March 29, 2018 at Radio Station WUBS
Panelists: Mr. James Mueller, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Ms. Alkenya Aldridge, Ms. Regina Williams-Preston Moderator: Mr. Nate Levin-Aspenson Mayor: * 1,000 homes in 1,000 Days - 1,122 Identified, 689 Demolished, 10 Deconstructed at a $7.5M expense NOTE: This program was started in February 2013 and ended in September 2015, but with no clear rebuilding plan * There are 30K less people in South Bend than when these homes were built * Definition of "Vacant & Abandoned" is unoccupied for 90 days with code violations and there is a public hearing process * "Need to better support those who need help" & "Open to new ideas on how to handle struggling people" * Landlords have taken advantage of minorities * Planning to do a "Disparity Study" * Expanding "Pathways Program" * Problems are "Poverty, equality and income" NOTE: Per capita income in the City of SB is BELOW $20,000 * "Unlocking public value is the answer" * "Restriping and paving helps stimulate investment" * Thinks the County needs to Reassess home values Mueller: * 80 new homes on the list * Last year 90% repaired and 10% demolished * Feds have higher qualifying restrictions than the City for receiving financing * No intent to go after people's homes, the problem is people take on "money pits" * We have barriers in zoning codes NOTE: Council voted to give them 27 areas where they can bypass the Council on zoning issues and rarely does Council vote against a zoning request * Currently planning to develop the South Shore Track Area Aldridge: * History of the community is lost when they come down * South Bend HIP previously had $300K * Funding will be $650K in 2018 with COIT and EDIT funding, CDBG Funding * Targeting zones for blight elimination and rehab for current owners * More people could qualify if they took off the limits of people being in collection and having a bankruptcy within the last 2 years * "Honor legacy residents" and help educate them on how to care for a home * "Hurry Home" is a program to move people towards home ownership in homes valued under $50K * Banks don't like to lend for homes under $50K because they can't make money on them * Chicago Federal Reserve suggested "Micro Lending" * "Youth Build" is another program * "Community Wins" is a grant for minority owned businesses * Lost industrial job base has caused loss and she wants people to move back to Westside neighborhoods * We need to build business capacity and infrastructure NOTE: The City just recently created her position to do outreach to the community on housing issues and have not had a person dedicated to it before in Community Investment Department * There are no CDC's (Community Development Corporations) on the Westside and non-profits don't have the capacity to help NOTE: CDC's are a way to move tax funding to programs that rebuild people's homes and neighborhoods Williams-Preston: * We need to learn from the past and invest before they get beyond repair to we aren't tearing down history * Regina is a 3rd generation of the "Better Homes" program * There need to be historical markers to preserve the African-American history here * $650K COIT and EDIT funding is not enough for the scope of the problem * Need to get the word out on how people can qualify * Most of the properties on the demolition list were NOT tax delinquent. People want to hang on to their "family land" * Next generation that inherited the homes weren't prepared to take care of homes * 75% of people owned the homes that were demolished lived here in Indiana * Code violations are Civil Penalties where people only have 60 days to fix a problem * Feels City uses aggressive code enforcement and it shouldn't be done in areas with the lowest market strength * Policy, laws and code are fair but are applied in unfair ways that target people * Have to look at internal policies and how minorities are targeted * There needs to be oversight and recourse for Citizens * Fines not paid are added to property tax amounts, people lose their homes and then the neighborhood becomes gentrified CITIZEN COMMENTS: * Not enough inclusion to teach young black men the trades * Need to be more concerned about lead testing in homes with older kids and rentals, not just 6 year olds NOTE: Mayor responded the screening of 6 year olds at schools is to establish a baseline of the studies * Concerned about gentrification (pushing out lower cost housing to build newer higher cost housing) NOTE: Mayor responded that "One size doesn't fit all" so he is continuing to study the problems * Suggested people buy a property, live in it for 6 months and then apply for an equity line of credit NOTE: Mayor said there is currently a "credit gap" * Citizen says there is a program by Cass Community Association in Detroit that is addressing the problem well and wants SB to look at what they