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patrols, such as the street crime unit, while the fire department is proposing to replace <br />two outdated firehouses. Plans are to construct new fire stations to replace Station No. 5, <br />at 2221 Prairie Ave., and Station No. 8, at 2402 Twyckenham Drive. Other capital <br />projects will be proposed for parks and economic development. <br /> <br />Citywide construction efforts include the completion of Northside Trail to the eastern city <br />limits and surpassing the 50-mile mark for bicycle lanes and routes. These initiatives <br />fulfill goals set by Luecke in his 2007 State of the City address. <br /> <br />Code Enforcement will continue demolition of abandoned and vacant houses and update <br />its count of the number of vacant structures in South Bend. Since beginning demolition <br />efforts in mid-2007, the City will have demolished more than 500 vacant structures <br />through the end of 2010. <br /> <br />City crews will continue to gain efficiency in 2011 through: <br /> <br />?Reduced electrical consumption thanks to upgrades at the Wastewater Treatment <br />Plant. <br /> <br />?Saving overtime costs in public safety by operating at full strength. <br /> <br />?The addition of a pilot City concrete crew, focused on improving curbs and <br />sidewalks. <br /> <br />?Adding wing plows to City trucks to improve snow-plowing efficiency. <br /> <br />?Continuing to install automated meter reading equipment for City water. <br /> <br />“I’m proud of the work our City staff has done to provide a high level of service while <br />reducing costs,” Luecke said. “Our careful budgeting has put us in the position, with the <br />support of the Council, to make strategic investments to improve our economic <br />opportunity and quality of life in South Bend.” <br /> <br />Here is the schedule of budget hearings before the Common Council: <br /> <br />?4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 16 – Budget overview and Council priorities. <br /> <br />?5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19 – Administration and Finance, Century Center, Hall of <br />Fame, Mayor, Legal, Clerk/Council. <br /> <br />?5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24 – Code Enforcement, Parks and Recreation. <br /> <br />?3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25 – Public Works. <br /> <br />?3:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 30 – Community and Economic Development, Building <br />Department, Morris/Palais. <br /> <br />?3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1 – Police, Fire/EMS. <br /> <br /># # # <br />