2013 Annual Report - Residential Neighborhoods Committee

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The South Bend Common Council Annual Report for the Residential Neighborhoods Committee Date: 12/24/2013 To: The South Bend Common Council, The Office of the Clerk From: Tim Scott, 1st District Common Council Representative - Chairperson I am pleased to file this 2013 Annual Report of the Council Residential Neighborhoods Committee in order to comply with Section 2 -10 (i) of the South Bend Municipal Code; which Code provision requires all Standing Committee Chairpersons to file an Annual Report with the Office of the City Clerk by the 2nd Monday of December. Duties: The Council Residential Neighborhoods Committee oversees the various activities related to neighborhood development & enhancement. 2013 Committee Members: Karen L. White, Vice - Chairperson - At -Large Common Council Dr. Fred Ferlic, 4th District Common Council Oliver Davis, 6th District Common Council Christine Sopczynski, Citizen Member Committee Meetings and Highlights: To date the Residential Neighborhoods Committee met four times in 2013 and held public hearings on the following issues: The first meeting was to list the goals and concerns of Council Members and Citizens and to evaluate what legislation would originate from this committee. From this meeting discussions on quality of life issues which affect all citizens of South Bend. The committee would continue to monitor the status of the City's Vacant and Abandoned homes. We discussed touring the neighborhoods for all council members to experience each others' districts. Also, in conjunction with the Utilities committee we monitored the affects of New Energy on citizens and their homes in the 6th District. The committee also held public discussions on the following: March 4, 2013, the committee ask the Mayor update the council on any progress of the Vacant and Abandoned Task Force. As of the meeting the Administration was continuing business as usual per the budget in the removal of vacant and abandoned housing. The Mayor also reported the need for additional funding in 2014 for an aggressive campaign to remove houses slated for demolition as well as any programs for rehabilitation of home. April 10, 2013 a joint public meeting between Community Relations and Residential Neighborhoods to discuss Bill No. 14 -13 —Amend Code Chapter 6 Article 8, Add New Section 6 -37.2 Addressing Accountability of Government Actions on Buildings Declared Vacant or Abandoned and to discuss Bill No. 13 -18 — Calling for a Temporary Moratorium on Demolition of Buildings which are not a Health and Public Safety Hazard.