HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 Annual Report - Residential Neighborhoods CommitteeThe South Bend Common Council Annual Report for the Residential Neighborhoods Committee
Date: 12/24/2013
To: The South Bend Common Council, The Office of the Clerk
From: Tim Scott, 1st District Common Council Representative - Chairperson
I am pleased to file this 2013 Annual Report of the Council Residential Neighborhoods
Committee in order to comply with Section 2 -10 (i) of the South Bend Municipal Code; which
Code provision requires all Standing Committee Chairpersons to file an Annual Report with the
Office of the City Clerk by the 2nd Monday of December.
Duties:
The Council Residential Neighborhoods Committee oversees the various activities related to
neighborhood development & enhancement.
2013 Committee Members:
Karen L. White, Vice - Chairperson - At -Large Common Council
Dr. Fred Ferlic, 4th District Common Council
Oliver Davis, 6th District Common Council
Christine Sopczynski, Citizen Member
Committee Meetings and Highlights:
To date the Residential Neighborhoods Committee met four times in 2013 and held public
hearings on the following issues:
The first meeting was to list the goals and concerns of Council Members and Citizens and to
evaluate what legislation would originate from this committee. From this meeting discussions on
quality of life issues which affect all citizens of South Bend. The committee would continue to
monitor the status of the City's Vacant and Abandoned homes. We discussed touring the
neighborhoods for all council members to experience each others' districts. Also, in conjunction
with the Utilities committee we monitored the affects of New Energy on citizens and their homes
in the 6th District.
The committee also held public discussions on the following:
March 4, 2013, the committee ask the Mayor update the council on any progress of the Vacant
and Abandoned Task Force. As of the meeting the Administration was continuing business as
usual per the budget in the removal of vacant and abandoned housing. The Mayor also reported
the need for additional funding in 2014 for an aggressive campaign to remove houses slated for
demolition as well as any programs for rehabilitation of home.
April 10, 2013 a joint public meeting between Community Relations and Residential
Neighborhoods to discuss Bill No. 14 -13 —Amend Code Chapter 6 Article 8, Add New Section
6 -37.2 Addressing Accountability of Government Actions on Buildings Declared Vacant or
Abandoned and to discuss Bill No. 13 -18 — Calling for a Temporary Moratorium on Demolition of
Buildings which are not a Health and Public Safety Hazard.
August 6th Residential Neighborhoods and Health and Public Safety joint committee meeting
regarding safety at Miami Hills Apartments. From June 2012 to June 2013 Miami Hills recorded
over 500 calls- for - service to the police department. The Committee heard from about 20 people
concerned about gunfire, criminal activity and the degradation of the quality of life to all living in
and surrounding the Miami Hills Apartments. Citizens asked for improved security, the addition
of surveillance cameras and the removal of troublesome tenants. The fear of living near Miami
Hills is high. Committee members continue to work with the owners, security and the
administration to improve the quality of life of all near Miami Hills. Work on this issue will
continue into 2014.
While the Chronic Nuisance Property ordinance moved through the Health and Public Safety
Committee; the Residential and Neighborhood Committee followed it closely and heard from
many citizens on how it would help improve quality of life issues for all citizens.
I would like to thank our Citizen Member, Christine Sopczynski for her participation on this
committee. Citizen involvement is what makes our government stronger and transparent for all. I
also want to thank my Council colleagues for their input and guidance during this first year.
Thank you to Kathy Cekanski - Farrand, John Voorde, Mary Beth Wisniewski and Janice
Talboom for their support. Thank you to all the City Department heads and personnel that came
and contributed to this committee and for sharing their acknowledgement and experience so we
can be informed and make the best decisions for the all within the City of South Bend.
Thank you.
Respectful) Submitt ;
Tim Sco
Residential Neig orhoods Committee Chairperson
1st District Council Member
Filed in Clerk's Offic,
GEC Z4 W13
JOHN air <zAD .,
CITY CLERK, SOUTH SEND, IN j