Minutes 5/13/2009 7:00:00 AM

Minutes: Battle Creek City Commission

	Meeting Type:	Workshop
	Meeting Date:	Wed May 13, 2009 07:00 AM
	Location:	Conference Room 302A - City Hall
	Chair:	Mark Behnke - Mayor
	Prepared By:	Deidre A Laser - City Clerk

Attendance Committee Members:	Attendance Staff:
Susan Baldwin City Commissioner John Godfrey City Commissioner Ryan Hersha City Commissioner Chris Simmons City Commissioner Mark Behnke Mayor Sherry Sofia City Commissioner Diane Thompson City Commissioner Andrew Yankama City Commissioner	Bedsole, Susan - Director of Licensing & Compliance Hobson, Barbara - Deputy Attorney Laser, Deidre - City Clerk Ritsema, James - Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Steele, Jill - Assistant City Attorney Tsuchiyama, Ken - City Manager
Absent:
Tony Walker Vice Mayor

PUBLIC COMMENT

Jeremy Andrews, 41 N. Wabash, spoke about BCU and the demolition of four buildings on Michigan Avenue. He believed there are other areas where we can build parks. Secondly, he felt that one minute was not enough for public comments.

METH IN OUR COMMUNITY

Suzanne Horsfall, representing the Meth Task Force, reported that meth lab incidents have increased in Battle Creek and law enforcement officers need basic equipment and supplies to respond to the increasing number of calls for service.

Officer Matt Robinson added a new production method allows quite a bit of mobility. The Police Department is trying to move with the producers who are trying to develop their own meth for use, not for profit. New risks exist with the one pot which has higher flammability. General equipment and supplies are essential to safety.

Ms. Horsfall stated that the trained officers need clan lab safety and processing equipment and asked the Commission for some resources to help combat meth labs.

Comm. Thompson asked what happens when a child is involved.

Officer Robinson stated that Children Protective Service workers have been trained to remove children from the home.

Mr. Tsuchiyama stated last Tuesday, the Commission authorized a grant application for supplies and equipment.

Comm. Baldwin asked how many meth labs are being found.

Officer Robinson commented that the Police Department has processed 9 labs this year.

Comm. Thompson asked if the courts are able to keep meth users off the street.

Officer Robinson answered there is a need for better legislation.

CALHOUN COUNTY LAND BANK

Ms. Bedsole, Director of Licensing and Compliance, stated the Calhoun County Land Bank currently owns 13 properties in the City and the tax foreclosed properties take a different track. The land bank holds properties for future development. The county only holds temporarily the tax foreclosed properties and holds an auction and a secondary auction to try and dispose of the property. The City's goal is not to have blighted homes in our community, not to make money. We need to stop the cycle for people to purchase substandard housing. The City is making an effort to track the foreclosed homes.

Mayor Behnke asked if Battle Creek could create our own land bank.

Ms. Bedsole indicated it was possible.

Comm. Godfrey asked how many models there are in the state.

Ms. Bedsole replied not many.

Comm. Godfrey asked if there was any stimulus money available.

Ms. Bedsole stated that NSP money may be available. However, it is a risky time to acquire property.

Comm. Godfrey asked if there is any work that can be done with Calhoun County.

Mr. Tsuchiyama noted the City will continue discussions with the county regarding land banks.

DOWNTOWN TRANSFORMATION/BCU VISION (Move this as first item)

Mr. Tsuchiyama announced that a workshop is being planned on the downtown transformation effort. Commissioners will receive a BCU report this week which will provide some history and rationale behind the downtown transformation. He noted some effort has been made with meeting property owners. The National Food Protection Center idea is also moving forward. The FDA would like other things beyond training available. The Kellogg Company has put the construction of the office tower on hold because of the economy and they are committed to moving employees downtown. Also, conversations continue regarding moving the Math and Science Center downtown and Y Center/Full Blast draft development agreement.

Comm. Hersha urged that the workshop be held as soon as possible with public participation.

Comm. Simmons asked what is the time frame for the Y Center.

Mr. Tsuchiyama estimated three years.

Comm. Yankama asked if any research was done regarding a model.

Mr. Tsuchiyama stated there are a few models regarding government partnerships. However, Battle Creek needs to chart our own course regarding our community recreation needs.

MONDAY MORNING GROUP UPDATE

Mr. Tsuchiyama stated the Monday Morning Group has been putting together service providers to keep kids occupied in positive activities over the summer. An action plan is anticipated and to have an annual program or year around effort.

UNITED SOLAR OVONIC UPDATE

Susan Bedsole stated United Solar has suspended construction and inspectors made a list to close down the facility. There is no timeline when they'll restart construction.

Comm. Godfrey noted a television program about a California company who made flexible solar panels that was very successful.

Susan Bedsole indicated frozen credit markets are causing a problem for European customers to obtain credit.

Mr. Tsuchiyama added that United Solar brought forward a design modification to BCU and was encouraged that United Solar is moving forward.

STIMULUS PROJECTS UPDATE

Mr. Ritsema stated the City received a Brownfield grant and strategies will be developed. He also noted they continue to work with Kate Segal's office for other opportunities.

POLICY FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS AT WORKSHOPS

Mayor Behnke reported that the City has not established a policy for public comments at workshops. He would like to create a committee to create a policy regarding public comment for workshops.

Comm. Hersha, Comm. Godfrey, and Comm. Simmons stated they would be happy to work on the committee.

Comm. Yankama suggested a three minute public comment period.

Mayor Behnke asked Susan Bedsole and the City Attorney to craft the policy.

SUSTAINABILITY COVENANT

Comm. Simmons stated the Environmental Policy Committee recommended that the City Commission support the sustainability covenant. There was some concern regarding the social justice statement and there have been some changes.

Mayor Behnke stated other agencies are interested in Battle Creek's energy savings.

Comm. Thompson asked why Battle Creek needs a sustainability covenant.

Comm.Simmons replied that the Sustainability Covenant is a regional collaboration.

Comm. Thompson did not think the City needed a document to share information.

Mayor Behnke stated it is politically hard to get entities together.

Comm. Godfrey said this is an effort to solidify regional cooperation and to try to make a greater impact.

Comm. Simmons stated this document does not bind the city, it is a statement of common purpose.

Comm. Hersha stated it is a covenant and it is important that commissioners support it

OTHER COMMENTS:

Comm. Yankama noted Lakeview water issues and Willard Beach.

Mr. Tsuchiyama stated he will send out some information regarding alternative funds for neighborhood organizers and that the budget binder is out on the City's web site.

Mr. Tsuchiyama will prepare the resolution for the budget public hearing for June 2nd.

ADJOURNMENT

Mayor Behnke adjourned the work session at 8:02 A.M.