06-13-11 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 13, 2011 Meyer noted that the 2011 HCD Action Plan NSP3 Amendment was the subject of a 15 day public comment period that began February 11, 2011 and expired February 25, 2011. The City received the Release of Fund Notice of April 21, 2011. Grantees have to expend 50% of the funds within 24 months from the HUD grant agreement execution date of March 8, 2011, and 100% no later than March 7, 2014. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. The following individual spoke in favor of the bill. Mr. Jerry Niezgodski, 2930 Bonds Avenue, South Bend, Indiana, asked how much in administrative fees would there be? Pam Meyer responded $105,000 that will go to the administration of the City, their department which pays for staff time and again they can only draw that money based on time spent documented with time sheets. There is a developer fee built into the monies allocated for each of the projects. The following individual spoke in opposition to this bill. Rev. Henry L. Davis, St., 215 N. Sheridan Street, South Bend, Indiana, stated that if you go to the Library and find the history of South Bend. The South Bend Heritage Corporation in the later part of the 1800’s separated to City when they were getting manufacturer’s here in the City, Oliver Corp.; Studebaker; Dodge Mfg. in Mishawaka; The Bendix Corp. so they separated to City by the river east and west. The most affluent people lived on the east side with a few privileged ruckuses over there. But it was a separation and the same thing is still going on today. Whether the people want to realize it or not and he stated that he doesn’t care what numbers are go and look for yourself. Things need to happen over there. There are more not-for-profit than anything over there so the growth on paper looks good, but in reality there is no growth over there. He state that a comment was made saying something about 60-80 percent of the police departments time is spent on that side of town. That speaks for itself. Disenfranchised people, that’s the way this thing was set up and that’s the way that it has continued to be. No houses are going to sell over there, contrary to popular belief, you might get one for $5,000.00 but that’s no growth. So with the bill it does need to come to the west side of South Bend because it’s just like this little kid was in the bedroom crying and they were wondering why he was crying so we went in and looked at the child and he’s got his foot in his mouth. He is gnawing on his foot but he doesn’t know that’s his foot, and that is the same way that it is with this city. Mr. Davis stated to the Council that they don’t know that they have their foot in their mouth that it’s the west side and you’re gnawing on your foot and it’s hurting you and it’s hurting the city. We need a healing here, we don’t need anymore separation, and people have got to come to together in order for this city to work. Sarcasm, anger and bitterness is not going to solve anything, we are grown people, let us act as grown people, get this vindictiveness out of your hearts. He stated that the Council is elected to carry forth a job, do your job and quit using this as a personal platform. There being no one else present wishing to speak in favor or in opposition to this bill. Councilmember Dieter made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning this bill. Councilmember LaFountain seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. RISE AND REPORT Councilmember Dieter made a motion to rise and report to the full Council. Councilmember Henry Davis seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. 26