are doing * Tired of the Drewrys Property problems and wants City to move faster on it NOTE: Answer was there are legal issues being resolved. There is no solution at this time and no City budget to deal with it * Lived 31 years on Freemont and part of the LaSalle Neighborhood Association - wants streets paved, alleys graded NOTE: The City is systematically closing alleys * Member of Kennedy Park Neighborhood Association says the root cause of the problem is poverty. There needs to be economic development on the Westside, Community Land Grants and urban agriculture * Wants to know $'s spent on Westside NOTE: Answer given was $485K along the corridors leading to downtown. Now that they have re-done downtown they will start to work on "nodes" elsewhere in the City * Don't see locals as part of this development - don't hire outside people to give advice - ask residents what they want and need * Abatement accountability is lacking * Tax credit projects and money is going to millionaires and not helping regular people MICHIANA OBSERVER COMMENTS: These are some RESOURCES for Citizens on Housing: * HUD Certified Housing Counseling 574-235-9475 * Community Homebuyers Program 574-235-5880 * SBHIP South Bend Home Improvement Program 574-235-5880 * Urban Enterprise Association V2V Repair Matching Grant Program 574-235-5879 * Vacant and Abandoned Resident Legal Assistance Program 574-235-5879 * South Bend Heritage 574-289-1066 * Hurry Home Program (in the works with LaCasa de Amistad) 574-233-2120 * Community Wins Program through Wells Fargo [email protected] * Youth Build Program teaches youth skill trades 617-623-9900 * Alkenya Aldridge, Director of Engagement & Economic Empowerment at City of South Bend 574-235-5896 NOTE: In the last ten years there has been $853,431,946 given for business tax abatements on what would have been taxable property for more property tax income and $6,566,969,016 in TIF's used in the last 10 years. (TIF is Tax Incremental Financing) On average over $700M per year Source: Page 244 of the City of South Bend Annual Fiscal Report ending 12/31/2016 We have one of the largest TIF areas in the state of Indiana outside Indianapolis. TIF's can be used for business development incentives, as well as, infrastructure such as sewers, roads, etc. Most recent TIF award in SB was to the Cascades Project across from the Century Center for $5M. This complex will include $1.5M penthouse and $500K condos. For the Berlin Project, which are the condos outside 4 Winds Field, the Mayor awarded close to $4M in TIF and sold them the property for $2 (two dollars). For reference, the average total budget for the City of SB is about $310M per year. Mayor has budgeted $650K to help housing issues in 2018. For more articles and meetings: #MichianaObserver #MySouthBend #CitizenMedia
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March 26, 2018, 7pm, County-City Building 4th Floor
Council Present: All Bill #18-11 to Honor the Riley Boys' Basketball Team for its success Bill # 08-18 Rezoning for property at W. Wayne to the North; S. Taylor Street to the West; W. Western Ave to the South; S. William Street to the East 331 -333 W. Western Ave and 401 N. Lafayette Street - Alley vacation and established as MU - Mixed Use Bill #09-18 Rezoning to vacate alley - Lots 247 through 258 of Highland Park 2nd Addition and between Lots 252 and 253, to be established as GI - General Industrial District Bill #15-18 Budget Transfers for 2018 $150K from SBPD to the Mayor's Office for the Goodwill Strategic Focus Outreach Unit - Community Oriented Policing and this is part of the EDIT Funding $2M for the Crossings Grant for the intersection of Ironwood and Corby for repaving and repairs and this is part of the LOIT Fund Bill #16-18 Civil City Funds (Substitute Bill) * Studebaker/Oliver Revitalization Grant - EPA Brownsfield Grant $37,500 * Central Services Fund #222 for $10,000 Grant * Liability Insurance Reserve #226 - EPA Related Issues $900,000 Brownfields in the Studebaker area NOTE: Liability Reserves are where Settlements are paid from. There is a normally a $1M reserve to use across all departments and the normal level of this fund is $2M. * Local Roads & Bridge Grant - Ironwood/Corby Community Crossings $2,000,000 * Parks non-reverting Capital for mowing engines & Veterans Memorial Park $20,000 * 2015 Parks Bond Capital to increase it by $91,412 Bill #17-18 Appropriating Additional Funds under the Enterprise Funds (Substitute Bill) * Parking Garage Fund #601 for $77,000 * Water Works O&M Fund #620 for $52,250 * Century Center Capital Fund #671 for $20,000 Bill #18-18 to Establish NEW FUNDS * Fire Station #9 Fund #350 * TIF Parks Bond Debt Service Fund #351 * TIF Parks Bond Capital Fund #452 (These create the Accounting numbers for these funds. No amounts given.) NOTE: Coming up on the April 9th Meeting is money for the