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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-08-11 Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) ...�=��;�,iC 7!i qF;�. . . ti,��s � ' ..f . c,,�., M1a., ,.: �R'i' . f}�! ���� ?}?; '„ " Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) , . �, j,.. =.Yi . , :..ii.i-.�,_j . JN�VERS r'' e.,�' \.(`*. ,�, S 2��'\�' �^ � �.`, ,�`� � oy���"G........ �� �' � ��� � � � •;..,� ! O �.. dOCCCY* , � , 1 , O �.,''..-..�+ _�. OO C < The March 8, 2011 meeting of the Community/Campus Advisory Coalition was held at the Downtown Offices of Notre Dame. 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, Common Council Member Ann Puzzello, South Bend Police Chief Jeffrey Walters, Saint Joseph County Police Officer Dean Chandler, University of Notre Dame Representatives Student Body President Catherine Soler, Brett Rocheleou and Tim Sexton, Robinson Center Adult Program Coordinator Marguerite Taylor, Mark Kramer of Kramer Properties, Neighborhood Residents Matt Costello and Kyle Chamberlin, Attorney Richard Nussbaum, Reporters Margaret Fosmoe, South Bend Tribune and John Cameron and Mackenzie Sain, The Observer and Catherine Toppel, City of South Bend Code Director. Mr. Kirsits then introduced Dean Chandler of the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department as the Sheriff s representative and he explained that the Sheriff values these meetings and always has an open door policy. Anyone with concerns was welcome to bring them to the Sheriff s attention. NOTRE DAME Forty businesses have signed up for the new discount program and there are many new events on the horizon. March Madness, Students for South Bend Showcase and many other businesses are being solicited. There has been activity regarding the Bald and Beautiful program for cancer awareness where donors shave their heads to fight cancer. Representatives are always looking for new ideas to put more programs in place. On March 25th a Community Summit is being held that can build relationships and continue these programs throughout the year. They are looking to plan a program for new students and off campus students to continue the program. A letter is being circulated in late summer, early fall regarding working together on the Good Neighbor program and Good Neighbor guide that will continue the programs. This was Catherine Soler's last meeting as President of the Student Body and all wished her well and complimented her on doing a marvelous job. She thanked everyone and stated that nothing would have been accomplished without all people present working together, not just for safety but additionally for Neighborhood concerns. NEIGHBORHOODS Neighborhoods are doing well; a flier was handed out for an event that should include students and Fat Tuesday was discussed as it is usually a fun time in the neighborhood. Mr. Kramer stated that crime has not been a serious issue and snow shoveling has been much better. Ann Puzzello brought up a bill that Cathy has been working very hard on concerning grandfathering in of properties. There are many houses in Ann's area to pin down and the laws are not exact enough to go over to the Building Department and check on the status of a property. Building may say nothing on that property but that does not mean that it was not grandfathered in — working on making this a must; there needs to be documentation to be grandfathered in. If the transfer of property was before 2003 or 2004 it does not matter but the documentation needs to be there so people can be in compliance. Mr. Kirsits pointed out that this is important for students because you can't always tell if there is adequate egress or if the area is in a bad neighborhood. Kathy Cekanski- Farrand stated that there have been meetings held so there will be a better Ordinance in place. Mr. Kramer stated that prior to 2003 or 2004 he would take things to Don Fozo and he would grandfather them in and wanted to know if this was still valid. Cathy Toppel states that as long as it is still in use and being used for its purpose. If property not being used for its intended purpose, this would no longer apply. There will be a list of things that will need to be met to be able to meet the grandfathering in status. There is a document that will assist in differentiating the requirements currently being drafted. Ms. Toppel went on to state that she is moving forward on all the houses being used illegally — potentially hundreds — too many people living in them, violations pending, etc. that will be directed to the landlord. Tim Sexton inquired if the action will disallow landlords to continue to incur violations. Ms. Toppel responded that the internet is very helpful in finding out the information regarding potential or actua! violations as the potential landlords and sellers' advertising is incredible — they are former ND students that decided to go into