09-25-78 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 25, 1978 REGULAR MEETING RECONVENED (CONTINUED WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of South Bend has been studying the question of whether to redistrict since the spring of 1977; and WHEREAS, the Council appointed a Citizen's Sub- Committee in November of 1977 which has done', an invaluable amount of research and a very commendable job in assisting the Council; and WHEREAS, there are conflicting legal opinions as to whether redistricting can legally be done at all this year; and WHEREAS, the various proposed redistricting plans would place the Southeast neighborhood into one district while splitting other neighborhoods into more than one district; and WHEREAS, the 1980 federal census would provide the best and most accurate basis to measure population variances between districts; and WHEREAS, the Common Council has weighed all of the information and believes that it is in the entire city's best interest not to redistrict this year. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, that: SECTION I. The Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, hereby concludes that after a considerable amount of research and public discussions, that it is in the entire City's best interest not to redistrict prior to the 1980 Federal census. SECTION II. The Common Council further finds that to redistrict at the present time would have a detrimental effect on the integrity of its neighborhoods. SECTION III. The Common Council is grateful to the dedicated citizens who contributed their time and service in working on the Citizen's Sub- Committee for the past year. SECTION IV. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Common Council and approved by the Mayor. /s /Robert G. Taylor Member of the Common Council A public hearing was held on this resolution at this time. Councilman Robert Taylor read the resolution. He indicated this resolution was a move to bring this entire matter to a head. He indicated that enough time had been spent on this issue. He gave a brief rundown on the money that has been spent in the Southeast Neighborhood, as well as the facilities the City has pro- vided. Mr. Paul Herr, Chairman of the Citizen's Sub - committee on Redistricting, indicated that the committee did not concentrate on the Southeast Neighborhood, but the entire City, when it developed their redistricting proposals. He indicated that the Committee would not like to see this issue disposed of without a public hearing. He indicated he urged the defeat of this resolution. Ms. Kathy Barnard, 1957 Malvern Way, spoke against the passage of this resolution. Mr. Conrad Damian, 718 E. Broadway, spoke against the passage of this resolution. He indicated that PAC needed to be a political entity. Mr. Rey Hernandez, 702 E. South, spoke for redistrict- ing. Rev. John Smith, of the Boardway Christian Parish, spoke for redistricting. Council Member Kopczynski indicated that the citizen's sub- committee had done a good job and the Council should support redistricting. He made a motion to defeat this resolution, seconded by Council Member Adams. Council Member Adams spoke in favor of redistricting. She commended the sub - committee for their work. Council President Parent spoke in favor of redistricting. The motion to defeat failed on a vote of three ayes (Council Members Kopczynski, Adams and Parent) and six nays. Council Member Taylor made a motion to adopt this resolution, seconded by Council Member Dombrow: The resolution was adopted by a roll call vote of six ayes and three nays (Council Members Kopczynski, Adams and Parent.) Council Member Taylor made a motion to recess, seconded by Council Member Adams. The motion carried and the meeting was recessed at 8:40 p.m., and reconvened at 9:00 p.m. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SUBMIT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, A PLAN AMENDMENT FOR THE 1978 PROGRAM YEAR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT APPLICA- TION (AND PLAN). A public hearing was held at this time on this resolution. Mayor Nemeth indicated this resolu- tion would allow him to submit an amendment to the 1978 Program Year Community Development Ap- plication (and Plan), to reprogram $550,354 from the CBD Public Works and Site Improvement activity to the West Washinton Industrial Cooridor project. He indicated the transferred funds would be used for acquisition, relocation, clearance, and related administrative costs. He indicated this would help improve the area for businesses presently located in the vicinity. Mr. Bobby Newbill, 1219 W. Jefferson, spoke against the resolution. Mr. James Russell, 1517 N. Fremont, spoke to the Council about conspiracy. Duke Newburn, County Councilman, spoke against this resolution.. Mr. Rich Giloth, 1036 W. Jefferson, spoke against this resolution. Mr. Felix Owsley, 1249 W. Washington, spoke against this resolution. Mr. Willie Green, of the Hanzel Center, spoke against this resolution and the fact that black businessmen were being put out of business. Mr. Lawrence Webb, 421 N. College, spoke against this resolution. Ms. Carol Dillon, 831 W. Colfax, spoke against this resolution. She asked why they were going to tear down buildings when they had vacant land available. Mayor Nemeth indicated there was no vacant land avilable. Mr. Floyd Carter, 1619 Fassnacht, spoke against this resolution. Mrs. Jane Swan, 2022 Swygart, spoke against this resolution. Mr. Dennis Kazmierzak, spoke against this resolution. Council Member Miller indicated that he agreed with those that had spoke against this resolution, and the City should not tear down large areas as they have in the past. Mr. Robert Gammage, 309 College spoke against this resolution. Council Member Taylor indicated he would support this resolution. Council Members Parent and Adams indicated they would not support this resolution. Council Member Kopczynski made a motion to defeat this resolution, seconded by Council Member Adams. The resolution was defeated by a vote of five ayes (Council Members Miller, Kopczynski, Adams, Horvath and Parent) and four nays.