NOBL Minutes 04 16 09

NOBL
Minutes

Tuesday,
April 14, 2009

• Welcome!

  
  

• Meeting was called
  to order at 6:02pm by acting Chair David Swartwout. Present were
  Phil McConahy, David Swartwout, Jayne Johnson, J.D. Formaz, Joe
  Berens, Walter Taylor and Community Organizer Kristi DeKraker.

  
  

• Additions to
  agenda: none

  
  

• Presentation:
  Janelle Hill from the We Vote program passed out voter guides
  and discussed the importance of voting during the Grand Rapids
  Public Schools Board of Education election on May 5, 2009. She
  mentioned that guides were also delivered to the elementary schools
  for the children to take home to their parents.
  

  
  

• Approval of
  Minutes: David Swartwout asked for a motion to accept the
  meeting minutes from March: Phil McConahy made a motion and Jayne
  Johnson seconded; all were in favor and the meeting minutes were
  accepted.

  
  

• Financial
  report: JD Formaz stated that NOBL has $8,674.15 in total
  liabilities and equity. He also spoke about how NOBL has been
  discussing proposed fundraising efforts and events to increase
  monies in the NOBL accounts. David Swartwout asked for a motion to
  accept the financial report: Walter Taylor made a motion and Phil
  McConahy seconded; all were in favor and the financial report was
  approved.

  
  

• Safety:
  Jayne Johnson reported that there was a drug arrest at Lookout Park.
  GRPD is also working on an issue on Clancy Street. Jayne Johnson
  is working with block contacts in an effort to get more members.
  She will be meeting with groups of neighbors to put together a FEMA
  emergency action plan. They are working with the police department
  to resolve issues on Clancy Street, as well as juvenile near the
  bluff throwing rocks. She reminded everyone to come to the safety
  meeting being held on Wednesday.

  
  
  
  

  • Firefighter
    Joachin Martinez spoke about fires and how there is a no open
    burning policy throughout the City of Grand Rapids. If you
    see anyone burning anything, or using open fire pits, call the Fire
    department at their non-emergency number.
    

    
    

  • Illegal fireworks
    are a police matter and anyone witnessing such activity should
    contact the police.

    
    
  
  

• Housing:
  Joe Berens will get in touch with Todd Julien to set up a future
  meeting. Kristi DeKraker mentioned that a strict form of
  enforcement regarding litter in the neighborhood has been put in
  place, and that such enforcement is not meant to target anyone in
  particular, but to address issues of compliance throughout our
  neighborhood.
  

  
  

• Grants and
  Fundraisers: Membership grant with Dyer-Ives for NOBL to get
  more people established and know about NOBL. Fundraising and
  acquiring block captains to help walk through the neighborhood and
  knock on doors. This will be discussed at the Safety meeting on
  Wednesday at Coit School in an effort to encourage people to become
  members of NOBL. The total match for all monies raised is up to
  $3,000: $1,500 for NOBL and $1,500 for Dyer Ives.

  
  

• BBC: Becky
  sent out seven more donor packets; received $175 from Dr. Roosenberg
  and $150 from Thireca for the garden. Will decrease the amount of
  the BBC yard and Garden contest honorable mentions to 30 houses.
  Increased membership by 3 people. Planning for Adopt a Garden.
  Attended a seed/plant exchange and potluck. Gretchen Warnimont
  took over responsibility for the BBC Calendar. Will have use of
  pickup truck, when necessary. Began classroom portion of the
  children’s garden on March 25^th. Planning for the
  White Pigeon Prairie Cookbook in September. Gave fundraising and
  event planning presentation to Dean Transportation. Planning for
  Picnic in the Park and Softball on June 13^th. Planning
  on Belknap Bow-Wow Show on July 25^th. Gave PowerPoint
  presentation to the Michigan Association for the Education of Young
  Children. Decided to focus on local neighborhood garden activities.

