01-28-08 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 28, 2008 The Council is in charge of negotiating with the Public Safety entities of the City, such as the Police Department and Fire Department, if after negotiations have been completed, whether they have been ratified or not, but the negotiation has been completed with the team, if they can then go to the Mayor or to the Council and say that they really didn't get enough could you give more, and then it can all be changed, then the negotiation process is worth nothing. There is no validity to them at all. She firmly believes that the work between the two teams is very important and that the unions have trusted the negotiation team and worked in honesty with them. Councilmember Puzzello stated that it is for that reason, she cannot vote for a change in that system. She stated that she will not be voting in favor of this bill. There was no one else present wishing to speak in favor or in opposition to this bill, Councilmember White made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning this bill as substituted. Councilmember Oliver Davis seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes and one (1) nay (Councilmember Puzzello.l BILL NO. OS-08 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPROPRIATING $92,385.00 OF 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 IN SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Councilmember Dieter, Chairperson, Community and Economic Development Committee, reported that this committee held a Public Hearing on this bill this afternoon and voted to send it to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Ann Kolata, Senior Development Specialist, Community & Economic Development, 1200 County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Boulevard, South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation for this bill. Ms. Kolata advised that this bill would allow for the appropriation of $92,386.00, plus the interest earned thereon, which is a grant from the Indiana Finance Authority Site Assessment Grant Initiative. These funds will be used for a Phase II Site Assessment at the former Hannover property located at 731 West Chippewa Avenue. This property is located east of the Studebaker Commerce Center the former AM GeneraULTV facility, west of the railroad tracks and north of the South Well Field. The Phase II Site Assessment will be conducted by Quality Environmental Professional, Inc. (QEPI). The site assessment may lead to eventual remediation of the site and development in conjunction with adjacent properties. Councilmember Varner expressed his concern regarding the land trust ownership issue. He stated that his concern is that when a land trust is listed as the owner they only have to name an agent and not the actual owners of a parcel of property. He stated that when public dollars are at stake the City of South Bend should know who the principle agents are. He would like to see a policy put in place and go forward from here on out on full disclosure of ownership of property located in the City, when public dollars are being requested. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. There being no one present wishing to speak to the Council either in favor of or in opposition to this bill, Councilmember Rouse made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning this bill. Councilmember Varner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes.