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REGULAR MEETING APRIL 27, 2015 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Westside Main Streets Corridor programs has begun. We are at the peak time for the City’s <br />celebration of South Bend. We are looking to be at 90% in fundraising for the event from <br />private dollars. We are looking for volunteers to pull off this event. Happy to take any questions <br />from Councilmembers. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dr. Ferlic – Can you explain to the public about the Committee of 26 with the <br />CSO project and the importance of that project; so our water and sewer rates can be affordable <br />over a 20-30 year period. Mayor Pete responded the city is under a federal mandate to make <br />upgrades to our waste water infrastructure. The estimated price tag stands of over $600 million, <br />there is no funding that comes with that mandate, we are looking to engage professional help, <br />and to engage concerned citizens. The second will be negotiations with legislation so we get the <br />attention that we deserve on these improvements. <br /> <br />Councilmember Schey – I’m curious with the work being done on Lincoln Way West, they are <br />reworking signals in two spots, what will it look like when it is done? Mayor Pete responded the <br />idea is to simplify traffic flow. Any time where we feel that a signal is not being justified we will <br />make the adjustments from traffic lights to stop signs to correlate with traffic flow. <br />Councilmember Schey combatted so the signal changes will not be round-a-bouts? Mayor Pete <br />stated no, those will be sign change adjustments, from traffic lights to stop signs. <br /> <br />Councilmember Henry Davis – When you mentioned the problem properties with the Armadillo <br />on private parties, how did we graduate from code enforcement to putting an Armadillo out <br />front? We use to cite a private property two or three times before a code hearing, then for a <br />different citation or abatement notice. Are we still doing the enforcement tools prior to using the <br />Armadillo or is that a replacement for scaring people off? Mayor Pete responded that law <br />enforcement and code enforcement are related but separate. The Armadillo is along the lines of <br />law enforcement, where neighbors have called the police about it. We are looking for both of <br />those to work parallel to each other. Councilmember Davis responded so are we getting people <br />removed from their homes if they are not abiding by the law? With my experience we’ve had <br />problem properties, where people were asked to be evicted, so are we now substituting one for <br />the other? Mayor Pete stated we are not substituting one for the other rather we are using them <br />to coincide with each other. Councilmember Davis stated there is confusion on my part on why <br />we are using the Armadillo’s if we are still using the code enforcements? Mayor Peter replied <br />the Armadillo responds to different calls in terms of law enforcement such as drug activity. <br />Councilmember Davis asked for clarification on the $2.92 million city investment and a <br />breakdown of city dollars. Mayor Pete gave a few examples of building investments from tax <br />benefits. Councilmember Davis wanted specific numbers and the return in taxes. Mayor Pete <br />referred him to DCI and that there is a process to ensure the level of abatements are appropriate. <br />Councilmember Davis’ final question, have we gotten anything back concerning your Chief of <br />Staff with what happened last summer? Are you concerned about that? Mayor Pete replied I <br />don’t know, and I’m sure they are doing their job, and they will get that done. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dr. Ferlic – Isn’t the purpose of the Armadillo to put in front of drug houses and <br />not code enforcement, (which is what I thought) for illegal activity? Mayor Pete responded that <br />would be the typical uses. Councilmember Dr. Ferlic stated I just wanted to clarify that it’s not <br />for code enforcement but for drug houses and illegal activity. <br /> <br />Councilmember Oliver Davis – I have a question regarding Lafayette on LaSalle for traffic <br />coming in, is there any talks about putting a signal to make a left turn? As there have been issues <br />of concerns there. Mayor Pete responded he will look into that and get back to him. <br /> <br />Council Vice-President Dieter – I have two questions, is it the building department or code <br />department in charge of temporary signs and right away? Mayor Pete responded I believe it is <br />the building department but I will have to get back to you on that. Councilmember Dieter’s next <br />question in regards to the city policy in the employee handbook does that apply to every city <br />employee? Mayor Pete replied, yes but with stipulations to law enforcement or anyone covered <br />by collective bargaining, it’s not going to apply. Councilmember Dieter stated other than police <br />and fire and their unions, every other city employee should adhere to the same employee <br />handbook? Mayor Pete stated that’s the idea. Councilmember Dieter asked, so if people have <br />complaints who do we refer to legal or HR? Mayor Pete responded you would refer them to HR. <br />2 <br /> <br /> <br />