  
  

• Staff Report:
  Lafayette and Fairbanks have increased activity with misbehaving
  juveniles. If you see a crowd of them gathering there, get some
  people walking around there to hopefully break them up and force
  them out of the neighborhood. We also need to watch out for drug
  activity on Clancy/Fairbanks. September 26^th is Dumpster
  Day for NOBL. Still working with GRCC, MSU students and now, we are
  also working with GVSU students doing a report and community
  analysis of our neighborhood. Wednesday is the Safety Committee
  Meeting at Coit School at 6:30pm. On Thursday, April 16^th,
  the Friends of Grand Rapids Parks is having a kick-off
  meeting at 3:30pm at 910 Cherry Street. Walking Wednesdays is every
  Wednesday at noon. MSU is working on data collection regarding the
  ideal neighborhood and will be presenting on Wednesday, April 29^th
  at 6:30pm at the MSU Extensions office (701 Ball NE). We need at
  least ten people to attend that meeting. We need volunteers for the
  Friends of Grand Rapids Parks on Saturday, May 16^th from
  9am-12pm. They will be doing a city-wide park clean-up. Our parks
  are involved: Mary Waters Park, Coit Park and Belknap Park. It’s
  a big event; so most likely, the news media will be involved.
  

  
  

• There was a
  hearing regarding the College Avenue Party Store and so many people
  came out to speak on behalf of the owner that they didn’t lose
  their liquor license.
  

  
  

• Old Business:
  NOBL bylaw meeting was held and some things were changed and ironed
  out. The 2^nd draft will be discussed at next NOBL
  meeting.

  
  
  
  

  • David Swartwout
    discussed the area specific plan with Andy Guy. The requests for
    proposals have been sent out and there is already interest from
    three or four different engineering firms to help put together a
    new ASP. Applicants have until the end of the month to submit
    their proposals. Once all the proposals are in, a subcommittee
    that’s been formed from the members of the Steering Committee
    will be interviewing each one of the applicants before one is
    actually chosen. In an attempt to keep the information
    transparent, he encourages everyone to read the draft of the
    Request for Proposal application on the TFOB website
    (thefriendsofbelknap.org). There is also talk of a
    development proposal being brought forward in about a month or two,
    and for everyone to keep an open mind.
    

    
    

  • Phil McConahy
    mentioned that he talked to people in the neighborhood and the
    inference is that NOBL shouldn’t be involved in the decision
    making process regarding tree issues. Joachin Martinez mentioned
    that we should be concerned with trees interfering with the power
    lines only. The Board decided to table the topic for now.

    
    
  
  

• New Business:
  
  

  
  
  
  

  • Membership dues
    discussion tabled until May.

    
    

  • Joachin Martinez:
    At each NOBL meeting, he will share information about services that
    the GRFD provides that we may not know about… Those working
    at the fire department are out working as both Building/fire
    inspectors regarding businesses only. Safety is the primary issue.
    
    

    
    
  
  

• Public Comment:
  J.D. Formaz mentioned that the equipment trailers parked on the road
  down by Clancy Street (near Thireca) are a hazard. They belong to
  the construction company working on Thireca. Kristi DeKraker will
  call Thireca and have them move the trailers to make it safer for
  driving.

  
  
  
  

  • Parking issues
    were discussed.

    
    
  
  

• David Swartwout
  commented that subcommittees of NOBL have to be very careful
  endorsing events and raising monies, especially when it comes to
  benefitting other NOBL Board Members and/or private individuals.
  Conflicts of interest issues could ultimately arise.
  

  
  

• David Swartwout
  requested for a motion to adjourn: J.D. Formaz made a motion and
  Phil McConahy seconded; all were in favor and the meeting ended at
  7:10pm.
  

  
  

1

NOBL 3 10 09

NOBL

Tuesday,
March 10, 2009

Welcome!

Meeting was called to
order at 6:00pm. Present were Chair Robert Roosenberg, Vice
President David Swartwout, Treasurer JD Formaz, Executive
Secretary Walter Taylor, Joe Berens, Safety Chair Jayne
Johnson and Phil McConahy.

