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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-2009 Newslettersou JANUARY 2009 Bu,,� BEND Letter from the Mayor From a White Christmas to a Green New Year Dear Friends and Neighbors, Last Earth Day, I signed the Cool Cities commitment. South Bend joined other U.S. cities striving to reach Kyoto Protocol targets on climate change. It wasn't the first step the City had taken toward becoming a greener community. As we start a new year with a greater national interest in preserving the environment, I want to remind you of South Bend's commitment to be good stewards of the planet. Conservation: We plant native grasses and wildflowers on City lots and retention basins to reduce mowing. With an anti -idling policy and route optimization with GPS and vehicle - location systems, City drivers work to keep fuel costs down. Two all- electric vehicles will join the City's fleet this year. Our recent conversion of 227 traffic signals to LEDs from incandescent bulbs will save nearly $2 million in energy costs in a decade. The 85 percent reduction in nitrous oxide and sulfur dioxide is equal to what 5,600 trees would consume in a year. In warmer seasons, our Police and Code inspectors patrol by bicycle. Recycling: Biweekly curbside recycling began in 1999, while a household hazardous waste collection center has operated since the mid- 1980s. City crews collect yard waste and leaves, creating compost and mulch, which is free to city residents at the Organic Resources facility. The City reuses biosolids generated at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, applying as fertilizer on area farmland. Reclamation: Landfills were transformed into the Erskine Commons shopping center and Fredrickson Park, an environmental - learning area with a regional Boy Scout facility. With Indiana's most aggressive brownfield reclamation effort, South Bend is preparing the former Studebaker corridor as a research park for nanoelectronics commercialization facilities. Equipment at the Wastewater Treatment Plant is fueled in part by the methane gas that's a byproduct of the treatment process, saving electricity. High -tech innovation: The University of Notre Dame's high -speed research computers are helping to heat the City's greenhouse and conservatories while linked by Internet to campus. This reduces Notre Dame's cooling costs and greenhouse gas emissions. A second phase will heat Potawatomi Pool. A third phase will bring together several companies' high - powered computer servers to augment the wastewater plant's anaerobic process, reducing cooling demand gas costs, saving $500,000 for public and private sectors. It will produce a higher grade of biosolids for use in landscaping. South Bend is becoming the world's first city to monitor and control combined sewer overflows (CSOs) with computerized sensors and motorized controls. Based on research from Notre Dame and Purdue University, local company EmNet has deployed 105 wireless sensors and smart valves as part of CSOnet. A $4 million investment, could save the City a projected $150 million in avoided capital costs. Continue. THIS MONTH... Mayor's Letter 23rd Annual Tree Sale Free Tax Preparation Monthly Green Tips Property Tax Information t • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 23rd Annual °� • s° • Conservation • • .G • • Tree Sale �' • • The St. Joseph County Soil and • Water Conservation District is • 0 excited to begin the 23 d Annual Tree • • Sale Program. The money from • • previous sales has allowed the • district to provide an excellent • • service to the community and • improve the quality of the • • • environment in St. Joseph County. • • Order forms are available online at • • www.st ose h.iaswcd.or and at their • • J p g • office located at 5605 US 31 South, • • Suite 4, South Bend, IN 46614. • • Please take some time to read • • carefully through the Species • • Information Sheet, so that you are • • • well aware of the characteristics of • • • species the s eci be interested in • you may • purchasing. Some species are very • • particular about soil type, sunlight, • • • pH, and drainage and the SWCD • • • wants the trees that you plant to have • • the best chance for success, to be • • • enjoyed for years to come. • • The order deadline is March 1, 2009, • • but you are encouraged to return your • • • order (with payment) as soon as • • possible. The SWCD is also 0 • sponsoring a Tree Selection and • • • Planting seminar on February 3, • • 2009, at 6:30 p.m. in the Farm • • • Bureau Building Meeting Room. • • Please call the SWCD office at (574) • • • • 291 -7444 ext. 3 or email • richard.glassman(i�IN.nacdnet.net • • • with questions about the tree sale • and /or to reserve your spot. • 1 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Vsit Our