Amending Ch 2, Article 4, Section 2-13 of the South Bend Municipal Code listing City Executive Departments

Home Browse Search

ORDINANCE NO. I AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 4, SECTION 2 -13 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE LISTING CITY EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS TO ADD THE INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT, AND TO REORGANIZE THE PUBLIC PARKS DEPARTMENT UNDER A NEW, EXPANDED DEPARTMENT STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT The nine current Executive Departments of the City of South Bend are listed in South Bend Municipal Code at Chapter 2, Article 4, Section 2 -13 (A), and their administrative functions are listed at Section 2 -13 (B) (7) (a) through (f) of that Chapter and Article. These are the same executive departments authorized by Ind. Code Sec. 36 -4 -9 -4 (c). Indiana law further provides that upon recommendation of the city executive, the city legislative body by ordinance may establish executive departments "necessary to efficiently perform the administrative functions required to fulfill the needs of the city's citizens." I.C. Sec. 36- 4- 9 -4(b). This grant of authority is further supported by Indiana's Home Rule Act (I.C. 36 -1- 3 et seq.) which specifically provides that "Any doubt as to the existence of the power of a unit shall be resolved in favor of its existence." I.C. 36- 1 -3 -3. This ordinance provides for two new City Departments, the first to be known as the Venues, Parks, and Arts Department, and the second as the Innovation and Technology Department. The Venues, Parks, and Arts Department is intended to streamline administrative tasks and improve delivery of services to South Bend's citizens for those City programs, services and activities falling within the category of "quality of place" by creating a single department reporting structure and support system. This departmental restructuring also reflects executive policy for a comprehensive approach to improving the quality of public spaces within South Bend. The programs, services and activities affected by this Department change include those of the Parks Department as presently existing and constituted, and other similar but technically separate ones such as the Morris Performing Arts Center/Palais Royale, the Century Center, the City's parking garages, its streetscapes and decor, its major or special events, and the marketing and development of the City as a place and destination for arts and entertainment. It is envisioned that reorganization into a single department will unify related City resources for the purpose of improving quality of South Bend's public places. The new Venues, Parks, and Arts Department replaces the "Public Parks Department" as now designated in the South Bend Municipal Code at Chapter 2, Article 4, Section 2 -13 (A) (6). However, the Park (or Public Parks) Department will continue to exist within the Venues Arts & Parks Department as its own separate entity and fully subject to all the rules, regulations and