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Home My WebLink About09-19-11 Community Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) . , � h `= .��`�` Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) vNa qs'rqr � '� - — o �d =_ � . �s --- @c J., 4... . t � , � •MOCC.x*• . � �. 'i � The October 26, 2011 meeting of the Community/Campus Advisory Coalition was held in the informal Common Council meeting room on the 4th floor of the County-City Building, South Bend. The meeting was called to order at 3:35 p.m. by South Bend Common Council Member at Large Member AI "Buddy" Kirsits. Mr. Kirsits apologized for having to re-schedule the meeting from a week earlier. Mr. Kirsits welcomed Mayor Steve Luecke who came to the meeting briefly to thank everyone in attendance for their partnership and efforts relating to the committee. Mayor Luecke is now President of Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT) and needed to leave to catch a plane to Washington D.C. Mr. Kirsits asked that everyone introduce themselves and to please sign in. Attendees included: Common Council Member Ann Puzzello, Common Council Attorney Kathy Cekanski-Farrand, Holy Cross College Representative Dan Cochran, University of Notre Dame Representatives Brian Coughlin, Tim Sexton, Erika Hansen and Student Body President, Patrick McCormick, Student Body Vice-President Brett Rocheleau, Robinson Center Adult Program Coordinator Marguerite Taylor, AmeriCorps Staff Member, Luella Webster, Mark Kramer of Kramer Properties, Neighborhood Resident Matt Costello, Attorney Richard Nussbaum, South Bend Council Candidate, Gavin Ferlic, Alcohol Beverage Board Representative, Mike Carrington, City of South Bend Employees, Assistant City Attorney, Ann-Carol Nash, Code Enforcement Director Catherine Toppel, and Paralegal Pamela Paluszewski, and Reporter Margaret Fosmoe, South Bend Tribune. HOLY CROSS Dan Cochran stated that they had an inauguration of their new President. They were looking forward to having kids to come to Holy Cross for their Ghosts and Goblins event. � i NOTRE DAME Student Body President, Patrick McCormick stated that they were staying in contact with local government, and developing relationships with law enforcement agencies such as South Bend and St. Joseph County Police Departments. They felt a sense of partnership with them, and were hoping to keep the students safe. He thanked Ann- Carol Nash and the Common Council for their help with the taxi ordinance. He also stated that the game with USC was a great thing for the campus and the community. He also emphasized their work with the Westside Food Council because there is great food shortage on the west side of South Bend. Tim Sexton stated that St. Joseph County Sheriff Mike Grzegorek and Officer Dean Chandler would have been in attendance today but were called away on an emergency in Penn Township. He stated that Notre Dame and law enforcement were greatly concerned about the increase in crime and providing safety. He also wanted to extend a strong thank you to Council Members Buddy Kirsits and Ann Puzzello for their help in making safety a priority for South Bend and the students. Brian Coughlin echoed that all types of crime are on the rise and that collectively we need to be concerned about safety not only for the students, but also the community. One focus needs to be on building neighborhood relationships to help with decreasing crime. SAFETYISSUES Mike Carrington reiterated that all local law enforcement agencies are concerned and are addressing the crime issue. He stated that law enforcement agencies in our region work together really well. He has worked in other areas and ours works the best together that he has seen. He also stated that it was unfortunate that law enforcement was not in attendance today, because they are such a vital part of the committee and of this discussion about crime. He cautioned that all people should be careful, and crime will likely increase as we approach the holidays. Buddy Kirsits stated that safety is the main focus for the community and especially for "soft" targets, such as students, the elderly and the disabled. ROBINSON CENTER Marguerite Taylor introduced AmeriCorps staff member, Luella Webster who is also active at the Robinson Center. Ms. Taylor stated that she attended the unveiling of the All American City Address. She also stated that even though South Bend has problems, solutions are possible. She said that all the properties from Notre Dame to Hill Street where she lives are student rentals. She also said that problems are minimized because of groups like the CCAC. TAXI ISSUES 2 . , Ann-Carol Nash thanked all the students