Cemetary out of the River West Fund, but there is an April 1st deadline. RESOLUTIONS: Bill #18-03 Zoning Appeal at 915 27th Street to allow a Child Caring Institution in the OB Office Buffer District (Rite of Passage Program to be called the "Woodford Home") This facility will create 70 jobs and there will be a 4 to 1 ratio of students to staff. Under their license there will be a maximum of 12 young men. All have nowhere to go live and some have timed out of Foster Care and need skills to transition. The concern is they would turn to bad things to survive on the streets. They are expected to do community service, attend church and attend school. The program works to get them scholarships. There are currently 23K kids in need of a way to transition back into society and only 2% have a program to help them. They are driving to and from school and supervised when out in the community. The students are in the program for around 6 months on average. Approximately 40 people spoke in favor, including the President of the River Park Neighborhood Association. No one spoke against it. Councilwoman Sharon McBride who works at the Ducomb Center voted against it. The rest of the Council voted in favor. It passed. Bill #18-12 Interlocal Agreement between SB and St. Joseph County for: MUTUAL OPERATION OF SPECIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT UNITS known as METRO UNITS addressing crimes of Special Gravity in St. Joseph County 3 Additional Investigators at $103,000 per officer annually = $308,500 Council wants to know if they are providing more money than others. Councilman Tim Scott said the County needs to fund the programs they have initiated and he would like to see metrics. He also said he was originally told there was a need for 260 officers to properly staff the SBPD and there are currently 230, 8 in training and 5 in line for next year. The SBPD Chief is concerned about the large number of officers planning to retire in the near future. The Metro Unit is slated to have 16 officers and there are only 13 because of long term vacancies. South Bend Provides: 4 Special Victims Unit, 4 Metro Homicide, 5 Domestic Violence Mishawaka Provides: 2 Special Victims Unit, 1 Metro Homicide, 1 Domestic Violence St. Joseph County: 2 Special Victims Unit, 3 Metro Homicide, 1 Domestic Violence The 3 additional Special Victim Unit Officers are decided by the Prosecutor and are covered in the 2018 budget. The Metro Units cover Family Violence, Drugs and Homocides. FIRST READINGS: Bill #19-18 Alley Vacation for First North/South Alley east of Arthur Street running from Campau Street on the South to the first east-west alley on the North for 156' Bill #20-18 Establishing Parking Restrictions - 17 rules Bill #21-18 to Establish responsible bidding practives and submission requirements on Public Works Projects Question - How will this apply to the Parks Department having it's own building permit? NOTE: The new Cascades Project on the former Wharf Restaurant site across the river from the Century Center received $5M in TIF from taxpayers and will be requesting Abatements from property taxes. This is expected to be a $45M project with a $1.5M penthouse and $500K condos. City expressed the need to give the $5M TIF and will likely give Tax Abatements. Lately Abatements have meant no taxes for a full 6 years. Thursday at 6:30 pm the Mayor will be part of a panel at the WUBS Radio Station on LincolnWay to discuss the housing crisis on the Westside and Southeast sides of South Bend. This meeting is open to the public. Citizens want to discuss how regular citizens can be helped. NOTE: There will also be a Budget Information Meeting at the Main Public Library in the Humphreys Room at 5:30 pm with Councilwoman Karen White (City) and Councilwoman Diana Hess (County) Prior to Full Council Meeting at 5:00 pm, the Council held a closed Executive Session to discuss the Wiretapping case per Indiana Code 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(2)(B) Priviledge of the Floor: * 8 or so objected to the placement of trailers near Ivy Tech for the Homeless. They pointed out their property values continue to devalue as more and more social services are put in their area. They would like other areas of the City to share these services. * "National Stop the Bleed Day" is THIS SATURDAY. Beacon will be offering 4 FREE sessions to teach Citizens how to stop bleeding due to gunshot wounds or accidents. In 2017 there were 102 shootings and 16 people died. For more info contact Stacie at 574-647-2853 * Sue Kesim encouraged the Council to Budget for and pass out medical health information tubes as part of their upcoming neighborhood walking tours. There is a sticker for the door, a magnet for the frig and then a tube with medical information is placed in the frig. Medics like these since it saves time and lives. Coming up...Notes on the Minority Business Enterprise/Women's Business Enterprise Utilization Board, Flood Update Meeting and Housing Meeting at WUBS on Thursday For meeting information and more articles: #MichianaObserver #MySouthBend #CivicMedia MBE/WBE - Minority Owned and Women Owned Businesses
