HomeMy WebLinkAboutResidential Neighborhoods Committee Annual Report2016 Annual Report of the Residential Neighborhoods Committee
of the South Bend Common Council
Date: December 29, 2016
To: The South Bend Common Council
The Office of the City Clerk
From: Council Member Karen L. White
Residential Neighborhoods Committee Chairperson
Filed in Clerk's ice
KAREEMAH FOWLER
CITY CLERK, SOUTH BEM
Z
As Chairperson of the South Bend Common Council's Residential Neighborhoods Committee, I
am pleased to file the 2016 Annual Committee Report. Pursuant to Section § 2 -10(i) of the South
Bend Municipal Code, this report sets forth a summary of the key activities conducted by the
Residential Neighborhoods Committee throughout the year.
Duties: The Residential Neighborhoods Committee "oversees the various activities of the
Neighborhood Partnership Centers and issues related to neighborhood development and
enhancement ", as established formally by the South Bend Municipal Code.
Members: There were four (4) Council Members and one (1) citizen member serving on the
Residential Neighborhoods Committee:
Council Member Karen L. White, Chairperson
Council Member Jo Broden, Vice - Chairperson
Council Member Regina Williams- Preston, Member
Council Member John Voorde, Member
Karl Nichols, Citizen Member
Meetings: The Residential Neighborhoods Committee, as of the date of this Annual Report, has
met seven (7) times this year.
Organizational Meeting
• Discussion of goals and objectives for the committee this year
• Review of the 2015 Residential Neighborhoods Committee Annual Report
• Positive feedback from the public on the walking tours
• Importance of quality of life for neighborhoods in 2017 budget
• Importance of working with neighborhood associations and the Neighborhoods Resource
Connection (NRC) group
• Importance of updated information on various neighborhood plans for Council and
residents
• Forum for neighborhoods to voice their opinions (Mayor's Night Out)
2016 Annual Report of the Residential Neighborhoods Committee
December 29, 2016
Page 2
• Up to date information from Zoning, Public Works and/or Community Investment on
activity in neighborhoods
• Collaborate with Community Investment and Committee for types of funding for
neighborhood home repair, prevent vacancy and Code Enforcement issues
• Interest in Curbs and Sidewalk Initiative moving forward
• "Community Orientated Code Enforcement" residents doing their best to maintain their
homes as best they can and having a working relationship with the Department of Code
Enforcement
Summary of 2016 Committee Activities
• Update and Discussion on LaSalle Park/Beck's Lake EPA Superfund Site
• Representatives from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave presentation on the
history of the site
• Ongoing sampling and study of area as implementation of Comprehensive Environmental
Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund)
• A report documenting the sampling and analysis will be prepared once data is complete, if
contamination is found then remediation will be implemented
• Discussion on Neighborhood Walks Schedule
• Planned a city -wide district trolley tour
• Walk through of the 1St, 2nd 3`d and 5th Districts
• Look at concerns of Code Enforcement, clean neighborhoods, trash, sidewalks and curbs,
animal control and lighting
• Discussion on Fireworks Rules and Regulations
• Discussion on neighborhood plans and implementation and progress
The Residential Neighborhoods Committee is focused on quality of life for all the neighborhoods
in the City of South Bend. The Committee strives to continuously look at the vitality and progress
of City plans and initiatives that greatly impact the community.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member Karen L. White, Chairperson
Residential Neighborhoods Committee