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V <br /> Informal Meeting of the Common Council <br /> 2005 South Bend Common Council <br /> The Saturday,April 9,2005 Informal Meeting of the South Bend Common Council was called to <br /> order by Council President Charlotte D. Pfeifer at 10:02 a.m. in the Council Chambers. <br /> Persons in attendance included Council Members Pfeifer, Kelly, Puzzello, Varner, Kuspa, <br /> Rouse, Kirsits and White; Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, St. Joseph County Commissioner for the <br /> 1st District Cynthia A. Bodle, St. Joseph County Commissioner for the 2nd District Steve Ross, <br /> State Representative Ryan Dvorak, Director of Public Works Gary Gilot, St. Joseph County <br /> Council President Rafael Morton, County Council Member W. Randall Przbysz, Executive <br /> Director of the Department of Community and Economic Development Sharon Kendall, Cathy <br /> Cooper,Patrick McMahon, Gordon D. Wishon, Louis N. Galup, Don Napoli, Doug Hunt, Frank <br /> Perri, Judi Jankowski and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand,Council Attorney. <br /> Council President Pfeifer noted that this informal meeting has been called to hear about major <br /> initiatives so that there would be better communications. She then reviewed the attached <br /> agenda. Council President Pfeifer then invited representatives from Metro Net to make a <br /> presentation, and reminded those present that only elected officials and department heads would <br /> have the opportunity to ask questions. <br /> St.Joseph Valley Metro Net: <br /> Patrick McMahon addressed the Council and noted that he was the Executive Director of Project <br /> Future and a member of the Board of Directors of St. Joseph Valley Metro Net. He noted that <br /> other board members were present, namely: Gordon D. Wishon who is the Chairperson, Louis <br /> N. Galup,M. Don Napoli, Sharon Kendall, Gary Gilot and Cathy Cooper. <br /> Mr. McMahon then summarized the handouts. He noted that Plymouth has no long haul carriers, <br /> and that most companies will charge what the customer will bear. <br /> Metro Net is initially interest in providing services within a 25-26 mile area. This not-for-profit <br /> company would "build a roadway network" which would be below ground and secure. They <br /> would put in fiber in order to create this"roadway". There would be reciprocal agreements with <br /> the City of South Bend. 36 fibers are being provided. <br /> Council President Pfeifer then requested Judi Jankowski of SBC to make any comments she <br /> would like. <br /> Ms. Jankowski stated that SBC strongly believes in partnerships. In 2004, approximately $15 <br /> million in capital investments were made in the South Bend area. $1.4 million was paid in taxes, <br /> and they employ approximately 400 individuals. She noted that on September 13, 2004, Cleo <br /> Washington presented information on this topic; and that he also had a Michiana Point of View <br /> published in the South Bend Tribune on January 12, 2005. Overall, SBC believes it is <br /> fundamentally unfair to use tax payer dollars to subsidize such an operation. She noted that this <br /> was stressed at the January 26, 2005 Information and Technology Committee meeting. <br /> Apri19,2005 Informal Meeting of the South Bend Common Council -page I- <br />