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SPECIAL MEETING MARCH 25, 1974
<br />ECIAL MEETING (CONTINUED)
<br />Mr. Robert Parker, Assistant City Attorney, made the presentation for the ordinances. He stated
<br />that the smaller ordinance was within the limits of the larger annexation ordinance. He indicated
<br />that the area of the large proposed annexation was 15,552 acres or 24.3 square miles with 48.72% of
<br />the perimeter contiguous to the City of South Bend; while the smaller proposed annexation was
<br />approximately 3,830.0 acres or approximately 6 square miles with 41.92% of the perimeter contiguous
<br />to the City of South Bend. Mr. Parker stated that a fiscal plan and policy for furnishing services
<br />within three years has been prepared, and is evidenced by prior annexations that the city has
<br />enacted. The fiscal plan for the 24.3 square mile annexation was evidenced by the resolutions
<br />approved by the Board of Public Works, Board of Public Safety and Water Works Commissioners. Mr.
<br />Parker stated that the Board of Public Works adopted an amended resolution on March 18, 1974, the
<br />Board of Public Safety adopted an amended resolution on March 19, 1974, and the Board of Water Work;
<br />Commissioners adopted a resolution on November 19, 1973. The fiscal plan for the 6 square mile
<br />annexation was evidenced also by the resolutions approved by the Board of Public Works, Board of
<br />Public Safety and Water Works Commissioners. Mr. Parker indicated that the Board of Public Works
<br />adopted a resolution on March 18, 1974, the Board of Public Safety adopted a resolution on March 19
<br />1974, and the Board of Water Works Commissioners adopted a resolution on March 18, 1974. Mr.
<br />Parker stated that, in both annexation proposals, the city would ,furnish services such as street
<br />maintenance, traffic control, street lighting, sanitation service, police and fire protection and
<br />water. Police and fire protection would take effect immediately upon the effective date of the
<br />annexation, and all other services would be provided within three years from the effective date of
<br />the annexation. Mr. Parker indicated that the plans that were adopted show the initial cost of the
<br />services and the resolutions show the basis upon which the funding would take place. The resolutioi
<br />also show the revenue to be received from the area by the city. Mr. Parker stated that the resolu-
<br />tions were a matter of public record and have been for quite some time. He stated that the city is
<br />required to show that these areas are needed and can be used by the city for future development
<br />within a reasonably near time in the future. He felt the ordinances met that criteria; the city
<br />does have need of residential land within the city and has need for additional lands for commercial
<br />and industrial purposes. He stated that this was shown in the land -use plan of the Area Plan
<br />Commission. Mr. Parker briefly commented on the land to be used for residential, commercial and
<br />industrial development. He stated that the city believed that, as it continued to grow and expand,
<br />these would be the areas in which such industrial and commercial growth would most likely occur. HE
<br />presented to the City Clerk the resolutions of the various boards and engineering studies that were
<br />enacted for both annexation ordinances.
<br />r. Philip Barkley, 50690 Portage Highway, Chairman of the Anti - Annexation Committee for Clay,
<br />German and Portage Township, thanked the audience for coming to the meeting. He felt that showed
<br />citizen participation in government. He indicated that data summaries on the proposals have been
<br />presented to the citizens, the Council and the press. He felt the meetings held by.the committee
<br />were objective, and he stated that a 15� rate increase for city residents would be felt if the
<br />annexation took place. He stated that the annexation of either parcel would be held up in court
<br />for quite some time. He proposed that the Council disapprove the 24 square mile annexation
<br />ordinance. He proposed that the committee be given additional time to obtain data on the 6 square
<br />mile annexation ordinance before any action is taken. He concluded by indicating that the annexa-
<br />tions were the Council's responsibility and the Council's decision. Mr. Don Blackmond, 17750
<br />Waxwing Lane, an attorney practicing law at 1800 American National Bank Building, stated that he
<br />felt it was a privilege to be able to give legal counsel to the Anti - Annexation Committee regarding
<br />the ordinances. He indicated that the committee was well organized, and he was impressed that the
<br />Council had decided to withhold making its decision until a future time. He felt it would be
<br />possible to continue working through the committee and provide.the Council with the factual data
<br />needed in order to arrive at a decision. He indicated that the citizens of the affected area are
<br />very well organized and are opposed to the present proposals. He stated that, in the event that
<br />either of the ordinances are enacted as they now read, the committee and citizens would take the
<br />appropriate steps to obtain their legitimate redress by filing a remonstrance. If defeated, there
<br />is available to the citizens, in the event the city should not be able to provide services, the
<br />possibility of seeking civil redress as well. He stated that either alternative involves legal
<br />and financial responsibility for the city. He urged the Council to take the affirmative to vote
<br />nay for each of the ordinances as submitted. Mr. August Cooreman, 27431 U.S. 20, stated that he
<br />as not in favor of the annexation proposals. He felt neither the city nor the outlying areas
<br />would benefit from the annexations. He stated that the cost would be "outrageous" to the city to
<br />provide services to the thinly populated area. He felt the increase in taxes to the citizens in
<br />the proposed annexed areas would not justify the services provided. He asked that the Council vote
<br />against..both proposals. Mr. Dick Bratton, 50434 Portage Road, felt the reference in the newspapers
<br />of the "militant" people was very inaccurate. He did not feel the audience present at the meeting
<br />as a militant group of people. He felt annexation was needed for the growth of cities; however,
<br />it seemed to be contrary to his rights as a citizen. He asked if it was possible to get the views
<br />and opinions of the councilmen. He briefly talked about a proposal of annexation by petition from
<br />the property owners and wondered about this. Regarding land -use, he admitted he had mixed emotions
<br />about taking prime farmland into the city when there was such a shortage of agricultural areas.
<br />�ertaining ouncil President Nemeth asked that the City Attorney or Engineer answer Mr. Bratton's question
<br />to petitions for annexation when the audience was through speaking.
<br />r. William Griggs, 520 South Frances Street, stated that he lived in South Bend for 34 years. He
<br />ould not see any reason for taking a way of life away from the people that choose to live outside
<br />he city. He asked the Council to let the people have their democracy and vote against the proposa.
<br />r. Joseph Roper, 107 North Eddy, stated that he was the attorney representing the Martin B1ad Farm
<br />nc., Maurice and Margaret Matthys, Cyriel and Mary Matthys, Arthur Snyder and Margaret Snyder and
<br />osephine Jaworski. He stated that the land owned by his clients lies in the southerly part of the
<br />roposed annexed area, with the total acreage of such area approximately 2,338 acres of which appro:
<br />mately 2,289 acres are owned by his clients. He indicated that, concerning the 6 square mile
<br />nnexation proposal, his clients have accepted that; however, the 24 square mile annexation proposa.
<br />as not acceptable. He hoped the area owned by his clients could be excepted from the proposals.
<br />e talked about the amount of corn, oats, potatoes, etc. grown by his clients each year. He stated
<br />hat there was a natural resource in that area and it was one of the,most productive areas in the
<br />id -west. He stated that there were 17 dwellings on the 2,289 acres and many of those dwellings
<br />ere cottages furnished the workers for living quarters. He indicated that, in the entire 2,338
<br />cres, 28 homes were located on the land. There were approximately 25 families in the 2,338 acre -
<br />ract. There would only be one person for each approximate 28 acres. He stated that approximately
<br />9% of the land is devoted exclusively to agricultural. He felt the area would not be of value to
<br />ommercial or residential development because of the nature of the soil, it being muck and very
<br />roductive for agricultural uses. He did not feel the land was proper for buildings because of
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