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•CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK
<br /> Control or better known as, I guess now, the South Bend Animal Resource Center. But I can tell
<br /> you that we have many, many events that we participate in, outreach events, things that we
<br /> organize,things that we're now invited to.And I hear nothing but great things from the community,
<br /> from community leaders, about Code Enforcement and the South Bend Animal Resource Center.
<br /> So, I'm extremely proud of our team and I'm happy with the relationship that we have with the
<br /> residents of South Bend.
<br /> Committee Chair White then opened the floor to questions from Committee and Council Members.
<br /> Committee Chair White stated, John Voorde, unfortunately, can't be with us but he asked me to
<br /> ask a couple questions on his behalf His first (1st) question is "What is being done about
<br /> demolishing or securing derelict, industrial buildings like the South Bend Range, Singers, Sibling
<br /> and others, that are not secure and propose a danger to the public and others?"
<br /> Ms. Skibins replied, So, that has been on our radar for a while and that is one (1) of the reasons
<br /> why we are looking to increase our funds for emergency demolitions when it comes to commercial
<br /> structures. Because they are so expensive, we just don't have it in our budget to handle all the
<br /> commercial structures in South Bend. So, we, like you and Councilmember Voorde, also would
<br /> like to see those dangerous situations addressed as quickly as possible.
<br /> Committee Chair White followed up,Do you have a plan to go about dealing with these buildings?
<br /> Ms. Skibins replied, We try our best to hold the owners of the property accountable.
<br /> Ron O'Connor, Fiscal Officer for the Department of Code Enforcement with offices located on the
<br /> 13th floor of the County-City Building, stated, Earlier in the presentation, I think Tracy showed the
<br /> slide, was maybe the 5th or 6th slide,that showed the significant changes in the Code Enforcement
<br /> budget for 2020. As a part of that, there was a$70,000 increase in the demolitions. Originally,we
<br /> were going to use that as an offset to the money that we will be receiving as reimbursement back
<br /> from Community Development Block Grants, otherwise known as CDBGs. However,just since
<br /> we put the budget together, we've been notified CDBG will probably not be pursuing funds for
<br /> Code Enforcement demolitions. So, that money that we're requesting for reimbursement, we will
<br /> just continue to use that for emergency demolitions along with money that was coming out of Fund
<br /> #404,which is County Option Income Tax. Over the past several years we've had allocated around
<br /> $500,000 to deal with vacant abandoned residential homes as well as commercial. And in 2020
<br /> that number has been decreased to $250,000. Not for lack of need, just for lack of budgetary
<br /> purposes to be fiscally responsible in other areas. So,we're doing what we can with the money that
<br /> is available. Obviously we'll explore any options we have to continue to remedy some of these
<br /> problems that you're discussing with these commercial buildings.
<br /> Committee Chair White followed up, And again, you will keep us abreast of the progress and
<br /> which buildings we would be addressing as we move forward?
<br /> Ms. Skibins replied, Yes, we can definitely do that. We have you come up with a list of priorities
<br /> and prioritize those buildings, but yes, we can definitely keep you involved and maybe ask for
<br /> your help.
<br /> Committee Chair White stated, Okay. I think that's going to be important.
<br /> EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT
<br /> 455 County-City Building 227W Jefferson Bvld South Bend.Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221 f 574.235.9173 TTD574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov
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