HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-24-08 Residential Neighborhood CommitteeRESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD COMMITTEE
The November 24, 2008 meeting of the Residential Neighborhood Committee of the South Bend
Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson, President Timothy A. Rouse at 4:10
p.m. in the Council's Informal Meeting Room.
Committee Members present: Karen L. White; Derek D. Dieter
Other's Present: Councilmember's Puzzello; Henry Davis, Oliver Davis, David Varner, Tom
LaFountain; Mayor Stephen Luecke; Catherine Fannello; Rita Kopala, Martha Lewis, Mikki
Dobski-Shidler; Catherine Toppel; Jeff Gibney; Tim Hudak; Ann-Carol Nash; WNDU; WSBT;
Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand; John Voorde
AGENDA: PROMOTING SOUTH BEND NEIGHBORHOODS -SUE SOLOMOS
MAYOR'S PLAN TO REDUCE HOUSES ABANDONED BY 72%
President Rouse, Chairperson of the Residential Neighborhood Committee introduced Sue
Solmos to the Council. She is a recent hire of Jeff Gibney who heads the city's Community and
Economic Development Department. Sue's charge is to promote South Bend's neighborhoods
specifically those ringing the Central Business District. Solmos outlined her work so far including
meetings with neighborhood groups and the Board of Realtors. All sectors, she reported were
enthusiastically engaging in the process of assessing their strengths in an effort to improve
partnerships with the city and the Board of Realtors. She reported Notre Dame was also
enthusiastic about partnering to market city neighborhoods.
Councilmember Derek Dieter applauded Sue Solmos; hiring and her efforts to date.
Tom LaFountain asked what the Board of Realtors was actually doing toward these ends.
Solmos said they were creating classes for all realtors to better educate them as to South Bend's
assets.
Councilmember Henry Davis asked how long it would take to see results in actual neighborhood
investment.
Solmos said it was a 3 year working plan.
The Mayor then took the floor to introduce Catherine Toppel, Director, Code Enforcement and
Jeff Gibney of Community 8~ Economic Development to update the Council on the Mayor's pledge
to reduce abandoned housing by 72%
Jeff Gibney began by explaining the city's new emphasis on market rate housing. He also said
money would be provided for demolishing abandoned houses. Catherine Toppel said efforts to
demolish homes began in '07 with 52 houses demolished. To date 138 have been demolished in
'08 with 12 more expected before the end of the year. She added that 150 more were targeted
for'09.
Council President Rouse asked about the future of the $1.00 house program. Jeff Gibney said
- the program was still in an ongoing search for funds.
Councilmember Varner asked if liens to cover the cost of demolition could be attached to the
property. Gibney said they can and were.
Councilmember White praised the demolition of neighborhood eyesores; but noted that there also
needs to be an awareness of the need for affordable housing in the city.
Councilmember's Oliver Davis and Timothy Rouse echoed White's concerns. Davis and Rouse
emphasized the need for a formal plan for affordable housing enlisting input from neighborhood
organizations.
Councilmember Henry Davis called for investment incentives in neighborhoods that need
investment most.
Gibney cautioned that the city's role is one of predevelopment rather than acting as the actual
developer. Gibney briefly described the federal and state programs utilized by the city adding
Councilmember Henry Davis was "preaching to the choir" when saying more needs to be done.
There being no further business to come before the Residential Neighborhoods Committee,
Chairperson, President Timothy A. Rouse, adjourned the meeting at 5:05 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
/.~~~
Timothy A. use, Chairperson
Residential Neighborhood Committee
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