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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-13-1671 71 H R W N ° z 0 r n r r x r� y a m z H 0 x b� z d 0 b CsJ z y CD CD y x m m o CD � CD � a � m z r o z 0 CD r r IL a a a a a a a a a h 71 71 H R W N ° z 0 r n r r x r� y a m z H 0 x b� z d 0 b CsJ z y REPORT OF SUB - COMMITTEE ON MINUTES TO THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND: THE SUB - COMMITTEE HAS INSPECTED THE MINUTES OF THE June 13, 2016 MEETING OF THE COUNCIL AND FOUND THEM TO BE CORRECT. THEREFORE, WE RECOMMEND T E BE APPROVED: TIM SCOTT ID VAI R APPROVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL ON: June 27, 2016 ATTEST: CITY CLERK i; :A� �j:; '�, R <.� � �. .. . REGULAR MEETING JUNE 13, 2016 Be it remembered that the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana met in the Council Chambers of the County -City Building on Monday, June 13, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Council President Tim Scott and the Invocation and Pledge to the Flag were given. ROLL CALL COUNCIL MEMBERS: Tim Scott Regina Williams- Preston Randy Kelly Josephine Broden Dr. David Varner Oliver J. Davis John Voorde Gavin Ferlic Karen L. White OTHERS PRESENT: Kathleen Cekanski - Farrand Adriana Rodriguez Kareemah Fowler Jennifer Coffman Alkeyna Aldridge Joseph Molnar 1St District, President 2nd District 3rd District 4th District 5th District 6th District, Vice President At -Large F. At- Large, Chairperson Committee of the Whole At -Large Council Attorney Legal Research Assistant City Clerk Chief Deputy Clerk Deputy Clerk Clerk Executive Assistant REPORT FROM THE SUB - COMMITTEE ON MINUTES Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion that the minutes of the May 23rd 2016 meeting of the Council be accepted and placed on file. Councilmember John Voorde seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. SPECIAL BUSINESS 16 -55 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, PUBLICLY HONORING THE RILEY ROCKETRY TEAM IN REPRESENTING THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND IN THE 2016 TEAM AMERICA ROCKETRY CHALLENGE FINAL FLY -OFF Due to the petitioners not being present, the Council decided to wait until the end of the meeting to make a decision on Bill 16 -55. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICES Representing the City administration will be James Mueller. REGULAR MEETING JUNE 13, 2016 RESOLVE INTO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE At 7:05 p.m. Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to resolve into the Committee of the Whole. Councilmember Karen White seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic, Chairperson, presiding. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic explained the procedures to be followed for tonight's meeting in accordance with Article 1, Section 2 -11 of the South Bend Municipal Code. PUBLIC HEARINGS 21 -16 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 803 WEST WASHINGTON STREET, COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT NO. 1 IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Councilmember Oliver Davis, Chair of the Zoning and Annexation Committee, reported that they met and send this bill forward with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember Karen White made a motion to accept the substitute bill on file in the City Clerk's Office. Councilmember Oliver Davis seconded the motion which carried by a voice nine (9) ayes. Councilmember Karen White made a motion to amend Substitute Bill 21 -16 by changing current section two (2) to become three (3). The new section two (2) will read "This ordinance is subject to the execution and recording of written commitments set forth in Exhibit A which is attached hereto and included herein by reference." Councilmember John Voorde seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. Matthew Chappuies, Area Plan Commission with office on the 11th Floor of the County -City Building, served as the presenter for this bill. This is the property commonly known as the "Kizer House ". The petition was brought by the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana seeking a rezoning of the property from Multi- Family District to Mixed -Use District. Mr. Chappuies provided photos and plans of the site for the Council which are on file in the City Clerk's Office. The building is currently undergoing very extensive interior and exterior renovations. The existing curb cuts on Washington Street will be eliminated in exchange for a new curb cut located on MLK Drive. The petition for the curb cut was approved by the Department of Public Works. There are also written commitments that address the maximum number of residential units on the property and require that the property maintain an agreement with the History Museum which would allow for overflow parking if needed. The Area Plan Commission sends this bill forward to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Gregory A. Kil, Kil Architectural Planning with studios located at 1126 Lincolnway East South Bend, spoke as the petitioner for this bill. Their office put together the site plan as well as the petition for the curb cut. At the last committee meeting, Engineering requested a traffic study and they did perform that study and submitted it per their request. Mr. Kil provided documents with the councilmembers that demonstrate the site lines for vehicles. In addition to making the access to the property safer with the new curb cuts they are eliminating unsafe curb cuts on Washington Street. Todd Zeiger, Director of the Northern Regional Office of the Indiana Landmarks Foundation with addresses at 402 West Washington South Bend, also spoke as a petitioner for this bill. Their goal for this property is to restore the area in front of the building to green space since it is currently all concrete and doesn't fit in with the neighborhood. With parking in the rear of the property, the home will fit much better than it has for many decades. Their offices will be relocated to this site and the upstairs will be used as apartments. There were no questions from the Council. 