HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-10-13 Community Relations & Residential NeighborhoodsCOMMUNITY RELATIONS & RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS APRIL 10, 2013
Community Relations Committee Members Present: Oliver Davis, Tim Scott
Citizen Member Present: James Burns
Residential Neighborhoods Committee Members: Tim Scott, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Karen White,
Oliver Davis
Citizen Member Present: Chris Sopczynski
Other Council Present: Gavin Ferlic, Henry Davis, Jr.
Others Present: Kathryn Roos, Kathy Cekanski- Farrand, Renaldo Hernandez, Henry Davis, Sr.,
Mike Schmuhl, Glenn Williams, Anthony Scott, Fan Slaughter, Linda Wolfson, David Stickel,
Hardie Blake, Lonnie Garner, Roger Lollis, Regina Williams Preston, Kim Brown, Rebecca Kaiser,
Kathy Schulth, Marylin Gashaw
Agenda:
• Bill No. 14 -13 — Addresses Government Accountability on Buildings Declared Vacant or
Abandoned
• Bill No. 13 -18 —Calls for Moratorium on Buildings Which are not a Safety Hazard
0 Miscellaneous
This joint committee meeting was set at the request of Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr. for the
purpose of encouraging dialogue and review of Bill Nos. 14 -13 and 13 -18, both authored and
filed by Mr. Davis.
The resolution, 13 -18, calls for a moratorium on the demolition of non - public safety hazard
buildings for the next 60 days. The hiatus would provide opportunities for the re- assessment of
demolition policies which are in the best interest of the City.
Bill No. 14 -13 proposes to add greater transparency and accountability on the part of the City
by creating regulations aimed to ensure a well thought out demolition /rehabilitation plan is
crafted by the City. The regulations would require the City to file a fiscal impact form
summarizing the reasons for a demolition as well as a demolition prioritization form used to
score the urgency of demolition of a property.
Tim Scott chaired the opening portion of the meeting moving it form the Council Caucus Room
to the Chamber to accommodate the public attending the review.
For the presentation of the bills, Tim Scott turned to Henry Davis who gave a description of and
rationale for each bill. This presentation is summarized in a handout provided to the Council
and made public March 15, 2013 (a copy is on file in the Office of the City Clerk)
Before asking the public for input Tim Scott asked fellow Councilmembers if they had any
questions of the presenter.
Karen White asked what Henry expected would happen if the 60 day moratorium were granted.
Henry said it would allow time to engage the public, the Council, the Administration and the
Vacant & Abandoned Task Force (V & A) to formulate a plan to address the V & A issue.
Tim Scott asked who would lead the plan formulation process. Henry said each Councilmember
working in their district with neighborhood organizations to find out what the people most
closely affected wanted for their neighborhood.
Oliver Davis then turned to the audience, first asking those who supported Henry Davis' bills to
speak. Eleven people ended up speaking for the bills. The following is a summary of each of
their comments.
Rey Hernandez was first. He expressed several concerns. He said the current approach
emphasizing demolition does not take into account the effect on neighborhoods. He said the
approach should be more judicious and involve more people familiar with rehabbing homes.
Anthony Scott thought more could be gained by training people in rehab skills. He said it's
better to pick up a hammer than a gun.
Fran Slaughter said she would like to see more women involved in rehab. She said she was a
certified rehabber and wanted to be part of the fix.
Glenn Williams supported the notion of needing a better plan. He said there should be more
focus on rehabilitation of homes.
Linda Wolfson said there needs to be more neighborhood input. More transparency was
needed in the process determining whether a home was scheduled for demolition or
rehabilitation. Many ancillary issues need analysis.
David Stickel also thought a closer look at the potential for rehabilitation was needed.
Hardie Blake spoke to issues of trust in the community. He said there were suspicions of
hidden agendas in the V & A plan. Was the City really trying to move people out? Dilute the
black vote? Turn property over to developers? Gentrification? Incorporate issues of violence
and other social issues, he said there was too much emphasis on punishment and not enough
on prevention. "Too much stick and not enough carrot."
Lonnie Garner, a felon now released said a rehab skills development plan would be cheaper and
more effective than the costs of putting someone in prison.
Roger Lollis, also a felon having done his time, said he would welcome a change to learn rehab
skills.
Regina Williams Preston said there is a ground swell for housing rehab in the community. She
also expressed concern about possible health issues such as asbestos and lead exposure
associated with demolition. She also raised the issue of trust wondering if the intent of
demolition was to destroy voting blocks. She added the real issue was not about houses; but
people.
Kim Brown, also described himself as an ex -felon having just served 10 years in prison. He said
he was looking for legitimate opportunity. If given the chance to learn skills opportunity. If
given the chance to learn skills he would rebuild homes and build community.
That concluded the portion of the meeting for those speaking in support. Tim then asked if
anyone wanted to speak against Henry's bill. Four people rose to voice opposition.
Rebecca Kaiser was first. She said the moratorium was not necessary. While trust and
transparency were vital, the V & A Task Force report gave everyone the chance for input
already.
Mike Schmuhl, Chief of Staff for the Mayor thanked Henry for calling the meeting. He then said
he wanted to state a "major" clarification. The Mayor did not say he was going to knock down
1000 homes in 1000 days; but was going to address 1000 houses with either demolition or
rehab in 1000 days. He said there is a plan and it is embodied in the V & A Task Force
recommendations.
Cathy Schute spoke next saying dialogue may be needed but these bills do not call for dialogue.
Marylin DeShawn said dialogue may be needed; but the City should proceed ASAP with
demolition of the houses long overdue for razing.
Tim gave the Councilmembers a chance to summarize before closing the meeting.
Oliver Davis spoke first saying the 75 page V & A Task Force report doesn't place enough
emphasis on rehabilitation of homes. He also restated the need to come up with a long -term
solution for homes threatened by the rising water table near the ethanol plant.
Dr. Ferlic urged the focus on taking down houses that are beyond repair not be lost. Neighbors
in his area want these houses down.
Henry Davis took this chance to speak to what he termed "Project Restoration," an approach to
housing with a focus on rehab (a copy is on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) The proposal
cities several cities around the country where this approach has worked.
Citizen members Jim Burns, and Chris Sopczynski both favored moving ahead with demolition
of the worst homes while putting together a better rehab plan.
Tim Scott closed by saying the key to any plan is citizen involvement.
There being no further business to come before the committee at this time, Chairperson Tim Scott,
adjourned the meeting at 6:38 p.m.
esp" I Submitted,
Tim Scott, Chairperson
Residential Neighborhoods Committee