12-09-19 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING December 9, 2019 Section II. The Common Council also recognizes and thanks Chief Cox for the additional service he provided for the protection of our country as a medical specialist in South Korea and as a combat medic in the U.S. Army with the 10151 Airborne Division during deployments in Operation Desert Shield/ Desert Storm. Section III. The Common Council also recognizes and thanks Steve's wife, Audra and children David, Keegan, Eve and Alex. Although Steve has undoubtedly missed many nights, weekends, and activities due to his fire duties, we know that your love, support and encouragement have been sources of strength and inspiration to him. Section IV. The Common Council wishes Steve all the best in his new position as the Indiana State Fire Marshal. Section V. Although Steve's contributions to South Bend will continue through his prior achievements and the continued service of those he has trained and supervised, he will be missed. Section VI. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from after its adoption by the Common Council and approval by the Mayor. Steven Cox, 302 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN, stated, So I wanted to thank the Common Council for all the years that I've been in executive leadership with the South Bend Fire Department. It's been truly an honor to be able to work on multiple projects with Council with the Mayor's staff to be able to better the City, and in the end, to make this a safer place for people to live in order for them to be empowered to live their lives. It has really truly been an honor. Not only with the Council members that are there currently serving on Council, but I also wanted to thank two (2) additional former Councilmembers that were instrumental in two (2) particular projects. First, (1") Councilman Randy Kelly, who was instrumental in helping us get fire station number nine (9) taken care of and replaced, and Dr. Varner, who ultimately as president of the Redevelopment Commission, helped us take care of fire station number four (4) in Councilwoman, Preston's district. Those were both tremendous projects for our personnel to be able to have new buildings where the old buildings in which they worked were just deficient. I also want to thank the Mayor for his confidence in me and appointing me to the position of Fire Chief. It's one (1) of the greatest honors I've had in my professional career and wouldn't have been possible without him taking a chance on me. I also want to thank the members of South Bend Fire Department, without whom none of the success of the department would be possible. When Councilwoman Broden mentioned that it's the best Fire Department in the state and possibly best department in the country, that's not an overstatement. It's because of the people. It's always been because of the people. And the folks that work there are tremendous. They're sacrificing themselves daily. A third (1/3) of the department is on shift right now protecting the neighborhoods in South Bend as we speak. That can't be overstated, the sacrifices they've made. And last but not least, I want to thank my wife Audra. Without this wonderful woman here by my side, I don't think I would have been to have the success that I've had, and also in future successes. So, I really thank you so much for this honor. It's wonderful, and I can't thank you enough. Thank you. Councilmember Regina Williams -Preston stated, Chief Cox, it's not often that you get to say our loss is actually our game. It's so exciting to know that you will be heading up this work statewide and we know that you're still with us taking care of us. We just have to share you a little bit. So, we want to thank you. In my time here, we've done lots of great work and again, appreciate the new fire station over there on Olive Street, and we just want to recognize and thank you for everything you've done. We appreciate you. Councilmember Sharon L. McBride stated, I'd just like to say thank you personally to Chief Cox. I've worked in another capacity in community corrections with him for over ten (10) years now. So, it's been a wonderful relationship. Very professional, and always helping us out and want to say you will be missed, but we wish you well. Thank you. Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, Thank you so much for your terrific service to the City of South Bend. To do it in such an extraordinary way in terms of your team building. And if I also might say, your humility, in understanding that anything that we do in local government really is 3