Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-09-18 Council Minutes 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 July 9, 2018 MEETING OF THE COUNCIL AND FOUND THEM TO BE CORRECT. THEREFORE,WE RECOM E SAME BE APPROVED: TI O Jj TESH APPROVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL ON: July 23, 2018 ATTEST: -7 C EMAH FO L R,LCITY CLERK REGULAR MEETING July 9, 2018 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, July 91h, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Council President Tim Scott and the Invocation (Amy Houghtaling, Hope Ministries South Bend) and Pledge to the Flag were given. ROLL CALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Tim Scott 1St District, President Regina Williams-Preston 2nd District Sharon L. McBride 3rd District Jo M. Broden 4th District Jake Teshka 5th District John Voorde At-Large Gavin Ferlic At-Large, Chairperson Committee of the Whole Karen L. White At-Large COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Oliver J. Davis 6th District, Vice President OTHERS PRESENT: Kareemah Fowler City Clerk Jennifer Coffinan Chief Deputy Clerk Bianca Tirado Deputy Clerk Graham Sparks Clerk Executive Assistant Bob Palmer Council Attorney Casey Colvin Public Relations Intern REPORT FROM THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON MINUTES Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion that the minutes of the June 11 th, 2018 and June 25th 2018 meetings of the Council be accepted and placed on file. Councilmember Karen White seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight(8) ayes. SPECIAL BUSINESS SPECIAL RESOLUTION HONORING FORMER FIFTH (5TH) DISTRICT COUNCIL MEMBER DR. DAVID VARNER Councilmember Tim Scott, 711 Forest Avenue, South Bend, IN, served as the presenter for this bill. Councilmember Tim Scott stated, A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana commemorating and honoring Dr. David Varner on his retirement after many years as a member of the South Bend Common Council. Whereas, after Dr. Varner avoided all unnecessary attention during his years as a member of the South Bend Common Council representing the residents of the 5th district, there are many questions that need to be answered about Dr. Vamer's tenure as a Councilman; and,Whereas,the Common Council wishes to answer those questions for current and future South Bend residents to solidify Dr. Varner's rightful place in the history of South Bend; and, Whereas, the answer to the question of how long Dr. Varner served on the Common Council is: twenty-two (22) years and five (5) months; and, Whereas, the answer to the question of how many Council members served with Dr. Varner during his tenure is: thirty (30), including two (2) Brodens, two (2) Ferlics, two (2) Kellys, and two (2) unrelated 1 REGULAR MEETING July 9, 2018 Davises, and I'll ad-lib, one (1) unique Councilmember Scott; and, Whereas, the answer to the question of how many fellow Republicans served on the Common Council during Dr. Varner's tenure is: "please don't ask"; and, Whereas, the answer to the question of how many Common Council Committees Dr. Varner chaired during his tenure is: seven (7), including: Public Works and Property Vacation; Zoning and Annexations; Information and Technology (first chairman); Personnel and Finance; Utilities; and Council Rules Committee; and, Whereas, the answer to the question of what is Dr. Varner's fiscal philosophy is: financial responsibility; and, Whereas, the answer to the question of what other civic organizations Dr. Varner has been involved in is: too many to list, but among them are the South Bend Redevelopment Commission, Century Center Board of Managers,the Board of Finance and MACOG; and, Whereas,the answer to the question of how Dr. Varner, a Republican, continued to be re-elected in the overwhelmingly Democratic City of South Bend, is: partisan politics never took priority over what was in the best interests of South Bend residents; and, Whereas, the answer to the question of how several Council members referred to Dr. Varner over the years is: "my favorite Republican"; and, Whereas, the answer to the question of how the Council can forgive Dr. Varner for his decision to retire is: Dr. Varner, and his wife Patti, deserve to spend more time together; and, Whereas, the answer to the question of whether the Council will miss Dr. Varner's quiet leadership, thoughtful analysis, respectful attitude and friendship as a Council member is: "ABSOLUTELY".Now,Therefore,be it resolved, by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows: Section One (1). The South Bend Common Council proudly commemorates and honors Dr. David Varner on his retirement from the South Bend Common Council after more than twenty-two (22) years of unselfish service. Section two (2). The Common Council wishes Dr. Varner and Patti much happiness as they embark on future adventures. Section Three (3). This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Common Council and approval by the Mayor. Thank you, Dave. Dr. David Varner, 1306 Clayton Drive, South Bend, IN, stated, Thank you all for the recognition. After hearing the resolution,I'd have to say that after twenty-two(2)and a half years you've finally completely figured me out. I do think the important thing is that South Bend has demonstrated how to deal with the issues we have to deal with. There will always be issues, problems, and a reason to disagree. But I think collectively, those thirty (30) Council Members, including myself, all found a way to do it respectably and collegially. I think that goes a long way to present a good case for the City of South Bend. When business folks or people are in the town for the first time see a Council that can find a way to resolve their problems, it speaks very well to the City. I hope all of you are able to continue doing that. Jake, if you ever want to know what you need to do well, Tim Scott's wife had some good advice for him and I'm sure he will relay it to you at a later date. That advice will serve you well because it speaks interestingly to the subject. Thank you all for the camaraderie, for the friendship and for the work we have done over the years. To the extent I can help, and of course Jake already knows this, I'll be happy to jump in with both feet and help wherever I can. Thank you. Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston stated,Dr.Varner,I've said it before,never put off what you can do today. I've spent the last two (2) and a half years meaning to call you, meaning to get your wisdom and advice because everyone said talk to that guy. I still look forward to your serving with the Redevelopment Commission and we really appreciate it. Twenty-two (22) years means you are a big part of what makes South Bend so great. That kind of service to us for that long means we really owe a debt. I want to thank you and you will be missed. We still love you, Jake, but you will be missed. Councilmember Sharon L. McBride stated, Congratulations and I wish you well. I hoped I would have had the opportunity to serve with you longer but I appreciate you embracing me coming on as the rookie. I am not the rookie any longer. I thank you for your wisdom and guidance and I wish you well. Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, I will be brief, Dave, and you will appreciate that. I really appreciate that your door was never closed. You always gave a hello and a goodbye. You always understand any issue that came before this Council front and back and always with the utmost respect and kindness to the petitioners and your colleagues. Those are all very small but big things that I deeply appreciate.You really have served your district and community well.I think foremost, 2 REGULAR MEETING July 9, 2018 in my mind, is your fiscal responsibility. You have a legacy of that and a legacy of growth for our City and those are two (2) things that go hand in hand. I know, too, that time spent here is time away from your other loves and interests and you have many. So I am hoping your next months will, above all,be a time to rekindle and rediscover those interests. Thank you very much for your amazing run and best wishes. Councilmember Jake Teshka stated, First of all, Dave, thank you on behalf of the residents of the fifth (5th) district for your honorable service on this Council and beyond. Everything you've done for our City and for people who have needed you, whether it be through your dental practice, the work in the Clinic and various positions on boards you have sat on,I thank you for.Your thoughtful representation has been appreciated by your neighbors. After being caucused into this seat I knew I had big shoes to fill and I must admit I didn't know exactly how big they were until I got here. This is an amazing group of individuals and I'm happy to work with them. I think I've heard from each member of the Council and maybe every member of the Clerk's staff that you were their favorite Council Member, even if in secret. They haven't said favorite republican but maybe that's just not to my face,but your technical knowledge on things such as the combined sewer overflow, TIF districts and the like are invaluable and I'm looking forward to continue leaning on you and the Council for your wisdom and advice as we move through this. I've heard over and over again how great you are and how people will miss your leadership and that was echoed in my meetings with Department heads so now I am wondering what I have gotten myself into. It is like when your girlfriend won't stop talking about her ex. But seriously, the way in which you are unanimously respected and dare I say loved here in this building speaks volumes to your passion for our community, your heart for people, and your ability to see beyond party lines. That is noted here tonig . I've appreciated getting to know you and I appreciate your friendship over the years. I know I won't be able to ever fully fill your shoes so I've decided to just let you wear them because they look better on you anyway. Thank you from the fifth(50h). Councilmember John Voorde stated, I have had the good fortune of sitting in Kareemah's seat as City Clerk for twelve (12) years and observed the Council's work, the questions back and forth, the cooperation with the Administration,the putting together of the budget and the good questions, points of view and priorities that Dave always voiced. I think Dave made South Bend a better place, the Council a better body and you have made me a better public servant. By observing you I've tried to emulate the way you carry yourself and the ways you thought about things. It has been a privilege to know you. I might be one (1) of the only folks up here who also knew your dad. He was a well-respected local business man and you are a credit to that legacy. Congratulations and I hope you enjoy the future and I hope to see you down in Bloomington for a game or two (2) at some point. