09/17/07 Council Special Meeting Minutes

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SPECIAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 17, 2007 in many fruitful and constructive discussions concerning the problem of disorderly students living in the neighborhood surrounding the University of Notre Dame. She is extremely pleased that from these conversations that Common Council President Rouse and Councilmember Kirsits have introduced tonight proposed bill. The Community Relations Coalition marks a major achievement for community relations. For the first time there will be a forum for continued discussion between City officials, South Bend Residents, area Universities, and students living in South Bend neighborhoods. While this coalition was created in response to the problem of disorderly students her hope is that this body will also serve as an area to discuss the range of issues effecting area neighborhoods. By bringing together all of the interested parties they can act in a truly collaborative and proactive manner to improve community relations. She is also pleased with the co-sponsors decision to pursue alternative initiatives to address community issues rather than the social gathering permit process. She stated that she has repeatedly mentioned that they remain committed to addressing the problem of disruptive student parties that clearly affect neighborhood residence quality of life. She noted that improved student behavior in the preceding month has validity their commitment to this issue. She hoped that continued improvements will lead to a better community environment for all area residents. Notre Dame Student Government will continue to lead the way in this regard by hosting programs throughout the year to encourage students to act as responsible citizens of the City of South Bend. She again thanked the co-sponsors of this bill for all of their hard work to address this issue of utmost concern to both community residents and Notre Dame Students. An affirmative vote on tonight's bill might signal and end to discussion on this particular piece of legislation it also represents significant progress in community relations. She looks forward to discussions over the coming year as they continue to candidly address the issues that affect the South Bend Community most. Ms. Marguerite Taylor, 714 E. Corby Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, stated that she is a member of the CCAC. She asked the Council not to committee this bill to death. This is a quality of life issue and this bill needs to be passed. She stated that she lives right in the middle of the neighborhood that this bill affects. Ms. Taylor stated that she printed 53 comments off of the WNDU.com website concerning this bill. She stated that they are comments from Notre Dame Students showing their arrogance towards this issue. How dare they tell her that she should move if she doesn't like the partying going on. She quoted one comment "If you don't like living here around a college campus where parties have been going on since the college was founded MOVE!" She stated that she has lived there long enough to have paid the house off. She has lived at that residence longer than Ms. Brown's mother is old! She stated "Do I have to move... I don't think so..." Another comment was "the City of South Bend seems to forget that it is Notre Dame that brings money in... and the South Bend Common Council should be focusing on more important issues." Ms. Taylor stated that "they" don't bring her a dime! She stated that she pays taxes, votes, and should have the right to live in peace. She stated that she has the right for students not to urinate on her porch! She has the right to not have a student throw a beer bottle through her window! This is why she is so passionate about this bill. She stated that last year's student body president met with all the residents and neighborhood organizations. There was good dialogue and ideas going on and guess what... she graduated and MOVED! ! So then the residents and neighborhood organization had to start all over again! And this is where we are today. She urged the Council to pass this bill. Mr. Don Sniegowski, 917 N. St. Peter, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he lived prior at 1004 St. Vincent, and stated that they have lived in the neighborhood for 37 years. He stated that he is a Notre Dame Alumni and taught at the University for 41 years prior to his retirement. He stated that he supports both parts of the ordinance under questions. But tonight he wishes to speak towards the party portion of it. He is a little bit caught because for the first time he saw the inclusion of some things that he had not seen if prior version of the bill. The northeast neighborhood has seen a lot over the years and Councilmember Kirsits reiterated over those issues. All of these items listed in the bill pose a threat to quality of life and also a threat to public safety. The safety of not only the long-term residence, but also to the party goers as well, who are often wondering in the middle of the street drunk and could get hit. The passage of the amendment to the