11-30-10 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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SPECIAL MEETING NOVEMBER 30, 2010 families. He stated that it is not something that he is going to apologize for. He stated that from a tax impact since the Professional Sports Development Fund has been in place more than 4 million dollars has stayed here in South Bend and has been invested in Downtown South Bend and that there is a balance in that fund as the Mayor has stated. It will generate additional millions of dollars in the years to come. He reiterated that he believes this is an appropriate use of those funds to pay off this stimulus bond. He respectfully requested the Council’s favorable consideration. Shannon Brewster, 930 Riverside, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she is speaking tonight as a parent of a 16, 15 and 12 year old. She stated that she and her husband have taken their children to other minor league baseball parks all over the country, California, Washington State, Texas, Florida, just to mention a few. She stated that they have always had a wonderful time and it is one of the most affordable things that can be done as family, it’s wholesome, it’s outside and as much fun as they have at the Cove, it just doesn’t compare anymore to other facilities across the country. It is tired and in need of renovation. She stated she can take her whole family to the Cove for $20.00, when they go to the movies it’s $60.00. She stated that the proposed plan needs to be looked at as a whole package, not just pick and choose what needs to be done. She stated that the Cove is a safe place for families and their children to go. She stated that the proposed renovations will bring other people to the ball park. She noted that she commends the planned used for the Synagogue and preserving it’s great history. She urged the Council’s favorable consideration. Perley Provost, 613 Finch Drive, South Bend, Indiana, spoke in favor of this bill. He stated that he brings a different prospective on this issue. He stated that he is a parent of a child who plays in travel league baseball. He stated that after traveling across the country to see all the different ball parks he stated that South Bend does not have the facilities to be able to handle the travel league. He stated that they have to use Notre Dame to be able to host the games. He stated that the improvements that are being proposed to the stadium make perfect sense to him because he has seen the other parks with their entrances in center field with 360º concourses to make the facility more open. He noted that Ft. Wayne’s facility cost 30 million dollars. He noted that after years of dwindling attendance, no parking, and a run down facility, they moved it from Coliseum Blvd. to Downtown Ft. Wayne. The proposed amendments for the Cove make sense and will stimulate other private investment to move into the area. He stated that Ft. Wayne took a lot of heat from the residents there just like what is being said here tonight. However, public scrutiny is just that. He urged the Council’s favorable consideration and noted that this is South Bend’s hope for the future. Chuck Vider, 15141 Clifton Drive, Granger, Indiana, stated that none of us like to pay taxes. But when you have to pay taxes one of the most valuable aspects of that is investing those dollars wisely. We have money to invest and have an opportunity to invest it wisely. He stated that the Council is considered as leader’s of our community. He noted that he believes that it is incumbent of any leader’s of the community to think with a great deal of vision. He noted that in the hour and half that he has sat listening tonight he heard the word vision used just one time. He stated that he found that distressing. He urged the Council to step back and look at how these PSDF dollars should be reinvested in the Community. Mark Haley, 51535 Steeplechase, Drive, Granger, Indiana, advised that the last time he was here before the Council was to accept a Resolution congratulating the Silverhawks on their Championship since then things have gone a little south. Mr. Haley stated that he is representing and employed and paid by the Arizona Diamondbacks Major League Baseball Team. Mr. Haley noted that it is his job to get his players from the Minor League to the Major League. He stated that he travels with his ballplayers all over the country and see’s what’s happening at the other ball fields. He stated that some of those facilities are what the Cove used to be. He stated that people ask him what happened to th the facility? He stated that out of the 16 teams South Bend is in 14 place. Mr. Haley stated that the proposed improvements are much needed. The field does not drain properly and therefore he cannot get his players on the field to do their jobs. He stated that it is costing South Bend their reputation, his reputation and his players’ reputation. 14