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Home My WebLink About10-2009 NewsletterSO U THO jA 11 r October L� ' �" ' 2009 UAyntr Sr�pkF�v 1. ,Cueckr Letter from the Mayor How we're living within our means THIS MONTH... Dear Friends and Neighbors, Mayor's Letter By the time you read this, the South Bend Common Council will have adopted Morris Performing Arts Center the City's 2010 budget. The past two years have marked the best and worst of times. Halloween Green Tips Cell Phone Ordinance We have enjoyed many successes, including the development of Eddy Street Commons Leaf Pickup and the emergence of our two -site state - certified technology park (consisting of Inno- New Wilson Pavilion at Potawatomi Park vation Park at Notre Dame and Ignition Park). Yet the budget challenges brought on by N N N Arts Cafe the property -tax caps have been the greatest during my time as mayor. :- Nevertheless, I am happy to point out the decisions we've made to reduce City` W41;r spending to live within our means. For the most part, this has not resulted in a reduc- " A tion of services. Instead, we have made targeted cuts that push our departments to find ltpf - new levels of efficiency through innovation, use of technology and common sense. This month, I want to look at the budget cuts made by the City. = - The biggest impact has been the reduction in the number of City employees. Next year, we will have 56 fewer full-time positions with 1,134 staff in all depart- . ments. That means, since 2000, the City of South Bend has cut 206 positions. This represents a 15 percent reduction from the 1,341 employees we had just nine years ago. s_ We also have made other reductions in personnel costs, our largest single expense. I ; • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • have voluntarily taken a 5 percent pay cut, along with all Department Heads and most directors. Many other City employees will experience the second consecutive year of • pay freezes. We have streamlined our health benefit options and reduced expenditures. • • • • New tax revenue has helped us preserve our public safety efforts and parks • • facilities. Yet the new revenue is insufficient to allow other City departments to avoid ; • the full impact of the property tax caps. Besides personnel reductions we have taken a • • • • variety of approaches to a balanced budget. PERFORMING ARTS CENTER • • Our Community and Economic Development staff is consolidating from two . Upcoming Performances • • sites into the County -City Building. Our Public Works department is shifting personnel • November • to alternate funding sources. The Morris Performing Arts Center and Palais Royale ; 2 Celtic Thunder • Ballroom have renegotiated contracts while striving toward becoming fully self- • 14 South Bend Symphony Orches- supporting — a situation unheard of in similar public facilities. The Mayor's Office has tra, "Signature Strings" with cut funding for state and federal lobbyists. Take -home cars have been eliminated in . Euclid Quartet • • 20 Comedians Bob and Tom • some departments, such as my office, while we are working toward reductions or • • greater cost - sharing where they are still in use. We've restructured our crossing guard • December program, eliminating little -used intersections and ending benefits for part-time work. • 5 -6 South Bend Symphony Orchestra • One of my regrets is that these tough financial times have led to the end of ; Presents "Home for the Holidays" • valuable programs and services. Over a decade, we invested nearly $9 million into our • with Anita Johnson Commercial Corridors initiative, improving the attractiveness of key entryways into • 11 -13 Southold Dance Theatre Presents • South Bend. We no longer have the resources to assist community -based social service ; The Nutcracker • providers, including private after- school programs. Our Good Neighbors program al- • 18 Jerry Seinfeld, 8pm lowed for 50 -50 matches between property owners and the City for new curbs, side- 0 • walks and driveway approaches. Each of these ended last year along with lamppost and • 31— January 4th Sesame Street Live • • historic streetlight efforts. But for every program cut, more have been saved through • New events are always being • innovation and new efficiencies. Next month, I'll highlight how South Bend has pio- ; added, so check out MorrisCen- • neered in this approach. • ter. org for the latest on the Hot- test Tickets in Town, or call the • Sincerely, /'/�j • Morris Box Office at 235.9190. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 00 I GREEN - t` erclean g,. New Cell Phone Ordinance ;. IPS - The use of handheld cell phones and texting while driving in a School Crossing ahborl` cods Zone in South Bend is now prohibited to help provide addtional safety to our Top Ways to Go Green this Halloween! I school children, to the School Crossing Guards, and to motor vehicle drivers. 1. Reuse Costumes: Put together a low -cost I The new public safety ordinance will be enforced on school - costume by shopping at yard sales, days when school is in session. The city ordinance prohibits SCHOOL re- discovering hidden outfits in your closet, motor vehicle drivers from engaging in calls while talking and trading costumes with friends. dialing or listening on a hand -held mobile telephone and pro - 2. Decorate with Nature: Use leaves, I hibits entering or reading text messages while driving in a branches, hay bales, gourds, pumpkins, mums, I school crossing zone. While driving through school zones and dried flowers. South Bend City Ordinance prohibits Hand -held: 3. Light up the Night: Cut down on energy . Cell phones and keep walkways safe for kids by using I . Mobile telephones tralln strands of LED lights in place of conventional I . Mobile communication devices holiday string lights. Illuminate carved Texting devices pumpkins with candles made from beeswax or Motorists may use hands -free devices while driving in a school crossing zone. soy. — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 4. Turn it over to the Kids: In place of store - bought decorations, have your children create Halloween decorations from recycled materials such as old egg cartons and newspapers. Source: MacEachern, A t afi Diane. "Top 10 Ways to Go The Near Northwest Neighborhood, Inc. (NNN) invites you to the Green This Halloween. " L 71" Annual Arts Cafe on Sunday, November 1St from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. This From the dailygreen. com. I free walking tour will open a number of houses for the — — — — — — — — — — — — — + community to view, showcasing the distinctive character of area homes and Bagged Leaf & Yard Waste I providing a unique backdrop for local artists, musicians, and culinary specialists Weekly Pickup through Dec. 4 to share their diverse talents. This year's Cafe will be on California Avenue, between Portage Avenue and 1. Place leaves or yard waste curbside, in t re Sherman Avenue - anchored by the NNN Offices. At the event bags r containers, 6 a.m., separate artists' wares will be available for sale - featuring everything from from trash. on your regular trash watercolor, otter photography, ewelr collection day. I pottery, and jewelry, in addition to culinary 1. Yard waste and brush must be bagged or delights. Local musicians will add to the atmosphere, providing music for your bundled in 4 feet lengths, 6 inches in I enjoyment. Also, take a minute to stop by the Children's Activity Tent where diameter. I there will be interactive activities for youth. 2. Use suitable containers (30 gallon trash Not only does Arts Cafe provide a chance to see the hidden beauty of the homes container or smaller) -do not place yard I in the near northwest neighborhood but it also gives participants the opportunity waste in City automated trash to see and appreciate local artists' talent. We look. containers. 1. Do not place yard waste in alleys. forward to bringing the community together to help celebrate the great things happening in our neighborhood. So don't forget to mark the Arts Cafe on your Operation ReLeaf— I calendars for Sunday, November 1St, and plan on joining us in celebration. loose leaf pickup — Nov 2 thru Dec 4. I For more information, call the Near Northwest Neighborhood, Inc. at (574)232 - 1 9182 or visit us online at www.nearnorthwest.or. South Bend's yard waste is recycled at the City's or- �\ Grand Opening of Wilson Pavilion ganic Resources Facility, diverting this material I The New Chris Wilson Pavilion at Potawatomi Park opened from our landfills. City on September 27, and will provide more room and opportu- nities than the former band shell to have a wider range of residents can pick up high quality mulch and I performances. More next month! compost free if you self load. 5I USTED NO ENTIENDE INGL$S Y NECESITA AYUDA PARA TRADUCIR ESTE DOCUMENTO, O SI TIENE ALGUNA hisit Our Website at www SoutliBendIN.gov!