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REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 22, 2007 <br />Does anybody else take concern? Because this is right at the Gateway to downtown <br />South Bend. How many thousands of people came into South Bend this past year, for a <br />football game, and event at Indiana University or some other event downtown, and that <br />was your welcome to downtown South Bend! It appears that the people on the 14d` floor <br />of this building and the 12~` floor of this building don't appear to be doing anything to get <br />it done, so he decided to come before the South Bend Common Council to ask to do <br />something, to take some action. To contact whoever the Councihnember's contact to see <br />that some movement is done on this blight. Because the people who designed this <br />Common Council had a certain genius about themselves, not only is there a District <br />Councilmember, that should be obviously concerned about something like the abandoned <br />building in their district, but there are three Councihnember's At Large. So that there are <br />at least four (4) Councilmember's that have a vested interest and the rest of the Council <br />ought to also, because it is your City and my City. He begged the Council to take care of <br />the blight on the City and it has been going on for more than a year now. Somebody <br />ought to be able to get that building cleaned or get it down. <br />Councilmember White stated that in the past the Council President has assigned various <br />topics to individual Councihnember's Committee. <br />Council President Rouse advised that he was appreciative of the fact the Mr. Masters has <br />brought this item to the Council's attention. <br />Councilmember Kelly stated that he has had contact with the Department of Code <br />Enforcement and Director Cathy Toppel. He said that the City has an average of 26-60 <br />homes and commercialproperties that are set for demolition. <br />Councilmember Pfeifer stated this is the former home of El Buena Vicino and located in <br />the 2nd District, her district. She noted that the Mayor hosted a meeting at LaSalle <br />Square, there were approximately 100 people. He addressed the very issue of vacant <br />housing. The Council has looked at vacant buildings in general and how people squander <br />and establish inappropriate uses in them. Councilmember Pfeifer thanked Mr. Master's <br />for bringing this building to her attention. Councilmember Pfeifer stated to Council <br />President Rouse that she would be glad to look into this, unless he was going to assign <br />this topic to another Councilmember or Committee. She stated that if this topic gets <br />assigned to another Councilmember or Committee, she would work with that <br />Councilmember or Committee, to fmd out who owns it and what can be done to do <br />something about it. <br />Council President Rouse stated that the property is located in the 2nd District and <br />Councilmember Pfeifer has offered to look into this property. Also, the three At-Large <br />Councilmember's can work with her and assist in anyway possible. <br />Councilmember Pfeifer stated that she thinks the Mayor is going to announce in the very <br />near future a program to address the vacant houses and buildings. They are getting <br />feedback from various individuals with concerns about the blighted buildings and homes. <br />Councilmember White stated that approximately one year ago, the Council had a retreat <br />to discuss topics of concern. One of the main issues was vacant homes and buildings in <br />the City. The Council asked the administration to get them more information on these <br />vacant buildings. The Council toured the various neighborhoods that are being affected <br />by this blight. She also recommended as a Council, that they set aside time that to <br />collectively discuss this critical issue, because it impacts each and every one of us. We <br />have identified one building, but that is one in a thousand. So as a Council, it is very <br />important that we collectively begin the discussion in conjunction with also working with <br />the administration to address this problem. <br />Councilmember Dieter stated that as a Council when you have a report of a vacant or <br />abandoned home collect that data, address, owner's name, etc., and present that <br />information to the administration. <br />Council President Rouse stated that he wants to be clear that the Council does not want to <br />micro-manage Code Enforcement and the various departments. But the Council will get <br />48 <br />