The Cleveland Neighborhood Development Coalition (CNDC) hosted an open Housing Committee meeting on June 27, 2006.  Members of Cleveland City Council, other Cleveland neighborhood development groups and Safeguard Properties were invited to attend.

Guest speaker Frank Ford (VP of Research & Development for Neighborhood Progress) presented a report on vacant property data that was prepared by various community development groups.  Mr. Ford stressed the importantance of organization in the reporting and tracking of property data. New software has been implemented to assist in tracking vacant property data. Due to increased cooperation between the two entities, the City of Cleveland will share this information the neighborhood groups.  Mr. Ford also advised that the Cleveland City Council will be sponsoring research on property acquisition within the next 6 months.  The purpose of this initiative is to educate the neighborhood development groups on how to conduct the proper research to determine the owner of vacant/abandoned properties.  These community groups would then purchase, renovate and sell these properties. 

One of the neighborhood groups discussed recent issues with their particular City inspector.  Tyrone Johnson (Code Enforcement Commissioner) has previously been able to assist in resolving issues with individual inspectors.

Ed Rybka (Assistant Director, City Planning Commissioner) has been invited to CNDC's next meeting on 09/27/06.  Mary Helen Petrus of the CNDC will also contact Tyrone Johnson and the Law Department for their availability to attend the next meeting.
 
Councilwoman Sabra Pierce Scott (Ward 8) the Majority Leader of the Cleveland City Council, as well as Chairwoman of the Community & Economic Development Committee discussed the challenges the City Council routinely face. Councilwoman Scott is optimistic on working with the present administration, led by Mayor Frank Jackson to overcome these challenges. 

Steve Meyer, Safeguard Properties Inc. High Risk Manager and J Schwegel High Risk Specialist followed with a brief review of Safeguard, its' clients, and Safeguard's role in securing and maintaining vacant properties.  Safeguard's presentation focused on assisting local municipalities with vacant/abandoned properties.  Attendees were urged to forward zip code lists in Excel format (with address in one column and the zip in the other) to J Schwegel's attention j.schwegel@safeguardproperties.com.  Safeguard cross-references these lists with its database and works with the municipalities to contact servicers whose properties appear on the list(s).

Toni Jones of Bellaire/Puritas Neighborhood group supported Safeguard's work with her team.  Others commended Safeguard as the preeminent organization in regards to expedisiously responding to their calls and getting the properties cleaned and secured.