12-14-15 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 14, 2015 Jessie Davis, P.O. Box 10205, South Bend Indiana, spoke in favor of the bill. He stated he is one of those people who have brought the Council numerous names of people who have left city employment and left to work with people who did have deals with companies. He stated a lot of the people who have been brought to your attention have been working with the City. He gave the examples of Mark Neil who left here, Chief Teachman, and the former street commissioner. He stated you have had numerous state and federal investigations and rumors about millions and millions of dollars. He stated if the Council doesn't vote unanimously he can guarantee he will keep at them. He stated the Council should pass it and tweak it like they do every other ordinance. David Frank, 50520 Burton Wood, stated Jessie Davis has done a great job but this keeps getting glossed over. Mr. Frank stated we need something in this community that has some teeth. He stated the Council is responsible for three- hundred million dollars but if we have a conflict of interest it erodes the public confidence. He stated what Henry Davis Jr. is bringing makes a lot of sense. Charles Hayes, 1135 Quidly Blvd, stated he has been working with the Council and other government agencies for years and years and believes they are pillars of integrity. He stated this would only be another layer of bureaucracy. He stated maybe there should be a potential discussion but there has currently been no accusation of any wrong doing regarding the people earlier mentioned. Mr. Hayes stated the Council should not support this. Councilmember Davis Jr. stated he doesn't want to get into a conversation of who is wrong and who done it. He stated he is interested in closing loopholes and how these things are getting applied to taxpayers. Mr. Davis stated he did not give the South Bend Tribune the examples of Neal and Teachman. He stated we need a more responsible government and to become more responsible to the City's tax dollars. Councilmember Dr. Ferlic made a motion to send the bill with an unfavorable recommendation to full Council. Councilmember Scott seconded the motion which carried by a roll call vote of six (6) ayes and three (3) nays ( Councilmember Henry Davis Jr., Councilmember Oliver Davis, and Councilmember Derek Dieter). BILL NO. 78 -15 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING CHAPTER 6, ARTICLE 4, SECTION 6 -10 (d) (2) OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE ADDRESSING PLUMBING EXCAVATOR FEES CHARGED BY THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT Councilmember Scott made a motion to continue this bill until the January 11, 2016 meeting of the Council. Councilmember Ferlic seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. BILL NO. 75 -15 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, FOR BUDGET TRANSFERS FOR VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA FOR THE YEAR 2015 Councilmember White, Committee Chair, reported the Personnel Finance Committee met and it was the consensus of the Committee to send this bill to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. John Murphy, City Controller with offices in the County City Building, made the presentation for this bill. He stated it has been the custom over the past few years to have quarterly budget transfers and additional appropriations in March, June, September, and December. He reported this is not additional money being appropriated, only transfers.