05-29-79 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MAY 29, 1979 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED BILL NO. 51 -79 A BILL APPROVING A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE BUREAU OF WATER OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA AND; (1) VAN WATERS & ROGERS, SOUTH BEND, INDIANA; (2) JONES CHEMICALS, INC., BEECH GROVE, INDIANA; (3) CHEMTECH INDUSTRIES, INC., ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI; AND (4) WATCON, INC., SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, FOR THE PURCHASE OF CHEMICALS FOR USE FROM JUNE 1, 1979 TO JUNE 1, 1980 IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $49,937.50. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Bill Smurr, of the South Bend Water Works, made the presentation for the bill. He indicated that bids were let for these chemicals and found com- petitive, as being the lowest and best bids. Council Member Serge made a motion to recommend this bill to the Council favorable, seconded by Council Member Dombrowski. The motion carried. BILL NO. 52 -79 A BILL APPROVING CONTRACTS BETWEEN THE BUREAU OF WATER OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AND (1) BASNEY FORD, SOUTH BEND, INDIANA; (2) GATES CHEVROLET, SOUTH BEND, INDIANA; AND (3) SHAMROCK FORD, SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, FOR THE PURCHASE OF CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $48,671.07. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Bill Dillon, of the South Bend Water Works, made the presentation for the bill. He indicated that the Water Works desired to purchase six new trucks. Council Member Kopczynski made a motion to recommend this bill to the Council favorable, seconded by Council Member Dombrowski. The motion carried. BILL NO. 56 -79 A BILL APPROPRIATING $100,000.00 FROM THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUND FOR A DEMONSTRATION BLOCK PROJECT, TO BE AD- MINISTERED BY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AND THE DEPART- MENT OF PUBLIC WORKS. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Jon Hunt, Director of Community Development, made the presentation for the bill. He indicated this appropriation would provide funds for various public works improvements including street repaving, street reconstruction, curb and gutter reconstruction or construction, street lighting, tree planting, sidewalks, street fixtures, drainage, sewer, or water facilities on an as- needed basis in the Far Southwest and Near West - side C.D. Target Areas. BILL NO. 57 -79 A BILL APPROPRIATING $300,000.00 FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS GENERAL REVENUE SHARING, FOR DEVELOPMENT OF PERMANENT, INTERPRETIVE EXHIBITS FOR THE DIS- COVERY HALL MUSEUM, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mayor Peter J. Nemeth made the presentation forthe bill. He indicated this appropriation would be used to implement a portion of the design plan by the Joseph Wetzel firm for Discovery Hall Museum. He indicated this $300,000, plus a grant of $179,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities, will enable the City to complete 8570 . of the original plan, by next spring. He indicated this project was essential in terms of the cultural and historical enrichment toward the City's industrial development. Mr. Richard Welsh, museum director, briefly outlined the proposed project. Mr. Joseph Burkus, president of the Bendix Local Union 9, spoke in favor of this project. He indicated that the action taken tonight would decide whether the City would have a viable museum, and to let it go would be a falacy. He indicated that Bendix had many things in the museum, and that the famous Bendix beacon would now be part of the museum. He indicated that he was a member of the Board and would like to see the museum completed. Mr. Chester Bentkowski, president of the Central Polish Organization, spoke in favor of this bill, in regard to the contributions made by the Polish people. Mrs. Tillie Arch, 823 Shell St., spoke in favor of this bill, in regard to the contributions made by the Hungarian people. Ms. Eugenia Chandonia, 1927 Thornhill, read excerpts from letters sent by officials of local industries in favor of this bill. Mr. Ronald Radecki, 121 S. St. Peter, spoke against this bill. He indicated that the cost was extravagant. He indicated that he supported the museum, but he felt that the community has not participated in the planning. He indicated that a local firm should do the exhibits. Mayor Nemeth indicated that now was the time to act on this bill. He indicated this would be an attraction for the City and that it was fitting to recognize ethnic groups with the exhibits. He indicated if we did not appropriate this money, we would not receive the $179,000 from the Endowment for the Humanities. Mr. Patrick Furlong, 1320 Sunnymede, indicated he was a member of the Discovery Hall Associates. He spoke in favor of this bill.. He indicated that Wetzel had the very highest reputation. He indicated that no local firm would bid on the exhibits, because they did not do museum work. Mr. Ronald Radecki, indicated that in the design process a local firm was not interested, however, they were in- terested in the building process. He indicated that this plan was never approved by the advisory committee for Discovery Hall. Mr. David Lord, 5305 S. Monticello, indicated he was concerned as a designer about the design situation. He indicated that the design phase showed a nine month period and the contract indicated that the construction estimate will be done in June. He said there was too much variation in the amount of time to be spent. Mr. Joseph Burkus, indicated there was always some that wanted to block what was good for everybody. He said to mislead the public on something that is`not true is actually uncalled for. Council Member Kopczynski asked how much money had been contributed to the museum from local industries. Mayor Nemeth indicated that many of the industries have contributed artifacts He indicated that until industry knows what type of museum we will have, we are not going to receive any sizeable contributions. Counci: Member Kopczynski indicated that the essential services should be provided first.