Website at www SoutliBendIN.gov! Mayor cont'd Smart Growth: South Bend's 20 -year comprehensive strategy, City Plan, calls for smart growth. Eddy Street Commons; a $215 - million mixed -use development, is rising at Notre Dame's doorstep. This 25 -acre, high - density development uses one -third the land of a suburban development. With the Cool Cities designation, a Green Ribbon Commission will recommend ways to reduce energy usage, trim costs, beautify the city and help save the planet. The City is exploring a hydroelectric project at the Century Center dam, providing power to a Pumping Station or private partners. Restoring the city's most impaired waterway, Bowman Creek, may turn a troubled site into a beautiful asset. In these ways and more, the City is working to improve quality of life and reduce our carbon footprint. Sincerely, - Mayor Steve f z Spotlight on South Bend Animal Care and Control Meet Hannah! Super affectionate Hannah was found wandering the Portage /Cleveland Rd. Meijer parking lot. Her love of people is so strong that it's hard to imagine her wandering away from anyone. Hannah is happy and outgoing until you start rubbing her belly. Then she rolls on her back, closes her eyes, and is like a rag doll in your lap. Hannah's age is estimated at 3 -4 years. To adopt Hannah or for more information on South Bend Animal Care and Control call 235 -9303. GREEN r .de er-p an TIPS gHWe'o'Tr1fy66-o---d-"s'-5, Did you know that buildings are responsible for 40 percent of worldwide energy flow and material use. Green remodeling is not only more energy- efficient and resource - conserving, it is healthier for occupants and, in the long run, more affordable to create, operate and maintain. 9CHANGE YOUR FURNACE AIR FILTER EVERY ONE TO THREE MONTHS. A clean filter allows your heating system to work more efficiently, which saves energy and extends the life of your furnace. •BUNDLE UP YOUR WATER HEATER. If your water heater's storage tank is warm to the touch, it's wasting energy. For under $20, you can buy a precut j acket for the tank that will reduce energy loss by as much as 45 percent. •REPLACE WORN WEATHER STRIPPING ON WINDOWS AND DOORS. One of the cheapest, lowest -tech options, installing new weather stripping can save you as much as 10 percent of your winter heating costs. Fast -Free Tax Preparation! Schedule your appointment starting January 12, 2009. Call United Way 211 Mon -Fri 8AM -5PM! You earned it! In 2008, if you earned less than $37,783 (or $39,783 if you are married filing jointly) and have more than one qualifying child, or $12,590 with no qualifying child, you may be eligible for the Earned Income Credit, up to $4,716. You should keep it! Free help is available at community tax preparation sites. Don't pay high or unnecessary fees to commercial tax preparers or take "rapid refund loans." You can save it! Open a bank account, build savings or pay bills and improve your credit. Ask the volunteers at the tax preparation site about ways to put your money to work for you. For more information or to volunteer, call the United Way at 211. United way of Si. Joseph County FAST FREE TAX ASSISTANCE FRIDAY! January 30, 2009 4PM- 7:30PM Ivy Tech College 220 Dean Johnson Blvd. South Bend, IN 46601 SUPER SAVE YOUR MONEY SATURDAY! January 31, 2009 10AM -2PM Ivy Tech College 220 Dean Johnson Blvd. South Bend, IN 46601 Start the process to reconcile debts • Learn how to build assets • Enroll in the Get Checking program • Start a savings account • If you have received this newsletter after the above dates, there are other opportunities available. Please call United Way 211 for information on alternate free tax assistance opportunities during the month of February. Property Tax Information 2007 payable 2008 property taxes are due Friday, February 20th, 2009. Payments can be made online at stjosephtax.net or in person at the St. Joseph County -City Building located at 227 W. Jefferson Blvd. 2nd floor South Bend, Mon thru Fri. from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To pay by mail, please send payment along with bill to: St. Joseph County Treasurer PO Box 4758 South Bend, IN 46634 -4758. For a receipt, a self- addressed stamped envelope must be included with your payment. Mailed in payments must be postmarked on or before the due date to be considered on time. Please do not staple payments to the bill. Payments made after 2/20/09 will be considered late and subject to penalty. If you did not receive a bill, please contact the St. Joseph County Treasurer's Office at 574.235.9531. Failure to receive a property tax statement does not relieve taxpayers of the responsibility for payment or penalties when due. SI USTED NO ENTIENDE INGLES Y NECESITA AYUDA PARA TRADUCIR ESTE DOCUMENTO, O SI TIENE ALGUNA PREGUNTA, POR FAVOR LLAME AL TELEFONO (574) 235 -5858 X 1000.