The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About01-26-11 Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC)<: $s >,~ a; ~~,, ~~~: =:.~ LY :~ ~,,`~ ,~~ The January 26, 2011 meeting of the Community/Campus Advisory Coalition was held in the South Bend Common Council informal meeting room. The meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m. by South Bend Common Council Member at Large Member AI "Buddy" Kirsits. Mr. Kirsits welcomed everyone in attendance and asked that everyone introduce themselves. Attendees included: Common Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand, Council Member Ann Puzzello, University of Notre Dame Representatives, Brian Coughlin, Tim Sexton, Mike Seamon and Student Body President Catherine Soler, St. Mary's College Representatives Kathryn Cuda and Patrick Daniel, South Bend Police Chief Jeffrey Walters Uniform Division, St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office Representative Chris Daniels, Mayor Steve Luecke, Alcoholic Beverage Board Member Mike Carrington, Robinson Center Adult Program Coordinator Marguerite Taylor, Neighborhood Residents Matt Costello, and Kyle Chamberlin, Reporters Margaret Fosmoe, South Bend Tribune and Madeline Buckley, The Observer. City of South Bend Employees, Catherine Toppel, .Dept of Code Enforcement and Pamela Paluszewski, Legal Dept. SNOW REMOVAL ORDINANCE NO. 10068-11 Mr. Kirsits opened the meeting with the announcement that the South Bend Common Council had passed Ordinance No. 10068-11, amending the ordinance of removal of ice and snow from South Bend city sidewalks. The ordinance has been in existence since 1948 but has been amended for fines, and to include exemptions for disabled residents. Catherine Toppel stated that the only .real differences between the old and new ordinances are an increase in fines and exemptions for those that are disabled. She also stated that staff will be sending letters to property owners who are not in compliance with the ordinance and even knocking on doors of property owners. Kathy Cekanski-Farrand stated that the City is trying to develop a volunteer program to help elderly and disabled city residents clear walks. She also stated there are such programs in the communities of Northwestern University, University of Minnesota and Kansas State University. One such important component of a program involves liability Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) ~CCAC Meeting January 26, 2011 Page 2 2 of the volunteers and a release of liability form was being drafted for volunteers to sign. Ms. Cekanski-Farrand said that if anyone has ideas to please forward them to the City Clerk's office which will be directed to Gary Gilot, Director of the Board of Works. Mayor Steve Luecke also stated that the background checks of volunteers could be an issue. Buddy Kirsits stated that the volunteer program is a work in progress, the public relations of this ordinance alone has helped with clearing of sidewalks and it is not the intention of the city to raise revenue this way. Mr. Kirsits also said it was important to get the word out to local schools, churches and colleges to help volunteer with the clean up of snow removal. Some local middle and high school students are required to perform community service work. Catherine Soler wanted to make it clear that the comment in the Observer that "students don't have time, money or energy to help with snow removal" was taken out of context and was clearly not the tone of the students. NEIGHBORHOODS Matt Costello said things are still going well in his neighborhood. He thought that since the City's snow ordinance amendment was passed that the overall neighborhood was shoveled for the most part. He also stated that he and his sons help to shove{ neighbors walks that were unable to or out of town. He encouraged the City to get the word out as to which areas needed to be shoveled and the residents in his neighborhood seemed agreeable to help with it. Costello also stated that currently Campus Housing doesn't have a representative to these meetings, and that an invitation should be extended to them to see if they are interested. Mike Carrington said that that no matter how well people shovel walks, there will still be a certain number of City sidewalks that will not be shoveled and the City will have to do some of them. He said it is very disconcerting that there are some commercial properties that are not shoveled. He also stated that if students will be gone over breaks, they need to find off-street parking, so that the City can clear the streets. Kathryn Cuda suggested the City knock on doors of the properties with un-shoveled walks, follow up with letters, and if need be, the City remove it and bill the property owner. In addition, she inquired what was to happen to students' cars when they are on breaks, and are parked on City streets when it snows. Marguerite Taylor announced that the Robinson Learning Center was celebrating its 10th Anniversary on February 18, 2011. There will be an Open House to the community from 5 - 7 p.m. and Kennedy's Kitchen would be performing. CCAC Meeting January 26, 2011 Page 3 SAFETY ISSUES 3 Division Chief Jeff Walters stated that they performed extra patrols in the student housing neighborhoods during the holiday break when students were away, varying the days and hours of patrols. The only increase in break-ins seemed to occur in the Turtle Creek apartment complex area. Notre Dame Representatives brought a map of the Northeast area showing where crimes had occurred. A copy of the December 2010 version of this map was passed out to those at the meeting and they would be passing these maps out at all future meetings. NOTRE DAME Tim Sexton introduced Mike Seamon, Vice President of Campus Security. He is charge of game day operations and will be attending the CCAC meetings in the future. Tim Sexton stated that one thing students on break and out of town can do is park their cars in the Eddy Street Commons Parking Garage for a fee. This gets the car off of City streets so that they can be cleared and helps provide security for the car as well. In addition, there are other lots on campus that are utilized for this purpose. Catherine Soler said the university is going to participate in a Communiversity Safety Program. They will be meeting with police next week to create a safety package with tips and ways to increase safety. Mike Carrington weighed in with that the Liquor Board Excise Police are out there and that students should be careful when holding parties and to be mindful of underage drinking. He said that parties are held indoors during the Winter, but as warm weather approaches, parties will be held outside and students need to be aware that Notre Dame Police and South Bend Police will be enforcing ordinances relating to these issues. TAXI ISSUES Catherine Soler said college students are still very interested in the City's plan to strengthen regulations governing taxi companies. Kathy Cekanski-Farrand stated that the City's Common Council will be discussing these issues beginning in February. Council Member Kirsits announced that Catherine Soler would be turning 21 years old on Sunday and wished her a Happy Birthday. Soler announced that she would be running as President of the Notre Dame Student Government for another year. Kirsits thanked everyone for attending. The next meeting will be held March 8, 2011 at 3:30. The meeting will be held at Notre Dame and the site of the meeting to be determined. The meeting was adjourned at 4:17 p.m. CCAC Meeting January 26, 2011 Page 4 Respectfully su mitt , ~~ ~~--- (( is 4 Charles S. Leone, Recording Secretary, Council Member AI "Budd" ~Cirsits-Chairperson Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) Community/Campus Advi o Coalition (CCAC)