College Cultural group discusses landlord-tenant, senior center issues

The College Cultural Neighborhood Association Jan. 19 discussed landlord-tenant issues, Pierce Park Senior Center and the city's new emergency manager.

Stephany Diana, chairperson of the newly formed rental committee, told members that the committee recently came up with several goals.

"Our initial approach will be a positive one," Diana said. "We're encouraging both tenants and landlords to become active in the neighborhood association. We are also putting together a tool kit for block captains so they can go to one place for all the information they may need to determine if the property is rental. Information in the tool kit will indicate the rights of the tenants and the responsibilities of the landlord."

"A marketing campaign is also in the works to provide tenants and landlords with reasons why we love our neighborhood," Diana continued.

Diana said the committee will soon have a comprehensive map of the area provided by the Genesee County Land Bank showing which properties are owner-occupied — information that helps when there is a blight violation.

Geoffrey Neithercut said rentals are favored to home ownership in today's economy. He said the Flint City Council should provide a one-year tax abatement to anyone who buys a home in the city and lives in it for a year.

Jack Minore said he was concerned by the number of homes for sale that have been vandalized. He said taking down window blinds in a vacant home is an invitation for vandals to come in and strip the plumbing.

Councilman Josh Freeman (Ward 4) told the group the city's blight officers were recently laid off. He recommended landlords that are seeking good tenants should consider joining the Genesee Landlord Association because the group promotes responsible landlords practices.

Freeman also announced Emergency Financial Manager Michael Brown will be at a community meeting at the Flint Public Library from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 7. Freeman said it is an opportunity to meet the manager, get information on the city's finances and get an overview of the comprehensive financial and operating plan that was submitted to the state. People will have an opportunity to ask questions. Councilman Dale Weighill (Ward 7) will be the host of the event.

Asked what the current role of the councilmen is, Freeman said the emergency manager meets with council and asks for input and ideas.

"Mike has done a good job reaching out to the community," Freeman added.

Joe Tolbert told the group that he's very concerned with what's happening at the Pierce Senior Center.

"It's the only senior center in the city where people feel comfortable leaving their vehicles in the parking lot, but it is being mismanaged. We pay taxes for it and it's starting to fall apart. No one takes care of it or cleans the bathrooms. For the last four months I have been cleaning the building and keeping a journal of what I've been doing. I have contacted the city's parks and recreation department and have had no response. The budget was cut from $120,000 to $80,000, but there are no working telephones, no janitorial service," Tolbert said.

Caroline Glasscock, president of the senior advisory board of Pierce Senior Center, agreed with Tolbert's assessment of the situation and asked for the association's help in resolving the problems.

"We're up against a brick wall," Glasscock said.

Neithercut said that if the association has an interest in the place they should defend it. He moved to invite Patrick Gerace, the parks and recreation director, the director of the senior center and the emergency manager Brown, to the next association meeting to explain the situation and answer questions. The motion passed unanimously.

David Caswell spoke to the group about neighborhood watch issues. He said his group — the Citzizens Nuisance Task Force — will be in court Jan. 23 watching in Circuit Court Judge Judith Fullerton's courtroom when the men who plead guilty to arson will be sentenced. The men were responsible for several arsons on the East Side.

Caswell also recommended the group continually update their new members on the Code Red crime reporting system that is being used throughout the city as eyes and ears for the Flint Police Deoartment.

"You need to know how to use it effectively. It's a great crime fighting tool," Caswell said.

In other matters, Mike Keeler said the recycling trailer would be in the rear parking lot of Woodside Church Feb. 11 to Feb. 12. The trailer is scheduled to be there every second and fourth weekend of the month during 2012.

The group will meet next at 7 p.m. March 15 at MCC's RTC Auditorium, room 1005.