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Councilmember Davis stated,I appreciate we have to get this done by the end of the year. But this <br /> came in the 91h inning of the game during the budget process. We were promised we had time for <br /> this and I was not aware that we had all this discussed and explained. I would at least appreciate <br /> deliberating this in a separate meeting. I think these are legitimate questions. It is not just budget <br /> but it is ownership. We are the ones that have to go before the people, not you, except the Mayor, <br /> with all due respect to your service. We asked this question during budget time. <br /> Mr. Mueller replied,With all due respect,this was on first reading last meeting and it is only today <br /> that these questions are coming. <br /> Councilmember Davis interrupted, That's because that's how the process works. This is not late <br /> at all, we don't have any questions during first reading. This is the first time we have dealt with <br /> this bill. <br /> Councilmember Broden stated, I have been fair in addressing any questions in advance in most <br /> issues. <br /> Councilmember Davis interjected, I was fair. <br /> Councilmember Broden stated, I think if we have the time, we need to punch the clock with the <br /> other bodies. We need a separate meeting with the other bodies on this. <br /> Committee Chair Ferlic then opened the floor to members of the public wishing to speak in favor <br /> of or in opposition to the legislation. <br /> Joseph Molnar, 1430 Longfellow Avenue, stated, I am speaking as one (1) of the Historic <br /> Preservation Commissioners. I think the quality of service that the staff will be able to provide to <br /> residents both in the County and the City will be greatly increased with this move. I don't think <br /> the County had the finances or desire to support the Commission to the extent of what it could <br /> have been. There are a lot of initiatives that have not been financially feasible being part of the <br /> County that will now be made possible being in the Department of Community Investment. <br /> Jim Bognar, 807 W.Washington Street,stated,This started as an issue of finances with the County. <br /> For close to forty (40) years the County has carried the City. Over ninety percent (90%) of the <br /> work was getting done on City properties. It is actually just Historic Preservation you are <br /> undertaking whereas the Commission will still be there. When it was originally formulated and set <br /> up,the reason why it was set up the way it was is for the unincorporated parts of St.Joseph County <br /> and South Bend. The person usually elected is an architect that came in to make comments on <br /> what was happening. This whole thing was going to be eliminated by the County because they did <br /> not have the funding. There is a tremendous upswing towards taking this on. While there have <br /> been some points made, this agreement transfers it over as is and amending it as you go along. <br /> That may not be palatable to all of you,but there are also State legal concerns for all of this. Right <br /> now there is a tax bill in our State House of Representatives that actually eliminates Historic <br /> Preservation credits completely. The Senate has it but is changing the way the credits are. Coming <br /> into the Department of Community Investment enables the Historic Preservation to immediately <br /> 4 <br />