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Home My WebLink About02-24-03 Neighborhood Resources & Technical Services Corpwork essiou Uport. §bouth Olzub Common council aub Aldgbbor*4 legour s aU4'eebtuieaGl ierbireo corporation The February 24, 2003 work session of the South Bend Common Council and the Neighborhood Resources and Technical Services Corporation was opened by Council President Karen L. White at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Varner, Pfeifer, Coleman, Kirsits, Aranowski, King, Kuspa and White; Citizen Member Isabelle Gonzalez, Marco Marian, Jean Borders, Adria Ellen Irmiger, Mike Kruk, Diana Hess, John Reese, Elonda Wilder Hamilton, Bill Stenz, Chuck Reger, Charles Leone, Pam Meyer, Eugene Kim and Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand, Council Attorney. Everyone present then introduced themselves. Council President White noted that it was decided that an agenda (copy attached) would be used for tonight's work session so that communication and information sharing would be maximized. She also noted that a series of documents have been provided by Marco Mariani, namely a 14 -page handout detailing information on NRTSC and a 1 -page NRTSC balance sheet (copies attached) which was then summarized. Jean Borders noted that the NRTSC Board desired to direct some of their efforts to better communication between the various organizations, noting that the cell tower which ended up in the Keller Park neighborhood as an example where more communication was necessary. Council Member King stated that there was nothing that could have been done with regard to the cell tower in Keller Park since the property where it is located was properly zoned. Therefore no public hearings where held. He noted that discussions are currently underway however to address in the new zoning ordinance situations of this type. Council Member Aranowski stated that the City Plan should also help to address various pockets throughout the city and their ultimate use. Council Member Pfeifer voiced concern with regard to the turnover rate of the Coordinators of the Partnership Centers and suggested that insurance benefits be considered for such positions. Marco Marian stated that they are proposing to increase the hourly rate form $10 to $12. Mr. Marian noted in response to a question from Ms. Gonzalez that brochures are provided in two (2) languages. Dr. Varner encouraged the NRTSC Board to consider a neighborhood partnership center to be located in the southeast area, noting that being proactive rather than reactive may prove very beneficial for the Fox and Miami Street areas. Council Member Pfeifer also voiced support for a neighborhood partnership center in the southeast area of the city. Charles Leone then provided a state legislative update. He noted that they sat down with State Senator John Broden and he proposed SB 212 addressing fireworks which unfortunately has not gone any where; however there is a bill which is still alive which would require reporting of injuries caused by fireworks. Senator Broden sponsored SB 276 which addresses meeting notice requirements. SB 276 was reported out of committee by a, 5 -4 vote, however it was opposed by IACT. work Session of the South Bend Common Council and NRTSC pebntan• 24, 2003 Page 2 ki noted that the news media reported on he State Fire Marshal and Council Member Aranows fireworks. that there Varner suggested hat if the city would have nature o have w up and l notices se Dr. Varn should not be the need Dr. gg provide such service for an act of the state legs further noted that with the G'S system soon to be in place that the city could P without a state legislative manda Kin noted that the real problem involve s the are not diectlyeresponsible o the Council Member g p l ay " , and noted that as the Appeals and other entities which have appointed he plan r e make sure that the City's electorate. He suggested that the issue is "getting h Chairperson of the Information and Technology with the assistance e becomes a conduit for information sharing, websit of the 14th floor. which Member Pfeifer noted that many of these Council. Sh and hat the chairperson of the Council M are appointed by the Mayor or the Common Counci have the Council appo intees contacted at Council's Community Relations Committee that she will least once a year. ' nt White rated that many of these same bo 0 an com m i ss i o ns have a problem o Council Preside s which should a members being absent from their meeting ril 16th and ne noted that the Court hearing on the sewer rate ordinan ce is now set for Ap Mr. Leo that the new rates will go into effect on March st. quality of life Council Member Pfeifer and Council Member King then summarized the three (3) q tY no t e d that discussions bega which they co- sponsored. Council Member manhandling and ticket scalping on our ordinances o on the effects of loiter g, pa approximately four {4} years ag community. ro sed in response to the Council Member King stated that the ticket scalping ordinance was p P° raised in articular by residents living on AN di D ame ordinance restrict behavior many concerns rail particular scaling appeared to be "booming last fall however. The panhandling lace and manner for requests for money or d andlin activi v es haB decreased by addressing the p that such panh g downtown merchants, it appears been issued to homeless People- the rofessional panhandlers which drive i are city have also decreas He also noted ed. The surveys of the that P • Police Department have issued citations, however many have eifer added that the panhandling ordinan Au t o approaching f the loi a ring Of Council Member Pf person ro riaee narcotics or gang related loitering. An a rson by a money machine. She stated that the ' manly enforcement ordinance was passed w A hich focuses on inapp P T Unit will be owners and tenants oversight committee has been establ l st December S focusing�l n Pr pe address improving group. new initiative which beg q uestion from Marco which will soon be breaking into sub - committees. The over g of incentives are being discussed to promote compliance. property and addressing notorious tenants and land owners. In response a Marian it was noted that various types Leone noted that a case involving the City of Bloomington Kin no tha the special s e unrelated of unrelated people living together will be watched. Council Member g Work Session of the South Bend Common Council and NRTSC February 24, 2003 Page 3 zoning committee is also watching that lawsuit. Mike Kruk noted that there are many older neighborhoods which have duplex homes. Many of these duplex homes have many renters living in them which is causing a parking problem. He suggested that perhaps the City's new zoning ordinance could address "income producing properties with special parking requirements" as a possible way to address this growing problem. Council President White thanked all of the NRTSC members and the Council Members for coming to the work session. She then adjourned the meeting at 6:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council President Karen L. White South Bend Common Council KCF: kmf Attachments