09-28-09 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 28, 2009 Councilmember Dieter made a motion to continue this bill until the September 30, 2009, Special Meeting of the Council. Councilmember White seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. BILL NO. 72-09 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 1, SECTION 2-10 (i) (3) OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADDING ADDITIONAL POWERS AND DUTIES FOR THE COUNCIL’S COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr., Chairperson, Community Relations Committee, reported that this committee met this afternoon and voted to send it to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr., made the presentation for this bill. He advised that as Chairperson of the Common Council’s Community Relations Committee he sponsored this bill to propose new language in the South Bend Municipal Code to create a mechanism for better public dialogue between members of the South Bend Common Council, the South Bend Community School Superintendent, School Trustees of the South Bend Community School Corporation and their committees and or representatives as well as with other non-public school official operating schools within the City of South Bend. He stated that this bill would provide opportunities for semi-annual public meetings and provide brainstorming among public officials representing their respective governmental, public and private educators and the public, and would be a positive step forward for the City of South Bend. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Councilmember White advised that she is in full support of this bill. She stated that as a former School Board member this bill allows the promotion of open dialogue, which could result in more innovative and collaborative policies aimed at positively working to bridge the perceived disconnect between the public school system and local government. Councilmember Puzzello stated that as a former School Teacher in the South Bend Community School Corporation she is in favor of partnering with all entities to create connections between them. She stated that by creating those connections between cities and schools, it helps foster a collaborative environment for public schools, local government, community leaders and neighborhood organizations and residents to help achieve goals in which promote quality educational practices. There being no one else present wishing to speak to the Council either in favor of or in opposition to this bill, Councilmember Dieter made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning this bill. Councilmember Oliver Davis seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. BILL NO. 73-09 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPROPRIATING $360,000.00 OF GRANT FUNDS FROM THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WITHIN FUND 209 FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN-UP OF BROWNFIELD SITES WITHIN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND 7