02-12-73 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 12, 1973 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) assessment, and this was the reason for establishment of the new policy of the city paying one - half of the assessment. Mrs. Green asked if the policy would be a continuing practice, and Mr. Richardson again indicated that he could only speak for the present administration. He indicated that this policy would be in force as long as Jerry Miller was Mayor and he was Director of Public Works. Mrs. Steven Mellinger, 3833 South Ironwood, indicated that she did not understand.the new policy, and Mr. Richardson explained that certain areas will be under special assessment programs for construction of local sewers. The project is assessed on a square footage basis, according to state law. After the total assessment is arrived at, 50% is borne by the taxpayer and the remaining 50o is borne by the city. Mrs. Mellinger asked if the project would be finished within four years, and Mr. Richardson indicated that it would be finished before next winter. Mrs. Mellinger asked how this project related to the widening of Ireland and Ironwood. Mr. Richardson answered that the sewers would be installed regardless of the widening. He did indicate., however, that the city is trying to coordinate the sewer construction before the pavement plans are initiated. Mrs. Magyar indicated that the people on the West side have good septic tanks and there is no problem with raw sewage. She suggested that the city put the money to good use and install the sewers for the people who really have the sewage problem. Mrs. Patricia Humphreys, 1971 Brookmede Drive, asked where the sewer would run, and Mr. Richardson answered that the sewer will run along Clyde Creek to the South and the ditches would be replaced to keep the erosion down. He indicated to Mrs. Humphreys that the only part of Brookmede that would be torn up would be in the area of the manholes. - Councilman Miller indicated that he did not understand the route of the sewer. Mr. Richardson explained that the sewer would terminate at Ironwood and Ireland South and East of the retention basins and would go up to Brookmede. Councilman Taylor mentioned, that the sewer construction did not have a direct relationship to the paving. He indicated that he had received two telephone calls from people in this area asking about the availability of sewers. He felt that, to vote against the ordinance, would mean that a councilman would not be in favor of extending service to the people in the future. Councilman Kopczynski felt that, in the future, it would be beneficial to furnish the Council with a layout of the plans. He also mentioned that there is a great deal of controversy on the 50% policy regarding assessments, and he asked if possibly there should not be a public hearing on this matter. Mr. Richardson indicated that about ten years ago, an engineering firm wrote its report on the streets, etc., which report was called the Gregg Report. He mentioned that the city's previous assessment policy was causing the area to decay. Conse- quently, a great deal of gas tax money was used in paving. He felt that the streets were very important and that using general tax money would be acceptable to clear up this present health problem. Councilman Kopczynski felt that the people should be able to say how this money will be spent. Mr. Richardson mentioned that this project was not a special assessment project. Mrs. William Kring, 58108 South Ironwood, expressed her concern on the annexation and Penn Township. She asked if the sewer would serve that area, and Mr. Richardson answered that it would serve part of the area. Councilman Parent made a motion that the ordinance go to the Council as favorable, seconded by Councilman Szymkowiak. An unidentified lady in the audience asked if she would have another chance to speak on the matter, and Chairman Newburn indicated that the public hearing was over and that the recommendation of the Committee of the Whole would go to the Council as favorable. There was a brief discussion and comments regarding the recommendation to the Council and the fact that the public hearing was over. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF $7,116.81 FROM THE MUNICIPAL BONDS OF 1962 FUND TO THE GENERAL SINKING FUND OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. James Barcome, Controller, made the presen- tation for the ordinance. He indicated that the ordinance was like a "house keeping" bill in tha there is requested a transfer to the General Sinking Fund because the bond issue purpose has been fulfilled for many years. He expressed hope that next year the tax rate could be reduced. He also indicated that he would be presenting a few more ordinances of this kind in the future and that this is a new procedure in the Controller's Office as they are trying to clear these bond issues up. Miss Virginia Guthrie, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, indicated that the city must be absolutely sure that all the projects under the particular bond issue are taken care of before the money is transferred into the General Fund. Councilman Miller asked if the money was to be used for the Parking Garage Fund, and Mr. Barcome answered that the money would go back to the General Fund for bond obligations and not necessarily the Parking Garage Fund. Councilman Parent indicated that he wanted to clear up the matter of citizen participation in the public hearings, and he informed the audience that, once the public hearing is over, the citizens do not have an input on the ordinance considered at the public hearing. Councilman Szymkowiak made a motion that the ordinance go to the Council as favorable, seconded by Councilman Kopczynski. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A LEASE AND TRUST INDENTURE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REVENUE BONDS AND THE FORM AND TERMS OF THE LEASE AND TRUST INDENTURE AND BONDS AND THE ISSUANCE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REVENUE BONDS PERTAINING TO K & F MANUFACTURING COMPANY, AN INDIANA PARTNERSHIP. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Kenneth Fedder, Attorney for the Economic Development Commission, made the presentation for the ordinance. He introduced Mr. Robert Lee,