04-09-73 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING APRIL 9, 1973 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) Councilman Kopczynski made a motion that the ordinance go to the Council as favorable, seconded by Councilman Horvath. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $5,000.00 FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT FUND, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS GENERAL REVENUE SHARING, FOR VARIOUS LEGAL PROGRAMS, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF LAW. (AS AMENDED) 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 Roemer, Director of the Department of Law, made the presentation for the ordinance. He explained that the Legal Department has need for the services of two legal interns at the rate of $2.50 per hour for research of matters, running errands, recording documents and providing service to the Council and departments. He indicated that the $5,000 was set up for two people over a period of time when school -would be in session for about 20 hours a week. During the summer, he suggested that local students be available to work on perhaps a 45 -hour basis. Miss Fanny Grunwald, 227 South Frances Street, suggested that local students should be utilized for the rest of the year, as well as the summer months, and Mr. Roemer felt this was a good idea and indicated that, if the ordinance was passed, he would prefer South Bend people because he felt they should be given preference. Councilman Parent made a motion that the ordinance go to the Council as favorable, seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $500,000.00 FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT FUND, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS GENERAL REVENUE SHARING, FOR VARIOUS CIVIC CENTER EXPENSES. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mayor Jerry J. Miller made the presentation for the ordinance. He mentioned that this ordinance had been discussed several times and it was hoped that it could be passed and the task started on the Civic Center project. He indicated that the planning has taken many months, and it was now time to start to show visible signs to the communit, He introduced Mr. Richard Rosenthal, Chairman of the Civic Center Committee. Mr. Rosenthal indicated that the Mayor has asked the people of the community to determine the needs and function; of a possible Civic Center and the committee had been established. He indicated that this was originally a plan specified by the Downtown Neighborhood Renewal Program. He indicated that the Civic Center Committee is composed of about 130 residents of South Bend from all walks of life. He mentioned that many of the committee chairmen were present at the meeting to discuss the matter and answer questions. He indicated that Mr. Roland Kelly was represented, Terry Miller was presen- and also Mr. Kahn, Mr. Deahl, Mr. Gillia and Mr. Taylor. He indicated that the first function of the committee was to study the proposed site and the plan for the Civic Center. In October, it was voted to accept the recommendation to utilize the site bordered by the St. Joseph River on the east, Wayne Street on the south, St. Joseph Street on the west and Colfax Avenue on the north. The committee then spent many hours studying the various financial, use planning, public relations etc. associated with the Civic Center. In the use planning area, there were five uses: downtown convention center, cultural center, museum, educational facilities through School City and recreation through the Park Department. Mr. Rosenthal indicated that there were also other uses that could develop such as restaurants and small shops which would be self- sufficient and contri- bute money to the Civic Center. He indicated that the concept of the Civic Center fits in with the renewal program. He concluded by indicating the passage of the ordinance before the Council and invited a few groups to speak in favor of the project. Mr. Philip Crone, Chairman of the United Auto Workers, 301 Donmoyer Avenue, indicated that the United Auto Workers urged the Council to endorse the remaining ordinances on the Civic Center, they being the establishment of the Civic Center Authority and an endowment fund; however, he indicated that the members of the United Auto Workers still had some reservations on the revenue sharing ordinance and could not give a total endorsement at this time. Mrs. Audrey Conley, Convention Director of the South Bend - Mishawaka Chamber of Commerce, 1711 Belmont, indicated that the Chamber of Commerce supported the ordinance. She urged coordina- tion between the Athletic and Convocation Center, her office and the proposed Civic Center. She also indicated that the Civic Center would bring much additional revenue to the community. She mentioned that other cities that have civic centers have realized an additional tax base and growtl in those communities. Mr. Edward Hager, Michiana Chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club, also supported the ordinance. He explained that the Studebaker Drivers Club was an international organization of approximately 4,000 members dedicated to the Studebaker vehicles. He indicated that the most natural reaction of people when viewing the Studebaker collection is one of nostalgia, and he indicated that the historical collection is much more than that. It is unique in that it traces the spectrum of personalized four -wheel transportation. He mentioned that the collection contains wagons, buggies carriages built for presidents, the runabout and early gasoline models, and was built by people from the community. Recently, the Studebaker Club, in cooperation with the city, brought repre- sentatives to the South Bend area to view the collection in order to obtain a professional opinion Those representatives, a Mr. Peter Smith and Mr. Thomas Slade, were most impressed with the collection, and there was an attempt to register this collection on the national register. These same men also suggested that these automobiles be displayed in a historic museum where, they felt, a great many people would come to view them. He indicated that over 400 people have come to view the collection. He indicated that where the vehicles are now stored, there is not room for expansion and they are not displayed properly. He felt the display of the Studebaker collection in the proposed Civic Center would be a tremendous draw for the Civic Center and would be very applicable to the complex. He mentioned that every year thousands of people are drawn to this area through functions at the Athletic and Convocation Center, the Morris Civic Auditorium, Indiana University and St. Mary's. He felt that, with the downtown project now underway, these same people would be drawn right into South Bend. He concluded by indicating that there was a great deal of history in the community and there should be a place to give people a chance to learn about it.