08-23-10 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 23, 2010 Catherine Pittman, 2628 Summit Ridge Drive, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she is here tonight to talk about the continuance of Bill No. 30-10. She stated that after watching the Council tonight she realized that the Council is very skilled in scheduling the bills before the Council for public hearing and third reading. She asked if the Council could make an effort to schedule Bill No. 30-10 for a vote. Ms. Pittman stated that she realized that the Council has a lot on their plates for the remainder of August and September. She asked if someone could contact her so she could pass it on to other people because many people in the community want to know when it is going to come up for a vote. She stated that is all that is left is the vote on this bill and encouraged the Council to schedule Bill 30-10 for a vote. NDTH COMMENTS REGARDING 2 & 6 DISTRICTS Gayle Brodie, 114 S. Lake, South Bend, Indiana, President LaSalle Park Neighborhood Association, which includes the Oliver Gateway and the Westside and have joined together to form the Southwest Side Alliance. She stated that through Weed & Seed efforts they all discovered that there were fighting the same battles and decided to unite. ndth She stated that this area covers the 2 and 6 District’s of the City and they feel that their voices are not being heard. She appealed to the Council to take a serious look at this area and to work with the neighborhoods to improve living conditions, visual surrounding and do what ever is necessary to encourage businesses to come to the area. She stated that she has lived in her home for 53 years and has seen the good, the bad and the ugly. She stated that she retired with her home paid for and planned to spend the rest of her life there. She stated that now if she could pick up her home and move to another city she would. Her property value has decreased because of the surroundings so selling is not an option. She stated that there are no conveniences for those that have worked hard and contributed to the tax base. East side residents have the convenience of shopping on Grape Road. North side residents have the convenience of shopping on Portage and Cleveland Roads and those on the South Side of town have Ireland Road, those living west of Chapin Street have nothing. She stated that they do however have their more than their share of public and low income housing. She stated that problems with small businesses on Western Avenue along with the numerous car repair and dealerships. She stated that they also have more drug dealings because of the aforementioned businesses and at no fault of theirs. Police patrols are few and far between. Contrary to what other residents think they are not all thieves, drug addicts and law breakers. Ms. Brodie stated that they are strong residents who are law abiding citizens, who own their homes and contribute positively to society. Any time that a crime is committed on the west side the South Bend Tribune and newscasters make sure to report that it happened on the “West Side” , any time a crime is on the other side of town, if you don’t know the street then you don’t know where it occurred. She stated that they have met with the Mayor and all departments heads individually and together and get more excuses than solutions. She stated that she picked up the paper and read all the commitments that the City has given to Eddy Street Commons and it literally makes her ill to see the extravagant surroundings in other parts of the city and the southwest side doesn’t even have a dry cleaner. She stated that they feel the city has deserted the southwest side. COMMENTS REGARDING KENNEDY PARK CSO PROJECT Vera Smith, 2715 Bonds Avenue, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she is speaking about the Kennedy Park CSO Project. Ms. Smith noted that she did receive get their information this week regarding the plans for the sidewalks. She stated that she spoke with Gary Gilot who was sitting in the audience tonight and he was able to shed some light on those plans. However she still has some concerns regarding Kennedy Park and would like to discuss this issue tonight. She stated that there has been so much planting and replanting of grass and unnecessary money being spent on this because cars cannot get through and are having to drive up onto the grass to get around. She stated that there have been several home burglaries since this project began in the area and that the police had a difficult time getting through with the construction and the redesign of the streets in the area. She stated that she would like to see the City Council come out and walk that area between Eclipse and Bonds and see the concerns that are still unanswered. Ms. Smith stated that they feel just like their counterparts on the Westside and are being neglected and ignored on the northwest side. 8