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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 13, 2010 <br /> <br /> <br />A Public Hearing was held on the Resolution at this time. <br /> <br />The following individuals spoke in favor of the bill: <br /> <br />th <br />Jason Sibley, Vice President, Prime Construction Development, 14977 S. 24 Street, <br />Vicksburg, Michigan. <br /> <br />Mr. Sibley stated that they are the construction manager that was hired by NRJ Real <br />Estate for this project. He noted that this is the second project that he has worked on for <br />Randy Schlipp and his family. The first was at the Eau Claire facility which is the nicest <br />metal recycling facility in the State of Michigan. He stated that over the past few years <br />he has gotten to know Randy and his family pretty well and would like to speak tonight <br />on his behalf. He stated that this is a family business started by Randy’s father and now <br />run by Randy, his wife, sons, daughter-in-law and many other family members and <br />members of the community. He noted that this is not some heartless corporation without <br />community ties. He stated that Randy himself is some he would consider a true <br />environmentalist and has found his calling in recycling. He stated that when Randy first <br />started crushing cars, he noticed that the vehicles were not always drained of their fluids <br />properly. This created an obvious danger to the environment and at the time there was no <br />solution. Thus, inspiring Randy to create the Auto-Tap machine. This machine quickly <br />and efficiently drains and separates the fluids from the vehicles. This stops <br />contamination and allows for the fluids to be recycled. He also created a trailer cover <br />system, which better handles the transport of crushed cars. He noted that both of these <br />products are now sold nation wide and are helping stop contamination all over the <br />country. He noted again that this is family owned business and this site will be run by <br />family members. This is a $6 million dollar investment that will create up to 30 new jobs <br />at a time when nobody is spending money. As a business you are either dying or you are <br />growing and this is the next step for this growing family business. He stated that he <br />believes in this project and more importantly believes in the family proposing it. <br /> <br />Sal Gerschoffer, 2101 Prairie Avenue, South Bend, Indiana, spoke in favor of the bill. <br />He stated that he believes that the shredder will be a boom to the economy in South Bend. <br />He stated that the Schlipps run a good company. He urged the Council’s favorable <br />consideration. <br /> <br />Stephen Stockberger, 717 W. Calvert, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he has lived in the <br />Rum Village Neighborhood for over 30 years. He stated that he traveled to Dayton, <br />Ohio, to see the shredder in operation and was pleasantly surprised that there was no <br />noise. As they walked around the facility, there was a faint smell like smelling burgers <br />cooking at McDonalds. He stated that he believes Randy Schlipp has done due diligence <br />in making this project work. Mr. Stockberger used Omni Source as an example of <br />company to liken this project to and it is located across from Ignition Park. He noted that <br />Green Tech located on Franklin Street makes every effort to go up and down Ewing <br />Street to clean up any debris that may have blown from their property. He also noted that <br />when they visited the shredded in Dayton there was a children’s hospital located very <br />near the property and there have been no complaints. He believes that this project will <br />be an asset to the neighborhood. <br /> <br />The following individuals spoke in opposition to this bill: <br /> <br />Rita Kopala, 66559 Ivy Road, Lakeville, Indiana, stated that she attended the Area Board <br />of Zoning Appeals meeting when this petition for a Special Exception was being heard. <br />She noted that there was man who spoke who was retired with 37 years in the scrap <br />industry who spoke about explosions from this kind of a facility. She stated that he noted <br />that within the last six months at 200 locations within the United States there have been <br />28 fires and explosions. She noted that he stated that they will happen it will be <br />inevitable and this project is very close to a day care and Ignition Park. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 11 <br /> <br />