HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 Annual Report - Residential Neighborhoods .TN, ,- 2015
- 1,1 Residential Neighborhoods Committee
Kan. _ Annual Report
November 23, 2015
As Chairperson of the South Bend Common Council's Residential Neighborhoods
Committee, I am pleased to present this Annual Report. It is filed pursuant to the requirements
which apply to all of the Council's Standing Committees which are set forth in § 2-10 (i) (6) of
the South Bend Municipal Code for this committee in particular.
This year the individuals serving on the Residential Neighborhoods Committee included:
Council Member Derek D. Dieter, Chairperson
Council Member Karen L. White,Vice-Chairperson
Council Member Gavin Ferlic, Member
Council Member Dr. Fred Ferlic, Member
The Residential Neighborhoods Committee is charged with "overseeing the various
activities...and issues related to neighborhood development and enhancement" per the City
Code.
The "Residential Neighborhood Organizational Meeting" was held on February 9, 2014.
Some of the items discussed included:
• A review of the 2014 Annual Report of the Residential Neighborhoods Committee filed
by last year's Chairperson, Council Member at Large Karen L. White
• The success of the six (6) "Hitting the Pavement" Walking Tours of neighborhoods
located throughout the city which were held in conjunction with the Council's Health
and Public Safety Committee last year. The "valuable insights and comments" from
neighbors and business owners along each walked were found to be very informative.
• Quality of life concerns with the need for a greater emphasis on residential
neighborhoods. It was noted that there is a growing need for the City Administration
to be more pro-active and to utilize the many opportunities which technology offers.
Improving all venues of communications so that better updates would be provided to
the District Council Members of issues/concerns in their Districts. Improving dialogue
and seeking input/suggestions from the entire Council, Council Standing Committees
and neighborhood groups/associations was also seen as a priority.
During the year, the Committee called meetings to discuss the City's "Vacant & Abandoned
Properties Initiative",with inquires focusing on what will be the next step once the goal is achieved
to turn properties back into being sustainable and viable elements of each neighborhood.
2015 Residential Neighborhoods Annual Report
Page 2
As part of the year-end review and in looking forward to items which should be considered
priorities, recommended discussions should include:
• Focusing on residential neighborhoods as a true City priority.
• Identifying the ongoing deadlines and reports which are to be made to the Council's
Residential Neighborhoods Committee, so that there will be improvement by the City
Administration on meeting these deadlines in sharing information.
• Preparing an ordinance to update the duties and responsibilities of this Committee,
since they still refer to the "Neighborhood Partnership Centers" which were closed
several years ago.
Thank you.
Respectfully s bmitted,
114411A
Coun -I": erek D. Dieter, Chairperson
Residential Neighborhoods Committee
South Bend Common Council