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•CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK
<br /> Councilmember Williams-Preston stated, So, in keeping with this concept of how we can focus on
<br /> positive things and look at ways this ordinance could benefit our community in other ways, and
<br /> then also the question of capacity, if we're doing all these inspections, we said we have no idea
<br /> and we don't have the data of how many of these properties might need this inspection,but looking
<br /> at this, I think especially the lower tiers of income, we are going to have a lot of repairs needed,
<br /> ok? You're talking about flooring, walls, and ok, we need that. But we are also going to have, I
<br /> think,is the need to do a lot of repairs. Where are those contractors?From what I understand,there
<br /> are lot of people already getting people that can build homes and do work and things like that. So,
<br /> how can we turn that into a positive? What are we already doing with training people? Let's think
<br /> about that in terms of minority businesses and things like that. How can we prepare for the work
<br /> load we are going to have if we do this and then kind of make these opportunities for work,training
<br /> and all that, available to people who live in these neighborhoods? I know we are doing tenant
<br /> education and stuff like that, but that needs to happen. Also, the point was made about the eight
<br /> hundred dollars ($800) not being enough. That is another thing and we've had that conversation.
<br /> If we are going to be putting people out on the street,there are going to be problems, do you know
<br /> what I'm saying?We don't have the capacity to stop landlords from not signing the contract again.
<br /> Maybe they don't evict the resident but if they are on month to month, maybe they don't sign the
<br /> contract again. Where are these people going to go? Eight hundred dollars ($800) is not going to
<br /> get it.How can we look at this issue of rental insurance? I mentioned that before and, I don't know,
<br /> we haven't reconnected about that,but I don't know if there is a way to build that in because what
<br /> I've learned in the few conversations I've had is rental insurance, and though we are talking about
<br /> people who maybe can't afford it, is generally less than twenty dollars ($20) a month and it is
<br /> beneficial for the landlord and the tenant. That might be a way to actually begin to solve some of
<br /> those problems. The real issues that come across, how do you deal with it? Maybe that is part of
<br /> incentivizing and creating those partnerships. So,if we are saying landlords need to fix something,
<br /> and we have support and resources to help. But also, tenants, wherever you go, you're going to
<br /> need protection. So, even more than incentivizing landlords, we need to in some way incentivize
<br /> tenants and say we will help match landlords. Landlords are going to prefer tenants who make this
<br /> smaller investment. Maybe there is a way the City can work with insurance agents to even reduce
<br /> some of these costs if we have this large influx of people who are going to start doing this, do you
<br /> see what I'm saying? So, how can we do this? What I'm saying is I want to support this and I'm
<br /> sponsoring this because I want to tweak it, so it works for everybody, ok? I want to have those
<br /> conversations if possible by Monday to see what you've already looked into.
<br /> Committee Chair Broden stated, There will be two (2)joint Health and Public Safety and Utilities
<br /> Committee meetings. One (1) is on Monday, February 18th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. That will
<br /> basically be a briefing on Climate Change and understanding Climate Change in South Bend.
<br /> Then, Wednesday, February 27th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. will be a follow-up meeting to that,
<br /> basically looking at local solutions and the potential of an ordinance that would help establish
<br /> some goals across the community, relative to that topic. So, those notices are here. If you aren't
<br /> already part of the Health and Public Safety distribution list, leave your information with me and
<br /> I will be sure to add you to that. It is a good way to keep in touch on these issues tonight and things
<br /> that are upcoming. I would like to thank you all for attending. I would like to thank Jennifer
<br /> Coffman. She does an outstanding job. She is here on overtime and thank you for that and your
<br /> very capable services linking everybody and resourcing us as a Council and taking input from the
<br /> public and sharing that. I also want to thank our attorney, Bob Palmer, for his support and
<br /> attendance tonight. It is really important to us when we are looking at new legislation and
<br /> ordinances, it is law,right? So, to have his eyes on everything is, you know, a nice support to us.
<br /> EXCELLENCE j ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT
<br /> 455 County-City Building i 227 W.Jefferson Bvld South Bend,Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221 f 574.235.9173 I I D574.235 5567 www.southbendin.gov
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