05-14-29 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING May 14, 2018 my predecessor started and I immediately said, `Absolutely.' I most recently recall going to the neighborhood association meetings and when we've talked about curbs and sidewalks I wanted to make sure it included what Dr.Varner talked about. I wanted to make sure we are working together and am fulfilling what you have asked. I hope to always be fair and consistent and to have as much integrity as you have had. I've heard nothing but great things about you on both sides. I am one (1) who likes to work together with people to try and make an informed and fair decision and I really respect you. I appreciate your service and I wish I would have had the opportunity to be under your wings a little longer. Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston stated, Well, I'm just mad. This is a perfect example of what they say never put off for tomorrow what you can do today. Since I got on the Council, I've been told by many colleagues to go talk to you. I never took advantage of that and I'm really disappointed. I'm shocked by this news and I'm asking myself why I didn't pick up the phone. I've learned something from this. Do we have the opportunity to hire consultants? I've noticed over this time that we are of the same mind and that also taught me a lesson that, Democrat or Republican, it's really not about that. You have a fair and balanced way of looking at things and your history and experience really guides you in that. I appreciate that. Councilmember Tim Scott stated, You're the best dang Republican I know. You're my favorite. My wife and I noticed you doing the interviews as the lone Republican for many years.You always brought common sense to it. I always took note of that. I appreciate you and, though I give you grief about being a Republican, we talk through a lot. Like Councilmember Karen White said,we don't always agree on the vote but the dignity and respect you have given to every one (1) of these Council Members with no hard feelings, is incredible. You are calm and collected on all of that. You will definitely be missed. You better find someone that is just like you. My wife said when I was running to watch Varner and do what he does. Councilmember Dr. David Varner stated, I can see the deed is done. I thank you all for your comments. Councilmember John Voorde asked,Do you intend to remain on the Redevelopment Commission until we get a replacement? Councilmember Dr. David Varner replied, I assume my appointment was as a citizen and, if it is ok with the Council, I will finish that term. Council President Tim Scott announced, We are going through internship applications right now for Council PR positions. I will give Council a heads up when we get that narrowed down. Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, I have an update from today Solid Waste Management District meeting. There was a quorum and the group decided to open up a satellite facility in Mishawaka. Who knows what the price will be. It does not, in my opinion, address the funding issues in a financially responsible way in terms of equal bearing of the cost. For people who would like to participate in the HHW, as you all may recall, most are tagged with paying eleven dollars ($11). The proposal approved today equates to about a six dollar($6) deal for the residents of the City of Mishawaka to participate in the very same program. The City of Mishawaka and the members who voted in favor of this facility, and it will be at the facility that it was formerly at, voted to fund the program through the City of Mishawaka's budget. There are a lot of unknowns of the impact of having an additional site particularly since we are only five (5) or six (6) months into the site here in South Bend. That move was primarily viewed as a cost saving measure to the district. Councilmember Jo M. Broden continued, So that is one (1) significant issue. It will most likely take effect June 1',2018.,As I said, I believe there are some equity issues with this. I felt this was backtracking in terms of where we have been and financing our services for HHW. The second piece of information is we did open up bids for the recycling program. This would be a provider selected for 2019 and two (2) companies bid. Those were opened today. Those will be evaluated with the help of our City staff. Basically they will be charged with looking at the price and performance of those two (2) bids with the hope of incorporating that into our budgets. I think we are at the point where we have separated out recycling from HHW but we have failed to bring an equitable measure to the fee structure that I and others hoped to accomplish. 13