08-08-11 Common Council Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 8, 2011 not responsible enough in owning a pet. He stated that they are using TIF Dollars for this project and not general fund monies. Councilmember Kirsits stated that his wife and daughter have volunteered at SBACC for community services hours that his daughter needed for school. He stated that he stopped by when they were volunteering and was amazed on awful the smell was and immediately began sneezing because his is allergic to cats. He stated that Mayor Luecke has done a wonderful job during his tenure for all the services that the city provides streets, utilities, a new cop shop, and fire facilities and sincerely appreciates all that. Unfortunately, animal control was near the last in line for an upgrade and stuck in that stinky old firehouse for 15 years, now it’s their turn and they really do deserve a new place. He reiterated that it is TIF funds and an additional $400,000 on top of the already appropriated $1.5 million is warranted. He stated that he will be voting in favor of this resolution. Councilmember Dieter advised that as a first responder it is very important that we have a quick response time from Animal Control, when school children are walking to school and being chased by animals. He agreed that this has become a conflict of personalities between organizations and that should never have happened. He stated that this is about the welfare of the citizens of South Bend as well as the animals. He stated that with the new facility he likes the fact that they will be able to teach children the responsible way to care for and raise animals. He commended the SBACC staff and animal control officers for a job well done. Councilmember Rouse stated that he doesn’t like this process. He stated that the Common Council should not even be a part of this discussion. He stated that this is a Redevelopment Commission issue. He stated that on one hand you could look at this as the Council doing their due diligence. He stated that no one likes to be compared city versus county; however, we are going to have to look at combining services. He stated that money is just not going to be there in the future. This is $500,000 a year of general fund money to sustain this facility. He stated that what they don’t appropriate is the capital fund money. He stated that this is TIF money and he doesn’t understand, he calls it vague, the Mayor calls it broad, but he doesn’t understand how you can use TIF funds for this project. He agrees with Councilmember Henry Davis and his concern of giving money to an organization and then not having a say or representative to monitor how those funds are being spent. He agrees with Councilmember Kirsits that services will have to be consolidated at some point, because money just won’t be available in the future to continue to business as usual. However, he is going to be voting in favor of this bill, and going along with the administrations request, because the Council should not even be in this discussion, this is a Redevelopment Commission issue. Councilmember Dieter made a motion to adopt this Resolution. Councilmember White seconded the motion which carried and the Resolution was adopted by a roll call vote of seven (7) ayes and one (1) nay (Councilmember Varner.) BILLS – FIRST READING BILL NO.48-11 FIRST READING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING CHAPTER 4 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE TO REVISE PROVISIONS FOR LICENSING OF TAXICAB COMPANIES, VEHICLES AND DRIVERS This bill had first reading. Councilmember Dieter made a motion to refer this bill to the Health and Public Safety and Personnel and Finance Committees and set it for Public Hearing and Third Reading on August 22, 2011. Councilmember Puzzello seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. 30