09-14-99 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 14, 1999 The College Football Hall of Fame will receive six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000.00) in funding from the South Bend Tax Incremental Financing Fund. Mayor Luecke noted that TIF funds will be utilized in the year 2000 and in the next year a tax levy, initiated by the Redevelopment Commission, will be put in place to meet the Hall's obligations. Auto excise taxes reflect a significant increase of five hundred eighty -five thousand two hundred _ thirty -seven dollars ($585,237.00) for the General Fund. Payment in Lieu of Taxes, paid by Water Works and Sewage Works, also reflect sizeable increases of three hundred six thousand six hundred twenty -eight dollars ( $306,628) due to increased net book value of its property. Additionally, one other major source of revenue new to the General Fund in 2000 is approximately five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00) in fees collected by the Fire Department /EMS in connection with contracts with Memorial Hospital for neo -natal services, St. Joseph Medical Center for critical care transportation and the University of Notre Dame for miscellaneous services. Salary increases in 2000 for personnel include a 6.0% increase for all Police Officers, 5.74% for Firefighters, 3.5% for Teamsters and 3.5% for non - bargaining employees. Additionally the budget reflects additional personnel for the Department of Code Enforcement, Street Department, Park Department and two (2) new positions for the City's GIS system scheduled for 2000. Also included in the budget are costs that will be incurred as a result of the opening of the Kennedy Water Playground and the Leighton Plaza Garage. In conclusion, Mayor Luecke stated that the budget reflects one hundred nineteen million dollars ($119,000,000.00) in basic City services with a one hundred and thirteen million dollars (113,000,000.00) in revenue, with the difference being for the capital budget which will be submitted in early 2000. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bills, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Ms. Joyce Boaler, 1606 Hillsdale Road, South Bend, Indiana, spoke in opposition to the above referenced bills. She noted that she has no objections to any increases for the Police and Fire Departments but is against additional funding for the College Football Hall of Fame and is concerned that the Park Department is not yet Y2K compliant at the zoo. Mr. Steven E. Bradley, 714 East Indiana, South Bend, Indiana, spoke against additional funding for the College Football Hall of Fame until the National Football Foundation matches the City's funding. Mr. Jim Cierzniak, 1156 East Victoria, South Bend, Indiana, spoke against additional funding for the College Football Hall of Fame and called for accountability by the individuals who previously were involved with the funding of the Hall. Mr. Thomas Zmyslo, 25669 Brick Road, South Bend, Indiana, stated that even though he does not live in the City, he does have a business located in the City and he is against further funding for the Hall of Fame. Mr. Zmyslo suggested that the Studebaker Museum could be relocated to the Hall of Fame building. Mr. Zmyslo also stated that this money could be better spent on sewers, curbs and streets. In response to the comments made against the budget, Mayor Luecke stated that he appreciates the comments and suggestions. He noted that the City has worked very hard to raise dollars outside of tax dollars to finance the Hall of Fame. He further noted that the City does not have a specific dollar contribution for the operating of the Hall from the NFF as they will be meeting in October. In the past, the Hall of Fame budget was not presented to the Council until after the NFF conducted their meeting in October. This year, however, the Hall of Fame budget has been included in the City's budget at this time. Council President Coleman stated that the Council will continue to deliberate and work with the