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic stated, Dr. Varner, thank you so much for your service to the City. With regard to the Council, thank you for your professionalism and the amount of respect you brought to the City on a daily basis. The biggest thank you, though, most importantly is what I've learned from you. I have learned a lot and thank you for that. Councilmember Karen White stated, Dr. Varner, what can I say? I have had the privilege of working with your for nineteen (19) years and I have learned so much. Your passion and commitment to a level of excellence is notable. Your aim is to ensure we do the very best we can with the dollars we have for this community. I was speaking with you a little earlier and we were talking about Redevelopment and you said my passion. That is very clear. You have a passion for knowledge, professionalism and the ability to work with individuals while being respectful. Retirement is great but you must learn to say no. Again, we are going to miss you and thank you again for your many years of service and your commitment to our citizens and the work we are elected to do. Councilmember Tim Scott stated, Jake, the breakup is still fresh but we will get past that. Dave, thank you so much. I've learned a lot from you. I've absolutely appreciated us going to dinner just about every other Monday. That was great. Your professionalism is beyond belief. You and I haven't agreed on everything. We have agreed on a lot of stuff which is interesting but there was always a mutual respect on what we didn't agree on. We need more of that throughout this country and throughout this City. I remember when Dave first got on Council and my wife and I, with the politics of the City of South Bend being in the background for us in the 90s, Dave was being 3 REGULAR MEETING July 9, 2018 interviewed on the television. It was right after a Council meeting and we both stopped and took in what he was saying. A lot of times he was being interview by TV he was straight to the point and the responses he would give were of common sense. It wasn't anything political and he didn't dodge the question, he was straight forward and we both took notice of that. He would always ask why we are doing what we are doing. When I decided to run and won the primary, the first (1St) thing my wife said to me was watch Dave and do what he does. I think that's what he meant as my wife's advice. When I came on Council that is one (1)thing I definitely did. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. City Clerk Kareemah Fowler, City Clerk with offices on the 4th floor of the County-City Building, South Bend,IN, stated,What I would say about Dr.Varner is Council aside and political affiliation aside, I thank Dr. Varner for being an exemplary example to all mankind. There are two (2)things that stick out to me the most about Dr. Varner. The first is silence. You can move in silence and get a lot done. You don't have to be the loudest person in the room. Secondly,Dr.Varner has never changed. From the time I walked into the office ten (10) years ago, he has been the exact same individual. He embraced me. We have had two (2) different administrations of Council Members. A lot has gone on and Dr. Varner has remained the same. I thank you Dr. Varner for your service and your leadership. Sue Kesim, 4022 Kennedy Drive, South Bend, IN, stated, Dr. Varner is in my district so as a citizen, I would like to say I think he has represented us very well. I've been observing and part of the Council as a citizen advocate for about three (3) years now and one (1) of the things I've appreciated most about Dr. Varner is, because of his depth of experience, he always knew great questions to ask. He always had great background and insight and I think that is going to be very missed. I know we still have our historian in John Voorde. I think between John and Dave, it gave us a lot of perspective. That seniority is really valuable. He will be missed in the fifth(5th) district. I can tell you that because I'm from there so I wish him well in his travels. Jason Banicki-Critchlow, 3822 West Ford Street, South Bend, IN, stated, I've been coming here for years to talk and I typically am someone who identifies as a Democrat but I always appreciated what Dave had to say. Believe it or not,more often than not when it came to City financial issues, we aligned more closely than you would think. I've always appreciated his concept of fiscal conservatism. Because in a City,pennies are tight and the budget is only getting tighter every year and the demands are great. I always appreciated the time he took to listen to us and answer our questions. The point of view he brought asking about money is something I hope we remember as we move forward. We need to think about what Dave Varner would do when we make fiscal decisions. Thank you for years of service, Dave. Henry Davis Jr., 5117 Idlewood Drive, South Bend, IN, stated, I didn't come here to speak on behalf of Dave Varner,tones,but it just so happens to play out this way. I'm glad I came. I think Dave is an honorable person. I served on the South Bend Common Council for about eight (8) years. I spent some time on the Redevelopment Commission with him as well. Dave is a man. He is a person and is a human being. He understands how to govern. I appreciate the time I spent with Dave and I learned quite a bit from him. He even had a Cadillac like mine, as well, so I knew he understood what it was like. There were similarities between us even me being a younger black male sitting down with an older white gentleman. I think our voting record is probably almost identical as well. I appreciated his time here and the City is in a better place because of people like Dave Varner. I implore the Council to, at any opportunity, to reengage people with that type of political knowledge and get them back into the system. Whether they are able to serve on Commissions or Boards or what have you,the time is smaller and it is a lot less of a responsibility but you can't just push that type of capital away and then try to figure out how to make that up later on. I would implore the Council if there is any opportunity in the future that, this man be asked to come and help. Keep him involved. Thank you so much. Sharon Banicki, 3822 Ford Street, South Bend, IN, stated, Dr. Varner, I thank you for everything you've done. You've always maintained your feet on the ground not only with the Council but with anything in the community. When the call went out for poll workers,he stepped up.Anything anybody has ever needed, Dr. Varner has been there. I won't say you are my favorite Republican 4 REGULAR MEETING July 9, 2018 but you're tied for first(1St). Thank you for everything