Welcome

WESTWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
MEETING AGENDA          DATE: October 21, 2020
Place: Meeting place closed due to Corona Virus 19
I. Zoom Meeting held with information to be posted on web page.
II. Roll call of Board Members and count of attendees.
III. Agenda:
A.  Discussion of September meeting.
            B.  Status of Public Safety.
1. Crime Report and any other information.
IV. Committee Reports:
A. Kalamazoo Township Planning Commission Notes. (if available)
B. Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 Westwood.
C. Street Safety: Nichols Road Update.
D. Neighborhood Business Updates.
1. Five Lakes and Chick fil-A.
E.   Halloween.
V. Public Comments – Chance for neighbors to bring up issues not discussed.
Next meeting date, November 18, 2020, 7:00 pm. It will be a Zoom Meeting.
Ronald Huster is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Westwood Neighborhood Association Zoom Meeting
Time: Oct 21, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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Westwood Neighborhood Association meeting minutes from 9/16/2020 

Meeting called to order on Zoom by President Ron Huster at 7:02 pm 

Officers in attendance: Bob Bolinger, Rod Leversee, Angie Ponzini, Marti Nuyen, Ron Huster, Penny Thompson 

Neighbors in attendance: Warren Cook, Steve Leuty, Katy Lagoni, Katherine Mills, Katherine Walden, Sean Fletcher, James Klute, CoCo Cook, Cathy Ur, Janine ?, Kimmy ?, I phone KT, 4KayMU. Neighbors attending on their phones are asked to please identify themselves for our records at future meetings. 

Bob Bolinger reported about safety in the neighborhood. 80 crimes reported in the past month. Assault is the biggest category with 16 family disputes. Larceny, motor vehicle theft and break-ins followed in the 2 mile radius of the fire station tracked. 

Ron Huster reported about speeding on North St. There is some discussion about possibly increasing the speed limit to either 35 or 40 miles per hour, as North St is considered a corridor through the neighborhood. Kal Co Road Commission says there is no other option to offer. 

Chicane experiment on the Northside (Patterson and Harrison Streets) has been abandoned as it proved unsuccessful in slowing traffic. Speed bumps are now under consideration. 

Traffic on Nichols/ N. 14th St. Is travelling faster than the posted speed limits per a recent survey conducted by Kal Co Road Commission and the Michigan State Police. Based on this survey, there may be a recommendation to increase the speed limits. Members expressed concern about how this action would help ensure safety or keep drivers obeying the speed limits. CoCo Cook expressed being unable to see the wisdom of this action, given the schools, churches, public buildings and pedestrians on Nichols Rd. Katherine Mills wonders if revenue from tickets issued doesn’t cover the cost of enforcement. 

Steve Leuty feels the road commission didn’t factor for the neighborhood density as you enter Westwood. He feels 45 MPH is too fast for the surroundings. He wonders if people feel police are not enforcing the speed limit due to Covid-19 concerns over exposure. Stever feels we should get more data and appeal. We should email regarding our concerns to the township board and cc our messages to Don Martin. It was observed that the situation could worsen after Chick fil A opens in the near future, as the traffic and congestion will increase in the neighborhood. 

Ron feels we are compromising our right to safety with all these driving issues. 

Katy Walden asked about township staffing levels. No one in attendance is able to speak to this question. Recommended we ask Chief Ergang. We know the coverage is 24 hrs a day, and that Parchment officers assist. Officers also having to do a lot else, such as code enforcement and noxious weed violations. Ron reported that 6 new officers have recently been added. 

CoCo wants to use the “Watch Your Speed” sign on her street (Westwood St.) 

Property owner James Klute is attending our meeting remotely from FL. He is the owner of the property on Grand Prairie which incurred the shooting and fire. He reports the house will soon be razed and new housing built on the site. 

Marti Nuyen wonders if this is a neighborhood association issue. Bob Bolinger feels it effects our property values and that residents have been concerned about the status of the property and delays in resolution. 

Warren Cook regarding the planning commission. Warren reported the Business 131 corridor to N. Westnedge is now accessible. Graphic Packaging is enlarging, building new structures in a $600 million expansion. There are concerns regarding individuals installing solar panels, the placement and size of the panels. The question exists if they should be limited in yards. It is expected there will be an ordinance created soon. 

Warren reports the Master Plan for the township is being updated, but Covid-19 has complicated the process as it makes getting input more difficult. 

Ron Huster reported he has 3 volunteers who will work on the township’s Master Plan. Marti Nuyen has volunteered previously to work on the city’s portion but has not heard anything for several months. 

Katherine Mills shared with Warren that she has connections at KPS if that would benefit his work. 

Steve Leuty reported that neighbors are still expressing frustration with Republic Services. Dexter Mitchell is pressing them for better clearer bills. It appears there was poor preparation for the July bulk pick up, there seemed to be inadequate staffing and very slow completion. It was suggested we post an update on FB that we are actively working on this problem, and that concerns are being heard. Ron reports he has presented data in the past with no resolution. Steve welcomes input regarding Republic Service issues via email. 

Ron reported that Five Lakes Coffee Shop is still in the works at the old KFC building. Proposed opening date is unknown at this time. 

Cathy Ur asks what the plan for Halloween will be. Katherine Mills offers the idea of a reverse Trick or Treat, where adults drive by and distribute candy to children. 

Warren Cook expressed wondering is our by-laws need revising, as 3 minutes may be an inadequate length of time to make a report. He asks if there are any better options and feels it is difficult to be compliant with the time limits. 

Katherine Mills suggests a list of township board members be created to assist with making contact 

with the appropriate persons. Also suggested we include email addresses for those who don’t use social media as much. 

Ron reported 3 new trustees will be added to the township board as of 11/1/2020. He has spoken to 2 of them and requested they join us at a future meeting. 

Warren shared that the township has a new IT person, Ben, who may be able to simplify the website contacts. 

Next meeting: October 21, 2020 via Zoom. The meeting info will be sent in an email and posted on the neighborhood page on FB. Meeting adjourned by consensus at 8:30pm. 

Please submit additions or corrections to: pennythmpsn@charter.net 

Respectfully submitted, Penny Thompson, Secretary 

This could easily be the most important election of our lifetime!  Please vote by mail, if you can, and get your ballot out as soon as you can. 

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!