Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-18-16 Residential NeighborhoodsOFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK KAREEMAH FOWLER, CITY CLERK RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS AUGUST 18, 2016 6:05 P.M. Committee Members Present: Absent: Other Council Present: Others Present: Agenda: Regina Williams- Preston (2nd District), Jo Broden (4th District), Karl Nichols (Citizen Member) and Karen White John Voorde Tim Scott (1St District) and Randy Kelly (3rd District) Kareemah Fowler and Alkeyna Aldridge Third (3rd) District Neighborhood Walking Tour Chairperson Karen White called the meeting to order and introduced other Councilmembers present. Chairperson White also thanked the Office of Clerk for their service, and 466Works Community Development Corporation and Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church (Mount Carmel MBC) for their collaboration with Council. Pastor Rickardo Taylor of Mount Carmel MBC introduced 466Works and its connection as an outgrowth of Mount Carmel MBC Community Ministries. The church has a Master Plan which is framed from a community development model and aimed at addressing community and structural problems around the church. As a result, church leaders instituted the 466Works Community Development Corp. and has been working with various stakeholders in creating a master plan for the Southeast Side community. Pastor Taylor proceeded to introduce members of 466Works Board of Directors in attendance, including: • Phillip Byrd, • Charlotte Pfeiffer, • David Ziker, • Sy Barker, • Charles Loeser and • Eugene Hale Chairperson White invited the group to board the trolley — provided by Tonnie's Trolley's — at 6: 15 p.m. 455 County -City Building • 227 W. Jefferson Boulevard • South Bend, Indiana 46601 Phone 574- 235 -9221 • Fax 574- 235 -9173 • TDD 574- 235 -5567 • www.SouthBend[N.gov JENNIFER M. COFFMAN ALKEYNA M. ALDRIDGE JOSEPH MOLNAR CHIEF DEPUTY/ CHIEF OF STAFF DEPUTY/ DIRECTOR OF POLICY ORDINANCE VIOLATION CLERK The first stop along the route at St. Joseph St. and Indiana Ave. sparked a conversation regarding the number of vacant lots in the neighborhood. Pastor Taylor expressed that Mount Carmel MBC sees the challenge as an opportunity and has purchased several lots to redevelop pockets adjacent to the church. The church has purchased several vacant lots at the intersection of St. Joseph and Indiana for future redevelopment, and has applied for CDBG grant funds to support the construction of three new - build, affordable homes for purchase at 60 -80% area medium income (AMI). The church is also tying the community master plan into the church's master plans which include a brand new traditional sanctuary which will connect to the current multi -use facility. Mount Carmel MBC intends to remain an anchor in the community. The next stop along tour on Broadway Ave., Pastor Taylor pointed one of the most recent phases of development in the Southeast Neighborhood completed by Rick Milton in the past fifteen years. The homes are a point of pride in the community and good place to continue developing from. 466Works Board Member Charlotte Pfeiffer echoed Pastor Taylor and the achievements of Rick Milton. She expressed the importance of follow through on behalf on the City in regard to southeast neighborhood development as the development work of the past has been very patchwork and slow to progress. The success of the Rick Milton homes segued into a conversation regarding nuisance and safety issues surrounding the large population of homeless persons in the neighborhoods. Given the neighborhoods proximity to several agencies and ministries providing services to the large homeless population (i.e. Gloria Dei, Broadway Church, The Center for Homeless, Life Treatment Centers, and a nearby Plasma Center) the neighborhood experiences several challenges surrounding the homeless population. Pastor Taylor expressed his concern for the safety of local residents and parishioners, as well as, a continued need for service and ministry to the homeless. It's an important balance to strike, he said. Councilmember Regina Williams- Preston added that she's having conversations surrounding the issue of homelessness locally which have enlightened her to other issues; including the fact that homeless persons from surrounding communities migrate to South Bend because we offer so many services to the homeless. She suggest we collaborate with surrounding communities to address the concern on a regional level. Committee Member Karl Nichols argued that churches, development corporations and the City also need to explore expanded housing options and services to the homeless population. The problem, he suggested, is due in part to a recent eviction of large numbers of the homeless population from a nearby tent city settlement. Charlotte Pfeiffer shared a housing model aimed at addressing the challenges of homelessness which allows people seek shelter regardless of the stage of any potential addiction. Most shelters exclude community members in need of shelter that are actively drinking or using narcotics. 