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Craig Bruce of 816 W. LaSalle expressed much frustration simply trying to get the city to respond <br />to calls for trash pick-up. He felt the city was giving him the run around. Mike Novak also of 816 <br />W. LaSalle added emphasis to this exasperating tale of woe. <br />Anne Mannix wondered if the enforcement procedures followed by Code enforcement could <br />somehow be more effective. <br />Chairperson White following a number of additional complaints summarized the concerns as: 1. <br />Adequate street lighting. 2. Persistent trash. 3. Inadequate enforcement process. 4. <br />Responsiveness of city offices. <br />Noreen Dean-Moran echoed complaints about trash and spoke to the need for additional <br />resources needed by the city to combat neighborhood problems. <br />Marissa Scalia Sucosky also felt the current state of affairs was unacceptable citing examples of <br />persistent long-term problem addresses. <br />Gert Doarling questioned the adequacy of Code Enforcements follow-thru on habitual problem <br />landlords. <br />Chairperson White then asked Catherine Toppel, Director of Code Enforcement to respond. She <br />began by saying the City had demolished 382 properties since 2007 and was now averaging 15 a <br />month. The balance of her comments spoke of the difficult legal issues her department faces <br />when enforcing code violations. Limited dollars and personnel also handicap efforts. As best she <br />could, Catherine answered questions about how she allocated resources, established priorities, <br />responded in a timely effective manner, and communicated with those who registered complaints. <br />Her responses seemed to provide little satisfaction. <br />Taking back the meeting Karen said along-term effective strategy perhaps revisiting a rental <br />registration program was needed. Both Councilmember Kirsits and Puzzello agreed, suggesting <br />Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand resurrect researching practical solutions to <br />environmental concerns. Councilmember Puzzello went on to suggest forming neighborhood <br />organizations and starting the neighborhood crime watch approach through the South Bend <br />Police Department <br />Chairperson White expressed sympathy for both the residents and Neighborhood Code <br />Enforcement; but acknowledged a disconnect between the residents and the service providers in <br />the City. <br />Henry Davis encouraged continued citizen participation insisting the current situation was <br />unacceptable. He told the dissatisfied that they were not powerless. Involvement would prompt <br />change for the better. Further he called for research and review of strategies other cities use <br />effectively from zoning to fast tracking citizen complaints. <br />General discussion followed before Chairperson White adjourned the meeting at 8:22 p.m. <br />Respectfully Submitted, <br />ren L. White, Chairperson <br />Health and Public Safety Committee <br />