06/11/07 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 11, 2007 with the City's funding and understanding that it is a year to year thing. DTSB is now on the watch and a few months ago you could say that the patient was day to day and it has worked out from that and now apparently they are year to year and that's fine and that's as it should be. DTSB should be able to come here a year from now and say that it met its commitments and have the Council nodding in agreement that it did meet its commitments and that's what DTSB will be trying to do. Glenda Lamont, 211 S. Michigan Street, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she and her husband have been residents of the downtown area since 1990. First at the Pointe at St. Joseph and now at the Robertson's Building. Two years ago they bought the historic firehouse on Hill St. and started her CPA practice thirteen (13) years ago in downtown South Bend and last fall moved that practice to the firehouse. She stated that her husband owns a business near Coveleski Stadium and has for the past twenty-five years. They will be moving their residence to the firehouse later this year. Ms. Lamont stated that they live the motto: "Work, Play, Shop, and Dine in Downtown South Bend." She stated that they have a lot riding on the success of downtown and for that reason she became a DTSB Board Member at the first of this year. She looks at the DTSB organization as her neighborhood association. One of her goals as a DTSB Board Member is to make other businesses and restaurants look at DTSB in the same way. From discussion with other board members, she stated that she is not alone in her feelings that are a goal that they all have. They know that improvements are needed and they have been making those changes in the organization over the last few months to that end. What differentiates this neighborhood association from some of the other neighborhood associations is that this association is made up primarily of commercial entities, that have the ability to generate tax revenues on many fronts, from real estate, personal property, and sales taxes to payroll and corporate income taxes. That tax generation potential alone makes this neighborhood association worthy of the City's continued support. The events of last fall have consumed the time and energy of many people, the Council included. This has delayed the progress of South Bend's needs. These events were certainly a wake up call that things needed to change. The central business district needs an organization like DTSB to represent and promote its interest. With input from members of the district DTSB has the opportunity to evolve into that organization. The City's support at this time in crucial so that DTSB can continue that evolution. Heather Yarborough, Chicory Cafe, 105 E. Jefferson Blvd. South Bend, Indiana, stated that she believes that the continuation of DTSB is essential in continuing the revitalization of downtown South Bend. DTSB has helped her in many ways since the planning stages of her coffee house. Events such as ART BEAT, St. Patrick's Day and Football Fridays for which DT SB is responsible are very important to the downtown, because it brings everyone together as a community and creates an economy of spending that helps downtown merchants when revenues are down. Downtown businesses also benefit from the downtown ambassadors who help keep the streets clean, aid and control pan handling and generally beautify the downtown area. The appearance of the downtown area has greatly improved in the past few years making a much more inviting place. Creating an atkractive downtown and filling its empty buildings will bring in more customers, creating more revenue for the businesses downtown, which creates tax revenue and jobs. Based on her positive experiences, she believes that DTSB is the right organization to continuing providing these services that make downtown a warm and profitable environment in which to run a business. There was no one else present wishing to speak in favor of this bill. The following individual spoke in opposition to this bill. Mr. Kenneth Peczkowski, 509 W. Madison, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he owns the Griffin Bookstore in downtown South Bend, located at 121 W. Colfax Street. Mr. Peczkowski stated that his business has been downtown for thirty-one (31) years continuously and he believes that he knows from experience what it is to work, live and play in downtown South Bend and to do all his spending in downtown South Bend as well. After following all the lions that have come before him speaking in favor of this bill, Mr. Peczkowski stated that he feels like a poor Daniel going into the lion's den, 14