2 REGULAR MEETING JUNE 13, 2016 Those from the public wishing to speak in favor of the bill: Noreen Dean - Moran, President of the Near Northwest Neighborhood Association, at their previous neighborhood meeting they voted unanimously in favor of this bill. They received very detailed plans from the petitioners and are satisfied with their parking solutions. This will be an appropriate building for our National Historic District Neighborhood. Elicia Feasel, Executive Director of the Historic Preservation Commission with offices at 125 South Lafayette Boulevard, stated the Commission is currently undergoing the process to have the building designated as a local historic landmark. That is based on its significance historically and architecturally. A rezoning to a Mixed -Use District will not pose any conflict with the Historic District zoning overlay. This project will be beneficial to the property and the neighborhood. Andrew Ujdak, 121 South Chapin Street South Bend 46601, spoke in favor of the bill. The petitioners have relieved both of these concerns regarding parking and limitation of residential dwelling units. This used to be a problem property and now it is headed to a much brighter future. All concerns have been addressed that he has regarding the plan. There is a lot of work to do on this building and it will be great to see it completed. Jim Bognar, 807 West Washington Street, spoke in support of the bill. He has lived near the property for over fifty (50) years and it is great that Landmarks has decided to be a good steward of the property. They have answered issues of the curb cut and limiting apartments. Their intention is to return this house to the condition that Mr. Kizer would have wanted. It will be a big positive for the neighborhood. There have been local jobs working on this project which is great to see. Mr. Bognar thanked the Council for their receptiveness to his concerns as well as the County Council as well. The preservation of our history is something we can all be proud of and seek to do. Those wishing to speak in opposition to the bill: Philip Blain, 739 West Washington Street, spoke against the bill. Everything they are talking about is great and he loves it but he is the one directly affected by the state of this property. The only information he has gotten is what he had to pull out of their hands. They are hiding behind lock doors and holding this information. Yes this will be a benefit in the long run and he is excited to see how this plays out but they should not get preferential treatment. Mr. Zeiger was given the opportunity for a rebuttal. He stated that he did meet with Mr. Blain this afternoon after the Committee meeting to address his concerns and clean up the construction work in the morning and move the outdoor restroom facilities. Their door was locked because it was after 5:00 p.m. They met and talked for a half hour and he did his best to address his concerns. Councilmember Tim Scott thanked everyone who has worked on this bill so far as this is in his district. There has been a lot of great communication and collaboration with all the individual parties involved. Councilmember John Voorde made a motion to send the substitute bill as amended to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember Oliver Davis seconded the motion which carried by voice vote of nine (9) ayes. RISE AND REPORT Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to rise and report to full Council. Councilmember Karen White seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. REGULAR MEETING RECONVENED 3 REGULAR MEETING JUNE 13, 2016 Be it remembered that the Common Council of the City of South Bend reconvened in the Council Chambers on the fourth floor of the County -City building at 7:22 p.m. Council President Tim Scott presided with nine (9) members present. BILLS — THIRD READING 21 -16 THIRD HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 803 WEST WASHINGTON STREET, COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT NO. 1 IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to amend the bill as it was in the Committee of the Whole. Councilmember Dr. David Varner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to pass substitute Bill 21 -16. Councilmember Oliver Davis seconded the motion which carried by a roll call vote of nine (9) ayes. RESOLUTIONS 16 -49 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPROVING A PETITION OF THE AREA BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2319 LINCOLNWAY WEST Councilmember Oliver Davis, Chair of the Zoning and Annexation Committee, reported that they met and send this bill forward with a favorable recommendation. Ayoka Paek, Building Department at 125 Lafayette, spoke as the presenter of this bill. This special exception comes with approval from the Area Board of Zoning Appeals. There are two (2) properties behind the property in question and they are owned by the person who owns the Metro PCS building and the parking is adequate for both properties as well as the smoke shop. Christopher Strover, 27 North Johnson Street, spoke as the petitioner of this bill. Being a former resident of the area, he has seen the ups and downs of the neighborhood. They want to build something that represents the redevelopment of the community and it will be a great first start for the area in keeping with the development plans. They are really excited and plan to uphold the recent smoking laws. The landlord of the building and owner are the same individual. There were no questions from Council. No one from the public spoke either in favor of or against the bill. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to adopt Bill 16 -51. Councilmember Oliver Davis seconded the motion which carried by a roll call vote of nine (9) ayes. 16 -51 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPROVING A PETITION OF THE AREA BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 700 WEST IRELAND ROAD Councilmember Oliver Davis, Chair of the Zoning and Annexation Committee, reported that they met and send this bill forward with a favorable recommendation. Ayoka Paek, Building Department at 125 Lafayette, spoke as the presenter of this bill. This application also comes with a favorable recommendation from the Area Board of Zoning Appeals. This is a special exception for the Walmart parking lot adjacent to Gates Toyota to use it for car sales which is a special exception in the CB District. They have been doing this for a few years and want to do it within the proper requirements. Clint Emberton, 714 Dice Court South Bend 46614, is the general sales manager at Gates Automotive Group and served as the petitioner of this bill. They have held this event for a few 4 REGULAR MEETING JUNE 13, 2016 years and when applying for a tent permit this year they discovered they were in violation of the Code and want to get that corrected the right way. They do similar events like this in Mishawaka and have never had a problem. Mr. Emberton thanked Ms. Paek and the City in general for making this an easy process. There were no questions from the Council. No one from the public spoke in favor of or in opposition to the bill. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to adopt Bill 16 -51. Councilmember Oliver Davis seconded the motion which carried by a roll call vote of nine (9) ayes. 16 -54 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, ACCEPTING AND CONFIRMING A RESOLUTION OF THE SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION DETERMINING THAT THE TAX INCREMENT FOR ERSKINE VILLAGE TO BE COLLECTED IN THE YEAR 2017 MAY BE ALLOCATED TO RESPECTIVE TAXING UNITS AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS Councilmember Gavin Ferlic, Chair of the Community Investment Committee, reported that they met and send this bill forward with a favorable recommendation. Beth Leonard, Community Investment with offices on the 14th Floor of the County -City Building, spoke as the petitioner and presenter of this fill. This bill allows the City to release the increment for Erskine Village. The reason the TIF was set up was exclusively for the payment of bonds. The City has enough cash to pay those bonds leaving the TIF unnecessary. The bonds will be paid off in February 2017. There were no questions from Council. No one from the public spoke in favor of or in opposition to the bill. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to adopt Bill 16 -54. Councilmember Oliver Davis seconded the motion which carried by a roll call vote of nine (9) ayes. BILLS FIRST READING Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski - Farrand announced there was a scrivener's error in the title of Bill 26 -16 and the City Clerk will read the correct title. 26 -16 FIRST READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING CHAPTER 18, ARTICLE 1, SECTION 18 -15 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE TO ASSURE SIDEWALK ACCESSIBILITY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES NEAR SIDEWALK CAFES Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to send Bill 26 -16 to Public Works and Property Vacation for June 27th 2016. Councilmember Karen White seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. 27 -16 FIRST READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND ESTABLISHING HISTORIC LANDMARK STATUS FOR THE STRUCTURE AND REAL PROPERTY KNOWN AS KIZER REGULAR MEETING JUNE 13, 2016 HOUSE AND LOCATED AT 803 WEST WASHINGTON, IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Councilmember Dr. David Varner made a motion to send Bill 27 -16 to the Zoning and Annexation Committee for June 27th 2016. Councilmember Oliver Davis seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. 28 -16 FIRST READING ON AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1311 NORTH IRONWOOD DRIVE, SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT NO. 4 IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Councilmember Dr. David Varner made a motion to send Bill 28 -16 to the Zoning and Annexation Committee for July 25th 2016. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. 29 -16 FIRST READING ON AN ORDINANCE TO VACATE THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTIES: ALLEY VACATION- FIRST NORTH /SOUTH ALLEY FROM SAMPLE STREET TO GARST STREET, BETWEEN FRANKLIN STREET AND LAFAYETTE BLVD. AND THE FIRST EAST /WEST ALLEY FROM FRANKLIN STREET TO LAFAYETTE BLVD. BETWEEN SAMPLE STREET AND GARST STREET, SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Councilmember Dr. David Varner made a motion to send Bill 29 -16 to the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee for June 27th 2016. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. 