02-22-88 Council Meeting Minutes

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ME /s/ Loretta Duda Member of the Common Council /s/ John Voorde Member of the Common Council A public hearing was held on the resolution at this time. Council Member Coleman introduced Kevin Smith the owner of the Union Station and Nancy Hartman who spearheaded the petition drive. Council Member Coleman read the resolution. Nancy Hartman presented a petition with 5,000 signatures in favor of relocating the Amtrak Station to Union Station. Kevin Smith showed proposed plans for the Amtrak Station. Mayor Kernan thanked Nancy Hartman for her leadership in procuring signatures on the petitions, as well as Kevin Smith for his entrepreneurship, and members of the Council for moving ahead on this resolution. He indicated the City's portion of this project will include up to $150,000 that will be used for the lobby, stairway, elevator and facade. He indicated that money will be in the bank Wednesday morning when the City closes on the TIF bond issue that has been sold. He indicated the City stands ready to work with Amtrak. Jim Roemer, representing the University of Notre Dame, indicated they felt this move would bring people to South Bend. He indicated the University supported this resolution. Brother Edward Courtney indicated he had a petition with 70 signatures of Brothers and Priests at Notre Dame that he sent to the president of Amtrak. He read a letter from Graham Claytor, President of Amtrak, thanking him for his petition. The letter indicated this relocation would have to be made at no expense to Amtrak. It also indicated representatives of the City and Amtrak have met to develop cost estimates for relocating the station, and as yet, no decisions have been made about the proposed move. Howard Goodhew, President of South Gateway Improvement Association, indicated the Association would be very pleased to have improvements to the Union Station and have the Amtrak trains available there. He indicated it would bring business and people into that particular area. He indicated this would be a start to revitalizing the entire area. Chris Davey, real estate broker, and President of Center City Associates which is a group citizens from the private sector concerned about the revitalization and enhancement of the downtown. He indicated this would be a great location for the railroad and would do wonders for the Union Station, the baseball stadium, and help anchor the Studebaker Museum. He indicated the railroad would bring the Notre Dame students back to downtown. Howard Wetstone, 715 Hendricks, indicated he had helped Mrs. Hartman gather signatures and was in favor of this project. Alton Long, Penn Township, indicated he was in support of this project. Tom Pitcock, a small businessman in the downtown area, indicated he supported bringing the Amtrak to the Union Station. He indicated he recently moved his office to the Union Station, and thought it would be a great idea to have the trains running in and out of the station on a fulltime basis. Nancy Hartman, 1709 Lincolnway West, Mishawaka, asked everyone in the Chambers that supported this project to stand; approximately 75 people stood. Council Member Zakrzewski made a motion to adopt this resolution, seconded by Council Member Puzzello. The resolution was adopted by a roll call vote of nine ayes. REPORTS Council Member Duda indicated the Residential Neighborhood Committee met on a variety of issues effecting neighborhoods. Council Member Coleman indicated the Parks Committee had met to discuss complaints and activities in Rum Village Park. Council Member Duda made a motion to appoint Jim Bell to the Mayor's Traffic Commission, seconded by Council Member Coleman. The motion carried. Council Member Niezgodski made a motion to resolve into the Committee of the Whole, seconded by Council Member Luecke. The motion carried. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Be it remembered that the Common Council of the City of South Bend met in the Committee of the Whole on February 22, at 7:30 p.m., with nine members present. Chairman Puzzello presiding. BILL NO. 8 -88 A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF ARTICLE 5, CHAPTER 18 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS "PROCEDURES FOR VACATION OF PUBLIC WAYS AND PUBLIC PLACES." Council Member Slavinskas made a motion to continue public hearing on this bill until March 14, seconded by Council Member Coleman. The motion carried. BILL NO. 9 -88 A BILL APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLVING FUND OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA TRUST AGREEMENT. Council Member Puzzello made a motion to continue public hearing on this bill until March 14, seconded by Council Member Luecke. The motion carried. There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, Council Member Puzzello made a motion to rise and report to the Council, seconded by Council Member Coleman. The motion carried.