Presentation from
Friends of Transit regarding the Silver Line millage:

• “The
  Rapid transit board voted 15-0 to place the 0.16-mil increase on a
  May 5 ballot for voters in Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids,
  Grandville, Kentwood, Walker and Wyoming. The increase would raise
  approximately $1.7 million in the first year for operating costs.
  Fares and state operating funds would pay for the rest of the
  operating costs. The federal government has set aside $32 million
  for the project and the state has pledged an additional $8 million.
  However, the federal monies are only available at this time and,
  therefore, this presents the only opportunity to capture these
  monies… Over 400 new and permanent jobs (direct and indirect)
  may be created, with average annual wages of $37,000. The 0.16-mil
  tax increase would cost the owner of a $150,000 home approximately
  $12 a year starting 2012, the first year of the increase…”¹
  
  

  
  

• Frank Lynn
  mentioned that the federal government will not release the funds
  unless we can show that we have the operating funds in place, that’s
  why now, and thus why the 1.6 increase. They will make
  approximately 12 energy efficient buses. If this millage doesn’t
  pass, it will be a long time before we get this opportunity again.
  Projected cost per passenger will be the same as a regular fare.
  www.rapid.org.
  They are looking for an endorsement from NOBL.
  

  
  

Approval of Minutes:
Bob Roosenberg requested a motion to accept the Minutes from the last
two previous NOBL meetings: JD Formaz made a motion and Walter Taylor
seconded; all were in favor, and the minutes were approved.

Financial report:
total liabilities and equities are $7,314.31. Bob Roosenberg called
for approval of the financial report; all were in favor and the
report was approved.

Committee Reports

• Housing:
  Andy Johnson resigned as Housing Chair, so there was no report for
  this month.

  
  

• Safety:
  Jayne Johnson mentioned that we should be prepared for summer
  because that is usually when trouble increases. On a different
  note, if anyone is interested in working with children at the
  Walking Wednesdays, contact Jayne or Kristi DeKraker. Phil McConahy
  asked if anyone knew about the tagging at the park. A discussion
  was held.
  

  
  

• BBC: Becky
  Karwoski; turned in the BBC financial report for 2008. The
  children’s garden will be starting very soon.
  

  
  

Staff Report (as per
Kristi DeKraker)

• Submitted garden
  grant – award date is in May

  
  

• Working with
  Dyer-Ives Foundation for NOBL membership match

  
  

• Completed 410
  forms for city reimbursement

  
  



• Crime
  Prevention:

  
  
  
  

  • Attempted bond
    condition on 3 suspects

    
    

  • Referral to PO on
    violator

    
    

  • Met with Officer
    Gomez on information exchange on cases

    
    

  • Reviewed police
    reports

    
    

  • Assisted Officer
    Gomez in a service provider meeting

    
    

  • Started the
    “Walking Weds Program” at Coit School

    
    

  • Met with Safety
    committee for information exchange and updates

    
    

  • Worked with Coit
    School on Graffiti

    
    
  
  

• Neighborhood
  Improvement

  
  
  
  

  • Worked with
    Healthy Homes Coalition on workshop

    
    

  • Met and toured
    MSU students – They will be doing baseline data collection

    
    

  • Met with lead
    housing inspector

    
    

  • Attended ASP
    meeting

    
    

  • Attended city’s
    Community Oriented Government meeting

    
    

  • Attended
    area-wide meeting with City and MSU extensions

    
    

  • Attended
    neighborhood organizers meeting with Dyer-Ives

    
    

  • Organizing City
    Planners to speak to Board re: legal parking off-street/yard

    
    

  • Coordinated
    community events for GRCC nurses
    

    
    
  
  

Old Business

• Parking:
  David Swartwout spoke with the parking people and they can’t
  help us resolve our parking issues. Kristi DeKraker spoke with city
  planners and we hope they will come and talk to us about what is
  legal and not legal about parking.
  

  
  

• By-law
  committee Meeting: The first draft was given out to NOBL Board
  members, the 2^nd draft will be worked on and will be
  presented in future meetings. The goal is to have the new bylaws
  completed by May.

  
  

• Area Specific
  Plan: Kristi DeKraker sat down and discussed out to effectively
  get out a plan to where the neighborhood can come up with some kind
  of consensus. Suggestions on what can be done the next time…

  
  

• Job description
  about the Corresponding Secretary and whether or not to fulfill the
  position: Kristi DeKraker will continue to fill that position
  on a temporary basis. Bob Roosenberg requested for a motion to
  suspend the Corresponding Secretary position for now: David
  Swartwout made a motion and Jayne Johnson seconded; all were in
  favor, and the motion was passed.

  
  

New business

• Appointment of
  Housing Chair: Bob Roosenberg asked for nominations. JD Formaz
  and David Swartwout both nominated Joe Berens. There was a
  discussion. Bob requested for a motion to appoint Joe Berens; all
  were in favor and the motion was passed. Joe Berens is now the NOBL
  Housing Chair. Kristi DeKraker and Joe Berens will meet with the
  Lead Housing Inspector sometime in the future.
  

