02-27-2013 Report to Address Vacant and Abandoned Properties in South Bend

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delighted that the Administration has embraced our recommendations and launched this bold initiative to transform the abandoned property problem in South Bend. Preventing homes and neighborhoods from falling into complete disrepair is a key element to the Report. As a continuation of this Report, the City will develop regular progress reports about its efforts to prevent, reclaim, and renew vacant and abandoned properties and make this information freely available to the public. Action Items In addition to the release of the Report, Mayor Buttigieg announced the following action items to jump start the work recommended by the Task Force: Mayor Buttigieg appointed Shubhada Kambli as the new Director of Code Enforcement for the City of South Bend. As part of her leadership duties, she will oversee the implementation of the recommendations from the Task Forces Report. Prior to working with the City, she worked on energy issues at the state, local, and federal levels of government. During this time, Kambli built multiple environmental initiatives, including an ENERGY STAR program for the US Environmental Protection Agency that improved the efficiency of local facilities in more than 150 cities and towns in New England. As a consultant and deputy project manager for the Cadmus Group, Kambli co-led a $1 million effort to gather and analyze energy building data for the State of Arkansas. A former AmeriCorps volunteer, Kambli also worked with local academic institutions and private sector organizations to create an energy education program for underserved students in Boston. She is a graduate of Tufts University, with a joint Master of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering (Environmental Health) and Urban Planning. Kambli also earned a master's degree from Harvard University in urbanism, landscape, and ecology. Mayor Buttigieg announced the City is preparing a bid to demolish 50 houses. The submission will be sent one week from Wednesday (March 6, 2013). Mayor Buttigieg announced new online tools at www.southbendin.gov for residents to report code violations. The full Report is also available to download by visiting the City of South Bends website. Mayor Buttigieg and Task Force Members Andrew Kostielney, President, St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners, and Rafael Morton, President, St. Joseph County Council, agreed to work on the recommendations in the Report that call for better cooperation and partnership between county and municipal government.