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Home My WebLink About11-30-11 Community Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC)atY. Community /Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) The November 30, 2011 meeting of the Community /Campus Advisory Coalition was held in the Downtown Offices of Notre Dame. The meeting was called to order at 3:35 p.m. by South Bend Common Council Member at Large Member Al "Buddy" Kirsits. Mr. Kirsits. Mr. Kirsits asked that everyone introduce themselves and to please sign in. Attendees included: Holy Cross College Representative Dan Cochran, University of Notre Dame Representatives Brian Coughlin, Tim Sexton, Kyle Chamberlin, Heather Russell, Jeff Shoup, Student Body President, Patrick McCormick and 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, Alcohol Beverage Board Representative, Mike Carrington, South Bend Police Officers Dominic Zultanski and Scott Ruszkowski, St. Joseph County Police Officer Dean Chandler, Campus Housing Representative Jeff Slattery, City of South Bend Employees, Assistant City Attorney Ann -Carol Nash, Code Enforcement Director Catherine Toppel, Paralegal Pamela Paluszewski, Board of Works Clerk Linda Martin, Engineering Department Representative Marcia Qualls, and Reporter Margaret Fosmoe, South Bend Tribune and an Observer Reporter. NOTRE DAME Student Body President, Patrick McCormick stated that is was getting close to finals for students. Student government was focusing on sustainability and carbon emissions reduction, children's carnival and preparing students for break. They were emphasizing that students should be good neighbors. Vice President Brett Rocheleau stated that Communiversity Day was scheduled for March 31, 2012 and they were encouraging students to focus on safety issues. Tim Sexton stated that NDSP was available for storage. SAFETY ISSUES Brian Coughlin re- stated that he was the one who brought up safety issues at the last meeting and was glad to see that there were officers in attendance at this meeting. Mike Carrington clarified that safety concerns are better. He also stated that Special Crimes and Homicide Board with Tim Corbett have arrested a "cash out boy" gang member. Officer Dominic Zultanski stated that only one break -in had been noted recently. He said as of November 15th, at the Safety Task Force Meeting, car break -ins were up. He also stated that they were emphasizing measures that students and residents could take to make car break -ins more difficult. They can clean up around the properties, by picking up cups, shoveling snow, not give into panhandlers, call police for suspicious activity and write down all serial numbers for tech items. Scott Ruszkowski expanded on marking of items with permanent marker on them, even if it's black marker on black items. He also stated stating that you should take photos of the items, put items in a safe place, turn on lights and TVs with timers when away from home, keep sidewalks shoveled, have mail and newspapers picked up and move cars off the street when away for periods of time, especially in the winter. Patrick McCormick emphasized that they did not want the students to become "soft targets ". Officer Dominic Zultanski suggested that students lock up big items such as TV's and computers in a locked upstairs bedroom when away for extended periods of time. He said that burglars may knock down a door to get into a house but not necessarily look in a locked door upstairs in a home. County Officer Dean Chandler stated that they have officers who live in the county and they like it when residents notify them when they are away and the officers can keep an eye on the house while they are gone. Buddy Kirsits stated that Notre Dame does an excellent job with their fire safety. TAXI ISSUES Ann -Carol Nash stated that the Common Council passed the taxi ordinance. She has received a few complaints through Lieutenant Steve Goen, and the City was addressing them. She also stated that there should be placards in all the taxis to show passenger fees. Pat McCormick stated they are trying to get the word out to the students about new taxi ordinance so they are aware of it as passengers. NEIGHBORHOODS Ann -Carol Nash stated due to safety concerns, traffic weighing 10 tons or more should not be travelling across the Leeper Park Bridge and to follow the detours. She also stated that the City was fearful INDOT would close the bridge down for all traffic if the heavy vehicles continue to use the bridge, and this would make getting around town 2 chaotic. She also asked Tim Sexton to make Notre Dame aware of this situation, and for their delivery vehicles to obey the detours. Jeff Slattery from Campus Housing said that he was new to the job, had only been there for about 30 days, and his main focus was the safety of the students. Mark Kramer of Kramer properties stated that the students are given reminders to put on alarms, shut blinds and take safety precautions when away from home. He also likes to know how many students leave on breaks and how many stay behind. Mike Carrington stated that students should not leave their cars parked on a city street for extended periods of time especially during inclimate weather. Luella Webster stated her concern was about student parking especially during snow storms. Scott Ruszkowski reiterated that the fire department and emergency vehicles need to have cars off the street for safety reasons. Matt Costello, who lives in the neighborhood close to Notre Dame, stated that student behavior was good during parties and the students acted promptly to clean up the properties following a party. He also inquired as to how the student properties would be cleared of snow when the students are gone on break. Jeff Slattery of Campus Housing offered his personal cell number to Matt Costello if he had any concerns about snow removal on his properties. Cathy Toppel stated that she has received phone calls from handicapped and elderly people who need assistance with snow shoveling. These persons should fill out a waiver for this. Ms Toppel also stated she is on the board of the Neighborhood Resources Group. It is a group of Landlords and they meet on the 3rd Wednesday of each month in the Notre Dame Downtown offices. They are currently working on a draft of an ordinance requiring landlords to register so properties can be more closely monitored. They are interested in creating a tenant list as well. Patrick McCormick stated that he would bring up the snow removal issues at the next co- campus meetings with the other universities. Buddy Kirsits clarified that the city ordinance was not intended for just students to remove the snow but all interested community groups, such as boy scouts, church youth groups, etc. Linda Martin from City Engineering stated that the City has waiver and volunteer forms available on their website, or they can call City Engineering at 235 -9251. 3 MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS Marguerite Taylor stated that she has appreciated the work of this Board and it has come a long way. It wasn't always a friendly board and the communication is much better than it was originally. She also stated that she was glad that football season was over. Mike Carrington reiterated that the board has come a long way. He felt that underage drinking has been curtailed somewhat but ongoing education is needed. Buddy Kirsits congratulated Patrick McCormick on his interview to be a Rhodes Scholar. Pat stated that he did not receive the scholarship, but the interview process was very interesting, and it was conducted in a discussion format. Student Body President Pat McCormick will contact Mayor -elect Pete Buttigieg and the council regarding how the Community /Campus Advisory Coalition will move forward when the new administration takes effect. Council Member Kirsits thanked everyone for all they have done over the past five years since this committee was started. He felt the group had come a long way and achieved much since then. He recommended Gavin Ferlic to be his replacement as Chairperson. He also stated that he is going to suggest that 4th District Councilman Fred Ferlic and a firefighter attend future meetings as well. There was no date set for the next meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 4:32 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Charles S. Leone, Recording Secretary Community /Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) 11 A A, - Council Member Al "B y" it its - Chairperson Community /Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC)