06-13-11 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 13, 2011 There was no one present wishing to speak to the council either in favor of or in opposition to this Resolution. Chuck Freeby thanked the Council for this honor. Councilmember Varner made a motion to adopt this Resolution by acclamation. Councilmember White seconded the motion which carried. MOTION TO HEAR SUBSTITUTE BILL NO. 27-11 PRESENTED AT THE PERSONNEL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING 6-13-11 Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to hear Substitute Bill No. 27-11 presented at the Personnel and Finance Committee this afternoon. Councilmember Varner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. Council President Dieter asked Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand to read those projects that have been eliminated out of Substitute Bill No. 27-11. Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand read into the record the projects that have been eliminated out of Substitute Bill No. 27-11. She stated those projects as follows: The Potowatomi Conservatory; the Alonzo Watson Bridge; street paving; traffic Signal, and street lighting improvements at the Kroc Center; Transpo property site acquisition; sewer infrastructure at Riverside and Angela; and Miracle Park planning and property acquisition; Councilmember Dieter stated that the Council felt that citizens are present tonight to speak on these issues and wanted to give them that opportunity. Councilmember White asked if the Mayor could explain why the substitute bill has been filed and only four (4) projects are being considered tonight. th Mayor Stephen Luecke, 14 Floor County-City Building, South Bend, Indiana, stated that extensive discussion has taken place on the original bill with multiple items in it. He stated that it was difficult to provide the amount of time that many of these major investments needed for the Council’s thoughtful consideration on whether to appropriate the dollars, so in order to facilitate that he asked that the bill be amended tonight to focus of the St. Joseph High School Project and three very modest infrastructure issues for the City of South Bend. He stated that they would bring the others back in individual bills to again allow proper discussion, vetting, asking of questions, so that the Council can make the best discussions on those. The reason that he asked for St. Joseph High School Project be voted on this evening is that a timing issue as they look to move forward with construction of their high school it was critical to make a decision on that issue. One project would have fallen in that category as well which was the sewer reinforcement by Steel Warehouse but they have had discussions just recently with the team and they are postponing making a decision on the addition to that facility until early next year and that gives time to bring that forwarded separately as well. There will be opportunity in future hearings for full public participation. He stated that he appreciates the Council allowing those here tonight to share their concerns about other parts of the bill that will not be included tonight. The following individuals spoke on the items that have been removed from Bill No. 27- 11: Carol Martin, 16 yr. old Mishawaka High School Student, stated that she is speaking tonight on Miracle Park. She stated that she maintains a 3.7 GPA at Mishawaka High School, and is a member of the Track and Field Team and Thespian Society. She stated that she volunteers to teach elementary school children to throw shot put and discus. She stated that the majority of her time is spent at Challenger Little League. She stated that for the past sever years she has attended most games and early on her role became more than just watching the games, she began to “Buddy” which is when she helps the children that don’t always know what to do or just help keep them focused on the game. At first 3