March 28, 2018, 4 pm, County-City Building 4th floor Present: Councilwoman Karen White, Councilman Tim Scott, Common Council Attorney Bob Palmer, Director of Public Works Eric Horvath, Purchasing Michael Schimt, Diversity Officer Christina Brooks, City Clerk Kareemah Fowler Appointees Present: Ms. Cheryl Ashe, Mr. Jonathon Gonzalez Absent: Jas Alexander Need to fill appointee vacancy from the Chamber of Commerce Last meeting was held 2015. There was a 2 year dormant period with no meetings. There were 6 standing recommendations from a June 2013 meeting: * Accept additional certifications from 2 agencies * Expand ordinance #10081-11 to include local minority owned and women owned businesses * Insert "Good faith efforts" into Section 14.5-3(e)(6) * Change reporting relationship with Diversity Compliance Officer * Change the title of the Diversity Officer * Recommend Personnel & Finance Subcommittee Chair as a liason Motion by Rev. Breckenridge and 2nd by Sam Centellas, vote 5-0 * Ms. White - Need to review the Ordinance and 6 point summary * Ms. Brooks - Dirverstiy Purchasing Report Outreach Events Disparity Study Legislative Intent & Compliance Make recommendations to the City Need to eliminate barriers Training and outreach Handbook changes Simplicity for the City to buy Mentoring Need department procurement forecasts Will look at those that are $50K or more per purchase State/Federal guildlines for Disparity Study - Hired someone to do this in April * Mr. Horvath says strengthening the "Good Faith Effort" and helping them get bonds would help Bidding in for Public Works and Direct Purchasing are different processes Need to also look at Sub-contractors * Mr. Gonzalez will look at outreach to the Latino Chamber * There are currently 16 certifiying agencies online that range from free to $300 * They must be recognized by the State of Indiana * Need to have been in business for a certain number of years, show payroll records, I9's, licenses, bonding and tax records PURCHASING: * $101,702,744.20 of purchasing in 2017 * 5,715 Purchase Orders * $773,120 or 0.76% were Minority Owned Businesses * $1,122,451 or 1.10% were Women Owned Businesses * Combined this was $1,895,000 in 2017 which is 1.86%, or .06% improvement over 2016 * 1,349 registered vendors, 4 are Minority and 20 were Women Businesses, but many were not from this area - California, Illinois, Colorado, etc. Ms. Ashe - There needs to be more emphasis on local businesses CITIZEN COMMENTS: Mr. Brown commented at a Council Meeting says it needs to be easier for people to get permitted by the Building Department MICHIANA OBSERVER COMMENTS: * Need to be more "Green/Environmental" purchases to give us a better future * Upfront materials and carrying costs can often be an obstacle to small businesses who do not have working capital or time to go through certification * Also track Union Labor that is local * Document how this is tracked with Parks building directly with their own building permit and not bidding out * Both SCORE and SBA counseling is available for small businesses on Wednesday Mornings at 9 am at 101Co3 in Mishawaka after the weekly networking meeting For more articles and meetings: #MichianaObserver #MySouth Bend #CitizenMedia @MichianaObserver on FB (Please Like/Share)  March 27, 2018, County-City Building 4th Floor
Present for the Utilities Meeting were Councilman Varner, Councilwoman White, Councilwoman Williams-Preston, Councilman Tim Scott * Setting Rates - No increases are planned * Director of Public Works is in discussions with the Detroit Army Corp of Engineers about funding possibilities * 2018 Flood Crest was 12' 7" * 2016 Flood Crest was 4'4" * Notre Dame data is from 1931 - 2017 and shows the flood on Feb 21-22 of 2018 to be at a 2,500 year flood level * SB has approximately 40 sq miles * Indiana & Michigan areas affected included 15 counties, 3,742 river miles, 3rd largest watershed * Most calls were from these areas: Keller Park, Northshore Triangle, Riverside and Emerson Blvd * From 2015 - 2017 the Sewer Department has received 1,758 calls in these 3 years * 150 year old system * 100 year old pipes still being used in some areas * 60 year interceptor flow of sewage to the river * CSO (Combined Sewer Overflow) - Water pressure was so high the water flowed away from the river * There is 15 years remaining in the CSO plan * Governor Kernan Walkway/Wall sustained about $480K in damage * Wastewater Treatment Plant sustained about $225K in damage * Parks overall sustained about $2.5M * East Bank Riverwalk sustained about $285K in damage * East Bank Trail