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<br />REGULAR MEETING
<br />MARCH 14, 1994
<br />The regular meeting of the Board of Public Works was convened at
<br />9:33 a.m. on Monday, March 14, 1994, by Board President John E.
<br />Leszczynski, with Mr. Leszczynski, Mr. James R. Caldwell and Mrs.
<br />Jenny Pitts Manier present. Also present was Assistant City
<br />Attorney Anne Bruneel.
<br />APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
<br />Upon a motion made by Mr. Caldwell, seconded by Mrs. Manier and
<br />carried, the minutes of the regular meeting of the Board held on
<br />March 7, 1994, were approved as submitted.
<br />PUBLIC HEARING TABLED
<br />TRANSIENT MERCHANTS LICENSE - SHARON DRYBROUGH, TRANEX CAR SALES,
<br />INC., D/B/A VAL CAR RENTAL SALES
<br />Mr. Leszczynski advised that this was the date set for the Board's
<br />Public Hearing regarding the application for a Transient Merchants
<br />license for Sharon H. Drybrough, Tranex Car Sales, Inc., d/b/a
<br />Va1Car Rental Car Sales, 5314 West 38th Street, Indianapolis,
<br />Indiana. It is noted that Ms. Drybrough has applied for this
<br />license in order to conduct a used vehicle sale on Wednesday,
<br />April 13, 1994 through Friday, April 15, 1994 from 9:00 a.m. to
<br />9:00 p.m. and on Saturday, April 16, 1994, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00
<br />p.m. in the K-Mart parking lot, 4640 South Michigan Street, South
<br />Bend, Indiana.
<br />The Board was informed that Ms. Drybrough telephoned and advised
<br />that she is in route from Indianapolis to attend this hearing.
<br />Mr. Craig Kapson, 1401 Olivia Circle, South Bend, Indiana,
<br />representing Jordan Ford, 609 East Jefferson Boulevard, Mishawaka,
<br />Indiana, was present and informed the Board that he is against the
<br />proposal to allow this company to conduct a used car sale in the
<br />City. Mr. Kapson stated that the City is setting a precedent in
<br />not protecting the citizens. He noted that the purchase of an
<br />automobile is the second largest purchase a person makes. He
<br />believes that the Board needs to look at this issue and realize
<br />that granting this license does nothing to protect the citizens
<br />and there is nothing to take care of them after they have made
<br />their purchase. When the vehicle is out of warranty, individuals
<br />then go to their local dealers for service. Mr. Kapson further
<br />stated that he believes the Board must look at what protection is
<br />being provided to the local citizen and what service is being
<br />offered to the community.
<br />Mr. Bill Gates, 21855 Roosevelt Road, South Bend, Indiana,
<br />representing Gates Chevrolet Corporation, 401 South Lafayette
<br />Boulevard, South Bend, Indiana, stated that, on behalf of the New
<br />Car Association, he is in agreement with Mr. Kapson's statements.
<br />Mr. Gates stated that on December 9, 1993, Mr. Van E. Gates,
<br />President and Owner of three (3) dealerships sent a letter to Mr.
<br />Leszczynski concerning this issue.
<br />Mr. Bill Gates read to members of the Board the December 9, 1993,
<br />letter from Van E. Gates to Mr. Leszczynski. The letter stated
<br />that they are concerned about the number of Budget Car Sales
<br />conducted in South Bend by an Indianapolis firm. Mr. Van Gates
<br />stated that in the car business they expect and welcome
<br />competition. There are approximately sixteen (16) new car dealer
<br />locations in South Bend/Mishawaka. The phone book lists ninety-
<br />four (94) places to buy used cars in South Bend/Mishawaka. These
<br />new and used car outlets are established dealers paying taxes and
<br />providing a permanent facility for after sale customer service.
<br />What they are concerned about, are these "gypsy" sales like Budget
<br />where they come to town and rent an open lot for two (2) days to
<br />sell cars. This merchandising provides the customer with no
<br />facility for service or parts. Once the car is purchased the
<br />seller is gone. They pay no taxes, contribute nothing to the
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