A Central Neighborhood Association
Quarterly Meeting
May 1, 2024

Call to Order at 6:00 pm
Approximately 60 CNA residents in attendance
Introduction of officers
President – Megan Brown
Interim Vice President – Darlene Germaine
Substitute Secretary – Chris Deyo
Treasurer – Marilyn Vlach

Minutes have been distributed through our group email and are posted on our website.
Motion to accept minutes as distributed made by T Michael Jackson
Seconded by Joan Jackson
Motion approved

Treasurers Report & Porch Fest Update from Marilyn Vlatch.
Annual Dues are $5 per person and due in May, the beginning of our fiscal year.
May Fund Balance is $1,136 due to a previous donation from uptown condominiums and held in funds for subsequent needs.
Currently our expenses exceed dues collected. These costs include printing, State organization filing fees, website domain fees, central grade donation, PorchFest printing website, graphic design and signs.
Two volunteers are needed to audit our books. Chris Fechner and Emily Bludworth have offered their assistance
Current expenses are stable and $5 per person is not going to fund for the future.
Future items were suggested for discussion about the rate, donations through Porchfest, or a recruiting drive to increase funds. Eighty-three is the highest number of dues paying members CNA has ever had.
Dues can be paid at meetings or at Marilyn’s house, 416 Sixth
A suggestion was made to include a dues reminder in our next meeting reminder flyer.
Motion to accept Treasurer’s Report as written by Courtney Hanley.
Seconded by Bob Nichols
Motion approved

PorchFest will take place on Sunday, September 15, 2024 from 1-5 p.m. Marilyn Vlach, our treasurer, is once again leading the charge. If you are interested in having your porch on the map OR being one of the musical performers, please learn more, check out the website: www.tcporchfest.org HOME | PorchFest2024 (tccna1.wixsite.com)
Eleven bands have already registered.

Megan Brown proposed a donation of $100 to the Crooked Tree Arts Center, a nonprofit, in appreciation for the use of the building for our meetings.
Motion to donate $100 to Crooked Tree Arts Center made by Emily Nielsen
Seconded by Linda Lichty
Motion approved.

Mayor Amy Shamroe shared top priorities in the city concerning staff and commissioners.

She appreciates the invitation to attend our meeting. She has been a city commissioner for the past 8 years and served on the TC Light & Power and DDA Boards. She was elected mayor in September.
Current priorities include:
1. New city manager, Liz Vogel, is being mentored toward a successful start in her position.
2. Need for succession planning since 1/3 of work force is eligible for retirement in next 5 years. We are already beginning the staff replacement process with a new Police Chief and a new City Engineer.
3. A need for a strategic plan. The goal is for the process to begin in summer with input from staff, commissioners and residents included. The plan should include current needs as well as being proactive toward upcoming issues.
4. Study Session on The Pines- to produce an immediate and long-term plan for housing and homelessness.
The Community Foundation has pledged funds for porta-pottys and increased garbage pick-up.
Efforts to deal with sanitation and drainage.
Money from interest from coal dock sale will be used to house 27 homeless residents from The Pines in East Bay Flats. This is supportive housing that provides assistance to become successful.
Community Court back functioning to assist people in crisis to help work through a stabilization process. If clients meet conditions, criminal charges and fees will be removed. Security cameras will be in place by porta-pottys.

Chief Richmond joined Mayor Shamroe to provide additional information on the situation in The Pines regarding individuals experiencing homelessness.
NOBO officer Krista Fryczynski has been on site twice a day every day. Makes a personal connection and helps identify needs,
Traverse Health Clinic is on site once a week. Effort is to keep people healthy and safe and in more permanent housing.
Annika Place will come on line in June and another unit is in the works.
Working with Garfield and East Bay Township on additional housing options.
Community outreach helps to change behavior, homelessness is not a crime.
Regarding larceny from autos, the homeless population at The Pines is not necessarily responsible.
Regarding The Pines as an approved camping location.
Recent court ruling states that there must be a place to go. Where do you place them? The Pines is a designated location where they can camp, outside the area removal will be enforced.

