Virtual residents' assembly 2020

Please note:

Some answers from the residents' meeting are outdated due to the current developments of the corona pandemic and are no longer listed here.

> Current information on the corona pandemic in Chemnitz

How are integration assistants, school travelling assistants and school escorts already approved in Chemnitz being deployed during school closures?

BGM Ralph Burghart: This issue is part of a package created by the City of Chemnitz in the social sector in order to provide the planned level of funding. Where staff cannot currently be deployed, the organisations can also deploy this staff where there is currently more work to be done, especially due to coronavirus.


There are eyesores in the city area such as the "snow plough", the "cannonball house" or half of the ruins on Zschopauer Straße out of town.
What can be done here?

BGM Michael Stötzer: The ownership status is decisive for the city's ability to exert influence. Owners can decide for themselves within the framework of the existing regulations. Only if public safety is jeopardised can the City of Chemnitz intervene and order measures or carry out substitute performance. The city is in contact with the affected owners, provides support and arranges funding if necessary. Many eyesores have been remedied in the past. Specifically, a demolition order is planned for the snow plough house and the process is already underway.

The cannonball house is a listed building and the city is in contact with the owner.

The ruins on Zschopauer Straße currently pose no threat to the public area. However, the administration is in constant contact with the owner. Efforts are being made to sell the property, which will make demolition necessary. A specific date is not yet known.


Why is the dog tax not being used to install more dog areas and bag dispensers?

BGM Sven Schulze: Tax revenue is not earmarked for a specific purpose, but flows into the overall budget. Trade tax, for example, is not only used for business development. The overall budget is used for a variety of measures, including expenditure on dog meadows and bag dispensers.


Is there a threat of a budget freeze for Chemnitz and what impact will this have?

BGM Sven Schulze: The decision has currently been made not to impose a budget freeze for the city of Chemnitz. As the City of Chemnitz, we are aware of our responsibility for organisations, associations and small businesses and want to offer stability. Even if the revenue side is anything but good at the moment and there is additional expenditure. It will therefore be important for the federal and state governments to provide support.


What can be done about litter in the urban area? Are volunteer clean-up campaigns supported?

BGM Miko Runkel: There is no illegal rubbish dumping in public spaces. But it does sometimes occur in private areas. In order to bring about a change, the city council contacts the owners.

At the end of March/beginning of April, there is a regular public spring clean for a month, coordinated by the ASR. The golden broom campaign is unfortunately cancelled this year due to coronavirus.

Citizens who would like to get involved in keeping the city clean have the opportunity to do so in organised exceptional cases. Please be sure to coordinate this with the ASR in advance, as the staff here are also working in accordance with the infection protection regulations due to the corona crisis.

Contact details:
ASR Chemnitz Customer Service
Phone: 40099 777
Mail: Kundenservice(at)ASR-Chemnitz.de


How is the city planning to organise alternatives to the Kosmonaut Festival in order to keep young people in Chemnitz and boost the local economy through tourism, etc.?

Sören Uhle, GF CWE: Last year, a new format was created with KOSMOS Chemnitz. Many people were involved. This is to be continued. Unfortunately, it is currently questionable how the event industry will develop. The CWE believes that a KOSMOS will take place again next year.


Why are there hardly any 30 km/h zones in densely built-up residential areas? For example, Hainstraße between Fürstenstraße and Palmstraße

BGM Michael Stötzer: There are many designated 30 km/h zones in the city of Chemnitz. The StVO generally stipulates a recommended speed of 50 km/h. There are reasons for setting a speed limit of 30 km/h, such as an increased risk of accidents. This is examined by the city together with the higher traffic authority.

The city of Chemnitz will look at this section again, in particular as part of the re-planning of Dresdner Straße. However, it must also be taken into account that there is public transport traffic in this area.


How is compliance with the speed limit in the 30 km/h zones ensured?

BGM Miko Runkel: Mobile traffic monitoring was restricted due to the coronavirus situation, but it is back on duty and preferably monitors routes with hazardous situations, accident blackspots, near schools and daycare centres, but also in residential areas with 30 km/h zones.


Why is organic waste not used to generate energy in Chemnitz? Why is the residual waste not utilised in the Chemnitz power plant but in Lusatia?

BGM Miko Runkel: The city council decided in 2003 that organic waste should be utilised in Chemnitz. A bio-digestion plant on Fischweg was planned for this purpose. However, the project was rejected and new sites are being sought. There is currently no new project idea, but the City of Chemnitz is continuing to work on it.

The decision on the use of residual waste cannot be made by the City of Chemnitz alone, but is made by the Waste Management Association, of which the City of Chemnitz is a member. Until 31 May 2020, incineration will take place in Lusatia; from June, this will take place in Saxony-Anhalt/Zorbau, as there was a new tender. Energy recovery from residual waste is planned for the Chemnitz CHP plant in future.


Are there plans for the construction of photovoltaic or wind power plants in the north of Chemnitz?

No major new commercial projects are currently known in Borna-Heinersdorf and Draisdorf. Furthermore, any private individual can install solar and photovoltaic systems on their roof. There are currently no plans for wind turbines in Chemnitz.


Can more be done at Schönherrteich and Schönherrpark?

BGM Michael Stötzer: That would be very desirable, as it is a very beautiful site. The pond is silted up and almost dry. Support from the fire brigade has been provided and has enabled the population of frogs and amphibians. A competition is to be organised again and there are initial sponsorship intentions.


The Brühl will no longer be a redevelopment area in the future, but will there still be redevelopments?

Mayor Barbara Ludwig and Mayor Michael Stötzer: There can still be redevelopment measures. Subsidies are only one funding instrument in the redevelopment area. The city will support further redevelopment measures.

In the past, there were differing opinions on the use of catering and entertainment facilities. There were plans to hold talks with the stakeholders on the Brühl. These have not yet taken place, but will be rescheduled. There is an attempt to create further facilitation through building regulations.


Does the City of Chemnitz support the Chemnitz food bank?

BGM Ralph Burghart: There is no municipal funding, but there is close communication. A big compliment to the operators for being able to maintain the service even in these times. The city of Chemnitz provides support in arranging sponsors and contacts with the authorities.


What is the status of the long-distance railway line to Leipzig?

Now that the expansion of the line has finally been included in the Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan, the Coal Phase-out Act provides funding for the line. Deutsche Bahn AG is currently planning the expansion in a shortened procedure. Construction could start in 2022 if the law is finalised. As the connection to Leipzig cannot be cut, construction is expected to take until 2028. The aim is to provide a high-performance connection to Leipzig and an ICE connection.

Hopefully, Chemnitz will also become the Capital of Culture in 2025. Visitors need to come to Chemnitz for this. One option for this may be the intercity connection Rostock, Berlin, Dresden. But the route to Prague/Airport is also an option with a bus connection. The major projects department of Deutsche Bahn AG is overseeing the project and public events are also being organised. Information on this will also be provided by the City of Chemnitz.


Why are the current figures on people with an asylum-related background no longer published on the City of Chemnitz website?

Mayor Barbara Ludwig: The current figures on people with an asylum-related background will continue to be updated monthly on chemnitz.de and can be viewed there. There is currently only a slight change in the figures. There are only a few new admissions to the initial reception centre and a manageable number of people moving in and out.


Are there plans for further routes between Altendorf-Ost and Kaßberg?

BGM Michael Stötzer: The path link from Erzberger Straße to Horst-Menzel-Straße is to be realised. Land acquisition is required for this and coordination is already underway. A plan has been drawn up and should be realised quickly.


Has the volume of household waste increased? Are there bottlenecks at the ASR?

BGM Miko Runkel: The current quantities of residual waste have not yet been analysed. However, there was a bottleneck elsewhere in the waste management association: the power plant capacities for residual waste incineration were shut down and interim storage had to be found. In principle, it is possible for every owner and landlord to adjust their own bin size or collection cycle for household waste if required. The recycling centres of the city of Chemnitz were always open.


Is Chemnitz planning to reallocate car lanes for cycle traffic, as in Berlin?

BGM Michael Stötzer: This is not planned in the current corona period, but is being considered in connection with the traffic development plan and the possible establishment of cycle lanes.

Hospital operations with the switch to emergency operation have not been easy in recent weeks. This applies to all clinics in the city. How have the measures been received and supported?

Prof Michael Schweizer, Head of Chemnitz Hospital: At the beginning of the pandemic, there was no local experience of the virus. But the known extent in neighbouring countries was enormous. Therefore, capacities for intensive care were created. All the measures taken were sensible. For example, a register was created for beds with intensive medical care. Normal emergency care is being kept out of these specialised areas. Staff tests are carried out and patients with treatments that cannot be postponed are also cared for.

Medical and nursing resources have been created. It is currently unclear what will happen next. Existing overcapacity can be quickly activated if necessary. In principle, it is considered possible to ramp up other medical measures. However, a further increase in numbers is expected.


On Wednesday, 22 April 2020, the drive-in cinema opened in the car park at the trade fair and will show films every day until Thursday, 25 June. You were there yourself, Mr Burghart, can you recommend it for the coming period? What happens next?

BGM Ralph Burghart: The drive-in cinema with children was a great experience for an evening out with the family. The car park was full and tickets can only be purchased online. The operators are a cooperation between the Schlingel film festival, Kino Metropol and Clubkino Siegmar together with the C³ Chemnitzer Veranstaltungszentren.