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REGULAR MEETING <br />SEPTEMBER 24, 2007 <br />BILL NO. 53-07 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING <br />ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT <br />3030 NORTHSIDE BLVD., COUNCILMANIC <br />DISTRICT 3, IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, <br />INDIANA <br />Councilmember Varner made a motion to strike Bill No. 53-07 at the request of the <br />petitioner. Councilmember Dieter seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of <br />seven (7) ayes. <br />NEW BUSINESS <br />Council Vice-President Ann Puzzello stated that this will be the last broadcast of the <br />South Bend Common Council by Comcast. <br />Mr. Gary Gilot, Director, Public Works, 13~` Floor County-City Building, South Bend, <br />Indiana, noted that the City is looking into other options for public access to City Council <br />Meetings. He noted that Comcast is willing to let the City use their equipment, but not <br />provide the service. He stated that maybe an area college would have some type of <br />internship program that could provide this type of service. <br />PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR <br />COMIy1ENTS FROM MR. CLAY KUSBACH, 8TH GRADE STUDENT AT ST. <br />JOSEPH GRADE SCHOOL, SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, REGARDING PROPERTY <br />TAXES <br />Mr. Clay Kusbach, 54497 Longwood Drive, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he is in the <br />8~` Grade at St. Joseph Grade School and has lived in South Bend his entire life. He <br />stated that he hopes to go to high school and college here in town. Mr. Kusbach stated <br />that on Thursday afternoon an article caught his eye. In the 1980's South Bend was one <br />of the best places in the Mid-West. That is why his Kusbach and Roemer families chose <br />to live here. He stated that he is upset that he might have to leave this beautiful town <br />because now the city is ranked the top worst city per capita, along with being the highest <br />local taxes in the state. The top four are South Bend, Laporte, Ft. Wayne and <br />Indianapolis. He asked the Council why are taxes in South Bend so high? And why is <br />South Bend the worst? Why do our local leaders not see what this is doing, and how this <br />is going to affect everyone. Mr. Kusbach stated that he may not stay here if changes in <br />the way the Council approves the monies that are spent and budgeted are not drastically <br />changed immediately. He stated that his dad owns a plumbing business, Value <br />Plumbing; he also owns several properties that he has used his own money to renovate <br />and bring people back into South Bend. He asked what will happen to families if his dad <br />has to lay them off? What will happen to Mike, his wife and two kids; Doug and his <br />family; Jim the heating guy; Greg the roofer who helped his dad with his units. He stated <br />that his dad now says with the taxes anticipated in doubling won't be able to hire any <br />contractors to help him. What will happen to all the families that his dad rents to, if he <br />raises the rent to pay off the taxes? Mr. Kusbach stated that he will leave the Council <br />with five questions to ponder. 1. What will happen to him? 2. Will he be able to stay <br />here in South Bend? 3. Is there a future for him? 4. Will he have the money to go to <br />College? 5. What is the Council going to do to correct this problem. <br />Councilmember Puzzello stated that she cannot answer all of Mr. Kusbach's questions <br />right at the moment. She noted that they could forward these questions and have some <br />answers at the next Council meeting. She noted that the Portage Township Assessor - <br />Rosemary Mandrici is present in the audience tonight and they will forward some of <br />these questions onto her for clarification. <br />Councilmember White stated that the questions that Mr. Kusbach presented to the <br />Council tonight are very important. She noted that they would be glad to respond to the <br />34 <br />