HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-22-12 Residential Neighborhoods & Health & Public Safety CommitteesRESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS & HEALTH & PUBLIC SAFETY
February 22, 2012
Residential Neighborhoods Committee Members Present:
Tim Scott, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Karen White, Citizen Member Ken Bradford, Citizen
Members Jen Tindell
Health & Public Safety Committee Members Present:
Dr. Fred Ferlic, Henry Davis, Karen White, Tim Scott, Citizen Member Marcus Ellison;
Citizen Member Kyle Chamberlin
Other Councilmember's Present:
Valerie Schey, Gavin Ferlic
Other's Present:
Kathy Cekanski - Farrand, Laurie Leach, Catherine Toppel, Ann -Carol Nash, Chief
Boykins, Rosemary Mandrici, Pete Agostino, Larry Clifford, Mike Dvorak, Sean
Kenyon, Mike Schmuhl, Joe Dantley, John Leader, Barbara Wade
Agenda: Discussion of Public Safety Concerns at Courtyard Apartments
*Agenda (see attached)
Councilmember Tim Scott, Chair of the Residential Neighborhoods Committee assumed
the role of moderator for this joint meeting which he described as informational. He said
the purpose of the meeting was discovery. The Council wanted to gather facts, hear from
City Department Heads, Courtyard Apartment Management, nearby residents and
concerned citizens. Chairperson Scott said the Council regarded the rash of complaints
about nefarious activity at the Courtyard Apartments as a serious quality of life issue
deemed unacceptable both here and city -wide. To illustrate the problem Chairperson
Scott noted there were a striking number of calls for service from the 181 apartment units
at Courtyard Place, 348 in 2008, 462 in 2009, 298 in 2010 and 270 in 2011. In the first
six weeks of 2012 calls numbered 117.
At this point both Councilmember's White and Henry Davis, Jr. said it was important to
know the nature of the calls, Chairperson Scott provided a handout (attached) detailing
the date and nature of the 2012 calls.
Chairperson Scott proceeded to ask SBPD Chief Darryl Boykins to give his observations.
Chief Boykins said the Courtyard Place Management works well with the police. He
added that the police cannot be everywhere at once. He noted that some other apartment
complexes have hired private security.
Councilmember Dr. Fred Ferlic wondered how many police cars were dispatched for
each call alluding to the expense the City incurs as a result of calls, especially to oft
troubled properties. Chief Boykins responded saying the dispatch depends upon the
nature of the call i.e. medical, family dispute, loud noise, gunshots.
Kyle Chamberlin asked the Chief if records were kept and available listing who called.
Boykins said yes on both counts.
Councilmember White said that obviously over 1500 calls to one complex is a serious
unacceptable problem.
Councilmember Valeria Schey wondered if apartment complexes with private security
had fewer calls and did the police department meet with management to make
suggestions. Boykins said the Police Department often meets with people to make
suggestions such as curfew, lighting and neighborhood watch. Also, when repeat
offenders or particularly "bad" tenants are identified the Police Department passes that
information to apartment management. The Chief said problems at Courtyard were not
confined to single units or perpetrators.
Ann Carol -Nash, Assistant City Attorney, gave her account. She said that she last met
with Courtyard Management in August 2010. She found the management to bee
cooperative, more than forthcoming with recent efforts to address issues, noting a number
of improvements. Leases have been "tightened." Applicants are more thoroughly
screened using background checks resulting in over 50% being rejected. Additionally
over 40 tenants were evicted. She said while the Legal Department works well with the
SBPD Crime Prevention Bureau that she had not lately met.with them to discuss
problems at Courtyard Place.
Councilmember Dr. Fred Ferlic observed that whatever or however we communicate
inter - departmentally is not working; suggesting a problem area this persistent might need
a task force approach. Ann -Carol responded saying the system of communication is not
broken.
Councilmember White agreed with Dr. Ferlic's observation, that something different
needs to be done to identify nuisance properties and formulate an effective "action plan"
city -wide.
Councilmember Schey agreed saying problems have to be identified, communicated
among respective responsible departments and prioritized to effectively allocate
resources.
