HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 Annual Report - Community Relations Committee2013 Annual Report of the Community Relations
Committee of the South Bend Common Council
Date: December 30, 2013
To: The South Bend Common Council
The Office of the City Clerk
From: 6"' District Council Member Oliver Davis, Chairperson
Community Relations Committee
This Annual Report is filed as a requirement of Section 2 -10 (i) of the South Bend Municipal
Code which calls for a report from the Chairperson of each of the Council's Standing Committee
by the 2 "d Monday in December.
Duties:
The Community Relations Committee is charged with the following duties pursuant to Section 2-
10 of the South Bend Municipal Code:
"Oversees the various activities of the Office of Community Affairs and is charged with
facilitating partnerships and ongoing communications with other public and private
entities within the City. "
2013 Committee Members:
The member of the Community Relations Committee this year include Council Member Tim
Scott who serves as Vice - Chairperson, Dr. David Varner, and Valerie Schey, along with myself
as Chairperson. James Burns and Alfreda Gillespie served as Citizen Members
Meetings:
This year we have had eighteen (18) committee meetings to date, making it the busiest year for
this committee since it was created.
Community Relations Committee Meeting Topics:
A variety of topics were discussed and reviewed by the Community Relations Committee this
year, including:
• Bill No. 13 -01 Declaring March 23`d each year as Schuyler Colfax Day in South Bend
2013 Community Relations Committee Annual Report
Page 2
• Bill No. 13 -15 Requesting a meeting with federal officials to discuss ways to improve
immigration
• Bill No. 14 -13 addressing government accountability on buildings declared vacant or
abandoned discussed in a joint meeting with the Residential Neighborhoods Committee
• Bill No. 13 -18 calling for a moratorium on demolition of buildings which are not a safety
hazard discuss in a joint meeting with the Residential Neighborhood Committee
• Received updates on the Pokagon developments and investment opportunities
• Received updates on migrant farmers
• Bill No. 13 -40 Five (5) Year Plan to Restore City Cemetery
With the adoption of Bill No. 13 -40 on June 24, 2013, which set forth a five (5) year action plan
for the revitalization and restoration of South Bend's historic City Cemetery, the Community
Relations Committee has been meeting monthly. The number of volunteers who are offering
their time and talents on this project is most inspiring. Volunteers from South Bend, Mishawaka
and Elkhart; Daughter of the American Revolution (DAR) representatives, Historic
Preservation, Park Department, GIS, Community Investment —just to name a few of the positive
collaboration which is taking place. City Cemetery was decorated for the holidays by many of
these dedicated volunteers.
I see the momentum continuing to build and move forward on the City Cemetery Restoration
Project in 2014. With the 5 -year plan for the Park Department soon to be under way, which will
specifically include a timetable for the City Cemetery Restoration Project, needed financial
resources and continued volunteer support will move ahead. The 2 "d Annual Schuyler Colfax
Day in South Bend will be held on Sunday, March 23, 2014. The January meeting of the
Community Relations Committee will focus on the events for that annual celebration.
There are many exciting initiatives moving forward which should continue with this
Committee's input and support in 2014. I would like to sincerely thank all of the many persons
who have been i5y" with the Community Relations Committee activities this year.
Thank
c ember Oliver J, Davis, Chairperson
om ity Relations Committee
South Bend Common Council
cc: Phil St. Clair, Park Superintendent