30 -16 FIRST READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 9, ARTICLE 3, OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADDRESS AMBULANCE /MEDICAL SERVICE FEES Councilmember Dr. David Varner made a motion to send Bill 30 -16 to the Health and Public Safety Committee for June 27th 2016. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. 31 -16 FIRST READING ON AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 314 & 318 ST. PETER STREET, 401 NOTRE DAME AVENUE, AND 325 FRANCES STREET, COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT NO.4 IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Councilmember Regina Williams - Preston made a motion to send Bill 31 -16 to the Zoning and Annexation Committee for July 25th 2016. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. REGULAR MEETING UNFINISHED BUSINESS JUNE 13, 2016 Due to the Riley Rocketry Team not being in attendance, Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to continue Bill 16 -55 to June 27th 2016. Councilmember John Voorde seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. NEW BUSINESS Councilmember Oliver Davis requested. that Eric Horvath, Director of Public Works, speak to the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee on June 27th 2016 regarding the sidewalks program. Council President Tim Scott announced that he and the presidents of the Mishawaka Common Council and St. Joseph County Council agreed to three (3) meetings regarding the food and beverage tax resolutions all three (3) councils adopted. Those meetings are scheduled for June 29th, July 27th and August 31 St and will take place at the Century Center. The idea is to present information on food and beverage taxes and receive input and feedback from the various councilmembers and from the public. Councilmember Karen White announced the budget hearing process is beginning. The schedule is online and there are seven (7) public hearings beings hosted here and also one (1) meeting out in the community. The date for the community meeting will be set hopefully by next week. Those will start in August and go through September. Councilmember Oliver Davis announced the new bus shelters are being built and there are more to come as well. He asked any councilmembers to notify him if they have areas in their districts that need the bus shelters. These are needed for people during the winter when it snows and also when it rains. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Jesse Davis, 210 Towle Ave Mishawaka Indiana, stated the people who spoke at the podium earlier in the meeting disobeyed the rules by not stating their residential address. They only gave their office addresses. If the public has to play by the rules everyone else should as well. Mr. Davis voiced his opposition to the removal of the "Privilege of the Floor Letterform ". That is the citizens' only tool to document a paper trail of what we are upset about and the only way to submit any type of evidence to the City. When that form was submitted with evidence it was entered into public record which is important. We can't go online and find half the minutes and then minutes only go so far because they are just the outline of what someone might have said on an issue. Without the form there is no way to officially submit something to the Council. This is taking the public's voice away. Mr. Davis stated there was large party at the J.C. Lauber Building. Apparently that building is owned by a relative of Aaron Perri and people are concerned because people were drinking along with South Bend Brew Works was there and had a food truck parked inside the building and had a cover charge for people. The building is not permitted properly and the building has not been inspected and it needs to be looked into. Bill Dunn, 1620 Southwood Avenue South Bend, spoke in favor of the proposal to build a firehouse at the southwest corner of Potawatomi Park. Mr. Dunn is a member of the Board of Directors of the River Park Neighborhood Association but he is speaking as a citizen tonight who lives very close to the zoo. According to the petition against the firehous6, locating the firehouse would disrupt park activities ranging from the pavilion to the swimming pool and King's Kingdom when the sirens would go off for an emergency call. The petition also states the noise level would cause potential harm to children. What is not mentioned in the petition is that the most common route today for fire trucks and ambulances in River Park is Mishawaka Ave with sirens sounding and horns honking the entire time. That is approximately twenty -five (25) foot distance from the proposed site of the new firehouse. What is also not mentioned is that sound levels and decibels decrease with the hearers distance from the source. Unless someone would be standing right by the fire truck they are not going to be hearing those high decibel REGULAR MEETING JUNE 13, 2016 levels. Regardless of where the firehouse is to be located, the vehicles will be transiting the school areas no matter what and it does not matter where the firehouse is located. Ronnie Seward, 703 Kentucky Street South Bend, spoke in favor of the need for better sidewalk programs specifically highlighting the need for new sidewalks and curbs on Kentucky Street. and Chapin Street. There are many areas in the South Bend communities who need help fixing these sidewalks not just the main thoroughfares. People just want simple fixes while the City is paying for large upgrades to the roads. Samuel Brown, 222 East Navarre Street South Bend, spoke in admiration of Muhammad Ali and the work he did for South Bend and was a great person every time he came to this City. Mr. Brown expressed the need of the community to come together and get past racial and other differences that separate the community. The only way that violence is going to change is if we come together and say enough is enough. Jonathan Anderstrom, 526 W. Western Avenue, stated the City needs to work with businesses for their new free Wi -Fi downtown. It is a great thing for the city to have but we need to make sure it is not disparately affecting other businesses' downtown Wi -Fi. This is a great program but the City does need to discuss with businesses before implementing such a powerful network because it does have unintended consequences. Mr. Anderstrom spoke about the proposed charter school to come downtown and stated they have pulled the application for right now but do intend to submit a new application in the future. Jean Perrin, 830 South 32"d Street South Bend 46615, president of the River Park Neighborhood Association but spoke as a citizen.. Ms. Perrin spoke in favor of the proposed relocation of the River Park Fire Station. Due to the realities of the City's Budget this proposal makes the most fiscal sense. There is also an urgency to have a fire station with an ambulance in the neighborhood. Ms. Perrin spoke about the difficulties her family had when her husband had to wait for twenty (20) minutes for an ambulance because of the great distance they have to travel to get to River Park. The EMTs and firefighters who responded were wonderful and resuscitated her husband but no one should go through that trauma or fear. Also, the proposed relocation is equidistant to the boundaries of River Park and there would be a positive presence in the park that could possibly help mitigate possible criminal issues. Huey Scoby, 3415 Riverside Drive South Bend, spoke in support of establishing a MLK Drive in South Bend. He has submitted petitions with over seven - hundred (700) signatures asking to move MLK Drive to a larger road and over sixteen (16) pastors are in agreement as well. This town is heading towards being another Fergusson Missouri if we do not change how we operate. The Council should look at those petitions and let the community decide which street. Janet Maciulski, 1117 South 31st South Bend, spoke in favor of Potawatomi Park and stopping the proposed firehouse. She presented a petition with over seven - hundred and fifty (750) signatures from all over the country. Some of these signers have enjoyed growing the park while growing up in South Bend and others are friends and relatives of residents who enjoy the park while.visiting the City. They are submitting responses from South Bend residents only. Their words represent the breadth and depth of the overall opposition to the firehouse. Ms. Maciulski also turned in over four hundred (400) written petitions as well. Ms. Maciulski read a few of the responses from people who were against building the firehouse. Pam Claeys, 1106 Bellevue South Bend 46615, stated she is a part of the River Park Neighborhood Association but is speaking against the proposed firehouse. Ms. Claeyes provided a map of the parks in South Bend and Potawatomi is the only park in River Park. She suggested buying houses on Mishawaka Street that are for sale and use that land for the firehouse. Green space is invaluable to the City. Linda Myers, 2823 Samsong Street South Bend 46614, spoke about the benefit of nature to living a healthy life. Some doctors even prescribe patients to spend time in nature. In our technological world today we need parks and green space more than ever. Protecting nature builds upon our community and makes us all healthier. South Bend can be an even better place to live and building that firehouse is a step backwards. M REGULAR MEETING JUNE 13, 2016 Carol Schumaker, 1613 Hildreth Street South Bend 46615, spoke against the proposed firehouse. She stated she has called an ambulance and they arrived in a timely fashion and she has no problem with the Fire Department. However, the park is heavily used by the community in that area and many of the houses do not have large yards. These homes are middle and working class people who cannot afford houses with big yards. The park allows the people of River Park to have green space for their children. Childhood obesity is a huge problem in this country and access to parkland is the solution. When we lose parkland the people that suffer the most are low and middle income families. Rich Wallace, 937 South 21St South Bend 46615, spoke against the proposed firehouse. Potawatomi is a passive park which has value in and of itself. South Bend is underrepresented in green space and taking even more away doesn't make any sense. For children in the neighborhood that area is the main access to Kids Kingdom, the pool and the zoo. If the firehouse was built there it would be a concern for the students who go to John Adams because it is so congested. Bradley Laird, 1232 Longfellow Avenue South Bend 46615, spoke against the proposed firehouse. We want and need good Fire Department service and an ambulance based in the neighborhood but it is a profound failure of imagination to devalue our natural spaces. We can't and should not let go of our natural spaces because once we lose them they are gone for good. Every person that drives past that park sees open green space which has a positive effect on their wellbeing. This is a jewel in our community and we should protect it. Mr. Laird acknowledged the constraints that the state government has placed on local governments in the form of revenue. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, President Tim Scott adjourned the meeting at 8:13 p.m. 0 I . a -r