01-28-08 Health and Pubic Safety Committee

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~` r ~-~1(Y~1 ^ ~ .....- `.~ Community and Economic Development Committee 2008 South Bend Common Council The January 28, 2008 meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson Council Member Derek Dieter at 3:23 p.m. in the Council's Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter, Varner, Henry Davis, White, LaFountain, Rouse and Puzzello; Mayor Stephen Luecke, Public Works Director Gary Gilot, Interim City Controller John Murphy, City Attorney Charles Leone, Don Inks, Elizabeth Leonard, Mrs. Kopola, Martha Lewis, Ann Kolata, Nancy Sulok of the South Bend Tribune and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Dieter noted that the Committee members include Council Members Henry Davis, Ann Puzzello, Karen White and himself as Chairperson. Bill No. 05-08: Appropriation Request of $92,386 of Indiana Finance Authority Grant Funds within Fund # 210 for Environmental Assessment: Council Member Dieter called for a formal presentation on Bill No. 05-08 which would appropriate $92,386 of the Indiana Finance Authority Grant Funds within Fund # 210 for the purpose of a Phase II Environmental Assessment of property located at 731 West Chippewa Avenue. Ann E. Kolata, Senior Development Specialist in Community & Economic Development made the presentation. She noted that the Council acted upon the grant application for this at the last Common Council meeting. 731 West Chippewa is located east of the Studebaker Commerce Center, the former AM General/LTV facility, west of the railroad tracks and north of the south Well Field. The site assessment would be conducted by Quality Environmental Professionals, Inc. The site assessment may lead to remediation of the site and its development. The Council Attorney noted that she has contacted Joe Grabil who represented the land trust involved in this matter who was present at the last Council meeting. She noted that she has inquired into who the principals of the land trust are, and that as of this date no information has been forthcoming. Ms. Kolata stated that she would pursue that information and report back to the Council. Dr. Varner noted that the property owners in general should be known especially when public grant funds are involved. He wants to avoid a "new Franklin Chung" situation.