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REGULAR MEETING MAY 13, 2013 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Section III . This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption <br />by the Council and approval by the Mayor. <br /> <br />stth <br />s/Tim Scott, 1 District s/Oliver J. Davis, 6 District <br />nd <br />s/Henry Davis, Jr., 2 District s/Derek D. Dieter, At Large <br />rd <br />s/Valerie Schey, 3 District s/Gavin Ferlic, At Large <br />th <br />s/Dr. Fred Ferlic, 4 District s/Karen L. White, At Large <br />th <br />Dr. David Varner, 5 District Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Attorney <br />th <br />Attest: Approved this 13 day of May, 2013 <br />s/John Voorde, City Clerk s/Pete Buttigieg, Mayor of South Bend <br /> <br />Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr., made the presentation for this Resolution by first offering his <br />comments and then reading the Resolution in its entirety and presenting it to Members of Mamas <br />Against Violence. <br /> <br />A Public Hearing was held on the Resolution at this time. <br /> <br />There was no one present wishing to speak to the Council either in favor of or in opposition to <br />this Resolution. <br /> <br />Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to adopt this Resolution by acclamation. <br />Councilmember White seconded the motion which carried. <br /> <br />Mike Schmuhl, Chief of Staff to Mayor Pete Buttigieg, gave an overview of a letter sent to the <br />Council on May 2, 2013. (A copy is on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) He stated that <br />addressing vacant and abandoned properties is a top priority for the administration, the Common <br />Council, and the residents of South Bend. These properties decrease home values throughout a <br />neighborhood and can attract crime, rodents, fires and a number of other public safety concerns. <br />Mr. Schmuhl advised that the Council also approved a significant increase in funding for the <br />Department of Code Enforcement to address these properties during last years; budget process, a <br />measure that will go a long way toward repairing the economic fabric of our neighborhoods. He <br />stated that in releasing the findings of the Vacant and Abandoned Properties Task Force Report <br />th <br />on February 27, the administration also announced a goal of addressing 1,000 properties in <br />1,000 days. To be clear, “addressing” means a mixture of structural demolitions and housing <br />rehabs. While the City’s demolition practices have not changed from previous practices in <br />previous years, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) reached out to <br />the City administration after the public announcement of the Task Force. This outreach is an <br />extension of the long-standing, good relationship the City has had with IDEM and other state <br />agencies over the years. <br /> <br />REPORTS OF CITY OFFICES <br /> <br />REPORT FROM THE BUILDING COMMISSIONER – CHUCK BULOT <br /> <br />Mr. Bulot presented a five (5) step master plan for the Building Department. (A copy is on file <br />in the Office of the City) He advised that this plan will help to modernize the building inspection <br />process in South Bend. This plan is the start of a long-held vision for the Building Department <br />of the future, an ultra-efficient, consumer-friendly, totally paperless office. Step One: Archive <br />all commercial plans submitted over the past three years into electronic format. Step Two: Beta <br />test iPads for configuration of operations in field and standardize practices. Step Three: Issue i- <br />Pads for all inspectors and train for data entry of inspections. Step Four: Electronically archive <br />all other parcel-related folders for cross-linking information. Step Five: Create electronic <br />folders for every parcel in the county. Mr. Bulot stated that eventually, each inspector will have <br />field access to a complete history of each parcel in St. Joseph County, a complete set of code <br />books, a listing of standardized inspection check lists, an electronic note pad, a built-in camera, <br />and a notebook of illustrations to help explain frequently asked questions. He stated that he had <br />hoped to bring this information to the Council earlier, but his hands were ties. They had to wait <br />for technology to catch up with their vision. Mr. Bulot noted that the Council is the first to <br />officially hear about the implementation of the Building Department’s Inspection process of the <br />4 <br /> <br /> <br />