03-23-09 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING MARCH 23, 2009 recommendations on protection of their property while on winter/spring/summer break and ways to increase the students overall safety in the community. Informal surveys of the Fire Department, Paramedics is that the number of transports from intoxicated students is down significantly. A local landlord that owns residential property around the campus have held meet and greet neighborhood parties for students and residents at their own expense. They are attempting to keep the students informed of inappropriate behavior and respond to complaints from neighbors. Code Enforcement and the University are showing and telling Parents where and how many students can live in residentially zoned neighborhoods. The biggest thing is that complaints regarding student housing are down and the most significant result. Part of this is due to complaints from neighbors, the reaction from the police department, and by increased SUDS patrol by the State. The question was raised that extreme weather and a less than successful football season the last two years have played a role? He believes that might be, but for the most part the reduction in complaints has come from everyone especially the Universities and the Student Leaders about getting the word out to tone it down and be a good neighbor. The Students have responded positively. While this is a positive result, not all the problems have been resolved, they realize that there are things that will come up like St. Patrick’s Day, last week, and some properties are still troublesome and still need to be worked on. He stated that the CCAC is not going to resolve these issues in just the short time that they have been together. It is a continual and ongoing process, because every year there is a 25% new population that has to be educated and informed. The new Student Body President has been introduced and he intends to take this forward. He stated that they are content with the legislation in place and do not intend to file any new legislation concerning a social host ordinance. The greatest issues affecting the City of South Bend, its citizens and this Council comes as no surprise to anyone, the effects of HB 1001 placed upon local governments throughout the State of Indiana have been well documented. The nationwide economic upheaval is ravaging the homeland and plays out in the media everyday. He stated that as a Council they will have to make difficult decisions on what services this great city will fund. Make the right decisions and this City continues to prosper once it gets through these tough times. Make the wrong decision and the City becomes a place to visit but not a place people want to live and raise a family. The wrong choice may begin a downward spiral, living in any city in America with a diverse populations and socio-economic means will carry with it a certain amount of risk. Sheer volume of population dictates that statistic, but is a risk the City must take because of the many wonderful things living close to the heart of what a diverse city brings. That is what South Bend has, many wonderful things. He stated that is why he lives in the City of South Bend. He stated that he, as well as many others in this great community are concerned primarily about two things: 1. Their greatest financial investment, their homes, they have to make sure that the values of homes are stable and do not deteriorate. 2. The well being of family, children, spouses, and parents. He stated that family safety and value of homes is what is most important to him and many other citizens of the City of South Bend. Cutting those services that ensure the value and safety of homes and families and put them at a higher risk is unacceptable. It puts the City at risk of urban flight to the communities around the city, the competitors. He stated that the City of South Bend needs to ensure and continue to maintain the current level of public safety that meets the bare minimum. Make the wrong decision and the City may create something that is difficult to recover from. With that in mind, it is his opinion, that they put on hold all capital purchases, keeping that revenue as a reserve to ensure basic public safety services. It is his hope and belief that with the leadership of the Mayor and this Council to explore other revenue options so that they can continue to ensure public safety services and those services that make this city and it’s neighborhoods very rich. COUNCILMEMBER TIMOTHY A. ROUSE – AT LARGE Councilmember Timothy Rouse stated that it has been a journey working with this Council. He stated that in 2008, three (3) of the nine (9) Councilmember’s were newly elected officials. He stated that since their time in office HB 1001 has come into place and put some difficult decision making on this Council and commends them for doing a fine job. He commended veteran Councilmember David Varner for keeping the Council informed on various issues namely TIF Districts that are before the Redevelopment 10