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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-11-09 Community/ Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC)~ f i~ ~~~ ~k. ~ ~~ f a ` RAl'A~ f ~` ~/ ,.. :<-, ;,~ti `,,,,~< Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) JNIVkN~~}4 < `~ _\hC\v\GCCC16Y. I . ~ I © ,.; ~ The meeting of the Community/Campus Advisory Coalition was held in the Council informal meeting room, 4th Floor County-City Building in downtown South Bend, Indiana, on February 11, 2009. The meeting was called to order at approximately 3:05 p.m. by South Bend Council at Large Member AI "Buddy" Kirsits. Council Member Kirsits welcomed everyone in attendance and asked those attending to introduce themselves. Attendees included: South Bend Code Enforcement Director Catherine Toppel, South Bend Police Sgt. Lee Ross, Crime Prevention Unit and Cpl. Ron Hechlinski, Crime Prevention/Community Outreach, South Bend Common Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, South Bend Common Council Members Ann Puzzello and Henry Davis, Jr., Local Alcoholic Beverage Board Member Mike Carrington, Robinson Center Adult Program Coordinator Marguerite Taylor, University of Notre Dame Representatives Bob Reish, M. Brian Coughlin, and Sarah Mervosh (The Observer), Saint Mary's College Representatives Alison Spurlock, and Patrick Daniel, Holy Cross Representatives Br. Chris Torrijas and Olivia LaFortune, Attorney Richard Nussbaum, Bill Stenz, Northeast Neighborhood Council, and Jamie Loo, South Bend Tribune. Council Member Kirsits reported that he addressed the Common Council in November on what the CCAC has achieved thus far. A copy of the report is available. Student Safety and Security Cpl Hecklinski and Sgt. Ross presented an update on the on-going cooperative efforts between Notre Dame and the South Bend Police to ensure the safety of the students. They are working with the Notre Dame Crime Prevention Officer on the Student Watch program. E-mails are sent out if a student is a victim of crime. South Bend Police are also working on educating students living off-campus and will give seminars on safety if requested. A safety seminar was given at Turtle Creek, but only 20 people attended. Officers had hoped for a better turn out. Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) February 11, 2009 Meeting Minutes Page 2 South Bend Police provided increased patrols in off-campus housing areas over the holiday season. Break-ins were down with only two or three reported. Bob Reish noted that there has been less crime and fewer parties taking place and theorized that it was in part due to the weather. He also advised the Coalition that the winter break safety forum was well attended as was a lecture given by a retired lawyer concerning laws off campus and student rights. Work is also being done to create an off campus list serve and website. There was a short discussion on the bill currently in the Indiana legislature which, if passed, would grant campus police full police powers off campus. Brian Coughlin said if the bill passes it would not change the way the Notre Dame campus police operate. The focus would still be on the campus and not the surrounding area. Alcohol Awareness Council Member Kirsits noted that on a recent Friday night there were four ambulance runs to Notre Dame in approximately 45 minutes all involving alcohol abuse. No one had an explanation as to what precipitated this spike. It was also noted that overall ambulance runs for this reason were down. Council Member Puzzello mentioned that when she took classes with the Citizen Police Academy, a demonstration was held showing the effects of alcohol by having a subject periodically take a drink and viewing the subject's reactions. She thought that might be a valuable demonstration tool for students. The general consensus was it would not be prudent to have students drinking alcohol. Cpl. Hecklinski said the Police Department has "DUI goggles" which simulate the effects of alcohol and work well as a demonstration tool. Cathy Toppel mentioned that when she attended the Citizen Police Academy participants put on the DUI goggles and then drove a golf cart. She found the exercise to be very enlightening. Cpl. Hecklinski and Sgt. Ross said they would be happy to set up a driving course at the police department or possibly at Notre Dame so students could participate in this safety demonstration. Bob Reish thanked the police for coming to Notre Dame events and answering student's questions. Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) February 11, 2009 Meeting Minutes Page 3 Zonina Issues Council Member Kirsits asked Cathy Toppel for an update on housing problems and if there were still problems with zoning issues. She affirmed that there are still problems getting information to the parents on what properties are legal and safe for students. She recently had a mother of a student call concerning code violations which were safety issues. In this case the students have to move and are extremely frustrated that they have to find new housing this late in the year. In addition, since the students had signed a lease, they had to hire an attorney to help them try to get out of the lease and get the security deposit returned. She also spoke of a recent case she believed was in Evansville which that city lost, concerning too many unrelated people living in a house. Neighbors had documented license plate numbers and the coming and going of the residents, but the Court said that was insufficient evidence. In this case documentation was deemed not enough evidence and testimony by witnesses was needed. Ms. Toppel said the Legal Department is examining the current law to see how it can be strengthened. The Zoning Commission is also working on this problem. Mr. Stenz suggested that the Universities provide Code Enforcement with the addresses of students living off campus to see how many students are using the same address. However, Brian Coughlin said students are not required to submit their local addresses to the school. A brief discussion was held on a bill currently in the Indiana legislature which would require licensing or registration of property owners. Some attendees felt that adding more laws would not help the situation and others disagreed. Ms. Toppel said they are having some success getting the attention of landlords because fines for code violations can now be added to property taxes. nthP_r ISSl1BS Council Member Kirsits then asked if there were any other issues to be discussed. • Bob Reish indicated there is still a feeling of disconnect between students and neighbors and the University continues to work on this. A "Communiversity Day" has been suggested so that students and neighbors can come together on a project that will benefit both groups. He would like to see more student Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) February 11, 2009 Meeting Minutes Page 4 community interaction. Mike Carrington said the key is communication even if that means knocking on doors and introducing yourself to your neighbor. Sgt. Ross agreed that the best way to start communicating is one on one rather than at large gatherings. Marguerite Taylor commented that every year in May the Notre Dame Student Body President hosts a gathering attended by student government members and community leaders. She suggested that perhaps this gathering should be held in the fall with the new president so that a working relationship can start with the school year. She would also like to see members of the community invited. Council Member Puzzello thinks it should be held at Notre Dame. Bob Reish agreed both were excellent ideas. He would also like to see other events planned. Mike Carrington asked about alcohol policies at the various Universities. Holy Cross representatives said their college has a dry campus. Brian Coughlin said Notre Dame students of legal drinking age are allowed to have alcoholic beverages in the dorms so long as they do not exceed 14% alcohol by volume. • Bill Stenz spoke of the problem of landlords remodeling a three bedroom one bath home to accommodate six or seven students which, besides possibly being illegal, causes parking problems in the neighborhood. Kathy Cekanski-Farrand said Council Member Davis is glad to work with neighborhood representatives to work out parking issues. • Council Member Kirsits informed everyone that the Zoning Commission is still reviewing the legality of renting homes to multiple occupants for football home games. Council Member Kirsits asked that the next meeting be held at Notre Dame. Bob Reish will see what is available and report back. It was suggested there be a tour of the campus or possibly a lecture. The date will be at the end of March (24tH, 25tH, or 26tH). Meeting time to be determined. Council Member Kirsits adjourned the meeting at 4:07p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~~~ Charles S. Leone, Recording Secretary Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) Council Member AI Community/Campus Kirsits; Chairperson ~ Coalition (CCAC)