  
  

• NOBL
  Fundraising: The Dyer-Ives Foundation is willing to match the
  funds that NOBL can procure, dollar for dollar. We will work on
  implementing a fundraising effort.

  
  
  
  

  • Start a
    door-to-door membership campaign

    
    

  • Dumpster Days -
    Possibly have people donate in exchange for dumping their large
    appliances? Perhaps April or early May would be a good time to
    send out an appeal letter. David Swartwout made a motion that
    Kristi DeKraker go ahead and draft an appeal letter to increase
    NOBL membership; Phil McConahy seconded: all were in favor and the
    motion was passed. Kristi DeKraker will create the appeal
    letter.
    

    
    

  • Bob Roosenberg
    went on to express the need to talk to block captains and impress
    upon them the importance of raising this money. They can then
    disseminate this information to the people on their block.
    

    
    
  
  

• Friends of
  Transit Endorsement: Bob Roosenberg requested for a motion to
  endorse the Friends of Transit: Phil McConahy made a motion and
  Jayne Johnson seconded; all were in favor and the motion passed.
  

  
  

Public
comments

GRFD
Joachin Martinez

• The GRFD is no
  longer involved in the training of first aid, but if we are looking
  for someone to teach us, Grand Rapids Firefighter Joachin Martinez
  knows of a person that can teach us at an affordable price. Joachin
  Martinez has a smokehouse available to train people on how to
  perform under smoke-filled situations or fire dangers.
  

  
  
  
  

  • Consumers Power
    will be coming to us this spring about tree cutting.
    

    
    

  • If there is a
    list of trees that we need to have cut down, we need to give it to
    Consumers Power.
    

    
    

  • There was concern
    about being able to get the shoes off the wires, but Joachin
    Martinez doesn’t know whether (or where) that would fall
    under Consumers Powers’ list of priorities.
    

    
    

  • Joachin Martinez
    will also be working with Officer Neil Gomez around the
    neighborhood on various issues affecting our area.

    
    

  • The smoke
    detector grant from the Kent County Health Department is still
    available if we wish to take advantage of it.

    
    

  • The City is in a
    budget crisis right now and all departments have been asked to cut
    5% of their expenditures. If you like the services you’ve
    been receiving from the GRFD and GRPD, contact your commissioners
    to let them know that you support your GRFD and GRPD.

    
    
  
  

• Sondra Wilson
  thanked Kristi DeKraker for helping to remove the fence on both the
  upper and lower portion of the stairway on Bradford by speaking with
  our City commissioners regarding the subject. Sondra Wilson would
  also like to know who owns the property on either side of the
  stairway, and if there is way to clean up the trash and debris
  alongside the stairway (perhaps people from the work release program
  can do the clean up)? She also asked what is happening regarding
  the stair railings.
  

  
  

Adjournment

• Bob Roosenberg
  requested for a motion to adjourn: JD Formaz made a motion and Joe
  Berens seconded; all were in favor and the meeting was adjourned at
  7:06pm.

  
  

1
Courtesy the Rapid Reporter/Winter 2009

2

NOBL Minutes 1 13 09

NOBL
Minutes

January
13, 2009

Welcome!

• Meeting was
  called to order at 6:09pm. Present were Chair Robert Roosenberg,
  Vice-Chair David Swartwout, Joe Berens, Kristi DeKraker, Executive
  Secretary Walter Taylor, Housing Chair Andy Johnson, Marty Morgan,
  Safety Chair Jayne Johnson and Treasurer J. D. Formaz. Guests
  included: Marilyn Walker, Bonnie Johnson, Lynn Lenz, Brian Bremer,
  Tom Bulton, Paul Haan, Dale Fitz, Gail Heffner and Carol Townsend.
  

  
  

Review of
Minutes

• Bob
  Roosenberg requested for a motion to approve the minutes from last
  month: Phil McConahy made a motion and JD Formaz seconded; all were
  in favor and the minutes were approved.

