HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-24-08 CCAC and Social Host OrdinanceTo: Council Member Henry Davis
From: Council-at Large Member Al Kirsits
Date: November 24, 2008
Subject: CCAC and Social Host Ordinance
The Community(Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) was formed from the
aftermath of the special event/lawn parking ordinance that was discussed in the spring of
2007. After much discussion, in the fall of 2007, it was decided to separate the ordinances
and move forward with the passage of the Special Event Lawn Parking Ordinance. In lieu
of passing a social host ordinance, which was based on information from the Department of
Justice COPS manual and similar to ordinances from other college towns, it was not voted
on and put on hold. Instead, the CCAC was put in place at the request of local universities
(primarily Notre Dame) and landlords in an attempt to talk and educate students and
residents living in close proximity to each other. These coalitions, with or without social
host ordinances, have had success in some communities. President Rouse asked Council
member Al Kirsits to chair the committee.
The first CCAC meeting was held on February 20, 2008. Membership was
extended to Notre Dame, Holy Cross College, St. Mary's and IUSB school body presidents
and their respective administrators. Also in attendance were city council members,
administration members, code enforcement, and police department. The local Alcohol
Beverage Board (ABC) was represented along with area landlords and residents. City
Clerk John Voorde swore in the members, and Council Attorney Kathy Cekanski-Farrand
served as legal council to chairman Kirsits. A complete listing of those in attendance is on
file in the CCAC minutes and with the City Clerk.
Subsequent meetings were held on April 9th, October 9th, and November 20th 2008.
A meeting for March 2008 was cancelled and not rescheduled. The next meeting is
scheduled for February 2009. Attendance has varied, but overall representation from all
segments involved has been very good. The following are several items that have occurred
since the formation of the CCAC:
Leadership from the Notre Dame Student Body Presidents has been outstanding.
Former President Liz Brown and current President Robert Riesh have made
legitimate attempts and significant progress in reaching the student body with the
message to be "good neighbors" when living off campus.
UND has published and distributed a booklet about off campus living and how to
be a good neighbor. It has responded quickly to isolated incidents of
inappropriate behavior so they would not be repeated. Saint Mary's sends e-mail
alerts on upcoming weekends about behavior and student safety.
SBPD is working with LTND to inform students through email of area burglaries
and suspicious persons in off campus areas. Crime prevention is working to give
them recommendations for property protection while on break, and ways to
increase overall student safety in our community.
• Informal survey of Fire Department Paramedics is that the number of transports
for intoxicated students is down significantly.
• Mark Kramer of Kramer Properties has held several "met and greet"
neighborhood parties for students and residents, at his own expense. He is
keeping his residents informed of inappropriate behavior, and responding to
complaints.
• Code Enforcement and the Universities are telling and showing parents where
and how many students can live in residentially zoned neighborhoods.
• Neighborhood complaints about student properties are down.
This is probably the most significant result. This is due to the aforementioned bullets,
and by prompt response to neighborhood complaints by the police, and by increased SUDS
patrols by the State. The question has been asked if extreme weather and a less than successful
football season the last two years have played a roll, and while it may have, I believe the
reduction in complaints has come from everyone (especially the Universities and its student
leaders) getting the word out to "tone it down and be a good neighbor". The students have
responded positively.
While this has been a positive result, not all problems have been resolved. Most
continuing problems in neighborhoods with rentals involve zoning issues and will have to be
taken up by the Zoning and Annexation Committee in 2009. Some of these include weekend
game day rentals, illegal grandfathering, possible "spot zoning" and inappropriate number of
occupants.
The CCAC has taken a somewhat informal approach to its meetings, allowing for open
discussion so positive steps can be taken. I feel we have accomplished some things using this
process and would like to continue with these meetings run this way. The CCAC will have to
be an ongoing process, and if it continues, I see no need for the council at this time to reenact
the social host ordinance.
Respectfully submitted,
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Al "Buddy" Kirsits
Chairman CCAC
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