05-13-13 Community Relations & Residential Neighborhoods

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COMMUNITY RELATIONS & RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS May 13, 2013 Community Relations Committee Members Present: Oliver Davis, Tim Scott,. Valerie Schey, Dr. Varner Citizen Member Present: James Burns Residential Neighborhoods Committee Members: Tim Scott, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Karen White, Oliver Davis Citizen Member Present: Chris Sopczynski Other Council Present: Gavin Ferlic, Henry Davis, Jr., Derek Dieter Others Present: Marti Wolfson, Aladean DeRose, Eric Horvath, Dan Heckel (VPS) Vacant Property Specialists • Bill No. 14 -13 —Addresses Government Accountability on Buildings Declared Vacant or Abandoned • Bill No. 13 -18 — Calls for Moratorium on Buildings Which are not a Safety Hazard Vice - President Oliver Davis, Chair of the Community Relations Committee called to order the joint committee meeting of the Community Relations and Residential Neighborhoods Committees. Two items on the agenda, both of which related to the Mayor's Vacant and Abandoned Task Force initiative were scheduled to be heard. Councilmember Henry Davis and primary author of Bill No. 14 -13 made the presentation. He used a power -point (A copy is on file in the Office of the City Clerk) and called upon Dave Heckel of Vacant Property Specialists to augment the presentation. Mr. Heckel focused on securing vacant properties until a determination is made to either demolish or rehab. Henry has suggested a more thoughtful, methodical plan to address the problem of vacant and abandoned housing problem than suggested by the task force. His bill focuses more on rehabilitation than demolition and purports to provide the process resulting in an economic plan for the neighborhood. A considerable discussion followed the presentation. In the Council portion Dr. Fred Ferlic said people want action taken on vacant and abandoned blight now. He asked who would pay for a rehab focused plan — the banks, the City, private investors. He said such a focus was too expensive to be practical. Carol Davis spoke in the public portion city a successful rehab, reuse program in Knoxville, Tennessee. Ultimately Tim Scott motioned no recommendation go to full Council. David Varner seconded and a majority agreed.