10-12-09 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETINGOCTOBER 12, 2009 ADDITIONAL REVENUE BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE COSTS THEREOF, THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES IN ANTICIPATION OF THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF SUCH BONDS AND THE COLLECTION, SEGREGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE REVENUES OF SUCH SEWAGE WORKS AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS” This bill had first reading. Councilmember Rouse made a motion to refer this bill to the Utilities Committee and set it for Public Hearing and Third Reading on October 26, 2009. Councilmember White seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business to come before the Council at this time. NEW BUSINESS Councilmember Henry Davis asked if the employees at the various City Recreation Centers are trained in CPR. Councilmember Karen White, Chairperson, Health and Public Safety Committee stated that she would schedule a committee meeting to address this concern. Councilmember Rouse advised that he is the Council’s representative on the St. Joseph County Solid Waste Board. He announced that Director Mark Mehall has resigned to take another job and that Randy Przybysz has been appointed the new Director and will start on October 22, 2009. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR COMMENTS REGARDING VACANT AND ABANDONED HOMES IN THE RUM VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD Ms. Kay Blower, 1723 Kemble Avenue, South Bend, Indiana, advised that she lives in the Rum Village Neighborhood and is here tonight to request that the South Bend Common Council, Health and Public Safety Committee and the Residential Neighborhoods Committee revisit the Registration and Maintenance of Vacant and Abandoned Buildings, Ordinance No. 9802-07. She stated that many residents of the Rum Village Neighborhood are requesting that the City of South Bend, Code Enforcement enforce the Vacant and Abandoned Buildings Ordinance. She stated that she sees this ordinance as a positive means to address the issue of vacant and abandon buildings in the Rum Village Neighborhood. She stated that the residents fear that unless this ordinance is enforced the area will continue to decline. She stated that she lives in the 1700 block of Kemble Avenue. She stated that in the year 2000 there were two (2) vacant homes on Kemble from Indiana Avenue to Ewing Avenue. She stated that as of today there are eleven (11) homes vacant and two (2) that are boarded up. She stated that her street is a mixture of residential homes, rental units, the vacant Oliver School site, businesses and the National Guard Armory. She stated that the residents of Rum Village believe that the owners of the vacant and abandoned buildings should be held accountable for the physical condition of their buildings and property. She stated that she is sure that the Council if fully aware of the adverse affects these vacant homes have on property values, let alone discussing the health and safety issues. She stated that in 1997 residents Patti and Bob Huettl had their home appraised at $65,000 to $70,000, today, if they could sell, they would be fortunate to sell at $25,000 to $30,000. She stated that the residents of the Rum Village Neighborhood fear the continued decline in property values 16