2008 Annual Report - Residential Neighborhood Committee

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RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD COMMITTEE 2008 ANNUAL REPORT South Bend Common Council DATE: February 17, 2009 To: The South Bend Common Council CC: The Office of The City Clerk From: At-Large Common Council Member Timothy A. Rouse, Chairperson Residential Neighbors Committee I am submitting the following Annual Report of the activities of the Common Council's Residential Neighborhoods Committee. Which is a requirement of Sec 2-10 (i) of the South Bend Municipal Code. Duties: The Residential Neighborhoods Committee is charged with the "Oversight of the various activities of the Neighborhood Partnership Centers & issues related to neighborhood development & enhancement." Pursuant to Sec. 2-10 (i) (9) of the South Bend Municipal Code. Members: There were four (4) Common Council Members on this Committee, AI Kirsits Vice Chair, Karen White, Derek Dieter and myself. Meetings: There was one meeting on November 24, 2008. We received a report from Sue Solomus who was hired as a reprehensive of the Community Economic Development Department to promote South Bend neighborhoods specifically bordering the central business district. We also received a report on the Mayor's plan to reduce abandoned houses by 72%. Activities: In the past the committee was charged with the oversight of the partnership centers -the city has decided to sell these centers and reinvest the proceeds. This committee did not visit the centers as it had in the past, also in 2007 this committee took a "plunge" into neighborhoods to view the housing -sparking the dollar house and abandon demolition house program. Work that was being done in 2008, although this committee did not have any activity the impact of its work resulted in neighborhood(s) improvement. Recommendations for 2009: The work of this committee will shift its focus from the past because of the closure of the Partnership Centers. Post HEA 1001 will require greater focus on "issues related to neighborhood development & enhancement; in the past I have recommended that there be a certification of Neighborhood Associations (NA). This is because of the emphasis placed on neighborhoods in the "City Plan." The certification would be in collaboration with some of the very active NA i.e. NNW Association. I believe this committee should promote more neighborhoods to start NAs. The certification will help interested parties to start new neighborhood associations. This process will require greater interface with grassroots residents. Fllcd In Clerlt'S ©ffilce F F g 1 7 2009 JOHN VOORDE CITY CLERK, S0. BFFID, IN.