02-10-03 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 10, 2003 maintains strong reserves. Those reserves are important for a variety of reasons. As the weather has pointed out there is always the risk of a major storm and the winter weather does extreme damage to the streets. But more importantly, in this year when property tax reassessment is taking effect, strong reserves will help carry the City through and hopefully it will not have to borrow again when many other governmental units are doing that. This capital budget invests in people, it invests in neighborhoods, downtown and commercial corridors, it invests in parks and recreation, it invests in the City's own equipment and facilities, it continues a strong paving program because of decisions that have been made in the past. It has dollars available for major projects that will continue the momentum of building South Bend. Mayor Luecke pledged to the Council that he will continue to look for other outside sources to help cover some of these costs. However, this budget provides a strong platform to continue investing in and building South Bend. Mayor Luecke invited City Controller Rick 011ett to speak to some of the specifics. Mr. Rick 011ett, City Controller, 14th Floor, County -City Building, South Bend, Indiana, noted that the City anticipates making a variety of capital improvements to its various facilities and capital inventory during fiscal year 2003 and has determined that it is necessary and appropriate to make payment of these expenses and to appropriate sufficient funds from the various capital funds of the City to do this. He noted that the City invests in people, equipment and facilities to build a better South Bend. This is done in many ways. Mr. 011ett stated that he would be happy to answer any questions which the Council may have concerning this budget. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. There was no one present wishing to speak to the Council either in favor of or in opposition to this bill. Councilmember Aranowski commended the Mayor, his staff and Rick 011ett for showing fiscal responsibility. He noted that the budget is a two (2) step process with the operating budget providing the money for capital needs. Councilmember Aranowski made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning this bill as substituted. Councilmember Pfeifer seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. BILL NO. 4 -03 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPROVING PARKING RATES FOR PARKING GARAGES AND PARKING LOTS OPERATED BY THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Councilmember Aranowski, Chairperson, Personnel & Finance Committee, reported that this committee met this afternoon and sends this bill to the Council with a favorable recommendation. Mr. Tim Williams, Economic Development, 12th Floor, County -City Building, South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation for this bill.