  
  

Presentations

• Joachin
  Martinez from the GRFD spoke about his role in our neighborhood in
  regards to their community advocacy program. He also informed us of
  certain give-aways and services that the fire department provides.
  He will be available to answer any questions that we may have. His
  contact information was provided to Kristi DeKraker. He mentioned
  that the Kent Count Health Department received a grant to install
  carbon monoxide detectors in certain at risk homes that qualify:
  seniors, homes with children, and low income families at risk.
  If you are interested in one, contact Joachin at
  jmartinez@grcity.us,
  or Kristi DeKraker.

  
  

• Carol
  Townsend and Tom Bulton (from MSU Extensions), along with the
  assistance of Dale Fitz from the Grand Rapids Planning Department,
  gave presentations about the new zoning laws; building orientations;
  updates of the Area Specific Plan and Master Plan; definitions of
  differing densities; signage; use regulations, and how to categorize
  and determine structural building types. After the presentations,
  evaluation forms were handed out, filled out, and returned.
  

  
  

Committee
Reports

Safety

• Jayne Johnson
  is gathering names for the Walking School Bus and several people are
  already interested. They will meet in smaller clusters and hand out
  questionnaires. Jayne will call the interested parties when school
  starts.
  

  
  

• Kristi said
  that we have money available to make Walking School Bus T-shirts
  too!
  

  
  

• 21 cars in
  the neighborhood were towed just last month. It is up to residents
  to call the city regarding abandoned and illegally parked cars.

  
  

• Other than
  those few instances, the neighborhood has been relatively quiet…

  
  

Housing

• Andy Johnson -
  Nothing to report

  
  

Finance

• 
  J.D. Formaz read the financial statement.
  

  
  

BBC

• There will be a
  Treasures & Oddities sale March 21, 2009 at Coit School at 10:00
  am.
  

  
  

• Doctor’s
  Day at Coit School will be cancelled.
  

  
  

• Picnic in
  the Park & Softball game is scheduled for June 13^th,
  2009 from 12-4pm. There will be a softball game, remote controlled
  car races, and hotdogs for everyone. Teams will be chosen before
  each event. There will be a donation basket on hand for donations.

  
  
  
  

  • Items
    needed:

    
    
    
    

    • Volunteers

      
      

    • Roasting
      pan

      
      

    • 18 pkgs
      hotdogs

      
      

    • 18 pkgs
      hotdog buns

      
      

    • 2 tables
      from Clancy Street Ministries

      
      

    • Streamers
      for the softball diamond and car races

      
      

    • Washable
      spray paint for the softball diamond

      
      

    • 8 posters
      for the event

      
      

    • Ribbons
      for 1^st thru 4^th Place

      
      

    • Donation
      basket

      
      

    • (Those
      wishing to play in the softball game or compete in the car races
      need to bring their own supplies, i.e., bat and glove, remote
      control car, etc.)

      
      
    
    
  
  

NOBL Informal
Executive Meeting

• Robert
  Roosenberg discussed how the agenda for our monthly NOBL meetings
  should be e-mailed to each board member two to three days prior to
  its being mailed out; by doing so, it would give those interested
  in adding to, or revising the agenda, the option of doing so before
  it goes to print.

  
  

• There must
  be more activity concerning the Treasurer’s role and
  responsibilities.
  

  
  

• Kristi
  DeKraker: what is her job description?

  
  

• TFOB/NOBL
  joint effort regarding a fundraiser during TFOB’s Heritage
  Days.

  
  

• What grants
  are being worked on?

  
  

• There was a
  discussion about holding a Neighborhood-wide Yard Sale as a
  fundraiser and having food booths available. (Possibly held
  during TFOB’s Spring Fest?)
  

  
  

• NOBL/BBC
  joint effort to hold a Flat & Flower Sale.
  

  
  

• We need
  active Board Members willing to participate and volunteer in the
  community. If you sit on the board, you will be expected to
  volunteer and participate this year.

  
  

• Amendment
  to bylaws: Is it possible to include that a NOBL Board Member’s
  position is dependent upon their participation and volunteerism
  within the community. A board member should participate in a
  minimum number of events in the neighborhood if they are to retain
  their positions of office. Failure to be active is grounds for
  removal from office. (We cannot afford another ineffective,
  lackluster board.)
  

  
  

• Discussion
  about reaching out to other parts of our community: Creston Plaza,
  various churches and neighbors east of Lafayette; in an effort to be
  a more inclusive neighborhood association.

  
  

• Website for
  NOBL: What was the cost of the blog?

  
  

• Possible
  TFOB/NOBL joint fundraiser on July 4^th: Cookout at
  Lookout.

  
  

• Talk to
  those at Creston Plaza concerning their Doctor’s Day and
  BBC’s. Can we perhaps combine them to make it easier?

  
  

• Invite pastors
  from each church in the neighborhood to come and speak about their
  ideas, their organization and what they hope to achieve within the
  Belknap area. (Perhaps a different pastor each month?)

  
  

Parking
task force

• There will be
  work done to create a task force to discuss ideas concerning
  hospital, GVSU and resident parking issues. Those involved will
  send out letters throughout the neighborhood to gain interest.

  
  

Forming Bylaw
Committee

• Chair Robert
  Roosenberg requested for a motion to form a committee to look at
  revising the NOBL Bylaws: Jayne Johnson made a motion and David
  Swartwout seconded; all were in favor and the motion was passed.
  

  
  

• NOBL
  elections must follow a set practice of standards

  
  

• NOBL Board
  Member obligations: there must be a minimum number of neighborhood
  activities in which each board member must participate or volunteer.
  We were elected our positions to serve this community; therefore,
  we should consider serving the Belknap Neighborhood as an honor, and
  not a burden.

  
  

• NOBL Board
  Members should attempt to make a presence at every neighborhood
  function.

  
  

• We are also
  working on disciplinary actions for those who fail to meet these
  standards.

  
  

• Both the
  NOBL Policy and the Conflicts of Interest policy need to be placed
  in the NOBL bylaws.

  
  

• The first
  draft of the Conflicts of Interest policy will be sent out by
  e-mail (or mail) to all NOBL Board Members before the next NOBL
  meeting in February 2009.

  
  

• Every month,
  drafts of the bylaws, policies and procedures will be afforded the
  NOBL Board for their reactions, additions, revisions, etc., up until
  May; whereby, we should have a final draft available.

  
  

New
Business

• Area Specific
  Plan Steering Committee: Set for January 26^th.

  
  

• Website
  update: Marty will work to add job listings to the NOBL website
  

  
  

• RFO for
  continuation of city funding: Kristi needs motion for approval
  for her to work on the grant. Bob Roosenberg requested for a motion
  to approve her work on the grant: Jayne Johnson made a motion and
  Phil McConahy seconded; and all were in favor and the motion was
  carried.

  
  

Public
Comment

• 
  Marilyn Walker reminded everyone about the Winter Fest and that they
  need some kind of lighting for the outdoor activities. To go to:
  thefriendsofbelknap.org to find out more about the event.
  

  
  

Adjournment

• Bob
  Roosenberg requested for a motion t adjourn: JD Formaz made a motion
  and Walter Taylor seconded; all were in favor and the motion was
  carried. The meeting ended at 7:52pm.

  
  

1

NOBL In Ex Meeting 01 10 09

NOBL
Informal Executive Meeting

Saturday,
January 10, 2009

Chair Robert
Roosenberg, Vice-President David Swartwout and Executive Secretary
Walter Taylor met at McDonalds on Michigan Avenue in an effort to
come with ideas concerning NOBL, fundraising, board member
participation and community activities. Treasurer J.D. Formaz was
not present.

Thoughts
and Ideas

• Robert Roosenberg discussed how
  the agenda for our monthly NOBL meetings should be e-mailed to each
  board member two to three days prior to its being mailed out; by
  doing so, it would give those interested in adding to, or revising
  the agenda, the option of doing so before it goes to print.

  
  

• There must be more activity
  concerning the Treasurer’s role and responsibilities.
  

  
  

• Kristi DeKraker: what is her
  job description?

  
  

• TFOB/NOBL joint effort
  regarding a fundraiser during TFOB’s Heritage Days.

  
  

• What grants are being worked
  on?

  
  

• There was a discussion about
  holding a Neighborhood-wide Yard Sale as a fundraiser and having
  food booths available. (Possibly held during TFOB’s Spring
  Fest?)
  

  
  

• NOBL/BBC joint effort to hold a
  Flat & Flower Sale.
  

  
  

• We need active Board Members
  willing to participate and volunteer in the community. If you sit
  on the board, you will be expected to volunteer and participate this
  year.

  
  

• Amendment to bylaws: Is
  it possible to include that a NOBL Board Member’s position is
  dependent upon their participation and volunteerism within the
  community. A board member should participate in a minimum number
  of events in the neighborhood if they are to retain their positions
  of office. Failure to be active is grounds for removal from office.
  (We cannot afford another ineffective, lackluster board.)
  

  
  

• Discussion about reaching out
  to other parts of our community: Creston Plaza, various churches and
  neighbors east of Lafayette; in an effort to be a more inclusive
  neighborhood association.

  
  

• Website for NOBL: What was the
  cost of the blog?

  
  

• Possible TFOB/NOBL joint
  fundraiser on July 4^th: Cookout at Lookout.

  
  

• Talk to those at Creston Plaza
  concerning their Doctor’s Day and BBC’s. Can we perhaps
  combine them to make it easier?

  
  

• Invite pastors from each church
  in the neighborhood to come and speak about their ideas, their
  organization and what they hope to achieve within the Belknap area.
  (Perhaps a different pastor each month?)

  
  

• The meeting ended at 11:14am.

  
  

NOBL Minutes 12 09 08

NOBL
Minutes

Tuesday,
December 09, 2008

Welcome!

The meeting was
called to order at 6:02pm. Present were Jayne Johnson, Phil
McConahy, Marty Morgan, David Swartwout, Robert Roosenberg, Joe
Berens, J.D Formaz, Walter Taylor and Kristi DeKraker. Guests and
neighbors included Carl Danielson, Lynn Lenz, Marilyn Walker, Rod
Horlings, Angel Gonzalez and Sarah Crawford.

• The presentation by Carol
  Townsend (MSU Extensions) regarding the new GR Zoning Code was
  postponed until January 2009.
  

  
  

Old Business

• Need a log of minutes from
  November’s elections: Executive Secretary Walter Taylor was
  not able to attend NOBL’s November’s elections;
  therefore the Minutes were not available. Chair Robert Roosenberg
  requested for a motion for Walter Taylor to type the Meeting Minutes
  for November and present them to the board in January. Phil
  McConahy made a motion and Jane Johnson seconded. All were in favor
  and the motion was carried. The Meeting Minutes for November 2008
  will be typed out and presented for review in January.

  
  

Financial Report

• We have a total balance of
  $8,814.25. With a shortfall in next year’s budget of over
  $3,000, we’ll have to find ways to raise that money. Robert
  Roosenberg called for a motion to accept the financials: Jayne
  Johnson made a motion and Joe Berens seconded. All were in favor
  and the Financial Report was passed.
  

  
  

Committee Reports

• Kristi DeKraker mentioned that
  we really need more contacts up near the Shirley and More Street
  area because of increasing drug activity. If you know of someone
  that might be willing to be a contact in that area of the
  neighborhood, let her know. Jayne Johnson stated that the
  portion of the neighborhood around Spectrum Hospital has been
  quieter than usual (crime wise).
  

  
  

• Angel Gonzalez had some tools
  stolen from one of his properties in the 500 block of Livingston a
  few months back, as well as some items that were taken last month.
  Jeremie Dallas and Gloria Herroon’s home (646 Livingston) was
  broken into again. The thieves entered the house by pushing the air
  conditioner out of the way and crawling inside. Apparently, they
  took a money jar and other items. Both Kristi DeKraker and Safety
  Chair Jayne Johnson expressed the need to keep our eyes open for
  anything out of the ordinary.
  

  
  

Housing

• Andy Johnson was not present,
  so Robert Roosenberg asked if anyone had any issues concerning
  Housing.
  

  
  

• Kristi DeKraker said that 770
  Lafayette (Leo & Ed’s) is up for appeals. The owners want
  additional time to bring the structure up to code.

  
  

• Jayne Johnson mentioned the
  illegal dumping happening on Fairview. She talked to the Becketts’
  and they have not authorized anybody to dump anything. The
  pile is growing. The pile includes trees, trash, couches,
  appliances, etc… The Becketts’ were cited by the city
  and now they must clean up the area. She mentioned that the mess is
  sliding down the hill and ending up near Division Avenue.

  
  

• Robert Roosenberg said that the
  owner of Thireca spent over $1,000 to relocate a tenant that would
  have been otherwise displaced by the company’s expansion
  plans.
  

