09-08-03 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 8, 2003 on fifty -eight (5 8) lights. She further stated that there are dead trees on the bridge to nowhere. Also, there are seventeen (17) dead trees on Miami Street and twenty -six (26) dead trees outside the Water Works on Main Street. Ms. Boaler talked about the recent storm damage noting that the City removed all the branches from the tree lawn but left the trunks upright on the treelawn. In Blackthorn, lights burn every eight (80) paces and in Twyckenham Hills they have maybe one (1) every three (3) blocks. She was told that sewage, water and hydrants to the Carriage House on Adams Road are to enable future annexation and noted that the City is expending this money there and is not taking care of the sewers in the City. Ms. Boaler informed the Council that there are eleven (11) hydrants on Olive Road and eight (8) on Adams. Mayor Luecke advised her that all of this would be paid for from the TIF District. She noted however that there are many empty buildings in that district. Ms. Boaler stated that the City is wasting an enormous amount of money in this community and it is shameful that with the times so hard for the local citizens there is talk about increasing taxes and not lowering them. There was no one else present wishing to speak in opposition. In rebuttal, Mayor Luecke stated that Oliver School was no longer owned by the South Bend Community School Corporation but was owned by someone who had no resources to either fix it up or tear it down. After much consultation with the neighbors and support from the district Councilmember, it was felt that it was an appropriate investment for the City to tear down a dangerous building. It is expected that there will be future development at that site. In regards to the Hall of Fame positions listed in the budget, that will be dealt with when that ordinance comes up. It was an oversight and the City is not paying for those positions. There are no budgeted dollars for these positions and they will be amended out of the salary ordinance. Mayor Luecke stated that many of the expenditures raised by Mrs. Boaler have to do with capital expenditures and that is not being covered in the budget tonight. He stated that he would disagree with the characterization of the new distribution center at Olive and Sample. It will be the site of hundreds of new jobs that are important for this community and will stir additional investment in the community as well. Councilmember Aranowski thanked City Controller Rick 011ett and his staff for all their work as well as department heads for meeting the guidelines that were set out and for the presentations that have been completed. He noted that the Council looks forward to going through the budget hearings the rest of the week. Councilmember Aranowski made a motion that substitute Bill No. 64 -03 and Bill Nos. 65 -03 and 66 -03 be continued in the Council portion only and be set for Third Reading on September 22, 2003. Councilmember Varner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. BILL NO. 51 -03 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE 3500 BLOCK OF EAST DOUGLAS ROAD, IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Councilmember Kuspa, Chairperson, Zoning & Annexation Committee, reported that this committee held a Public Hearing on this bill this afternoon and sends it to the Council with a favorable recommendation.