03-07-03 Informal Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Informal AgctingilOorking tuntbeon �tC youth Vent( Common (tountii The March 7, 2003 Informal Meeting/Working Luncheon of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by its President Karen L. White at 12:15 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Coleman, Kuspa, White, Varner and Pfeifer; Mayor Stephen Luecke, City Attorney Charles S. Leone, City Controller Rick 011ett, City Clerk Loretta Duda, State Senator John Broden, State Representative Ryan Dvorak, State Representative Richard Mangus and Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council President White welcome everyone to the first Working Luncheon of the Common Council with area State Senators and State Representatives. She noted that this is the continuation of a Council initiative started by Council Member Pfeifer when she was Council President. She stated that it provides an opportunity to share input and discuss information on legislation affecting our community. Council Member Coleman noted for the record that the Working Luncheon initiative was discussed in 1999 when he was Council President but was not implemented until later. Council President White then asked Mayor Luecke for a word of welcome. Mayor Luecke noted that he appreciates the opportunity to sit down and hear different perspectives. He noted that the current state session is difficult in light of the state budget crisis. Mayor Luecke noted that IACT has sponsored the proposed food and beverage tax which would be similar in its_. implementation to COIT. He noted that the Administration supports increasing the gas tax proposed to increase$.02 in 2004 and$.02 in 2005. Council President White then asked State Representative Mangus for his perspectives on proposed and pending state legislation. State Representative Mangus noted that the Energize Indiana bill was amended and passed 86-7. He noted that he has always supported the proposed food and beverage tax, but in the past it gets bogged down in the State Senate. He stated that he specializes in the environmental and natural resources area. He added that State Representative Bauer is doing an excellent job as Speaker of the House. Mayor Luecke noted that the City will soon be taking some of its trash to the Prairie View Landfill. In the past the City believe that their fees were not competitive, however now the City will send some of its trash there and also north. He added that the intra-state airline concept is still under discussion which proposed flights from South Bend to Indianapolis and back, and Evansville to Indianapolis and back. A surtax on rental cars in particular cities is a possible funding source;with a proposed food and beverage tax being another possible funding source. Council Member Pfeifer noted that she is concerned about polluted areas in the City like Beck Lake. IDEM completed a study on the area, which noted contamination from industrial sources; but more research and more funding is necessary. She inquired about Brownfield monies which might be available which may address the pollution problems related to trash being taken to what has become a hill in that area. State Representative Mangus noted that there is a new federal agriculture bill which has money in it