarterly, -- we will get letters continuing---those numbers will be elevated for a while because of the averaging—12-18 months to clear it. Most Americana and Amway filters work, but Most Brita and Pur do not. 12. Public Service Comments from Commissioners: Comm’r LaCosse--City manager search canceled because 2 rescinded interview offer. Ted Dearing was going to retire but he will stay ‘til the end of the year as interim. The following day (4/15) is a public hearing on city consolidated plan— Comm’r LaCosse said she would address the concerns brought up with SHARE/shelters/housing Q: Cheryl asked if there is a recruitment company for City Manager. A: looking for different executive search firm maybe. Cheryl mentioned meet and greet with public is crucial Q: Heather asked if there is a requirement for living in the city? A: Comm’r LaCosse said they will go back and ask these things. 13. Comments for the Good of the Order: a. Public Comments: Officer Rose: 46 Eldridge condemned b. Members Comments: Catherine L.—invited all to take yard sign for bond campaign – she can retrieve it from your yard when done. Lisa Gardner, June Parker, TaShaune Sparks, Kelly Tews---all from BCPS stopped by and thanked us for support and encouraged voting on May 6 14. Next Meeting: May 12, 2025 (NO NPC 5 MEETING IN JUNE) 15. Adjournment: Meeting called at 8:26 p.m. 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