08-08-11 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 8, 2011 RESOLUTION NO. 4117-11 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, SUPPORTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION’S REQUEST FOR THE SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION TO APPROPRIATE AN ADDITIONAL $400,000 OF TIF FUNDS TO COMPLETE THE FINANCING OF A NEW SBACC FACILITY WHEREAS, South Bend Animal Care and Control (SBACC) was started as a program of the City in 1996 in order to provide more effective services for the residents of our community; and, WHEREAS, SBACC staff have developed vibrant partnerships with C.A.R.E., Pet Refuge, Brown Mackie College, Heartland Small Animal Rescue and other groups interested in the health and welfare of animals; and, WHEREAS, the staff, volunteers and partners of SBACC continue to provide exceptional service for South Bend, responding to emergency calls 24/7/365 and handling over 4,000 animals a year; and, WHEREAS, the facility at 105 N. Olive Street is inadequate to provide housing for the number of animals detained by SBACC and to provide space for the adoption, spay/neuter operations, and isolation of animals with infectious diseases; and WHEREAS, the current facility is not ADA compliant and would need significant upgrades; and, WHEREAS, after many years of discussion and review, plans have been developed for a new SBACC facility at 521 Eclipse; and WHEREAS, the Common Council approved rezoning for this facility at its meeting on May 20, 2010; and WHEREAS, the South Bend Redevelopment Commission has appropriated $1,500,000 of Tax Increment Finance (TIF) dollars for construction of the new facility. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA AS FOLLOWS: SECTION I. The Common Council of the City of South Bend supports the continued operation of Animal Care and Control functions by the City and believes that construction of a new SBACC facility is in the best interests of the residents of South Bend. SECTION II. The Common Council recognizes the important animal care services provided by the Humane Society of St. Joseph County and encourages SBACC officials to work with the Humane Society to ensure that pets are returned to their owners at a reasonable cost, to cooperate in handling animals from each other’s jurisdictions, and to actively work to minimize the number of animals euthanized in St. Joseph County and the City of South Bend. SECTION III. The South Bend Common Council is grateful for the assistance provided by the South Bend Redevelopment Commission to build this new facility and supports the additional appropriation request for $400,000 of TIF funds to complete financing for construction and soft costs for this new facility. SECTION IV. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Council and approval by the Mayor. 25