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CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK Basically,a receiver would take over a property,and in this case it would be somebody who bought a property from tax sale and they just let it go and they don't have an interest in the community. A receiver would step in, take control of the property, fix it up on their own dime, then take it to foreclosure, so they have to pay for it or they lose their property. Nothing got done there, although we did a lot of investigation. I can relate to you about what you say about penalties. I am a court appointed receiver and I have a very advanced education in theoretic mathematics, and I worked on the Apollo Mission on some very sophisticated problems, so I make it a point to never talk down to an attorney. [Dr. Fox,] You demonstrated that you have a good working knowledge of the issues with Code and the penalties and things of that nature, and I wouldn't mind talking to you from time to time and being a resource for you. Regina, I know you well and we've talked about matters of Code Enforcement and I'd like to continue to have those conversations and involvement. Young lady here from the City Clerk's Office, several months ago, I met with Kareemah Fowler, the City Clerk. I asked hey, you just did Amnesty for people paying parking tickets, how about amnesty for all the people who have violations and penalties? She apparently talked to the Mayor, and with everybody so busy we never followed up,but I think we need to follow up on that because Reverend Williams brought that up. Someone called in about amnesty, and we could get all of those penalties renegotiated down. GlendaRae Hernandez, 702 E. South Street,with a temporary address of 321 Rue Flambough,Apt. 501 stated, I am also a member of the South Bend Human Rights Commission and I have been for many years. I know you said the Feds drew a line where they won't lend, but that's illegal. Especially when it hits neighborhoods of color and that sort of thing. I'm here to say that people should go to banks, they should go to credit unions, apply for the loans, and if they get turned down, go file a charge with the Human Rights Commission. If they start getting all kinds of charges, it may change that illegal behavior. Committee Chair Williams-Preston stated, We're going to take the last few moments to answer some of the questions that came up. Dr. Fox stated, The issue of people investing in tax properties is common practice all over the country. There is no way to make it an illegal practice, but we can enforce the laws that we have that I don't think are being enforced. Say that you shouldn't be able to buy properties at a tax sale if you have abandoned properties, properties that you owe property taxes on, or code violations on. What we find is the same people are flipping properties between themselves, their companies and their friends, and avoiding paying taxes and penalties. I've got data and I can show you how much that's happening. On the banking issue, Senator Donnelly did work on a bill that will make it easier for small banks to provide this lending, so hopefully that is going on, and I do know that the City is looking at ways to help good landlords as well, landlords that are really trying to do the right thing. We are trying to encourage people to rent from landlords who provide safe housing, and discourage them from going to the handful of slumlords in town that are trying to take advantage of people. Committee Chair Williams-Preston stated, We talked about having a referral process, connecting good landlords with good tenants and making it happen. Did you have any suggestions about the cat house or snow? Ms. Skibins stated, I will look into that address and also the person with the question about the snow can contact 311 or Code Enforcement and file a waiver. When it comes to the plows going EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION I INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 227W.Jefferson BvId South Bend,Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221 f 574.235.9173 TTD574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov 16