05-24-04 Public Works & Property Vacations

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Committee Report Public Works and Property Vacation Committee The May 24, 2004 meeting of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee was called to order by its Chairperson,Dr. David Varner at 4:47 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter,Pfeifer,White, Kelly,Puzzello, Varner,Kuspa,Coleman and Kirsits; City Clerk John Voorde,Mayor Stephen Luecke,Police Chief Thomas Fautz, Community and Economic Development Executive Director Sharon Kendall,City Controller Rick 011ett,Rita Kopola,members of the South Bend Fire Department, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand,Council Attorney. Dr. Varner noted that the Committee consists of Council Members Kirsits,Pfeifer, Coleman and himself. Dr. Varner noted that he called the Committee meeting so that there could be an informal discussion of the information recently received by the Hall of Fame representative. He noted that last Tuesday, several of the Council Members met in groups of three with Mr. Fallon. By the very fact that these were all separate meetings,not every one always has the same impression of their discussions. Dr. Varner noted that Mr. Fallon asked that certain items be held confidential which he will honor. Dr. Varner stated that twelve(12)years ago the city was told that"they won something" when the College Football Hall of Fame was moved to South Bend. "What we won and what we got are two(2)entirely different things". He believes that the NFF and the City of South Bend should be more of a partnership. Mr. Fallon stated that all that the NFF had to do was"follow the contract"; and that they were not accountable to the Common Council. He noted that his group met with Mr. Fallon for close to two hours. He speculated that Mr. Fallon knows that he has a good deal, despite the fact that the Hall is struggling financially. He noted that Mr. Fallon stated that they do not have to help South Bend"because we have a contract". Council Member Kirsits noted that he forgot to ask Mr. Fallon about the Kick-Off Classic football game,which could be used to help defray the ongoing costs of running the Hall. Mayor Luecke stated that the"game will be going away". Council Member Puzzello noted that Mr. Fallon stated that they voluntarily gave money which they were not obligated to give,at least on one occasion. She added that she was impressed with the Play It Smart program at Clay High School. Council President White recalled that the amount of money involved was$1.9 million; however Dr. Varner noted that if the Hall is moved at the end of the 5-year extension that the $1.9 million must be paid back. Council President White noted that more PR is required.