08-25-82 Council Special Meeting Minutes

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SPECTAL MEETING AUGUST 25, 1982 it only enables the City of South Bend to engage in business and provide financial and staff support to the South Bend Development Corporation. I don't feel we can address those questions. It is not covered under this type of bill. James Grummel, 1126 Cleveland: I understand that you have just formed a corporation. We have another corporation called the South Bend Development Corporation. How long will this new corporation last or are we going to have two development corporations. Chairman Voorde pointed out that the amended version of the bill enables the City of South Bend to provide financial and staff support to the South Bend Development Corporation. Leslie Doty, 3502 Lincoln Way West: I don't have any quarrel with this project except for the location of the plant and the removal of the great amounts of muck for farmland that is a real resource. Kathryn Brookins, 701 W. LaSalle: I am here tonight representing an economist who is unable to be here this evening. There'are grave problems with this kind of idea. It has been tried all over the world, all over the country and not worked. Some of my confusion stems from the LDC terminology, providing public funds for private investment with no sufficient returns for the-public sector. There is no problem with providing public funds to the private sector as long as the public secor is getting fair returns on its money. Dr. Clifford Ades, 1308 Elliott: If the government creates some jobs with this money but what it creates with one hand, it takes away and destroys with the other. Will the ethanol create a number of jobs and just how many? I have heard many figures. In proportion to thee money invested, it is in my opinion, that there are not enough jobs being created. Clarence Abdul Nabar, 2022 W. Linden: One of the biggest crisis that has been preached here in recent times, is the burdensome of spending of government. This, as a result, has placed a burden on the taxpayers. We have many financial institutions here in this ara. Why is it that we cannot get these financial institutions to invest in this project? The people of South Bend have made these institutions what they are today. I feel the City is wrong to involve the federal government in the project. Council Member McGann: We have held various meetings concerning the ethanol plant. Some of the points expressed this evening are very important. All members of this Council are behind the project, and are very important. All members of this Council are behind the project, and are very much behind saving Robertson's or what is left downtown. One important thing the Council was concerned about is the displacement of workers. This project is geared toward the creation of jobs or the retention of jobs within the City. I will be supporting this bill. Council Member Crone: I would like to express my appreciation to the members of the South Bend Development Corporation who did meet with us at various times along with the administration, and to the labor representatives. I will support this bill with the amendments. Council member Beck: We appreciate the efforts of the Local Development Corporation. Council Member Voorde: Explained the composition of the members of the LDC. He said the concerns of the average citizen are going to be address to the greater good of everyone. I am more than pleased to support this bill. Council Member Harris: I would like to say that I support the bill and I hope that the corporation does not betray the public trust that will be placed upon them tonight. Those that I have met with know my concern and they should pursue the course for which it was created. Council Member'Szymkowiak: The board of men selected for the LDC are a fine group of professiona- who know what is right and what is wrong. They are aware of what would be good for the community. I feel this project is going to be very successful. South Bend has waited for a number of years for a project like this to occur. Council Member Zielinski: I would like to echo the sentiments expressed by the rest of the Council this evening. I think this project will be a great success and I see no reason why I cannot support the bill, and I am going to support the passage of this ordinance wholeheartedly. Council Member Serge made a motion that Bill No. 86 -82 as amended, go to Council favorable, seconded by Council Member Beck. The motion carried. BILL NO. 88 -82 A BILL APPROPRIATING $500,000 FROM THE 1982 COMMUNITY BLOCK GRANT FUND TO SUPPLEMENT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CAPITAL FUND TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, THROUGH ITS DIVISION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. Council Member McGann made a motion to continue this bill indefinitely, seconded by Council Member Crone. The motion carried. Council Member Zielinski made a motion to rise and report to the Council, seconded by Council Member Crone. The motion carried. REGULAR MEETING RECONVENED Be it remembered that the Common Council of the City of South Bend reconvened in the Council Chambers on the fourth floor of the County- CityBuildng at 8:40 p.m. Council President McGann presiding and eight members present. BILLS, SECOND READING ORDINANCE NO. 7094 -82 AN ORDINANCE ENABLING THE CITY TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL AND STAFF SUPPORT TO A LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FOR PURPOSES OF ASSISTING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY. This bill had second reading. Council Member Serge made a motion amend this bill, as amended in the Committee of the Whole, seconded by Council Member Zielinski. The motion carried. Council Member Serge made a motion to pass this bill, as amended, seconded by CouncilMember Beck. The bill passed by a roll call vote of eight ayes.