sustained about $1.5M (including the Dog Park area) * 2400 Block of Riverside Drive sustained about $200K in damage * Park equipment was a total loss at Pinhook Park * Slope failures are still a concern and more damage may be discovered * City has a $500K Deductible and there are 2 Different Insurance companies * FEMA may be part of the process * 2 types of evaluations - public and private * Discussion that AEP owns the Elkhart dam. They may ask that the Army Corp of engineers take it over during floods to determine how open it should be and the amount of damage that can occur downstream * Some people can get a reimbursement for their valves if they were damaged or failed. Contact their department for the rules/conditions PROJECTS for 2018: * Electric upgrades * Demolition of Motor Control Centers * Switches & Wiring * New Switches & Wiring * Install generators * Rehab on 4 Belt Filter Presses to compress sludge - $200K #1 is done, even though it is compressing "#2" ;-) * Raw Sewage Pump #2 is $250K * Rehab manholes and sewer pipe linings $1.5M annually * Drainage projects to help residents * Ravina Park/Bowman Creek stabilization - Utilizing $100K donation from the Pokagon and River West TIF (Tax Incremental Financing) * Improve drainage at Martin's Erskine Plaza on Ireland with $120K from the Southside TIF * Improving Colfax from Main to Michigan Streets $1.5M * Improvements to Charles Martin Youth Center and LWW for $1.1M out of the River West TIF * St. Joseph Streetscape $350K * Sheridan Ave - 2,500 feet of roadway & sewer installation from the River West TIF NEW DEVELOPMENTS: North areas with Eddy Street Commons continue to add to the sewage and water needs Upcoming - removal of forests near the toll road to build 160 house development which will add to about 60K gallons of sewage per day Removing forests and covering land with more houses and roads will mean less absorption of water CITIZEN COMMENTS: * Many in Keller Park are renters that ended up with 5' of sewage in their basements so they may just move away and not come back * Need to study the amount of water coming off Holy Cross land and into the Northshore Triangle area Eric Horvath responded it will be studied and they may be able to address this issue when building the Coal Line Trail * During the storms the City should have told the rest of the residents area wide to cut back on water use to reduce the amount of sewage they got coming into their basements * During the storm and for a week after there was brown water coming out of the faucets and they think the City should have given "boil orders" and tested the water SURVEY: The City of South Bend’s Department of Public Works is conducting a sewer survey and is seeking information from residents. We’d like for homeowners who experienced flooding this past February to fill out the survey, which can be found at http://southbend2018sewerstudy.com/. The survey should be completed by Monday, April 30. For more articles and meetings: #MichianaObserver #MySouthBend #CitizenMedia @MichianaObserver (Please Like/Share) March 20, 2018, 6 pm - 8 pm, Holy Cross College Driscoll Auditorium
Moderator: Barb Sutton, Neighborhood Association President SB Common Council Representation: Jo Broden, 3rd District St. Joseph County Emergency Management: John Antonucci 235-9378 City Engineer and Director of Public Works: Eric Horvath NOTE: There is a Utilities Meeting coming up. For more information contact Ms. Broden at 235-5978 Also, Meeting on the 27th at the County-City Building @5:30 pm to continue the discussion. For neighborhood updates use "NEXT DOOR" Code: GDNMYN - NextDoor dot com * 700 hundred homes affected in St. Joseph County * 65 with Major Damage * 464 homes total in the Triangle area * Indiana Overall - 34 Counties with 500 homes destroyed * 1,300 in Elkhart County * John Antonucci said, "FEMA gravy train is done." * It's up to the President if any relief monies are given REPORTING FLOOD DAMAGE: Working on getting FEMA Grants that could give people up to $35K for their damaged homes People need to make sure they call the 235-9378 and report all their damage to qualify. FEMA will be in St. Joseph County for the NEXT 2 WEEKS, so now is the time to make an appointment. Homeowners need to document dates, where water came in, kind of water, photos of damages, photos of repairs, all receipts and license #'s of contractors They will need to know if you already have "Gate Valves" installed. There is a 30 day waiting period before people can buy flood insurance. People have different policies. Some had a "Sewer Backup" rider, some had "Intermingling Water" and others had "Direct or Indirect Water". If there are additional trash items, call 311 for free pickup. Also call if streets need to be swept. There is a local Disaster Relief Fund Citizens experienced multiple problems: * Flooding * Ground water coming in