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REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 12 1974
<br />COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED)
<br />Councilman Kopczynski asked about the hope of the Redevelopment Commission in selling properties.
<br />Mr. Butler indicated that the commission had received a communication from HUD indicating that the
<br />project must be closed out by June, 1975. He stated that, if it was not disposed of by that time,
<br />it would revert to the city. Mr. James Roemer, City Attorney, stated that the fire requirements
<br />for that particular area were being requested to be lessened because the area was remote and
<br />different development would be going in from what was originally planned. He stated that the
<br />property would then be more marketable and would be advantageous. Councilman Parent wondered if
<br />Fire Chief Bland had had a chance to look at the proposal. Chief Bland indicated that anything
<br />constructed, either inside or outside any fire district, must be erected under the BOCA Code.
<br />Councilman Parent made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council,
<br />seconded by Councilman Serge. Councilman Szymkowiak wondered how the State of Indiana's Fire
<br />Marshall felt about the ordinance. Mr. Butler indicated that the Fire Marshall would have no inpu-
<br />into the establishment of fire districts within the city. He stated that he only has a responsi-
<br />bility of enforcement of the regulations. There was discussion on enforcing the regulations con-
<br />cerning the American National Bank Building. Councilman Parent asked for a point of order concern.
<br />the discussion about the bank. He felt it was not pertinent to the issue. Councilman Miller
<br />indicated that the area was being talked about as a low density area. He felt that there was a
<br />total lack of communication with these issues with the Council by the Redevelopment Commission;
<br />however, he stated that he appreciated the fact that some things must remain confidential concernii
<br />the sale of the parcels. Mr. Butler indicated that proposed sales of parcels show that two or
<br />three story structures at most would be constructed. He felt that the general type of use the
<br />developers were interested in was low density. Councilman Miller wondered about the highest and
<br />best use for that parcel of land. He felt this should be made public and debated. He stated that
<br />the change in the fire district indicates to the Council that the attempt was to make a developmen-
<br />that might be less than "downtown like" and more residential. He felt that, if prime land was solc
<br />for less than the best use, the public should make the decision. He also felt the whole community
<br />should be involved in the determination of what happened to that particular piece of real estate.
<br />He hoped the land would be made more desirable for sale at the best price and for the best use.
<br />Council President Nemeth felt the other pieces of property should be included in the ordinance and
<br />taken out of the fire district. Mr. Butler stated that, primarily, the other blocks were located
<br />in the downtown core. Council President Nemeth wondered if sections on the other side of the rive]
<br />could be taken out of the district also. Councilman Kopczynski urged the Council not to vote
<br />favorably on the ordinance at this time. He felt further consideration should be given to the
<br />matter. Councilman Parent asked if there was any urgency on the matter, and Mr. Butler indicated
<br />that it would be hoped that, by the end of December, the matter could be resolved. Council Presid(
<br />Nemeth expressed the desire to know about the plans for the block before action was taken.
<br />Councilman Horvath asked for a clarification on the devaluation of the property in the amount of
<br />$2 million as had been stated by Mr. Butler. Councilman Parent stated that he would withdraw his
<br />original motion to recommend the ordinance favorably to the Council, and Councilman Serge withdrew
<br />This second to that motion. Councilman Parent then made a motion that the ordinance be continued
<br />to the November 25, 1974, meeting of the Council, seconded by Councilman Serge. The motion carries
<br />ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE TRANSFERRING $8,700.00 FROM
<br />ACCOUNT #630.0, "CURRENT OBLIGATIONS,
<br />RETIREMENT ", TO ACCOUNT #221.0, "SERVICES
<br />CONTRACTUAL, ELECTRIC CURRENT ", $8,000.00
<br />AND TO ACCOUNT #214.0, "SERVICES CONTRACTUAL,
<br />TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH ", $700.00. ALL
<br />TRANSFERS ARE BEING MADE WITHIN THE GENERAL
<br />PARK FUND.
<br />This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and
<br />opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Walter Lantz, Deputy Controller, made the
<br />presentation for the ordinance. He explained that a shortage had occurred in the electric current
<br />account because of underbudgeting and the added fuel adjustment costs, in addition to the lighting
<br />of park and recreational facilities. He further stated that the shortage in the telephone account
<br />was due to the rate increase approved by the utility after the budget had been prepared. He
<br />indicated that there was a balance in the retirement account because of overbudgeting and the
<br />fact that the city's cost to PERF had been reduced. There were no comments or questions.
<br />Councilman Kopczynski made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common
<br />Council, seconded by Councilman Parent. The motion carried.
<br />ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE TRANSFERRING $1,000.00 FROM
<br />ACCOUNT 260.0, "OTHER CONTRACTUAL SERVICES"
<br />TO ACCOUNT 721.0, "FURNITURE AND FIXTURES ",
<br />BOTH ACCOUNTS BEING WITHIN THE HUMAN
<br />RESOURCES BUDGET OF THE GENERAL FUND OF
<br />THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA.
<br />This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and
<br />opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. William Hojnacki, Director of the Department
<br />of Human Resources and Economic Development, made the presentation for the ordinance. He explaine
<br />that he had had no influence on the 1974 budget as it had been approved prior to his coming to the
<br />city. For that reason, in terms of his own priorities, the budget was deficient in some categorie
<br />while other categories represented low priority items. He'hoped the Council would act favorably o
<br />his request to transfer funds for the purchase of certain office equipment.
<br />Councilman Kopczynski wondered if new furniture would be purchased, and Mr. Hojnacki indicated tha
<br />filing cabinets and bookcases would be purchased. He stated that he was replacing his chair
<br />because of his back, and he added that he only had one four - drawer cabinet and one two - drawer
<br />filing cabinet. Councilman Kopczynski wondered what was needed. Mr. Hojnacki stated that he felt
<br />two additional filing drawers should be purchased this year and another two in 1975. Councilman
<br />Horvath wondered about an itemization of the budget. He explained that this had not been furnishe
<br />the Council, and he desired to know exactly what was being purchased. Mr. Hojnacki stated that he
<br />would be purchasing a new chair for himself, a credenza to replace one that was borrowed, four to
<br />six waiting room chairs, two chairs and a corner table, a typing table, two steel filing cabinets
<br />and a conference table. He stated that he desired to purchase a calculator; however, that would
<br />probably have to be taken out of the equipment account. Councilman Miller felt the items were
<br />necessary and some furniture should be purchased for that office.
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