business for themselves. Mr. Kramer stated that she needs to educate the Board of Realtors which she does every year. Mr. Kramer stated that they are not listening — they do not understand the factors involved and that's where it starts -- they are misrepresenting the way houses can be used. Dick Nussbaum asked if there was any way that some kind of communication could go out to freshman — they are the ones at risk. Their parents if they are buying houses and then find out they can't be used. Mr. Kirsits pointed out that as an old firefighter he always worries about fires — you find out there are seven or eight students in a house and several people may die due to overcrowding. Ms. Toppel stated most people have already signed their lease for next year. Tim Sexton asked that if a deposit is put down, can they get it back, will they then get help from the City? Ms. Toppel assured him that her files can be subpoenaed to find out what the owner knew and that action would bring someone in to Court to testify. NEIGHBORHOODS - ALTERNATIVE HOUSING Mr. Kramer inquired if the City of South Bend would be opposed to a student designated area for housing. Marquerite asked if he meant on campus and he said no - it's a rite of passage — they want to spread their wings —would it make sense to build nice houses that could be a gated area where the students woufd feel safe that follows the guidelines that the City lays out. It would help the blighted areas to put this in — particularly specific areas. Mr. Kirsits said this has been done before — in blighted areas where you can put in student housing - this does not preclude Indianapolis Police from coming in and doing what they have to do. Tim Sexton stated that the NE Neighborhood runs from Twyckenham down to Jefferson and Mr. Kramer responded that he thought the NE Neighborhood would win as well. He has been buying two bedroom houses, renting it to undergrads or families, this is on Miner Street— bought it because of the gang graffiti- painted it- put 50k in it and made it viable. There are other houses on Miner that are the same way — gang graffitied, fire hazards, overcrowded, etc., - these are sources of problems for students and neighborhoods. Tearing them down is not the answer. Until we get some cohesiveness in these blighted areas, there has to be some area good for this idea. Mr. Kirsits brought up the question of restructuring and zoning and Dick Nussbaum stated that he did not think this was the forum for this discussion though he was sure Mr. Kramer had good intentions and he suggested that if a plan was submitted to the NENC — that would be the best route as their mission is to bring back single family households and they have done a really good job. Mr. Kramer agreed that this is not the forum to discuss this issue. Marguerite Taylor stated that she wanted to say one thing. The NNRO and NENC — they are the winners of revitalization of the NE Neighborhood. It's not about the students — we don't call the Police if you are having a party — we call them when there are 500 people there. Students bring stuff to the neighborhood and I don't think you will ever get permission to have a community within a community. Mr. Kramer said he did not mean to offend anyone. SAFETYISSUES The students present were asked if the weekend before they had heard about a party off of Hollyhock and all said no — County Police had shown up and there was a mass exodus of people running in different directions. Dean Chandler pointed out that somebody had called taxis to the area which all agreed was at least one smart move. Tim at ND stated that this was not the first time he had heard that there was an incident at Hollyhock and Cleveland. Chief Walters stated that there were really no crime related issues but he was concerned that the light at Twyckenham and Vaness does not appear to be working where students cross both ways. TAXI ISSUES Mr. Kirsits requested Katherine Cekanski-Farrand touch on the taxi issue as the wheels are slow and she responded that Karen White has requested a subcommittee to work on it — all amendments are not yet in hand and the goal is to prioritize the concerns and the tentative deadline is now June. The Legal Department is working on a draft so communication is key to this endeavor. Mr. Kirsits responded that this has been a huge issue and we know there are "gypsy cabs" so we are hoping that there will be something in place soon as it is very important to students for next year. Council Member Kirsits thanked everyone for attending. The next meeting will be held in April before the end of the school year. A tentative date was set for April 26th at 3:30. The site of the meeting may be the Robinson Center but is still yet to be determined. Respectfully submitted, � ��� �� �� � iz"-. Charles S. Leone, Recording Secretary Council Member ' uddy" Kirsits-Chairperson Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC)