10-30-13 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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SPECIAL MEETING OCTOBER 30, 2013 worked very hard to strike the right balance and making sure that there is action. A change to this proposal that would strip out for example the importance of William and Lafayette Streets being addressed next year will have the effect of tipping the balance back in favor of planning and away from action. It would strip the community in particularly the downtown community an opportunity to see real work, shovels going into the ground, something changing before our eyes at the very moment where downtown growth and economic development seems to be catching fire. It will be a statement to let us wait instead of lets us act, let us plan instead of let us move. We believe that it is an opportunity to do both, we can plan and we can move, we can act, but also act in a way that keeps us flexible and develops real tangible changes as early as next year. But also gives us the proof of concept that we can learn from. We can refine our strategy as a city to make sure that downtown really is a vibrant place in the community. Our city will be a better place to live, work and do business. I am asking for the Council’s partnership in seizing this opportunity. Let’s get started, the comeback of downtown South Bend. Chairperson White: At this time, we will have questions regarding Bill 45-13. I am going to st start from 1 District Councilmember Tim Scott and work through, to make sure that each Councilmember if you have any questions about portions of this bill, on job creation, 311, vacant & abandoned housing initiative; safety; neighborhood concerns in terms of lights, curbs and sidewalks and then the smart streets. Those are the areas that I have heard thus far. I want to st start with 1 District Councilmember Tim Scott. Councilmember Scott: Can I defer? Chairperson White: Yes you may. Councilmember Henry Davis: Sure, thank you. Could you go over the list? Chairperson White: Job creation, 311; vacant & abandoned housing initiative; neighborhood concerns that the Council had raised; safety; lights; curbs and sidewalks and the smart streets. I just want to make sure that I didn’t leave anything out. And the corridors, and New Energy as well. So it’s the corridors and New Energy. Councilmember Schey: Can we ask other questions too, that pertain to this bill. Chairperson White: That pertains to this bill, that’s right. Councilmember Henry Davis Jr.: I am fine. Chairperson White: I just wanted to summarize the main ones that we have been discussing, but that does not mean that you can’t discuss any other items that pertain to this bill. Councilmember Henry Davis Jr.: I am aware of that, I didn’t corridor at all. That’s the first time that I heard it and that’s the reason that I was asking. Chairperson White: That was my fault. Councilmember Henry Davis Jr.: The curbs and sidewalk program, now is that going to be part of the share cost program with the City and the property owner. Mayor Buttigieg: So, there is currently a cost share program which enables residents to co-pay with the city and that is the structure that we are working as of right now. With that said, I think we can continue to be open to suggestions on changes or refinements to make sure that we are striking the right balance to make sure that all properties that are able to contribute and we have the dollars to go further and at the same time making sure that we are address the needs in the neighborhoods were there may not be a lot of folks who feel that they have the resources to pay.