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REGULAR MEETING <br />APRIL 28, 2003 <br />NEW FIRE STATION AND THE RENOVATION AND <br />EXPANSION OF A POLICE STATION, PLEDGING <br />COUNTY OPTION INCOME TAX REVENUES TO THE <br />PAYMENT OF RENTALS THEREFOR AND <br />REGARDING CERTAIN RELATED MATTERS <br />Councilmember Varner, Chairperson, Public Works and Property Vacation Committee, reported <br />that this committee held a Public Hearing on this bill this afternoon and sends it to the Council with <br />a favorable recommendation. <br />Mayor Stephen Luecke, 810 Leland Street, South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation for this bill. <br />Mayor Luecke advised that this bill requests a funding mechanism to build a new central fire station <br />and administrative offices for the Fire Department as well as for the remodeling and expansion of <br />the existing facility for the Police Department. Mayor Luecke asked for approval of a Lease <br />Purchase Rental Bond that will fund the construction work on these two (2) facilities. He noted that <br />the City has benefitted from a favorable bidding and interest rate climate for this project. Bids came <br />in on this project and abase bid amount of $14.87 million was accepted. With additional alternates <br />that were accepted, the construction contract amount will be $16.4 million. There are also soft costs <br />for items such as design and issuance of bonds making the total amount bonded $23 million for this <br />project. Mayor Luecke stated that he is delighted to bring this project to the Council as it has been <br />a long time in coming. They have worked long and hard to bring this project in at this amount and <br />they are pleased with the design. The designs for both facilities will serve the departments and the <br />community well. Mayor Luecke asked for the Council's favorable consideration of this bill. He <br />noted that COIT is the source of dollars to pay off the lease payments. He further noted that in <br />attendance this evening to answer questions concerning this project were Mr. Rick 011ett, City <br />Controller, Mr. Gary Gilot, Director, Department of Public Works, Mr. Steve Kromkowski from <br />DLZ, Fire Chief Luther Taylor, Police Chief Tom Fautz and Ms. Anne Brunel, Bond Counsel from <br />Baker & Daniels. <br />This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and <br />opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. <br />There was no one present wishing to speak to the Council either in favor of or in opposition to this <br />bill. <br />Councilmember Varner made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning <br />this bill. Councilmember Coleman seconded the motion. <br />Councilmember Kirsits advised that he is a member of the South Bend Fire Department and based <br />on the advice of Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand, he has no conflict of interest in this <br />matter. <br />Councilmember Coleman stated that this project has been a long time in coming and this fulfills <br />promises that have been made over the course of a decade that the City and the Council would do <br />their very best to try to upgrade and provide the best facilities for public safety officers. <br />Councilmember Coleman commended the Mayor, the administration and the Chiefs of both the <br />