02-12-18 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING February 12, 2018 This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Pat Kennedy, Owner of Lee Insurance Group with offices at 331 S. Eddy Street, South Bend, IN, stated, We have been there since 1975 as Western Avenue has been the east-west thoroughfare for that entire period of time. This past summer the gate was put up. I initially inquired about the gate but was told it was being closed by someone doing work. I rise in opposition to this for a couple different reasons. We have a very unique situation there because Western Avenue became a street but is an unincorporated street. There are three (3) owners of land that include Western Avenue. We have a situation now that all that traffic is now turning around in my parking lot. There is also the issue of leaving the residents on Parry Street of having no way out of their neighborhood except either on Eddy Street or by using an alley. My staff has used Western as it is the safest route to leave work. My proposal is that the entire street should be closed if this goes through. However my true position is that it should remain open. Mr. Ballard replied, I would encourage Mr. Kennedy to get with the City's Engineering Department and see what else can happen. They have already approved this action. Mr. Henry replied, I am glad to talk with Mr. Kennedy but Western Avenue is already closed. I didn't do it,the City did. If his employees are going through there now,they are technically going through private property. I was told to take this avenue as a formality that Public Works asked me to do. James Mueller, Executive Director of Community Investment with offices on the 14th floor of the County-City Building, South Bend, IN, stated, A couple months ago we did the rezoning of a nearby parcel and at that time I believe a few Councilmembers toured that site. The parcels here are very irregular. This used to be a railroad line that was abandoned. This is a mess. We have already closed off the road. Fixing this requires having to do something with someone's private property.There are a few options but this is a mess.We think this is the best solution at the moment. Councilmember Karen White stated, It was mentioned this is a mess and I agree. How can we, as a City, address this issue? Mr. Mueller replied, There are a few options but they all involve acquiring property that is currently owned by private owners. We have talked with Mr. Henry at various times about potentially relocating. That would certainly open up a lot of potential solutions. Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston asked, Did we consider closing the entirety of Western Avenue? Mr. Mueller replied, Well it is already technically closed but if we cut off access, that would adversely affect a lot of the neighbors. Vice President Oliver Davis encouraged Mr. Henry to speak with Mr. Kennedy and the City to further work on overcoming the issues to this situation. Councilmember Tim Scott made a motion to send Bill No. 06-18 to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember John Voorde seconded this motion which carried unanimously by a voice vote of seven (7) ayes. Councilmember John Voorde made a motion to hear Bill Nos. 11-18 and 12-18 together for purposes of public hearing. Councilmember Tim Scott seconded this motion which carried unanimously by a voice vote of seven (7) ayes. I1-18 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 10499-17 AND ORDINANCE NO. 10529-17 RELATING TO THE APPROPRIATIONS AND TAX RATES FOR THE 12