for their help with the drafting, implementation and enforcement of the taxi ordinance. She also encouraged them to keep the lines of communication open relating to this matter. NEIGHBORHOODS Matt Costello who lives in the neighborhood close to Notre Dame, said that most parties are ending earlier and that he feels that the students are behaving better, and are considerate of those living around them. Ann-Carol Nash stated that the City has the Mayor's Task Force, and their focus is on crime, and on particular properties associated with crime. Cath To el echoed Ann-Carol Nash's statement about the Ma or's Task Force. She Y pp y , also stated that Code Enforcement is trying to spread the word about the City s ordinance on how many unrelated people can live together. The ordinance specifically states that no more than 2 unrelated students or persons can live together in a single family dwelling. One problem is people are buying these properties to rent to students and the owners may not be aware of the ordinance and even if they do, they do not make the students aware of it. Some students are aware of the ordinance and are choosing to ignore it. Also, whether they are aware or not, students run the risk of being evicted from a property mid way through a lease because of this violation. Kathy Cekanski-Farrand stated that Ann Puzzello was instrumental in creating a zoning ordinance and a list of properties that are exempt from the limited number of residents. The City Legal and Building Departments use it as a reference. Ann Puzzello referred again to Marguerite Taylor's statement that all the houses from Notre Dame to Hill Street are occupied by students. Ms. Puzzello posed the question: "Are there more student rentals?" She said that rental houses change the character of the neighborhood. There is a house on the corner of Sunnyside and Colfax which is an issue. Buddy Kirsits stated that the apartment complexes near Notre Dame such as Turtle Creek are not student occupied anymore. Cathy Toppel announced that she is Vice-President of the Neighborhood Resources Group. It is a Landlord-Tenant Group. The group is drafting a landlord ordinance where landlords would be required to register so that rental properties can be monitored more closely. The ordinance would not be ready until the new administration comes in. � Mike Carrington stated that Zoning is enforced under Code Enforcement and encouraged that further work be done on the grandfather listing. 3 , , „ , 'Matt Costello stated that there would be benefits of a landlord registration that included addresses and number of occupants. If anyone suspects a zoning violation, he recommended that they contact Code Enforcement or the Building Department. - Buddy Kirsits stated that there is a lack of city ordinances to enforce these issues. He also stated that newer developments are very expensive so students choose to rent homes instead. MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS Matt Costello wondered how the committee would transition under the new city administration. The committee collectively was unsure, because it is uncertain what the new administration would entail, and what changes would take place. Erika Hansen, new member to Notre Dame Government, announced that she is Co- Chair of the College Collaboration and will be meeting with Ivy Tech, Holy Cross, and IUSB next Sunday to talk about campus and community issues. Tim Sexton echoed Erika's statement and said that he had met with other officials from the other higher educational facilities in the area and it is very productive. He also announced that the South Bend Tribune now has an office on the Notre Dame campus and Tim Harmon of SBT has a new column called "Beyond the Campus". Kathy Cekanski-Farrand told Erika Hansen when she meets with the local students about the City's snow removal ordinance, to please ask the students to volunteer to help with snow removal for the elderly, disabled and shut-ins who are unable to shovel. This would be a great volunteer opportunity for them. She mentioned that Michigan State � has a very successful program in place like this. Since the next meeting would be the last CCAC meeting with Chairman Buddy Kirsits present; Mark Kramer asked that the gargoyle be brought to that meeting. Council Member Kirsits thanked everyone for attending. The next meeting will be held November 30, 2011 at 3:30 p.m. in at Notre Dame Downtown. The meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m. RespectFully submitte , r� F� ,� � �/ i�� 4�--- Charles S. Leone, Recording Secretary Council Member AI "Buddy" Kirsits-Chairperson Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) 4