  
  

• BBC-Nothing to report.

  
  

Staff Report

• Kristi DeKraker stated that the
  stairs on Bradford will be reopened. We need volunteers to help
  shovel the snow on the stairs to make it safe for pedestrians. If
  there is anyone interested in shoveling, please let Kristi know.

  
  

• Permit parking: we need to
  create a solution for a parking problem. Spectrum employees,
  college students and construction workers working on the hospital
  are taking up parking spaces normally reserved for our neighbors.
  

  
  

• Adopt a Belknap Family: Every
  year the GRPD adopts a family to give food. They usually go
  shopping on Friday. If you are interested in donating to this
  program, contact Kristi DeKraker.

  
  

• (Next NOBL meeting:
  Discuss parking task force.)
  

  
  

• Update: There was a
  discussion about replacing or replanting the trees that were cut
  down in order to make way for power lines and poles. Under federal
  law, Consumers Energy cannot plant trees under power lines, so
  Kristi is working with the property owners and the city to come up
  with a solution.
  

  
  

Old Business

• Chair Robert Roosenberg
  wondered if perhaps we could post employment opportunities on our
  NOBL website. For example, those in our neighborhood that have work
  that needs to be done could link up with people seeking work. In
  essence, the NOBL website would become a go-between for such
  resources.
  

  
  

Election of officers

• Chairperson Nominations –J.D
  Formaz made a motion to nominate Robert Roosenberg and Jayne Johnson
  seconded. All were in favor and the motion was carried. Robert
  Roosenberg is now NOBL Chairperson.

  
  

• Vice-Chair Nominations –
  J.D. Formaz made a motion to nominate Phil McConahy and Phil
  McConahy made a motion to nominate David Swartwout. All votes were
  cast. David Swartwout is now NOBL Vice-Chair.

  
  

• Treasurer Nominations –
  Jayne Johnson made a motion to nominate Phil McConahy, David
  Swartwout made a motion to nominate J.D. Formaz. All votes were
  cast. J.D. Formaz is now NOBL Treasurer.

  
  

• Secretary Nominations –
  Jayne Johnson and Phil McConahy both made motions to nominate Walter
  Taylor. All votes were cast. Walter Taylor is now NOBL Executive
  Secretary.

  
  

• Housing was not voted on.

  
  

Additions to the
Agenda

• Steering Committee: Marty
  Morgan spoke about the present Steering Committee: how it has
  informally dissolved and how the City of Grand Rapids wants NOBL to
  create a new Steering Committee in an effort to freshen the
  objective; with the aid of an impartial consultant to collect the
  information. A discussion was held regarding whether the
  developers in the neighborhood (i.e., Artesian Group, Belknap
  Properties, Beckett Rentals, etc…) should be allowed to sit
  on the committee, seeing as how their biases could ultimately hamper
  the true reflections and honest opinions of the neighbors in the
  Belknap Neighborhood.

  
  

• Marty Morgan would like to make
  a motion to allow an independent agent to be appointed to the
  Steering Committee in an effort to clarify the agenda, as well as
  the membership rules and the guidelines. Robert Roosenberg
  requested for a motion to approve. Walter Taylor made a motion and
  Jayne Johnson seconded. All were in favor and the motion was
  carried.
  

  
  

• Robert Roosenberg requested for
  a motion to add the Steering Committee reports to our monthly NOBL
  reports. Jayne Johnson made a motion and Phil McConahy seconded.
  All were in favor and the motion was carried.

  
  

New Business

• Walter Taylor spoke about the
  need to clarify NOBL’s bylaws. He stated that the bylaws as
  they now stand are too general and amorphous. Chair Robert
  Roosenberg requested for a motion for Walter Taylor, Kristi
  DeKraker, Phil McConahy and David Swartwout to form a committee to
  look into refining the bylaws. Jayne Johnson made a motion and
  David Swartwout seconded. All were in favor and the motion was
  carried.
  

  
  

Public Comment

• None

  
  

Adjournment

• Chair Robert Roosenberg
  requested for a motion to adjourn: Phil McConahy made a motion and
  Jayne Johnson seconded. All were in favor and the motion was
  carried. Meeting ended at 7:15pm.

  
  

NOBL Minutes/December 09,
2008 Page 1