Westwood Neighborhood Association Meeting of January 20, 2021 via Zoom
Meeting called to order at 7:03pm by president Ron Huster
Board members in attendance: Bob Bolinger, Marti Nuyen, Angie Ponzini, Ron Huster, Penny Thompson.
Host: Kalee Henderson
Neighbors in attendance: Jim Ferner, Kim (?), Julie Rogers, Jeanne Hess, Deinise Hartsough, Warren Cook, Cocoa Cook Ann Wright-Parsons
First order of business:Marti Nuyen’s position on the board is up for renewal. Unanimously approved
Treasurer’s report:Our current balance is $319.33 in checking, and $95.00 in savings. Our most recent expenditure was a check for $50.00, which was a donation to Westwood Fire Dept.
Ron reports that our application for 501 C3 status has been submitted, with an anonymous donor paying the fees. Ron has thanked the donor, who wishes to remain unknown, so no thank you note will be sent.
Crime report: Bob Bolinger and Angie Ponzini reporting:
There were 171 reported crimes since Nov to current (2 months) Crime is slightly decreased currently. There were44 assaults of which 29 were domestic in nature ,14 burglaries, 30 cases of fraud, larcenies, breaking and entering, auto theft remain about the same as prior, 1 homicide.
Angie reports regarding an incident on 12/21, that the township has arrested a suspect with items in possession, thanks to residents reporting the occurrence promptly. We continue to be urged to “see something, say something, and to promptly report things that don’t seem right.
There was a question of possible gunshots heard tonight, but they were identified as fireworks.
Township Planning commission, Denise Hartsough reporting: At the most recent meeting of 1/7/2021, the following actions were taken:
2429 N. Burdick was approved as a marijuana growing and processing facility
3625 N. Douglas was changed from commercial to mixed use
Sidewalks, solar panels, offices vs. residential usage were discussed
The master plan is under development
Steve Leuty is our liaison. Jim Ferner expressed an interest in attending the meetings. For the sake of those in attendance, public comments were moved to first on agenda so guests don’t have to wait through the whole meeting.
Warren Cook reports the following: Sidewalk variations were discussed: width and materials, straight vs curvy. Kal SEC wants to build a sidewalk from Turwill to Solon, but the proposal has not yet been submitted.
A possible zoning ordinance regarding wind and solar is under discussion. They may need to be regulations regarding size and placement
Imagine Kalamazoo 2025: Marti Nuyen reported there have been 2 meetings with Katy Reilly, our mentor/ coach at the city. There is a link for IK 2025 available. The city will be photographing all city properties in Westwood beginning in late February. Marti needs a copy of our Westwood logo, which Ron will provide to her. Door hangers will be distributed to city properties re IK 2025, and will provide information regarding planned activity and links, plus a survey for input.
Marti contacted Friendship Village seeking their input also.
Ron will be taking a course regarding web page management with a volunteer from WMU who has indicated an interest in assisting our association. Ron wonders if door hangers might be beneficial for distributing other information such as garage sale, our web page, and township planning issues. Our web page has 100 new members recently added.
Street Safety: No speed limit signs have been changed yet on Nichols Rd. Warren Cook believes Cooper Township never sought a sign off from Westwood on the change. Julie Rogers believes it is not law that they must do that. Julie is attempting to draft a fix based on a special situation (being proximal to the school). Penny reports she spoke to both Julie and Sean McCann in January regarding our concerns. They both are attempting to advocate for us.
Neighborhood development: Traffic from Chick fil A has so far not been problematic, but that could change when dine in options resume. The BP station has finally been razed.
Jim Ferner reporting regarding non motorized travel. By guidance from Public Act 51, 1 % of state money goes to support non motorized travel. There is a movement afoot to stop this funding. Julie Rogers encourages residents of districts 60, 61 and 63 to contact the representatives to express their opposition to this change. New township trustee Ashley Glass is wanting to create a planning commission regarding non motorized travel. She is seeking input regarding traffic, speed limits and sidewalk conditions. There are many sidewalks in bad condition in the neighborhood. Marti Nuyen reports these issues will also be addressed in IK 2025. Ann Wright Parsons reports that she is willing to help walk the neighborhood sidewalks in order to assess their condition. Jim is seeking feedback about these issues.
Denise Hartsough wonders about having a guest speaker attend a meeting to discuss the issue. She expressed appreciation to Jim for his advocacy and efforts. Jim further cites the differences between the city and township regulations as part of the issue.
Angie wants to know who is responsible for paying for sidewalks and tree removal, etc. Warren reports that Steve Leuty has a vested interest in sidewalks and is quite knowledgeable re the issue. There is the possibility of township assessment of $70.00 per lot for maintenance.
Julie wonders about the possibility of a carve out from existing assessments for roads to be directed to non motorized issues.
Jim wonders who might be a contact/ point person for this issue. Denise suggests a meeting devoted to this topic with Steve Leuty and someone else who is knowledgeable in the subject. Denise also suggests it be publicized to attract interested parties. Denise suggests the township website under communities/ sidewalks which references funding, costs and guidelines.
Ron will contact Steve Leuty regarding scheduling his attendance at a future meeting.
Adjourned at 8:31 by consensus voice vote.
Respectfully submitted, Penny Thompson, secretary/ treasurer. pennythmpsn@charter.net
Next meeting: February 17, at 7 pm via Zoom. Meeting ID is 914 387 5082, login is 4KAyMU
