Laserfiche WebLink
REGULAR MEETING <br />JUNE 11, 2007 <br />BILL NO. 27-07 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON <br />COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, <br />APPROPRIATING $225,000 FROM ECONOMIC <br />DEVELOPMENT INCOME TAX (EDIT) FUND #408 TO <br />SUPPORT THE SERVICES OF DOWNTOWN SOUTH <br />BEND, INC <br />Councilmember Dieter, Chairperson, Community & Economic Development Committee, <br />reported that this committee held a Public Hearing on this bill this afternoon and after <br />weight the pros and cons sends it to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. <br />Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, 14~` Floor County-City Building, South Bend, Indiana, made <br />the presentation for this bill. <br />Mayor Luecke advised that this bill would allow for the appropriation of $225,000 of <br />Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) funds for the purpose of providing operating <br />funds to DTSB. This organization has been instrumental in the revitalization of the <br />downtown and though there were a few stumbles recently, he believes that procedures <br />have been put in place to adequately cover the issues of financial accountability. They <br />also expect and anticipate better communication with a wide variety of the downtown <br />businesses within the core downtown and the east bank, and certainly accountability for <br />these public dollars as they are spent to continue the mission of Downtown South Bend <br />and their joint mission of improving downtown as the regional center for arts and <br />education for finance and business for health care and other services. <br />This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents <br />and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. <br />The following individuals spoke in favor of this bill: <br />Mr. Paul Meyer, Chairman of the Board, Downtown South Bend, Inc., stated that over <br />the years Downtown South Bend (DTSB) amongst a number of other organizations and <br />private endeavors have worked hard to enhance downtown as the sole of South Bend and <br />they truly believe it as such. Last year there were some significant financial problems. <br />They have worked hard to put in place new fmancial controls to safe guard the public and <br />private investment in downtown and are committed to being accountable for this <br />expenditure and security of those monies. Mr. Meyer stated that they will work hard over <br />the next months and years to listen to the downtown businesses and residents to meet <br />their needs and expectations to grow downtown to make it a great place to live, work, <br />shop and play. Mr. Meyer stated that they have appreciated the support of the Council, <br />Mayor and the City of South Bend over the years and will work hard both in their <br />transparency of action and the transparency of expenditures to gain and continue the <br />confidence of the Council in their organization. <br />Mr. Chip Lewis, 1714 E. Madison, Street, Member of the Board of Directors, Downtown <br />South Bend, Inc, stated that a study was conducted about a decade ago to think about <br />where Center City Associates should go and what should be done with the downtown <br />area. A number of people got together and contributed a great effort to study successful <br />and thriving cities and what they discovered was that the best way to lead success to the <br />downtown was with a true public/private partnership and they have striven at every step <br />to make that happen. The public side has been demonstrated by participation on the <br />DTSB Board of Directors; the Common Council; the City Administration and most <br />importantly by the annual funding by the City The private side has been staffed with a <br />number of people from private businesses and retail owners within the downtown. So <br />much has been accomplished by all these people spending the time and effort over the <br />past ten (10) years. But frankly the work is not done yet. There is still a lot more to do <br />within the downtown, not all of the areas have been improved. DTSB wants to continue <br />working toward that development so that they can obtain that high achieving downtown <br />that we all expect to have. It is a vital part of the community to keep the downtown <br />thriving and full of life and DTSB can do that with the continued support of Council and <br />13 <br />