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REGULAR MEETING MAY 13, 2013 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />future. He urged the Council to contact him anytime for a personal demonstration to share this <br />dream come true. <br /> <br /> <br />RESOLVE INTO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE <br />At 7:41 p.m. Councilmember Scott made a motion to resolve into the Committee of the Whole. <br />Councilmember Scott seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. <br />Councilmember Schey, Chairperson, presiding. <br /> <br />Councilmember White, explained the procedures to be followed for tonight’s meeting in <br />accordance with Article 1, Section 2-11 of the South Bend Municipal Code. <br /> <br />Councilmember White stated that a brochure may be found on the railing in the Council <br />Chambers explaining those procedures. <br /> <br />PUBLIC HEARINGS <br /> <br /> <br />BILL NO. 11-13 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL AMENDING THE <br /> ZONING ORDINANCE AND REQUESTING A <br /> SPECIAL EXCEPTION FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT <br /> 3801 W. WESTERN AVENUE, COUNCILMANIC <br /> DISTRICT 2 IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, <br /> INDIANA <br /> <br />Councilmember Dieter made a motion to continue this bill until the June 10, 2013 meeting of the <br />Council. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of <br />nine (9) ayes. <br /> <br /> <br />BILL NO. 14-13 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON <br /> COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, <br /> AMENDING CHAPTER 6, ARTICLE 8 OF THE SOUTH <br /> BEND MUNICIPAL CODE BY THE ADDITION OF <br /> NEW SECTION 6-37.2 ADDRESSING <br /> ACCOUNTABILITY OF GOVERNMENT ACTIONS ON <br /> BUILDINGS DECLARED VACANT OR ABANDONED <br /> <br />Councilmember Oliver Davis, Chairperson, Community Relations Committee, reported that this <br />committee held a meeting this afternoon and it was the consensus of the committee to send this <br />bill to the full Council with no recommendation. <br /> <br />Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr., made the presentation for this bill. <br /> <br />Councilmember Davis advised that this bill is aimed to bring greater accountability of tax dollars <br />proposed to be used on vacant & abandoned properties, as well as the overall process involving <br />properties proposed to be demolished by the City of South Bend. He stated that the substitute <br />bill would add additional requirements: 1. Demo notice should mirror zoning notice process; 2. <br />City should publish a complete list of all vacant/abandoned housing with owners name; 3. <br />Vacant and abandoned houses to be secured at higher levels to prevent break in or further <br />deterioration until housing plan is enacted; and 4. Before home is scheduled for demolition, the <br />City should require three (3) estimates for rehab/repair from local neighborhood contractors. <br />Councilmember Davis presented a power point presentation (a copy is on file in the Office of the <br />City Clerk.) Councilmember Davis stated that a more thoughtful, methodical plan to address the <br />problem of vacant and abandoned housing problem than suggested by the task force. He stated <br />that his bill focuses more on rehabilitation than demolition and purports to provide the process <br />resulting in an economic plan for the neighborhood. <br /> <br />Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand advised to correct a scrivener’s error in paragraph <br />(e) item #2 should read “all” and item #4 the last word should be “contractors.” <br />5 <br /> <br /> <br />