2 Committee Member Karl Nichols echoed this model is called the "housing first" initiative, which believes the first step to ending homelessness and creating stability for homeless population must provide housing first and subsequently address any potential mental health or addiction concerns. Councilmember Jo Broden expressed the importance of lobbying at a state level to secure funding for mental health services. The next stop on the tour was the Pepsi Distribution Center where Pastor Taylor expressed that the Pepsi Cola Co. and Zikers Cleaners were leaving the neighborhood. Zikers is relocating to Mishawaka. Long -time resident, Nancy Scales, shared that she welcomed the departure of Pepsi from the neighborhood since large trucks often drive through the neighborhood serve as a safety concern for small children. Her son was a struck was by a Pepsi driver years ago. Pastor Taylor reiterated the importance of proactively addressing community concerns like homelessness and crime, among other things, as these challenges work as a deterrence to business development in the neighborhood. The Council shared that a LangLab extension would be ideal in the Pepsi space that will become vacant soon. Nancy Scales also shared that the neighborhood lacks a community center, so the location could be prime for that purpose as well. The next stop of the tour was at Dubail Street and Marietta Street near Studebaker School. At the corner, residents pointed out the lots surrounding Marietta have been vacant for decades. Pastor Taylor also shared that Studebaker School would make a great space for the community /youth center given the infrastructure is already there. The tour continued onto Fellows Street where Pastor Taylor pointed out the crumbling sidewalks to Councilmembers as a safety concern for Riley High School students walking to school. He also recalled that sidewalks and the entry-ways to High School were included in the budget last year and that construction was planned to commence this year. 466Works Board Member and Councilmember White confirmed Pastor Taylor's recollection and Council agreed to follow up with Public Works on this topic. The tour stopped at Riley High School where a discussion was held on the connection between the SBCSC Master Plan for Riley School and the City's Smart Street initiative. The plans call for a widening of the boulevard from Michigan Street to Riley High School as a means to control traffic patterns and flow surrounding the school. Council also agreed to follow -up with the respective department and commissions regarding this issue. 3 466Works Board Member, Phil Byrd, suggested that TIF dollars be used to offset the costs of the construction for the capital project. Many homes along the street would need to be bought and demolished in order to widen the road. Charles Loeser, 466Works Board Member, also suggested condemnation orders as an opportunity to retrieve properties. Councilmember Tim Scott explained that he is strongly opposed to eminent domain, and several Councilmembers echoed his concerns. 466Works Board Member, Charlotte Pfeiffer cited the issue as another example of poor follow through in regard to planning and development on the City's behalf. Councilmember Tim Scott suggested the County's Tax Sale as an opportunity for the CDC to purchase vacant lots and properties surrounding the school. David Ziker, 466Works Board Member, mentioned many of the lots are on the tax sale but not being purchased. Councilmember Tim Scott shared the County will often bundle and donate properties to non - profit agencies, so 466Works would be eligible receive a donation. He suggested that the Board follow up with Mitch Heppenheimer, County Attorney. Next, the tour stopped at the intersection of Fellows St. and Columbia where Pastor Taylor pointed out several large parcels of overgrown, unkempt City -owned properties. Pastor Taylor argued the City Administration maintains a double standard in regard to how it cares for its property in contrast to harsh penalties incurred by home owners for minor offenses. Code Enforcement, he says, cites the people and organizations that are able to pay the penalties to drive revenue, but does not cite equitably throughout the neighborhood. 466Works Member Eugene Hale directed Council's attention to the nearest street lights on the block which were nearly a block apart and non - functional. The Board Members shared their concerns regarding safety after dark in the neighborhood — especially for nearby children and youth. Councilmember Tim Scott shared that non - functional street lights could be reported to AEP by calling the contact number of the tag attached to the light pole, or on the City website. Chairperson White suggested that Council share the website link with 466Works members. The last stop was at Ravina Park where Pastor Taylor highlighted the necessity of public investment to offer youth the opportunity to have a productive outlet. Ravina Park serves a major neighborhood node for recreational and cultural activity. 0 Nancy Scales shared from personal experience that the park is also a hub of illicit drug activity and the addressed a need for City Parks to view the space as important in relation to other City parks as Ravina Park remains a major central node of the community. The tour ended with highlighting the following concerns for Councilmembers to actively address: 1. Council collaboration with 466Works and other stakeholders to address the following issues: overgrown City -owned lots, street light maintenance, and construction of new curbs and sidewalks 2. Potential use of TIF dollars for street widening project and the current status of the street projects near Riley High School where $1.5 million was budgeted 3. Advocating for Council and Administration long -term commitment and follow through in regard to Southeast neighborhood development 4. Council collaboration with 466Works and other stakeholders to address the challenge of homelessness in the neighborhood 5. Councilmember White also confirmed that she would follow -up with Code Enforcement and GIS to confirm which vacant lots are City -owned and advocate for City accountability in regard to vacant lots. Councilmember Williams- Preston suggested the Council host a Community Forum surrounding the issue of Homelessness and the need for equitable solutions in our community. Chairperson White agreed that a Community Forum on the issue is important and adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, / Karen L. White, Chairperson 5