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Home My WebLink About10-09-08 CCAC/ Community/ Campus Advisory Coalitionl il` f~ rr «., ~ ' '~ a; ~:;w ~,.. .,,~~,. Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) 9 I ~ '~. ! a ~' a~~,~, ;-~~° The meeting of the Community/Campus Advisory Coalition was held in the Council Chambers, 4'h Floor County-City Building in downtown South Bend, Indiana, on October 9, 2008. The meeting was called to order at approximately 3:04 p.m. by South Bend Council at Large Member AI "Buddy" Kirsits. Council Member Kirsits welcomed everyone in attendance. Those attending included: Mayor Stephen Luecke, City Attorney Charles Leone, South Bend Code Enforcement Director Catherine Toppel, South Bend Police Chief Darryl Boykins, South Bend Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, South Bend Common Council Members Ann Puzzello, and Timothy Rouse, Robinson Center Adult Program Coordinator Marguerite Taylor, Neighborhood Resident Matthew Costello, Mark Kramer representing Landlords of Off-Campus Housing, University of Notre Dame Representatives Bob Reish, M. Brian Coughlin, and William W. Kirk, Saint Mary's College Representatives Maura Clougherty, and Patrick Daniel, Holy Cross Representatives Daniel Cochran and Joe Garvey, Alcoholic Beverage Board Member Michael Carrington, Attorney Dick Nussbaum, Bill Stenz, Northeast Neighborhood Council, Jamie Loo, South Bend Tribune, and unidentified members of the public. Council Member Kirsits asked that the members introduce themselves and the area they represent. Council Member Kirsits extended the Coalition's thanks to the University of Notre Dame for the informative booklet issued to students concerning off-campus housing, and for its prompt action on recent incidents involving the consumption of alcohol by underage students. Council Member Kirsits asked the neighborhood representatives for their comments. Both said that it had been a good fall with no egregious conduct in their areas. Mr. Costello noted that more family houses are now student housing which is changing the Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) October 9, 2008 Meeting Minutes Page 2 neighborhood culture. Ms. Taylor noted that there seems to be more weekend rentals for football games and student housing with too many residents continues to be a problem. This led to a lengthy discussion about the legalities of renting to several unrelated individuals and spot zoning issues. Ms. Toppel noted that she currently has 15 new addresses of properties in violation of zoning laws relating to the number of unrelated occupants. Code will issue tickets and students will have to move. Suggestions on how to deal with this and other housing problems included: • Giving addresses of properties not in compliance to the Universities so that they can inform the students and help them relocate to different housing; • Provide zoning information to the Universities so students will know which houses have occupancy restrictions and which are grandfiathered as "Boarding Houses". • Reporting houses to which modifications are being made to allow for additional occupants. Many times these modifications are being done without building permits. • Let property managers know when there is a violation, i.e., too many students, parking violations, etc., so they can take steps to correct any problems. • Use the Tri-Campus Bulletin to talk about zoning matters and neighborhoods to avoid. • Put zoning maps online along with a list of houses with previous violations students should avoid and a key of zoning definitions. • Send information about zoning to parents. Many parents are purchasing homes for students to live in and may not be aware of zoning restrictions on occupancy. • Universities will direct students with questions to the Building and Code Departments until some of the other suggestions can be implemented. Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) October 9, 2008 Meeting Minutes Page 3 The Legal Department will research the zoning issues concerning weekend rentals which may be a commercial enterprise . The next areas addressed by the Coalition were student underage alcohol consumption and student safety. It was noted that a recent editorial in "The Observer" complained that when South Bend Police raided a loud party on Colfax where underage drinking was taking place they were not nice to the students. The student acknowledged the parry was in violation of the law, but was concerned about the students' rights. The South Bend Police were not part of this raid which was led by the Excise Police, and concern was expressed that this hurts the officers and their ability to deal with these kinds of situations. Police Chief Boykins said if police receive reports of unruly parties, patrols will be sent and students will be ticketed. Notre Dame Student Body President Bob Reisch agreed that students need to take responsibility for their actions. Fewer parties are being held this year. He has personally talked with many of the students involved in the Colfax incident. Notre Dame plans to send non-drinking students to parties to observe interactions between students, neighbors and police. Mr. Reisch also said there is a growing perception that crime is increasing and students are not safe. There seems to be more crime against students. The Mayor agreed that there has been a crime increase, partly because of the economic situation. Students homes are being burglarized during the day and are targeted because of possessions. Mr. Kramer has installed additional lighting, fences and ADT equipment at properties he manages, but there is still a problem with break ins. Even though these are mainly property damage and theft break ins, students still feel violated. Several suggestions were made to increase student safety. Make students aware that excessive drinking makes them more vulnerable to robbery. Notre Dame now has a crime prevention officer who lets students know about crime in neighborhoods and is educating students about the use of alcohol and how it impairs judgment. • Students should be aware of their surroundings and should not hesitate to call police when necessary. Students and neighbors should work together to make neighborhoods safer. Neighborhood watches would be helpful. Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) October 9, 2008 Meeting Minutes Page 4 Students should not leave valuables in cars. When leaving on break, students should take valuables home with them. Ms. Taylor noted that she offers to store student belongings in her home while the students are away. Other neighbors may be willing to do this as well. Set up an a-mail alert system letting people know of increased crime in a particular neighborhood. Sgt. Ross of the South Bend Police Department, Mr. Kramer, Mr. Reisch and Mr. Coughlin will work together to set up the system. • A court watch could be set up to let people know when known thieves are released. All the universities have been proactive in making students aware of safety issues and responsibility for one's actions. E-mails are sent to students prior to home games reminding them to act responsibly. St. Mary's designated September as Safety Month and conducted safety education. St. Mary's also offers self-defense classes. Mr. Kramer announced that block parties will be held on October 10th and 13th and invited members of the Coalition to come. The next meeting will be held November 20, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. in the Common Council informal meeting room on the 4th floor of the County-City Building. The meeting was adjourned at 4:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, /~~- `' Z Charles S. Leone, Recording Secretary Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) Council Member AI Community/Campu r~~ ~""l~irsits, Chairperson ory Coalition (CCAC)