you've done not only on the Council but as a person, for taking the time to say hi. If someone had a question you answered it and you didn't blow off the citizens. We are going to miss you. Andrew Kosteilney, President of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners with offices on the 7th floor of the County-City Building, South Bend, IN, stated, It is my honor to be here tonight as we recognize former Councilmember Dr.David Varner.He began his service on the South Bend Common Council on January 1St, 1996 representing the fifth (5th) district of South Bend. Throughout his twenty-two (22) years on the Council, at often times a political career will make you want to drink, but not often will your career be old enough to drink. That is pretty impressive that Dr. Varner has been important for that long. He has served on a number of Committees and has chaired them as well including Public Works, Personnel and Finance,Zoning and Annexation, the Century Center Board of Managers, the South Bend Redevelopment Commission and was the Council's representative to MACOG. In his private life,Dr.Varner owned and operated the Ireland Road Dental office and since is semi-retired from dentistry. Currently, Dr.Varner can still be seen filling in for dentists throughout the region. Dr. Varner is the embodiment of a true public servant and the community is a better place because of his efforts. It has been mentioned but I will mention it again. The thing I will remember about Dr. Varner is you wouldn't always agree with him but you would always respect him. His position was always well thought out, well-articulated and, once again, disagreement doesn't mean you can't have civil discourse. I was always so impressed with how well Dr. Varner handled every situation he ever came into. Upon the occasion of retirement, I am pleased to present this Key to the County from the Board of Commissioners and extend our best wishes to him in all his future endeavors. Mayor Pete Buttigieg,Mayor of the City of South Bend with offices on the 14th floor of the County- City Building, stated, First of all, I don't want to miss the chance to welcome Councilmember Teshka. I know tonight you are being reminded of how big the shoes are to fill but I am very much looking forward to spending some time with you to learn about your priorities and to talk about how we can work together. Serving on this Council is a vital and often thankless job and we have had as good a model as anyone in Dr. Varner. I don't want to repeat what has been said already but would like to say couple of things to put an accent on them. One (1) is the model of how bipartisan spirit might work here. Much has been said already about how Dr. Varner has come from different viewpoints while being agreeable. I think it bares to mention also that did not come by him being any less steadfast in his philosophy or his conservative viewpoint. Rather, when people come to the same issue with different viewpoints in good faith and they care about the City, it shows. I think that is a model that a lot of us can follow and that we all sincerely wish there was more of in other levels of government. The second (2"d) thing I would mention is that there were so many issue areas of expertise on Dr. Varner's part. One (1) in particular that I always like to applaud because it is the sort of thing for which mayors, I think rightly, would rush to try and accept credit for is the fiscal standing of the City. For all the challenges, it is so rare for a City of our make up to have the kind of bond rating and fiscal strength that it does, especially a City of our economic statistics. While, again, we like to point out as an Administration that it has been true for quite some time, I doubt there is anyone that deserves as much credit for that than Dr. Varner. Through the years he has done that not only by his voice but by the questions that he has asked and the respect he has commanded while raising certain issues. I think he has forced all of us to make sure we sharpened our pencils and our wits. Just one (1) more formality. I've already, last time when Dr. Varner shocked us with his announcement, paid him the rarest and highest compliment of which I am capable of giving as a politician which was to acknowledge there being some important moments in which he was right and I was wrong.Now,I will add to that the highest honor that I am empowered to confer as Mayor and I hope you all join me in congratulating him on a very richly deserved Key to the City. I also thank Mrs. Varner for sharing him with us while he earns this honor. Councilmember Jake Teshka made a motion to adopt the legislation by acclamation. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic seconded this motion which carried unanimously by a voice vote of eight(8) ayes. 5 REGULAR MEETING July 9, 2018 REPORTS OF CITY OFFICES Representing the City Administration: Laura O'Sullivan, Chief of Staff RESOLVE INTO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE At 7:35 p.m. Councilmember Karen White made a motion to resolve into the Committee of the Whole. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) 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 BILL NO. 23-18 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE AT CHAPTER 17, ARTICLE 2, DIVISION 3, SECTION 17-8 (f) TO REVISE LOCAL PRETREATMENT STANDARDS FOR THE CITY'S NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES)PERMIT Councilmember Jake Teshka, Chair of the Utilities Committee, reported that they met this afternoon and send this bill forward with a favorable recommendation. Al Greek,Utilities Director for the City of South Bend with offices on the 13th floor of the County- City Building, South Bend, IN, served as the presenter for this bill. Mr. Greek stated, Director Horvath is out of town tonight and asked me to present. What you have before you is asking for a change in our ordinance. This came about with a one (1) year study. What happens is every five (5) years we are requested by our permit to review the ordinance levels to make sure they are stringent enough to protect citizens,the wastewater treatment plant,the resulting sludge that comes out, and the clean waters that go into the river. This has been a major undertaking and a lot of data has been looked at. It has gone back and forth with the EPA and there have been a lot of questions. They gave us temporary approval until we got it through the public notice procedure and it is now ready for your approval. