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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-28-20 Residential NieghborhoodsOFFICE OF THE DAWN M. JONES, CITY CLERK CITY CLERK RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS July 28th, 4:30 mm. Committee Members Present: Sheila Niezgodski, Henry Davis Jr., Canneth Lee, Sharon L. McBride Committee Members Absent: None Other Council Absent: Karen L. White, Lori K. Hamann, Rachel Tomas -Morgan, Troy Warner Others Present: Graham Sparks, Bob Palmer Presenters: Mayor Mueller, Rachel Tomas -Morgan, Amanda Govaert Konrath Agenda: Town Hall Meeting Committee Chairwoman Sheila Niezgodski opened the meeting at 4:33 p.m. Chair Niezgodski recognized Councilmember Rachel Tomas -Morgan and Councilmember Troy Warner for their work concerning this meeting. Chair Niezgodski proceeded with the meeting and gave the floor to Mayor Mueller. Mayor Mueller gave a brief presentation concerning the possible end of the Governor's moratorium, federal unemployment assistance lapsing, and the continued relief for utility and rental payments. Community members were encouraged to look at the state rental assistance program at www.Indianahousingnow.org and www.southbendin.gov/rent. Chair Niezgodski introduced Councilwoman Rachel Tomas -Morgan. She gave a presentation concerning those at risk of eviction since the coronavirus. The hope is to prevent a tsunami of evictions and keep people in their homes. Amanda Govaert Konrath, 1015 College Street, South Bend, IN, gave a presentation concerning stories from the community. Ms. Govaert Konrath's information pertained to residents who struggled to keep up with rental payments or faced eviction. Chair Niezgodski shared a statement from Mr. Rodney Gatson concerning the South Bend Tenant Association and what the Association offers along with what the Association had to cancel due to COVID. You made contact them via the website, www.thesouthbendtenantassociation.com, for more information. Marliarina Johns, with the Departement of Code Enforcement, gave a presentation on persons with properties INTEGRITY) SERVICES ACCESSIBILITY --- BInNc:n L.'llxnuu Cx.+r+nni U. Sracxs GwxIEEN MUREI CHIEF UEPCrY/UIRBCTOR OF UPER:CFIONS UF.FU iVDIREOI'OR OF POWCY ORDINANCE VIOLTION('.L EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 455 County -City Building 1227 W Jefferson Blvd.1 South Bend, Indiana 466011 p574.235,9221 I f574,235.9173 I w .southbendin.gov CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK that need to register with Code Enforcement. Chair Niezgodski handed the floor over to Alkena Aldridge. Ms. Alridge gave a presentation pertaining to her team and its mission. She stated they look at the most vulnerable residents as it relates to civic engagement and economic empowerment. LaTonya Newhouse, with Real Services 1151 South Michigan Street, South Bend, IN. Ms. Newhouse shared a presentation concerning programs initiated out of the crisis that evolved through COVID. Ann Watson, Executive Director of the St. Vincent DePaul Society, 520 Peasant Ave., South Bend, IN. Ms. Watson presented pertaining to the people they serve. She shared information about Covid-19 rental and utility assistance eligibility through St. Vincent De Paul. Jacob Sipe, Executive Director of the Indiana Housing Community Development Authority (ihcda), Thirty (30) South Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN. Mr. Site gave a presentation concerning Housing and Utility resources ihcda offers to residents in Indiana. Judith Fox, with Economic Justice Center, 725 Howard Street, South Bend, IN. Ms. Fox talked about legal help available during times of hardship. Angela Hoogeveen, Managing Attorney at the south bend of Indiana, legal 227 South Main Street, Suite 220, South Bend, IN. Ms. Hoogeeven shared information concerning legal help for residents in our community. Chair Niezgodski opened the meeting to community questions and comments. Sadie Borkowski, 910 East Donald Street, South Bend, IN. Ms. Burkowski stated she works at the St. Joseph County Public Library. She thanked everyone for their presentations and asked if there is any added help the library can offer. Chair Niezgodski Dawn Turpin, 1009 East Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, IN. Ms. Turpin asked a question pertaining to rental assistance funds. Chair Niezgodski and Mr. Site answered her question. Jessie Davis, P.O. Box 10205, South Bend, IN. Mr. Davis made a statement concerning water bills being paid by landlords. He asked is there help for landlords, so foreclosures don't happen. Councilmember Lori K. Hamann asked what the percentage of landlords are non -registered. Ms. Johns, from the Department of Code Enforcement clarified the question. Ms. Johns stated all the information from the meeting would be good to share with tenants. Ms. Fox, with Indiana Legal said she has the information and will share it with the Department of Code Enforcement. Ms. Fox went back to Mr. Davis's question and stated it is no longer the case that water bills be in the landlord name. Councilmember Rachel Tomas -Morgan gave a thank you to Ms. Fox and Ms. Hoogeveen for all their work. Chair Niezgodski gave a thank you to Mr. Sipe and his hard work and partnership. EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 455 County -City Building 1227 W. Jefferson Bvld'South Bend, Indiana 46601 p574.235.9221lf574.235.9173 TTD574.235.5567www.southbendir.gov .CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE CF THE CLERK Councilmember President White shared she is overwhelmed with the great information we have at the local level. She is grateful for everyone working together to help in this area. Jessie Davis, P.O. Box 10205, South Bend, IN. Mr. Davis went back to his water bill question and continued to ask if the council could make sure the ordinances are worded correctly concerning this topic. Chair Niezgodski stated she would look into this and make sure the vocabulary is correct concerning this ordinance. Councilman Troy Warner reminded everyone at the meeting that www.southbendin.gov/rent is available with resources. Chair Niezgodski gave a last thank you to everyone and proceeded to ask if there were any other questions or information. With there being none, she adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, J/1 �- x/t� Sheila Niezgodski, Committee Chair EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 455 County -City Building 1227W. Jefferson Bvld l South Bend, Indiana 466011 p 574.235.9221. f574.235.9173 TTD574.235.5567',w .southbendin.gov