Neighborhood association zoom meeting

Some highlights from Westwood Neighborhood Association June 17, 2020 Zoom Meeting:

We briefly discussed the “crime report” and the crime mapping report will be posted on the web page.

Ken talked about Republic Services and told of the contacts for Westwood that are posted on the Face Book page and will be on the web page.

Warren Cook (on Township Planning Commission and a Township Trustee) spoke about the Mulder C&D Recycling project. The land was already zoned for the heaviest industrial usage so it would not be legally possible to reject the request, but the Commission did put many restrictions on the approval, so that if they don’t get approval from the County Solid Waste Authority, the DNR and the KRVT (Trail), the approval is rescinded. We are contacting the County to make sure we get on the list to be notified when things are happening on this project.

This opened the door to traffic discussions for Nichols Road, Grand Prairie, Ravine, Squires, Drake and others as the additional traffic created by the new bus garage on Ravine Road already is a neighborhood concern to pedestrian and vehicle traffic. 

A suggestion was made to post a notice to gather people who can periodically monitor the Nichols/Ravine intersection for close calls and safety violations that could endanger vehicles and pedestrians. Also the group could also examine reported issues with traffic.

We also talked about the Neighborhood Garage sales and a suggestion was made to have WNA flyers at each sale to promote the association. Another suggestion was made to get signs made to promote the association listing the Face Book or web page, to let people know there is an associatio

WESTWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

MEETING AGENDA DATE: June 17, 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. Status of Public Safety.

1. Crime Report and any other information. (Attach pages)

B. Neighborhood Status.

1. Comments about the good things happening in Westwood 

IV. Committee Reports:

A. Republic Services information

B. Kalamazoo Planning Commission Notes. (if Denise is available)

C. Nichols Road traffic & Nichols/Ravine intersection what can we do to make our streets safer?

D.  Westwood Neighborhood Garage Sale:

1. August 14-15, 2020 is the date for the Westwood Neighborhood Garage Sale.

V. Public Comments –  

Next meeting date, July 15, 2020, if possible, at Westwood Fire Station, 1310 Nichols Road at 7:00 pm. If not, Zoom Meeting possible?

Westwood Neighborhood Association: Meeting minutes from 5/20/2020 via Zoom

Called to Order 7:05 by Ron Huster, president

Officers in attendance: Ron Huster, Ken Wood, Bob Bolinger, Rod Leversee, Angie Ponzini.

Attendance: 17 as best able to verify via Zoom

Guest: Julie Rogers, Kalamazoo County Board Chairperson

Safety: Bob reporting: Only 70 cases are documented from 4/22-5/19. This is a significant decrease from prior months. The biggest offense reported is assault, with over 23 cases documented. There is also increased vandalism and breaking and entering (5) reported. Auto related crimes are down, with 3 reported. 

New Business: Rod reports Graphic Packaging is growing on Pitcher Street. White Pigeon Paper Mill is closing, and relocating to Kalamazoo, as part of Graphic Packaging.

Neighborhood Safety: Angie reporting. Angie thanks Katherine Mills for her work on our Face Book page, such as the scavenger hunt which helped keep neighbors occupied while in isolation at home. 

Lost and Found pets: Remember to post lost or found pets on the webpage to help get them reunited with owners. 

Pictures of perpetrators of crimes: It can be helpful to post photos from home security systems. 

There are several pages, including Westwood Neighborhood of Kalamazoo, as well as Westwood Goods and Services for items for sale. Especially useful since our neighborhood garage sale has been postponed.

Ron regarding neighborhood status: Ron requests that Ken communicate with Republic Services regarding the confusion about scheduled pickups, missed services and other issues neighbors have experienced. It is also noted that the cost of service from Republic has increased about $5.00 each billing interval, yet often, the service has not improved. The cost of yard waste removal has also increased. 

Denise Hartsough reports regarding the planning commission: The County’s committee has been dormant, but will be reinvigorated. It is comprised of 14 members. 

There are openings for new members on the County Commission, 4 at-large members and 10 members with specific expertise, as per state statute. This allows for a multi-layer approval process, involving Township, County, and EAGLE (DEQ). It may take 6-9 months to get approval or a decision on requests.

Further information: 

There is currently an annual approval process in the works for local gravel mines at the following locations: 1) 1950 Ravine Rd, 2) 2707 Ravine Rd, and 3) 1100 Nazareth Rd. There are issues as follows: 1) location and needed restoration. 2) noise and insurance and 3) neighborhood complaints.

Medical Marijuana is now beginning to be sold at several locations in the area, including: 1986 Sprinkle Rd, 521 E. Mosel Ave, Foster and Lake St, and 2609 N. Burdick St., where it is also grown and processed.

Concrete Crushing: Aggregate Resources on Kings’ Highway is seeking a permit. It is on the old Georgia Pacific site.

Mulders is seeking a permit to build and run a building materials recycling site at the corner of Ravine and Nichols. Julie reports the trucks would enter and exit from Ravine. There could possibly be flashing lights to warn trail users of traffic crossing the trail. August 15th. Denise believes that date has also been chosen for the rescheduled Do-Dah parade. Ron will get the necessary garage sale permits and notify the city of our plan. 

Is there the possibility of a “hybrid” meeting in the future? This would combine a live meeting with a Zoom meeting. It is currently unknown if we could use the Fire Station’s internet, or possibly use a hot spot. More information will come as available. 

First Thursday in June (4th) is the next township meeting. 

Meeting adjourned at 8:14 pm by consensus.

Respectfully submitted: Penny Thompson, Secretary pennythmpsn@charter.net