Chief’s job is to respond to calls to ensure safety for all community members. officers, and people experiencing homelessness. The only ordinance that is not being enforced is camping.
Tree trimming was done for safety. Provides visibility for officers responding to calls.
They are limiting the number of tents, can’t be a wooden structure.
195 calls last year included assaults, theft.
Daily conversations build trust, officers know people and where they are.
Chief’s goal is to keep safe, orderly, clean and in control.
Homeless issue is not unique to us. Total # in TC is down. Currently about 54 right now and will increase due to closure of Safe Harbor. Safe Harbor was at capacity all winter.
The long-term solution is supportive housing to help with mental illness and substance abuse problems.

Police Social Worker, Jenn Holm, has started the Quick Response Team and partnered with 50 community service providers to find specific needs and pair with clients. Every 3 weeks in the same room and discuss how we can better service the community and discuss needs of clients.

QRT in discussion with Sherriff’s department and looking to expand into the County. A large big step to get the county involved. Email your county commission to contribute to the solutions that will resolve the homeless situation. Community neighborhoods are part of the discussion. It is a city-wide issue that CNA has been represented in.
The budget includes 32 sworn officers and 28 are currently employed. Two are in the hiring process. Wages have been increased.
Budget is allocating funds for an additional QRT officer and Social Worker

Panhandling is a constitutional issue of free speech and they have the right as long as they aren’t impeding traffic.

Speed control and running stop signs throughout TC and especially through construction is an issue. Officers and radar trailers will be assigned if they are in the area.
6 new radar signs were stolen.
Residents extended compliments and appreciation to the police department and how much the community is doing to help resolve the complex issue of homelessness.

Mayor Shamroe said an MOU for transition shelters and day shelters is still in discussion as well as other options. Safe Harbor was not an option for this year, the volunteer base is not available for the summer. There will not be a day shelter, it acts like an institution and does not work. The city offers money for services at Jubilee House and supports other community efforts – looking at other partners. Year-round shelter is not executable at this time.
Supreme Court may decide whether the camping option remains available, does not necessarily mean that the Pines would shut down. Solution is more housing. Striving to get to the heart of the chronic homeless issue. Concerted effort and money are being coordinated toward the effort.

Report from Fire Chief Tuller
First request for 2 new ambulances is in the budget.
Task force to implement new EMS and fill slots for needed employees. Fire department responds to every call, they are on scene first, the transition is to be the transport entity.
Fire department will respond in The Pines

TCAPS & Central Grade School Bond Proposal Update
Superintendent Dr. John VanWagoner presented in February on the Bond.
Megan Brown is co-chair with Sara McCauley on the Say Yes for Kids bond committee.
The bond will be on the August 6th ballot.
Central Grade remodeling is in the proposal, if it passes remodeling will begin in fall of 26. Students will move to Glenn Loomis.
The ballot focuses on needs not wants. (boilers, roofs, energy efficiency, STEM, security.
Maintains current millage rate of 3.1 mills
Sign-up sheets are available for yard signs or support. The effort launches next week.

Election of New Officers
President Matt Hanley
Vice President Darlene Germaine
Secretary Chris Deyo
Treasurer Marilyn Vlach
Motion to accept slate as presented by Chris Innes.
Seconded by Jeanie Sloan
Motion approved

Officers introduced themselves.

Street Directors who pass out meeting reminders and act as eyes and ears of your blocks are needed. New volunteers were found.

Marty McCloud wrote a book about Central Neighborhood. Available at horizon books.

The Central Neighborhood Association Book Club will have its next meeting on Monday, May 6 at 6:30 pm at Rare Bird. The Book is West with Giraffes. We hope to see you there!

Laurel Hueser is volunteering to manage our Instagram Account.
Emily Bludworth is volunteering to manage our Facebook account (Central Neighbor TC)

Thanks to Megan Brown for her years of service as president.


Meeting was adjourned 7:30 pm