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Councilmember Tim Scott made a motion to send Bill No. 23-18 to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember Karen White seconded this motion which carried by a voice vote of eight(8) ayes. 28-18 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, FOR BUDGET TRANSFERS FOR VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA FOR THE YEAR 2018 Councilmember Karen White, Chair of the Personnel and Finance Committee, reported that they met this afternoon and send this bill forward with a favorable recommendation. 6 REGULAR MEETING July 9, 2018 Jen Hockenhull, City Controller for the City of South Bend with offices on the 12th floor of the County-City Building, South Bend,IN, served as the presenter for this bill.Ms.Hockenhull stated, Before you, toni ht, you have our requests for budget transfers for the second quarter. This is simply moving things within the budget between supplies and services. The first (1St) page is just cleaning up different accounts within the Morris and Palais. The rest of them were very small and I would be happy to answer any questions. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Councilmember Tim Scott made a motion to send Bill No. 28-18 to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember John Voorde seconded this motion which carried by a voice vote of eight(8) ayes. 29-18 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA,APPROPRIATING ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR CERTAIN DEPARTMENTAL AND CITY SERVICES OPERATIONS IN 2018 OF $670,188 FROM GENERAL FUND (#101), ($135,887) FROM PARKS &RECREATION FUND (#201), $6,000 FROM MOTOR VEHICLE HIGHWAY FUND (#202), $123,769 FROM RECREATION NONREVERTING (#203), ($2,733) FROM GIFT DONATION BEQUEST FUND (#217), $25,425 FROM LIABILITY INSURANCE PREMIUM RESERVE (#226), $330,000 FROM LOCAL ROADS & STREETS (#251), $100,000 FROM LOIT 2016 SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION (#257), $595,304 FROM 2017 PARKS BOND DEBT SERVICE (#312), ($626,302) FROM HALL OF FAME DEBT SERVICE (#313), $275,000 FROM COUNTY OPTION INCOME TAX (#401), $25,000 FROM PARK NONREVERTING CAPITAL (#405), $146,250 FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCOME TAX(#408), $74,600 FROM MORRIS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT (#416), AND $1,867,115 FROM EQUIPMENTNEHICLE LEASING (#750). Councilmember Karen White made a motion to accept the substitute version of Bill No. 29-18. Councilmember John Voorde seconded this motion which carried by a voice vote of eight(8)ayes. Councilmember Karen White, Chair of the Personnel and Finance Committee, reported that they met this afternoon and send this bill forward with a favorable recommendation. Jen Hockenhull, City Controller for the City of South Bend with offices on the 12th floor of the County-City Building, South Bend,IN,served as the presenter for this bill. Ms. Hockenhull stated, Before you, tonight, are the additional appropriation requests for our Civil City Funds. The first (1S) half of the page is basically just for the AmeriCorps grant that we were awarded recently and that was for $366,000. There are some negatives in there but that goes back to the transfer ordinance as we are trying to clean up some accounting things so we are reducing some budgets there. We are spending some INDOT Funds we received in our Local Road & Street account and in our#312 and#313 accounts we had originally budgeted all of our debt payments out of one (1) account and now we are moving some debt payments into our Fund #312, which is for our new Parks Bond. Then the last one (1) for the $1.7 million is requesting to appropriate the lease funds that we receive to buy various vehicles throughout the year. 7 REGULAR MEETING July 9, 2018 This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Councilmember Tim Scott made a motion to send Substitute Bill No. 29-18 to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember John Voorde seconded this motion which carried by a voice vote of eight(8) ayes. 30-18 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPROPRIATING ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR CERTAIN DEPARTMENTAL AND ENTERPRISE OPERATIONS IN 2018 OF $311,276 FROM EMS CAPITAL FUND (4287), $219,930 FROM SEWAGE WORKS OPERATING (#641), $150 FROM 2011 SEWER BOND (#659),AND $7,500 FROM 2012 SEWER BOND (#661). Councilmember Karen White, Chair of the Personnel and Finance Committee, reported that they met this afternoon and send this bill forward with a favorable recommendation. Jen Hockenhull, City Controller for the City of South Bend with offices on the 12th floor of the County-City Building, South Bend,IN, served as the presenter for this bill. Ms. Hockenhull stated, Before you is a request for Enterprise Funds. The first two(2)are related to EMS for an ambulance rebuild and also for an insurance reimbursement we received that we are paying back to the Insurance Fund. We have $219,000 that we received in system development charges that we're moving from an Operating Fund into a Capital Fund to fund what we've paid out. And the other two (2) are just small requests to close out funds. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Councilmember Tim Scott made a motion to send Bill _No. 30-18 to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember Karen White seconded this motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. RISE AND REPORT Councilmember John Voorde made a motion to rise and report to full Council. Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. REGULAR MEETING RECONVENED 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 7:44 p.m. Council President Tim Scott presided with eight(8) members present. BILLS—THIRD READING BILL NO. 23-18 THIRD READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE AT CHAPTER 17, ARTICLE 2, DIVISION 3, SECTION 17-8 (f) TO REVISE LOCAL PRETREATMENT STANDARDS FOR THE 8 REGULAR MEETING July 9, 2018 CITY'S NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) PERMIT Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to adopt Bill No. 23-18. Councilmember Karen White seconded this motion which carried by a roll call vote of eight(8) ayes. 28-18 THIRD READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, FOR BUDGET TRANSFERS FOR VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA FOR THE YEAR 2018 Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to adopt Bill No. 28-18. Councilmember Karen White seconded this motion which carried by a roll call vote of eight(8) ayes. 29-18 THIRD READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPROPRIATING ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR CERTAIN DEPARTMENTAL AND CITY SERVICES OPERATIONS IN 2018 OF $670,188 FROM GENERAL FUND (#101), ($135,887) FROM PARKS &RECREATION FUND (#201), $6,000 FROM MOTOR VEHICLE HIGHWAY FUND (#202), $123,769 FROM RECREATION NONREVERTING (#203), ($2,733) FROM GIFT DONATION BEQUEST FUND (#217), $25,425 FROM LIABILITY INSURANCE PREMIUM RESERVE (#226), $330,000 FROM LOCAL ROADS & STREETS (#251), $100,000 FROM LOIT 2016 SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION (#257), $595,304 FROM 2017 PARKS BOND DEBT SERVICE (#312), ($626,302) FROM HALL OF FAME DEBT SERVICE (#313), $275,000 FROM COUNTY OPTION INCOME TAX (#401), $25,000 FROM PARK NONREVERTING CAPITAL (#405), $146,250 FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCOME TAX (#408), $74,600 FROM MORRIS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT (#416), AND $1,867,115 FROM EQUIPMENTNEHICLE LEASING (#750). Councilmember Karen White made a motion to amend Bill No. 29-18 as it was in Committee of the Whole. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic seconded this motion which carried by a voice vote of eight(8) ayes. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to adopt Substitute Bill No. 29-18. Councilmember John Voorde seconded this motion which carried by a roll call vote of eight (8) ayes. 30-18 THIRD READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPROPRIATING ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR CERTAIN DEPARTMENTAL AND ENTERPRISE OPERATIONS IN 2018 OF $311,276 FROM EMS 9 REGULAR MEETING July 9, 2018 CAPITAL FUND (#287), $219,930 FROM SEWAGE WORKS OPERATING (#641), $150 FROM 2011 SEWER BOND (#659), AND $7,500 FROM 2012 SEWER BOND (#661). Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to adopt Bill No. 30-18. Councilmember Jake Teshka seconded this motion which carried by a roll call vote of eight (8) ayes. RESOLUTIONS BILL NO. 18-26 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPROVING A PETITION OF THE AREA BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1235 W NAPIER Councilmember John Voorde made a motion to continue Bill No. 18-26 to the July 23rd, 2018 meeting of the Common Council. Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston seconded this motion which carried by a voice vote of eight(8) ayes. 18-28 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, IN SUPPORT OF THE CITY ENGAGEMENT & EMPOWERMENT TEAM'S APPLICATION TO THE CITIES OF SERVICE "LOVE YOUR BLOCK" GRANT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE "LEADING IN NEIGHBORHOOD CONNECTIONS" PROGRAM. Councilmember Karen White, Chair of the Residential Neighborhoods Committee, reported that they met this afternoon and send this bill forward with a favorable recommendation. Alkeyna Aldridge, Director of Engagement and Economic Empowerment with offices on the 141h floor of the County-City Building, South Bend, IN, served as the presenter for this bill. Ms. Aldridge stated, I am really excited to be before you, tonight, to present this opportunity. As you know, Government is being asked to do more than the basics and, in my new role, we are asking private partners to do more. I think we all have a lot to learn from what residents are already doing in that regard. This grant opportunity is specifically related to resident-driven projects and programs that speak to blight elimination in cities. It's a national program and we are looking to replicate that here and localize it a bit. What we learned from a West Side neighborhood meeting as I was presenting on what we look forward to doing in neighborhoods in the next few years, is that it is all just not enough. That came across pretty clearly and the issues are really big. We are a small community with a finite amount of resources and the resident response to that was if the City can't do it, we will do it ourselves. This grant opportunity is saying what our residents are already doing that the City can scale up and support and learn from. LINK is named and formed by West Side residents and it is really a program that teaches residents to do small scale rehab and repairs on their home so that we can preserve the housing stock remaining in many of the neighborhoods that have been impacted by blight elimination. We need to honor and recognize those legacy residents there and help scale up their efforts across the City. We are hoping to win $25,000 and if we do win,we will come back to you and ask for a match so that we can do it City- wide. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to adopt Bill No. 18-28. Councilmember John Voorde seconded this motion which carried by a roll call vote of eight (8) ayes. 10 REGULAR MEETING July 9, 2018 18-29 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND DESIGNATING A CERTAIN AREA WITHIN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, COMMONLY KNOWN AS 902 N. ALLEN, 1145 N. BROOKFIELD, 1306 N. BROOKFIELD, 914 N. CLEVELAND, 903 N. COLLEGE, 917 N ELMER, 1101 N. ELMER, 1229 N. ELMER, 1329 N. HUEY, 1110 N. JOHNSON, 749 N. LAWNDALE, 913 N. LAWNDALE, 1138 N. OLIVE, 1530 VAN BUREN AS A RESIDENTIALLY DISTRESSED AREA FOR PURPOSES OF A (5) FIVE-YEAR RESIDENTIAL REAL PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT FOR HISTORIC LINCOLN WAY WEST HOMES, LP Councilmember Gavin Ferlic, Chair of the Community Investment Committee, reported that they met this afternoon and, due to the lack of quorum, send this bill forward with no recommendation. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic then made a motion to,for purposes of public hearing,hear Bill Nos. 18-29 and 18-30 together. Councilmember John Voorde seconded this motion which carried by a voice vote of eight(8) ayes. 18-30 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND DESIGNATING CERTAIN AREAS WITHIN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, COMMONLY KNOWN AS SOUTH BEND BREWERY PLACE AN ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION AREA FOR PURPOSES OF A TEN (10) YEAR REAL PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT FOR HISTORIC LINCOLN WAY WEST HOMES, LP Councilmember Gavin Ferlic, Chair of the Community Investment Committee, reported that they met this afternoon and, due to the lack of quorum, send this bill forward with no recommendation. Dan Buckenmeyer,Director of Business Development with offices on the 14''floor of the County- City Building, South Bend, IN, served as the presenter for this bill. Mr. Buckenmeyer stated, The Department of Community Investment (DCI) regularly supports tax credit applications for local and national developers to bring affordable housing through the Indiana Housing Community Development Authority. This last round of applications had three (3) developers that proposed projects. One (1) of them was the Fat Daddy's Project, for example. All three (3) of those were denied but the highest scoring one(1)was for Historic Lincoln Way West Homes.DCI has worked with them to fine tune the project to reapply for the current round of tax credits. It is important to note that the tax abatement we are proposing is contingent upon the tax credit being won at the State level. It is an exciting project for the West Side. It is on and surrounds Lincoln Way West. Specifically,the former Brewery that is now Classic Beauty is at 1636 Lincoln Way West will be redone. You might recognize that(referencing a presentation which is available in the City Clerk's Office). The project cost is slated to be about $7 million total. The output of the project will be twenty-two (22) apartments and we are asking for a real property tax abatement for ten (10)years and it will be phased in. The estimated total taxes possible over that ten(10)year period would be about$665,000. The taxes abated would be about$537,578 and the remaining$126,942 would be paid over that ten (10) year period. Then part two (2) of this abatement is a residential tax abatement and that asks for a designation of a residentially distressed area. It is actually fourteen (14) different lots. It is about a$3.8 million project. It is a request for a five (5) year one hundred percent (100%) tax abatement. The estimated total taxes possible over that five (5) year period I1 REGULAR MEETING Jul y 9 20l 8 would be about$105,000. We are asking to abate about$66,982 with the remaining$37,918 to be paid over that five (5) year period. Both projects have three (3) years to start and be completed. They are also being supported with$1 million of TIF funds. Anne Mannix, 724 West Washington Street, South Bend, IN, served as the petitioner for this bill. Ms. Mannix stated, This development is being developed by a team. I am working on it, South Bend Heritage, Kil Architecture, bankers, accountants and funding partners are all part of this team. We hope the City is a funding partner. The site is an outgrowth of the Main Street Corridor Plan and the 1,000 Houses in 1,000 Days initiative. We are building houses where they were torn down before. We have a varied market. It is affordable housing. We market to families, young people and will have a few homeless residents as well as a few residents with intellectual or developmental disabilities. I won't go over it all but this is a competitive process. We are applying for low-income housing tax credits and it's competitive. City support will help us get points in the scoring for the tax credits. We appreciate the City support very much. Councilmember Jo M. Broden asked, Beyond the tax-credits, are there any additional ways to support, particularly the residential developments? Whether it be the sewer hook ups or the sidewalks? I know that came in on the later side of your previous projects and I'm just wondering if that had been looked at. Ms. Mannix replied, We are looking into off-site improvements. We need to have$100,000 in off- site improvements within a fourth mile of every single site. So we are working with Community Investment to figure that out. We have been talking to Council Members about sidewalks on that. Councilmember Jo M. Broden followed up, How are the locations of the residential lots identified and how were they acquired? Ms. Mannix replied, The State has a program called the blight elimination program so they gave the City money to tear down houses. If we get lots that have been in the blight elimination program we get more points. So we checked those lots out and found the best ones we could and we're buying those from the