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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-04-04 Health & Public Safety hand PuMlic Safety Committee Committee Report The October 4, 2004 meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee was called to order by its Chairperson,Council Member Ann Puzzello at 4:30 p.m. Persons in attendance included Council Member Puzzello, Citizen Member Isabel Gonzalez, Assistant City Attorney Ann-Carol Nash, Jackie Rucker, Assistant to the Mayor Lynn Coleman, Bill Kirk, Director of the Department of Code Enforcement Catherine Brucker, Uniform Division Chief of SBPD James Hassig, Patrick McFadden, Eleny Deamer, Donald Marti, Gail Marti, Jane Hobing, Jay Davis, Gene Pendl, Bonnie McFadden, Elaine Nicgorski, Andrew Jaco, Michael Johnson, Michael Roazdi, Katie Schuster, Michael D'Agostino, Kevin McCarthy, Irene Cour, Edward Cour, Dave Baron, Adam Istvan, Michelle Otto, Karla Bell, Kaitlin Briscoe, Catherine Peer, Mark Krammer, members of the news media and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand,Council Attorney. Council Member Puzzello thanked everyone for coming to the Health and Public Safety Committee meeting which was called to continue discussion on loud party complaints. She noted that there were two (2) handouts available namel y a 17-page docume nt containing the zoning definitions from Section 21-11 of the South Bend Municipal Code, enforcement sections 21-10, 13-57.1 and 13-57.05 and copies of the loud party ordinance and noise ordinance; and a 2-page document containing the sixteen (16) "Problems with Loud Student Parties" (copies attached). Council Member Puzzello noted that she met with the residents last Wednesday at the Northeast Neighborhood Center and that it was at that meeting when the sixteen (16)"Problems with Loud Student Parties" was developed. She hoped that many of those problems could be addressed today in order to determine what help the City Administration could provide on each of those problems. An introduction of persons in attendance then took place. Mark Kirk from the University of Notre Dame noted that the university does not have jurisdiction over off-campus events, however that it does have jurisdiction over on-campus events and roads which are contiguous and adjacent to the university. He noted that federal law prohibits making public how students are disciplined. He stated that the university believes that the problems involve a minority of students and that the university would like to be part of the solution. Jackie Rucker, a representative of the University of Notre Dame with offices in downtown South Bend stated that the university would like to help. Mr. Kirk as a representative of the Office of Residential Life noted that in August of 1998 they responded to 69 different disturbances. There must be verifiable information for disciplinary action. There is an expectation of reasonable behavior of students. A warning is given first. Early in the academic year, students are asked to give the university their local address. Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting of October 4,2004 Page 1 i sad! Safety Committee Mr. Krammer(address not given verbally or on the sign-in sheet)stated that he has given a list of students living in his apartments to Assistant City Attorney Ann-Carol Nash and he could give it to the university. He stated that he owns forty-two (42)homes which he rents. He stated that 68 people came to an event at the beginning of the year, all of which were students. He noted that a flier was sent to neighbors to invite them also. Uniform Division Chief of the SBPD James Hassig stated that there are difficulties in writing tickets during large parties. There are difficulties determining who lives at a location and who hosts the party. As a result, officers just "do a report" which then goes to Mr. Kirk at the university. Mr. Kirk stated that in past years he called students in and would talk to them. The university is embarrassed by the small number of students who may be causing problems. He Y noted that the student body could bring peer pressure on students. the city may take action there before t h stated that bef ty Y Ann-Carol Nash City Attorney Ann that that city must confirm the violation. She noted tha d tha e and tY must be a violation or a nuisanc often the problem is a"huge free-for-all". In years past the city received complaints of loads of students being dropped off to locations by cabs. Council Member Puzzello stated that she is aware of an incident that when a neighbor complained for a noisy party that the next day their home was egged. II Uniform Division Chief James Hassig stated that the city does not routinely give out information about the complaining party,however often students know. Assistant to the Mayor Lynn Coleman stated that he is aware of a party which had 80-90 students attendance and that students themselves need to help. ntsin a dan Director of the Department of Code Enforcement Catherine Brucker noted that the city individuals of the city regulations,however sent to advise rods has been proactive and that notices are se P exists. prove violation exist ered. The burden is on the city to pro some properties are grandfath Patrick McFadden, a local attorney and resident of the area where student parties take e of four 4 locations which are in violation of city 11 aware ( ) place, stated that he is personally p pursue discovery and take file lawsuits,He voice concern why the city does not > p depositions, especially as it relates to the Pokagon area. He stated that the neighbors are very concerned. Ms.Nash stated that she would sit down with Mr.McFadden. Council Member Puzzello stated that it would be very helpful Estate area,Pokagon of locations where they are rented to two(2) or more students in the Peashway. She stated that the city is neighborhood". She have "lots of wonderful things, especially in the northeas g number of students who may be causing the problems. Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting of October 4,2004 Page 2 ,,s sod Puddle Safety Committee Ms. Brucker stated that they do go to court with cases they believe they can win, and that here office has been out on Notre Dame football weekends. Adam Istvan of 119 N. St. Peter Street, South Bend, Indiana 46617, s�odathat he is was Student Body President of the University of Notre Dame. He stated that unaware of the zoning problems. They recognize that there are large parties. They are preparing a document which they will give to the Board of Trustees on Thursday to address off-campus living and being a good citizen of the neighborhood. Safety and security are concerns for the everyone. Concerns of walking home through neighborhoods may be addressed in light take ND Safe Bus which has been discussed with Mayor Luecke. The ND Safe Bu students home from I am to 4 am. He also believes that there should be off-campus seminars and discussions on appropriate conduct. Often the college experience is the first time that a away from home and off-campus. They want to be good citizens of the nt is living a de Y student g neighborhood and get neighbors involved so that everyone will feel safer. He stated that he would like to get students more involved in neighborhood groups. There must be respect for each other and persons need to get to know one another. He believes that the report to the Board 1 building strong relationships. of Trustees will be a pro-active report. He is committed to bui g g of today's e unawar Disrespecting neighbors should not be tolerated. He stated Y meeting until he read about it in the Observer. Citizen Member Isabel Gonzalez stated that the city should also be involved with representatives from St.Mary's and Holy Cross. Mr. Kirk stated that expectations are known by the students since they are addressed in the student handbook. He noted that the university does post on the Internet as a service to students off-campus housing information. Council Member Puzzello noted that landlords have responsibilities which there dummeriare expectations of them. She suggested that a form letter be sent to a n the city's regulations. She further suggested that their be coordination with the university so that information is shared. Ms. Nash stated that letters are sent. Mr. Coleman stated that letters are sent to occupants and land added that eviction is possible under the disorderly house landlords.lord She ordinance. Mr. Krammer stated that he owns six(6)houses in one(1)block which share a common yard. They have had a band in the past. A resident noted that at a prior meeting that we could expect an update on taxicabs which are not serving students late at night. Ms.Nash stated that she needs verified information in order to follow-up on this. Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting of October 4,2004 Page 3 iiimi - = __ - ____ ■ ,.4.1 ail him Satin Committee A resident inquired about the type of police enforcement that can be expected. The resident noted that if the students are told to quiet down they do while an officer is present and then increase the noise once he is gone. Residents find this to be very frustrating. Uniform Division Chief Hassig stated that only in extreme cases will officers be deployed in light of the fact that 2-4 hours of time is necessary to properly follow thru. A resident suggested that the police utilize their video cameras more in order to document problem areas. Council Member Puzzello noted that today's meeting provided a good sharing of information. There will be a report from the student body to the Board of Trustees of the University of Notre Dame. There will be maps made available of the exact zoning classifications for the areas in question by the City Administration. There will be listings of information on students shared between landlords,the city and the university. Council Member Puzzello thanked everyone for coming to the meeting and then adjourned the meeting at 5:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Ann Puzzello,Chairperson Health and Public Safety Committee KCF:kmf Attachments Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting of October 4,2004 Page 4 itiiii