10-20-75 Council Meetin Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 20, 1975 REGULAR MEETING - RECONVENED (CONTINUED) The low -cost bus service trial program would be provided for at least two months, charging no more than ten cents for a round trip. An added benefit would be that pedestrians could utilize the shuttle bus for transportation between the two ends of the River Bend Plaza on a daily basis. Delete Sections 3 and 4 and renumber Sections 5 and 6 accordingly. Councilman Serge seconded the motion to amend. Councilman Miller indicated that the entire resolution had been re- written according to the amendments made. He wondered if this constituted a substituted resolution, and he wondered about changing the wording and intent of the resolution without advertising. Council President Parent felt the amendments were legal as made and there would be no problems in amending the resolution. Councilman Miller felt the issue was "obviously a political one ". He stated that he was personally offended that the Council was being used for that purpose. He indicated that he did not disagree with the amendments or better bus service at a lower rate; however, he would not support this type of resolution at this time. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that the Council had funded a considerable amount of money for the PTC some time ago. He indicated that a questionnaire had been submitted to the citizens as a result of this funding and a survey was supposed to be taken regarding bus transportation in the city. He wondered about the results of that survey. Mr. Setzer indicated that the study was largely funded by the Michiana Area Council of Governments, and about 600 responses had been received and were still coming in. He stated that nothing had been analyzed and cataloged as yet. Councilman Kopczynski asked about the rate of responses, and Mr. Setzer indicated that yesterday, about 30 replies had come in. Councilman Kopczynski wondered when the replies would no longer be accepted, and Mr. Setzer indicated that, at the regular meeting in November of the PTC, a recommendation would be submitted. Councilman Kopczynski felt the study would show whether or not the shoppers were asking for this type of service. He felt the results of the study should be made known befor, any proposals were implemented. Mr. Setzer indicated that the proposal was offered as a promotion effort in order to get new people to ride the buses into downtown. Councilman Kopczynski wondered if anyone had checked to determine where cars would be parked. He wondered about the routes to be taken. Mr. Setzer indicated again that specific routes had not been outlined as yet. Councilman Kopczynski felt the Council should not vote on something that was not outlined. Council President Parent stated that the proposal would not commit the Council to any expenditure. He felt that some people would be willing to delay anything, and he felt the proposal was devoid of politics. He felt the charges made were political, and he reminded the Council that nothing else had been submitted as a proposal as yet. Councilman Horvath felt the charges of playing politics was a "low blow ". He stated that the merchants had been trying to revitalize downtown South Bend, and the resolution might not be the answer, but at least something was being proposed. He recommended that the Council refer the Parent resolution to committee and implement the PTC proposal, hopefull, to start by November 15th and then perhaps try again in late January. Council President Parent felt the objective he was working for had been attained no matter what the Council wished to do with the resolution now. Councilman Nemeth felt Council President Parent should be commended because, with the submission of his proposal, the PTC had come forward with another proposal. He also commended the bus company for responding. Councilman Szymkowiak talked about the needs of the citizens in riding the buses to and from the downtown area. He felt such a proposal would be of benefit to the downtown area and the shoppers. He felt any proposal should be made convenient for the shoppers and perhaps, during the slow hours of each day, the rate should be reduced to 15�. Councilman Newburn wondered if the American Motors buses would be utilized, and Mr. Setzer indicated that one of the older buses would be put into operation as a shuttle bus. Councilman Horvath made a motion to refer the resolution to the Public Works Committee, seconded by Councilman Kopczynski. The motion carried, with Council President Parent opposing. Councilman Taylor indicated that there was a motion on the floor to amend the resolution, and he asked for a roll call vote on that amendment. Councilman Miller indicated that the motion to refer the resolu. tion to committee would take precedence over the amendment. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL URGING THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS TO PROVIDE FREE PARKING IN THE MUNICIPAL GARAGES ON MONDAY EVENINGS AND SATURDAYS, TO EXTEND THE GREEN CURB PARKING PRIVILEGES AND TO ADJUST THE PARKING METERS. A public hearing was held at this time on the resolution. Council President Parent indicated that this proposal would allow for free parking on Monday evenings and Saturdays in the municipal garages; extend the green curb area downtown and adjust the meters to allow the user to take advantage of unused time on the meter plus purchased time. He indicated that he would be willing to have the public hearing on the resolution continued to the same meeting as the ordinance on the agenda for first reading pertaining to the parking meters. Councilman Miller felt the public hearing on the resolution should be held at this time in order to allow the citizens to speak. Councilman Taylor asked if anyone in the audience wished to make any remarks. There appeared to be no one who wished to speak; therefore, Councilman Horvath made a motion to continue the resolution to the November 10th regular meeting, seconded by Councilman Kopczynski. Council President Parent indicated that, to provide free parking in the municipal parking garages, it would cost approximately $2,400 for 16 weeks. He stated that the Mayor had agreed to make whateve transfers of funds necessary before the end of the year to accommodate the program. He stated that he had studied the bond ordinance and, if the payments were made on time, the bondholders were not too concerned where the money would come from. He indicated that this proposal would only be tried for a trial period. Mrs. Marian Waggoner, 52876 Timberland Drive, commended Council President Parent for at least starting to move on the downtown issue. She indicated that the program was experimental and it could be re- assessed. She expressed support of the proposal. She wondered about the adjustment of the parking meters, and Council President Parent indicated that it was not known exactly where the adjustable meters were located at this time. Mr. Robert Blakeney, 6140 Miami, Chairman of the Parking Committee for the Downtown Council, urged passage of the resolution because of the concern for the downtown area. Mrs. Janet Allen, 125 West Marion, urged strong consideration to the suggestion of adjusting the meters. Mr. Frank Nemeth, 1809 Hass Drive, wondered if the meter maids were involved, and Council President Parent indicated that the resolution focused only on the parking garages, and the ordinance having first reading dealt with that issue. Mr. Nemeth