08/13/07 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 13, 2007 s/Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney Attest: Adopted this 13th day of August, 2007 John Voorde, City Clerk Stephen J. Luecke, Mayor of South Bend Councilmember Al "Buddy" Kirsits, 722 Marquette Avenue, South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation for this Resolution by first offering his comments and then reading the Resolution in its entirety and presenting it to Cindy Stremme. A Public Hearing was held on the Resolution at this time. Cindy Stremme thanked the Council for this honor on behalf of her son, David. She noted that as the Resolution states through hard work and determination one can not only achieve success, but one can also continue to give back. She stated that David is living his dream of driving in the NASCAR circuit and is honored to give back to the community who has supported him over the years. Councilmember Varner made a motion to adopt this Resolution by acclamation. Councilmember Puzzello seconded the motion which carried. MAYOR STEPHEN LUECKE UPDATE ON FUND FOR POTAWATOMI ZOO Mayor Luecke stated that he will be bringing an ordinance to the Council at its next meeting to request a $1 million allocation to take care of the immediate repair needs at the zoo. Mayor Luecke stated that the zoo is in desperate need of repairs in order to pass the Association of Zoos and Aquariums accreditation in 2009. Without accreditation the zoo could lose 70 percent of its animal collection. Mayor Luecke stated that the $1 million would come from money returned to the city from the Business Development Corporation. He advised that Urban Development Action Grant dollars were given to the city, then given to the Business Development Corp. to develop One Michiana Square. Mayor Luecke stated that as the money was paid back to the City, it was used through the BDC for loan programs. Mayor Luecke advised that they have an agreement with the BDC that they are returning some of that money to the City. Mayor Luecke noted that the 2008 Budget Hearings will begin this week and with the upcoming Park and Recreation Department Budget will include $400,000 request for immediate repairs, which would bring the total to $1.4 million. Mayor Luecke stated that this will cover the repairs needed for the zoo to pass its accreditation. Mayor Luecke stated that during the Council's PARC Committee Meeting that was held on August 1, 2007, Councilmember Ann Puzzello, Chairperson, PARC Committee, asked if a task force could be created to address the zoo issues. Mayor Luecke stated that a bipartisan task force of city representatives, state legislators, zoo leaders and residents could be part of this group. He stated that he will present a more definitive list of the make up of the task force at the Council's next meeting. Mayor Luecke noted that "The taxpayers of the City of South Bend can no longer by themselves carry the zoo forward at the level that we would like to see it as an asset for this region." "One of the charges to this committee will be to look at other sources of funding. Whether it is a regional tax funding base for the zoo, whether it be additional grants, the involvement of the business community as well as involving the community in deciding what do we want the zoo to be and that we want to have for our community and our children." Mayor Luecke commended the staff at Potawatomi Zoo for doing a great job over the years and for being committed to maintaining and advancing the future of the zoo. Mayor Luecke urged the Council to support the funding request. RESOLVE INTO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE At 7:19 p.m. Councilmember Kuspa made a motion to resolve into the Committee of the Whole. Councilmember Dieter seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. Councilmember White, Chairperson, Committee of the Whole, presiding. 3