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 25th. 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 13th. Planning
on Belknap Bow-Wow Show on July 25th. 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 26th 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 16th,
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 29th
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 16th 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 2nd 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.
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