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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 Annual Report - South Bend Common Council Residential Neighborhoods Committee SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS COMMITTEE 2005 ANNUAL REPORT December 12, 2005 The 2005 Residential Neighborhood Committee (RNC) reports that the committee has been active in a variety of events and has performed a great deal of research to enhance the work of the committee in the future. Specific recommendations are made as part of this report to address needed actions related to the work and charge of the committee. As Chairman of the RNC, I started by requesting recent minutes of the committee. The file produced a sparse set of documents indicating that the committee had not been one of the more active "standing committees. At the request of the Chair, Attorney Cekanski-Farrand, the Council Attorney, researched the history of the committee. This data revealed that the committee was created in 1977 and that in 1993 it was charged with the oversight of the "Neighborhood Partnership Centers. The charge of the committee is: Overseeing the various activities of the Neighborhood partnership Centers and issues related to neighborhood development and enhancement. Very early in the year a resident asked to meet with the Council Attorney and the Chair to discuss the guidelines and requirements for establishing a Neighborhood Association. This resident indicated that she resided in the Howard Park neighborhood and did not wish to be part of the Howard Park Neighborhood Association (HPNA) and did not want the HPNA speak for her. The Council Attorney and I found that there are no requirements other than notifying the Community Development Division (CDD) as to their existence. This resident's concern led me to ask the Council Attorney to research the possibility of creating a Neighborhood Association Recognition Ordinance (NARO). A NARO would provide a standard policy and guide for establishing neighbor associations in the city. On December 12, 2005 her research data will be presented to the RNC and the CDD with recommendation that further consideration be given to create a NARO in 2006. In my opinion a NARO will aid in the initiation of the "City Plan" and should be adopted prior to the completion of the City Plan. For the sake of entering valuable information into the record, I note that I had a conversation with Ms. Pam Myers, Director of the CDD on the subject of NAR policies and she shared that a lot of data on NAR policies can be found in the CDD library attained from material brought back from several Neighborhoods United States of America (NUSA) conferences. The RNC is very closely aligned with many of the goals and purposes of the CDD. I have dialogued with the Ms. Myers on this also and I suggested that the RNC and the CDD hold a series of networking discussions; she was receptive to networking; I recommend discussions start in the first quarter of 2006. The RNC met in joint session with the Zoning and Annexation Committee, Chairman Ervin Kuspa, to address issues related to bill 64-05. This was a bill petitioning for rezoning of a property located at 1126 W. Washington Street in the 2nd District, owned by a group called the "Catholic Workers." The petition for bill 64-05 was denied, but it was a very emotional and high profile issue that caused a lot of division in the neighborhood. There were numerous residents that appeared before the council. Hopefully, in the first quarter of 2006, the Residential Neighborhood Committee will interface with residents and stakeholders to help restore a sense of unity and harmony in the neighborhood. , j 144 On November 10, 2005 the committee sponsored a "plunge"to all five NPC(s) in the city. A TRANSPO Trolley was hired to transport participants to the centers from the County-City building. The plunge allowed the committee and participants to visit each center to get a "hands-on feel"for the work and activities taking place at each center. On November 15, 2005 all 5 of the NPC(s) were asked to make a presentation at the informal committee room on the 4th floor of the County- City building to describe their projects and their goals and objectives for 2006. Much dialogue and interaction took place, various brochures produced by some of the standing committees were provided for each NPC to share with neighborhood residents. Committee members and NPC participants expressed their appreciation. These two events allowed the committee to fulfill its responsibility in accordance with the municipal code, This council adopted the South Bend Commission on the Social Status of Black Males (SBCSSBM) in January of 1998.The SBCSSBM has not been active for a considerable period of time. Currently, discussion is taking place on the possibility of reactivating the commission. If the commission is reactivated it will need the continued support of the Common Council. Part of that support will require some oversight from this council. Given the very nature of the commission, I would like to go on record as recommending this committee be charged with that responsibility. In conclusion; 2005 was a banner year for the Residential Neighborhoods Committee, hosting a plunge and observing the work of the Neighborhood Partnership Centers, researching specific issues related to quality neighborhoods and participating in high profile rezoning/neighborhood issues. By submitting the recommendations contained in this report the committee is "plowing new ground." 2006 will offer an opportunity to plant proactive seeds to review policy and procedures for establishing Neighborhood Associations, collaborative partnership with the Community Development Division and a challenge to the Common Council to play a vital role in the continued existence of the South Bend Commission on the Social Status of Black Males through the Residential Neighborhoods Committee by doing these things a plentiful harvest can reaped in future years. I would be remiss if I did not recognize the help and assistance of our Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. The entire committee appreciates her work. Finally, I am appreciative of the opportunity to have served on this committee. Respectfully Submitted,4. Timothy A. use, 2005 Chairman Residential Neighborhoods committee Filed In Clerk's Office DEG 1 2 2005 JOHN VOORDE CffY CLERK,SO.BEND,114