Ann -Carol Nash said it is important to verify nuisance complaints before the legal
department can pursue remedy through application of ordinances already on the books.
Gavin Ferlic asked if the legal department had used these ordinances against an entire
apartment complex or had identified any one problem tenant in the last six (6) months.
Ann -Carol said only student apartment complexes were targeted for underage drinking,
noise, or litter offenses.
Kyle Chamberlin said available data needs to be refined, segregated by type of complaint,
and better shared among city offices to address this unacceptable situation. Ann Carol.
Nash urged caution.
Mike Dvorak, St. Joseph County Prosecutor, recounted several murders at Courtyard
dating back to '07, two of which resulted in convictions and one pending.
Catherine Toppel, Director, Code Enforcement said her department does not get calls
about problems at Courtyard Place Apartments often; but finds management cooperative
when they receive notice.
Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr., questioned whether current laws were adequate to
address problems or were they not being adequately enforced. He made a point that the
Council was only a legislative body. The administration was responsible for
enforcement. Regarding available info, he wanted to know if socio- economic data for
tenants was available, how many calls the SBPD gets per day as well as the who? What?
Where? and when? Of calls, leading to what resources are available to respond.
Sean Kenyon, Attorney, representing Courtyard Place Apartments said there were a
substantial number of Section 8 tenants. She added that the new management as of 2008
had haired part-time security for a few hours, each evening. She reiterated strengthening
the lease and screening of the tenant's process. Responding to Councilmember Scott she
said the manager does not live on site and she would provide a copy of the lease, as well
as a report on the number of evictions.
Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr., noting cultural differences among people from
different backgrounds and geographics wondered if that data was available. He was told
it was not readily available, but could be culled from background checks.
Noting there were 25 calls already this year for violent activity Dr. Ferlic asked if this
was a wake -up call for Courtyard Management? The response was yes.
In response to citizen member Jen Tindell, Mrs. Kenyon said Courtyard follows Federal
Section 8 reporting rules. However, police reports or calls about drug activity are not
always shared with Courtyard Management. She said Carla White was the manager hired
by the owner DMH Holding. The manager reports to the attorney who works out of
Valpo.
Citizen Member Marcus Ellison said we need to know current reporting procedures
between the SBPD and Courtyard as well as lines of communication among city
departments.
Chief Boykins said he can and will supply any data requested.
Twining to the public portion, Chairperson Scott heard first from Mike Schmuhl, the
Mayor's Chief of Staff, who said he will facilitate access to all information.
Next, Pete Agostino, an attorney representing a client who was a victim of a violent
crime at Courtyard said there is definitely a problem at the complex citing a violent crime
every week since 2008.
Joe Dantly, a resident at the complex said calls of problems to management are not acted
upon and are often after security leaves at 9:30 p.m.
John Leader, a business owner for 15 years across 26th Street from the apartments said
much vandalism, drug activity, litter and other problems have been going on for years
and likely often unreported. He urged a pro- active rather than reactive approach. He
suggested an alley vacation, parking restrictions, better code enforcement and increased
police presence.
Larry Clifford said the City response has been timed and totally unacceptable. He echoed
calls for a round -table problem solving approach suggesting Marva Leonard Dent from
the Housing Authority be at the table. He said the Council should demand an action plan.
Barbara Wade, nearby resident and past president of the River Park Neighborhood
Organization supported the character and efforts of Carla Smith. She added that the out
of town owners needed to be brought to task.
Councilmember Gavin Ferlic said in light of this persistent unacceptable situation the
Council must work together with all vested parties to formulate an effective plan.
Councilmember Henry Davis agreed; but reiterated the Council was only legislative not
charged with enforcement.
Councilmember Dr. Fred Ferlic said we are all responsible for crafting a new paradigm in
that it was obvious what we're doing now was not working.
Councilmember White observed this meeting was a good first step urging the Council to
follow -up.
There being no further business to come before the joint committee, Chairperson Scott
reiterated the need to work together for change. Chairperson Scott adjourned the meeting
at 7:52 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Tim Scott, Chairperson
Residential Neighborhoods Committee
Dr. Fred Ferlic, Chairperson
Health & Public Safety Committee