HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 Annual Report - Residential Neighborhoods2014 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS COMMITTEE
Pursuant to § 2 -10 of the South Bend Municipal Code, the following 2014 Annual Report
of the Residential Neighborhoods Committee is filed pursuant to § 2 -10 (i) 6) of the South Bend
Municipal Code. It briefly highlights some of the Committee's activities
The Committee members included Council Member Tim Scott who served as Vice -
Chairperson; Council Member Henry Davis, Jr., and Council Member at Large Gavin Ferlic. It
was especially helpful to have Mr. Jack Smith volunteer his time and talents to serve this year on
the Committee as our Citizen Member.
The "Residential Neighborhood Organizational Meeting" was held on February 24, 2014
where each of the members received a folder containing an agenda which highlighted the
Committee's scope "oversees activities & issues related to neighborhood development &
enhancement "; called for a discussion of the "formulation of 2014 Goals /Objectives'; called for
discussion of the "Light Up South Bend Initiative" as well as the Standing Committee Request
Protocol form. A 1 -page listing by Council Member was also provided entitled "Councilmembers
Area of Interest for 2014 ", along with a 4 -page handout from the San Francisco Planning
Department entitled "Eight Elements of a Great Neighborhood" which focused on:
1. "Walk to Shops — a great neighborhood has everyday stores & services within an easy
walk from home.
2. Safe Streets — a great neighborhood has safety & friendly streets.
3. Get Around Easily — a great neighborhood has many ways to get around.
4. Housing Choices — a great neighborhood has a variety of housing types.
5. Gathering Places — a great neighborhood has places for people to meet & talk.
6. City Services — a great neighborhood has a full range of public services for residents.
7. Special Character — a great neighborhood has its own character.
8. Part of the Whole — great neighborhoods make great cities.
During the ten (10) committee meetings which followed, the committee had discussions in
conjunction with the Health & Public Safety Committee on the chronic problem property
ordinance implementation with SBPD officer Keenan Lane and Uniform Division Chief Scott
Ruszkowski providing valuable information to the Committee especially on Miami Hills.
Valuable insights were received from many residents during the six (6) "Hitting the Pavement"
Walking Tours which took place from April thru October in conjunction with the Health and Public
Safety Committee. Residents were very willing to share comments candidly and it became very
evident that the quality of life and the safety of their neighborhoods were top concerns. Prioritizing
"neighborhoods as the heart of the city" continued to be the ongoing focus of the Committee in
order to better address citizen concerns.
Prior to the departure of Department of Code Enforcement Director Shubhada Kambli, a very
insightful Committee meeting was held during the Summer which focused on the quality of life
2014 Residential Neighborhoods Annual Report
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ordinances and their implementation by the Department of Code Enforcement and the Law
Department. Corporation Counsel Cristal Brisco noted that during the first three (3) months of the
year over a 1,000 demand letters had been sent and that 844 lawsuits were filed from May of 2013
thru the end of last year. Collection efforts would now be handled by the Jack Krisor law firm.
Ongoing updates were requested on mowing, technology upgrades, personnel needs, curbs &
sidewalks, speeding and clean-up efforts as some of the many quality of life concerns. It was
suggested that input from neighborhood organizations would also be valuable in addressing many
of the concerns affecting city neighborhoods.
The Committee also received an update from the Law Department on Beck's Park and the EPA
report on this area of the LaSalle Park area. Again it was suggested that communication with the
residents should be ongoing
As Chairperson of the Residential Neighborhoods Committee there continues to be a need for a
cooperative working relationship with the City Administration so that the needs and concerns of
our residential neighborhoods are addressed. It has been a pleasure to serve as this year's
Chairperson of this Committee. Thank you.
Res ec lly submitte ,
C uncil Member Karen 4L5 Chairperson
Residential Neighborhoods Committee
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