06-13-11 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 13, 2011 Puzzello reiterated that she believes that St. Joseph High School will be a wonderful addition to South Bend. Councilmember Henry Davis wanted to clarify some things. He stated that his position on this has nothing to with being against St. Joseph High School moving into the proposed area. He stated that he thinks it will be a great addition. He stated that his stance is based upon priorities for the City of South Bend and how it relates to spending public tax dollars. He stated that now we have an influx of dollars going to the east side of the river rather than the west side of the river or spent equitability throughout the whole city. This is not a west side deal, it’s not south side deal, this is the lifeline of the City of South Bend. He stated that they have to come together and prioritize how they spend tax dollars to best suit the growth of the city. He stated that if you noticed all of the new taxable land; all of the new private businesses are going across the river and the last time that he saw an example of that it is St. Joseph Michigan and Benton Harbor. He stated that he would hate for our city to turn into what St. Joe and Benton Harbor have become and cannot compete against each other. Mr. Davis stated the school zone report he remembered back approximately three or four months ago going over that report with the Public Works Director and found that they have been lax for approximately 20 years in making sure that school zone are painted and lighted properly whether they are within a parochial school district or a private school district. He stated so that when the argument arises that they are using it for a charter school, it is our obligation to make sure all school zones are guarded safely. He stated that was discussed during the budget cut backs and eliminated school crossing guards. He stated that the discussion of using funds for one project or another could go on for days. He just wanted to see growth in the way that it is meant to be using tax dollars to produce more tax dollars for more opportunity for the citizens of South Bend. He stated that he will not be in support of anything today as it relates to this bill. Councilmember Rouse called for a point of order, stating that Councilmember Varner wanted some clarification on the amended bill. Councilmember Varner stated that for the sake of consideration on the amended request, he made a request this afternoon and the Mayor restated somewhat differently. He stated that his suggestion was that if there was infrastructure or building cost that it be limited to the cost of the building one or the other. He stated that he wasn’t suggestion that it would be 1.2 million dollars which is what he thinks the Mayor took from it. He stated that he is looking for an either or in a compromise and maybe we can’t address that tonight but that was the nature of his intent not the way the Mayor restated it and that maybe where some of the confusion came in. Councilmember Oliver Davis stated that he understand Councilmember Varner’s point, however, he hoped that they would just address item’s #2; #3 and #4 tonight. He stated that he has great concerns with item #1. He stated that he likes what Councilmember Varner has said and thinks that it can be talked about in further discussion about how that could be applied. He stated that he doesn’t think that tonight is the night to do that. He stated that he has been approached by his neighbors on this issue and advised that he has donated some of his City Council earnings to the Catholic Schools in his own area, Our Lady of Hungry and St. Adalbert’s. He reiterated that it was his own personal monies and own uses. He stated that he still has issues utilizing tax monies for private schools even though he believes in and is a product of private education. He stated that he is in support of items #2, #3 and #4 tonight and with the issue that Councilmember Varner has raised which is a good one especially when they are looking at infrastructure for any part of the city whether it covers private or public, they can come back and look at that to see what kind of development could go into that area. Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to accept only item #’s 2, 3, and 4 at this time. Councilmember White seconded the motion. 20