through basement walls (High Water Table) * Sewer Backup Insurance and FEMA cover differently, so be sure to read carefully before submitting claims and the wording of them. Eric Horvath noted they are looking at two phases: * Preparedness with Emergency Planning * Mitigation Problems on 600 block of Northshore Blvd where road collapsed: * Sandy Soil * Erosion * Applied for Grant * Need in involve Army Corp of Engineers, IDEM and DNR since river may be changing course or deepening there to determine exactly "SAGE Plan" is being worked on Eric Horvath: $105M already spent and $713M more needed (Note: Entire annual City Budget is around $300M. City spent around $47M on "Smart Streets", $4M + for "Coal Line Bike Trail" and just issued bonds for $50M to spend on parks and a $600K Parks Entertainment vehicle built by the same people who built the Oscar Meyer Mobile) Eric Horvath commented, "It would cost billions to have a completely separated sewer system." 50% of the City still has combined sewers Many of the "Lateral" pipes are over 100 years old in this area Data for sewers was based on 2.5" of rain in 24 hours and this was a 10 year evaluation 1992 they applied the 5 largest storms to the model SEWER VALVES: All the red dots on the map are sewer backup (City has a Residential Basement Valve Program that will reimburse up 50% up to $1,500 using a licensed plumber - call 235-9251 for information) Building Department can tell you if a company is licensed or not. They recommend a "multi-flap" design For the program it needs to be a single family home, primary residence and connected to the South Bend City Sewers DOWNSPOUTS: All the yellow dots are where downspouts are still connected Home Downspouts are required to be disconnected per Ordinance #5253-70, Chapter 17, Article 1, Section 17-4 (City has a downspout disconnection program - call 235-9251 for information) Businesses can pay a nominal one time fee and continue to be connected and drain into the sewers with no further charges MOLD CLEANUP: They recommend a product called "Mold Control" and getting a license mold remediation company. FLOOD LEVELS: August 2016 - 5.5 Billion Gallons/Day flowed through SB February 2018 - 14.5 Billion Gallons/Day flowed through SB CONSULTANT: City is hiring the firm of Lang, Feeney and Associates to evaluate the problems They won't be working on it for another 3 months There was a 20 year plan that involves storage tanks and CSO6 which is a 2.5K acre area by Prairie Avenue City needs more storage tanks since the water table is high There are currently 35 CSO Basins There is an 84" high pipe at Angela Blvd to handle the main water in the sewers CITIZEN COMMENTS: * Want maps of sewers and maps of damaged areas released Eric Horvath answer: We have some information on the City G.I.S. and they are working off 1965 maps of the sewers that are often inaccurate at this point. * Citizen estimate - $16M worth of property damage in the Triangle area * FEMA Flood maps show Blue areas for "100 year flood levels" and Brown areas for "500 year flood levels" (see picture) Citizen is concerned being in "flood area" will signigicantly lower property values * Andrew Hughes had research and comments about the ground water levels * House at 722 Marquette was "Ground Zero" for flooding * They are concerned the water is coming down the hill from 933 and into the neighborhood. Backside of Angela is flowing into the alley. Eric Horvath answer: We are looking at how the installation of the "Coal Line Trail" could possibly divert and help the situation. * Citizens were frustrated at the lack of helpful information early on - days later was "too late". They also didn't like the "nasty letter" they got from the Building Department saying they had to have their furnaces working within 9 days. * Citizens couldn't watch the news for details with no electricity and bailing out their homes with 36" of sewage in their basement * A former Councilman and Chair of the Board of Works says he worries the Eddy Street Commons area is overloading the Triangle area MICHIANA OBSERVER SUGGESTIONS: Provide the Citizens with the following in an emergency situation: * Phone charging Stations * Bring in Portable WiFi * Provide generators to help keep sump pumps running * Port-O-Potty for residents to use since homes are flooded * Bring in heavy duty sump pumps since small home ones burned out * Bring in sewer trucks to pump out basements and dump in another area away from the flooded area * Provide cases of "Mold Control" and organize local volunteers to help clean * Get out a list of resources on paper as soon as possible since people didn't have power * Have other City employees chip in to take calls and distribute forms to residents * Worry about parks later and put residents FIRST #MichianaObserver #MySouthBend |
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