06-13-11 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 13, 2011 Rev. Barrett Berry, 1251 E. LaSalle, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he is enthused, encouraged and embarrassed. Enthused because the city has money allotted to do improvements in the community. Encouraged because the city is actually taking the time to present for public discussion. Embarrassed because these numbers were presented without detailed information as to how they will be spent. He stated that he is also embarrassed because they are only limited to one portion of this great community. He stated that they need a holistic approach to doing development in the community then they should do so. He stated that he is encouraged that they had the opportunity to lay it out and discuss it. $300,000 for beautification for an entry way into the City of South Bend along Lincolnway West, what would that do to encourage the growth and development of our community as a whole if that entry way was beautified and those businesses were encouraged to continue to have investments there. What if you take that allotment of money and do some revamping to put the neighborhood stabilization in to place to level and demolish and recreate and develop communities as a whole. What is the intellectual curiosity as to how we came about this process? What is the intellectual capacity to present something that speaks to the volume of what we can do with 9.1 million dollars? He stated that he questions that we have fallen short. He stated that he would not have to have this conversation publicly but he has to because he had made several attempts to reach out to those in charge in Community & Economic Development to find the answers but as a citizen of this great city have failed to get those responses. Stephanie Spivey, 1812 Dutch Court, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she is a Board Member of the South Bend Community School Corporation. She stated that people take notice how a city treats their children, elderly and women. She encouraged training the youth to become productive citizens and give back to the community. She urged the Council to consider the youth of South Bend when voting on this bill. Randall Byrd, 425 Alonzo Watson Drive, South Bend, Indiana, stated that there is a need for the Chapin Street Bridge. He stated that Chapin Street and Western Avenue is a busy intersection and with the new Kroc Center being built there will be a greater need for the children and elderly to be able to cross that busy intersection. He urged the Council to keep the funding for the bridge. John Stratigos, 60710 Crown Ridge Ct., South Bend, Indiana, owner Barnaby’s 720 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, stated that he encourages housing along the East Bank. It will provide a new urbanism and help South Bend grown and thrive. He also welcomes St. Joseph High School to build on the former site of St. Joe Hospital. The school along with students and faculty will bring life to that area. It will encourage future development. He urged the Council’s favorable consideration. Catherine Hostetler, 708 N. St. Joseph St., South Bend, Indiana, stated that she was speaking as the President of the Botanical Society. She stated that they have a new director at the Conservatory & Greenhouses. She advised that they have held many fund raisers to help with the renovations at the greenhouse and conservatories. They have been able to make needed repairs and continue to look for ways to keep those renovations on going. She urged the Council’s favorable consideration for the Potawatomi Conservatories & Greenhouse. Cari Shein, 1429 Honan Drive, South Bend, Indiana, stated that the Council should consider not spending all the funds at one time. She urged to fund over a period of time and to partner with other entities to help defray costs. She urged the Council to save some of the money and set it aside in the rainy day fund for that day when it might have to be used. Ms. Shein stated that the city’s ability to collect tax revenues might decrease if the economy does not come back as everyone hopes it will. They also might be some other circumstances that arise like always seem to surprise us. She stated that there are several items in this bill that are not essential items for services or for the needs of the community. She stated that even those they are things that will please segments of the community, she feels that the city just cannot afford them at this time. 5