11-12-74 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 12 1974 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) the entire system could help to prevent fires. Mr. Evans indicated that he failed to see the reason for the program if it would not improve fire service in the community. Council President Nemeth wondered about the number of employees that could be eliminated by the new system. Chief Bland indicated that there would not be a cutback in employees. Council President Nemeth felt there were many problems with the fire trucks and equipment that should be taken care of before money was put into a system to collect data. He agreed with Mr. Evans' statement about the need for the program. Councilman Parent wondered about the system in other cities, and Chief Bland indicated that UFIRS was utilized in over 50 cities in the country. Councilman Parent wondered if this would improve the administration of the system and records, etc. He stated that he was in favor of improvements in administration; however, he wondered if additional time should be allowed to look further into the matter. Councilman Szymkowiak wondered about the problems within the department concerning the lack of inspectors, equipment, etc. He felt the money proposed for the project should be used for additional equipment and an increase in the wages of the firemen. Councilman Miller stated that a statistical analysis by census tract was done about one year ago. He wondered about the decisions made concerning that investigation. Chief Bland indicated that that data was merely informational. Councilman Miller wondered if the data had any affect on the Olive Street station. Chief Bland stated that it was determined that the station was needed because the area was a higher fire area. Councilman Miller indicated that funding had been available for computer programming some time ago. He felt this type of program could be funded from federal grant funds rather than the city's revenue sharing funds. He wondered where this program would be included in the budget when the revenue sharing funds were no longer available. Chief Bland stated that he could not answer that question at this time. Councilman Miller stated that the Council was not going to get involved in new expensive on -going programs that would probably have to be funded by the city in the future. Councilman Miller made a motion that the ordinance be recommended unfavorably to the Common Council, seconded by Council President Nemeth. Councilman Taylor felt the program might be a little on the premature side, and he stated that consideration could be given at some future time if need be. Councilman Horvath felt the program was merely a duplication of facts and figures already known. Councilman Kopczynski felt the Council should meet with the Fire Chief and Mr. Gallagher concerning the merits of the program. He did not feel the Council should act on the ordinance at this time. There was a call for the question, and Chairman Newburn indicated that he had not recognized Councilman Miller's motion because a few councilman had not had an oppor- tunity to speak on the issue. Councilman Miller objected. Councilman Taylor then made a motion that the ordinance be recommended unfavorably to the Common Council, seconded by Councilman Parent Councilman Miller asked for a point of order. He stated that a motion had been duly made and seconded under the proper rules of the Council. He asked for an attorney's opinion on whether or not his motion had been made properly. Councilman Parent stated that he felt this decision was up to the chair. Council President Nemeth wandered under what basis the motion had been overlooke by the chairman. He indicated that a motion does not cut off debate. Chairman Newburn indicated that the Council had not had its full say; therefore, he had not recognized the motion. Council President Nemeth again repeated that a motion does not cut off debate. Councilman Parent felt that Chairman Newburn was merely trying to be courteous to those councilmen who had not yet spoken on the issue, thereby limiting the motions to the end of discussion. Councilman Parent made a motion to verify Chairman Newburn's action in ruling the motion out of order. The motion lost due to lack of a second. Councilman Miller disagreed with Councilman Parent. He stated that the chairman recognized the members of the Council in order, and it became obvious that, once a councilman speaks on an issue, he could not speak again until everyone had spoken. For that reason, when a councilman had the floor, if he wished to make a motion, he should be allowed to do SO. Chairman Newburn indicated that Councilman Miller was incorrect. He stated that, if the position of the chair was challenged, however, he would then "throw the issue into the hands of the Council ". Councilman Horvath made a motion that Chairman Newburn yield to the motion made by Councilman Miller and seconded.by Council President Nemeth, seconded by Councilman Parent. The motion carried. The motion to recommend the ordinance unfavorably to the Council carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 6 -6 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AS AMENDED. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Kevin Butler, the attorney for the South Bend Redevelopment Commission, made the presentation for the ordinance. He indicated that the ordinance concerned Lot 6 in the downtown Urban Renewal Project area, being approximately 20 acres to the south of Jefferson Street along the river. The property was included in Fire District No. and it was learned from the appraisals of the property that, if the property was to remain in that fire district, there would be a negative valuation appraisal of $2 million. He stated that the ordinance would take the property out of Fire District No. 1. He referred to a map showing Block 6 in the downtown area. He explained that Fire District No. 1 was a district which covered high density industrial and commercial properties. He stated.that the fire restrictions were very rigid, and the property would not be. sold for high density uses. Mr. Gene Evans, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, wondered if the property would be put into another fire district. Mr. Butler indicated that the city consisted of two districts, and that particular area would not be put into either district. He stated that the proposed development of the 20 acres would not be congested enough to warrant a fire district. He indicated that the districts were required for building purposes and insurance purposes. Counc President Nemeth wondered why the city could not wait until it was decided what would be done with the property before taking it out of the fire district. Mr. Butler talked about the economic condition and realistic property values. Councilman Kopczynski wondered what efforts were being made by Redevelopment to sell that parcel of land for a denser use which would be included in the fire district. Mr. Butler indicated that there have been national efforts to advertise parcels fo sale. Councilman Kopczynski felt=t =hat not much land had been sold by the Redevelopment Department to outside firms in the downtown area. He felt the ordinance might be premature because of the economic conditions of the country. Council President Nemeth wondered if Lot 6 had been advertised because an appraisal figure had not been determined. He stated that,he did not understand Mr. Butler's statement regarding a negative valuation appraisal. Mr. Butler indicated that Council President Nemeth was correct in that the property had not been advertised for sale because the appraisal figure had not been determined. He indicated that, whatever figure was arrived at, $2 million would have to be subtracted from it if the property was to remain in the fire district. 1