07-14-14 Common Council Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING JULY 14,201 Councilmember Schey the acronym PPTA and RPTA what do those stand for? Deputy Mayor responded personal property tax abatement and real property tax abatement. Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr.- I'm not trying to be that guy, and not to be a cloud over our accomplishments, when we begin to define economic accomplishment, we have unemployment over 10 %, homeless as a major issue, free and reduced lunch program at 74% rate, and 1 out of every 2 children in the minority population are being born in to poverty, with those things that I outlined there how do we bring those numbers down by making an impact on those that need it most? Instead of hoping that something could happen. Deputy Mayor- I do want to be clear we do need to make sure that we keep track of what we are doing and what has been promised. I think with additional tools, I hope to ford that we have a comprehensive report in terms of expectations and investment in the city. In terms of the many facets of poverty in South Bend, I agree with you that we need to do better, that we can do better, but at the same time we have made real progress. I think that effort has brought the unemployment rate down, it has come down although it is still too high. We have started programs like job corps that has helped with training and fording jobs. We can't fund them all but we do need to partner with other companies that have the same goals. We can do better, we must do better. Councilmember Henry Davis, what I want to see is the dollars that we see and invest towards getting us out of poverty, I am really looking forward to this budget session. What is the response to a natural disaster here in South Bend, can we handle it if it happens? Deputy Mayor - we do have an emergency response plan, whenever we have damage that takes place is public safety, given the damages that take. There's no question that clean up always takes time. We will look how we did it this time, and see how we can make it better. We want to make sure we have the resources to do it and how fast we can do it for our city residents. Councilmember Henry Davis, I'm just concerned about the shutdown of civil services to take care of another city service that is my concern. Council President Oliver Davis, I would like to share a list of jobs that are hiring, so we can start sharing the news and move forward. RESOLVE INTO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE At 7:34 p.m. Councilmember Schey made a motion to resolve into the Committee of the Whole. Councilmember Dieter seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. Councilmember White, Chairperson, presiding. Councilmember Schey, explained the procedures to be followed for tonight's meeting in accordance with Article 1, Section 2 -11 of the South Bend Municipal Code. Councilmember Schey stated that a brochure may be found on the railing in the Council Chambers explaining those procedures. 111.10[a IIII_\:9Ibg[f1.9 (BILL 31 -14 COUNCIL PORTION ONLY) BILL NO.31 -14 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS IN ARTICLE 10 OF CHAPTER 14 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE ADDRESSING SMOKEFREE AIR REGULATIONS Councilmember Scott made a motion to hear the substitute version of this bill. Councilmember Varner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. Councilmember Dieter, Chairperson, reported that the Health and Public Safety Committee met this afternoon after discussing the pros and cons we send this bill to the full Council with no recommendation.