NNN and through the Urban Enterprise Association. They were all on the tax-sale before the houses were torn down. We get points for that too. Councilmember Jo M. Broden followed up, In terms of integrating, we have heard of a number of different projects with AmeriCorps and others, is there a way to integrate the balance of a given block so we have some synergy and collective help? I looked at the distribution of your properties and I think all of the site selection has one(1)in a given block with the exception of two (2)homes within one(1). I'm just wondering if there is any dovetailing here or collaboration across the other opportunities we have funded or are looking to support. Ms. Mannix replied, Well once we get funding we will have a meeting with people in the neighborhood and let them know what is going on. One (1)man was taking pictures and we came out and he asked us what we were doing. He wanted the lot and I said sorry we are using it. He wanted an owner occupied rehab grant and if you looked at his house,he could certainly use it. So I think we should try and coordinate with the owner occupied home improvement grants and the sidewalks grants. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Jason Banicki-Critchlow, 3822 West Ford Street, South Bend, IN, stated, Over the years no one (1) has ever advocated for more low-income housing more than me. However, what makes me apprehensive about this is both the involvement of the non-profit entity that was also responsible for the triangle neighborhood which was supposed to get mixed-income housing there. They got tax abatements and if you drive there and see it,if you consider mixed-income starting at$500,000 and going up, maybe that is where it is at. There is low-income housing and they evicted all those low-income residents to acquire those lots. It also worries me as we continue facing increased violence in this City that we continue to put all of our low-income housing West of Lafayette Street. When you concentrate poverty as we continue to do, it has a tendency to correlate in increased violence. There are lots East of downtown where we could build low-income housing as well and kind of disperse into these mixed-income pockets that we all know would be beneficial. ' e build clusters of more and more concentrated poverty. And I m apprehensive when w bu , 12 REGULAR MEETING July 9, 2018 particularly, give tax abatements to an organization that time and again has not fulfilled all of the obligations of the tax abatements they have gotten in the past. Sharon Banicki, 3822 Ford Street, South Bend, IN, stated, I just don't see how you can build fourteen (14) houses, over$3 million worth, which I think somebody said comes out to $270,000 for each house and put low-income people in there. The math doesn't work. I couldn't afford a $270,000 house and I'm middle income. I don't see how this works. The math just isn't there. Who is going to subsidize the rest of this house if you are putting poverty level people in there? If you can't put poverty level people in there, knowing that neighborhood like I do, you aren't going to get your Notre Dame professors living in those $270,000 homes because they are going to the triangle where they are safe because crime is so rampant in that area. Council President Tim Scott gave the floor back to the petitioner for rebuttal. Ms. Mannix replied, I can't speak about South Bend Heritage Foundation and the triangle neighborhood, but this is affordable rental housing. If we do not lease to low-income people that meet the income requirements,we will lose our tax credits and default and owe millions of dollars to our investors. So, we have the City of South Bend's commitments but also have Federal Tax commitments. We can't and will not default and lease to high-income people here. This is a cooperative and people pay monthly. You don't have to buy the$270,000 house to live there. How you can make the numbers work is that we are applying for tax credits. We are getting investments and equity investments of$11.9 million. The whole project costs $13 million and $11 million of that is an investor that we don't have to pay back. We don't have to borrow much money to make this work. That is how we can afford to put low-income people here. And finally I would like to say that the income limits for a family of six (6) may be $50,000 and for a family of two (2) it is around $14,000 and $20,000. You think of low-income and we are not leasing to people who are destitute. These are people that work and have jobs that don't make a lot of money for the most part. We will have a few seniors and few people that don't work in our existing homes so I don't think the traditional low-income stereotype applies to these homes. Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston stated, I just want to stand in strong support of this project. As I mentioned in Committee, this is something we have been working towards for the past year. With regard to our specific goal as a City of development without displacement to the point and the question of why we are concentrating low-income in one (1) area, knowing this neighborhood as I do and having grown up here, what we noticed is between the West Side Main Streets Plan and the assets currently in the neighborhood, this is a neighborhood that is ripe for gentrification. So it has been my personal goal and this is a step toward that. I want to make sure we secure certain parcels for low to moderate-income individuals and families. As Anne mentioned, this isn't for the folks who are necessarily below the Federal Poverty Line but this is the missing middle, the working poor that we talk about. There really isn't the support through Federal Programs and traditional Federal Programs so this is the private-public partnership stuff that really hits the people who work hard and are those legacy residents. This is an investment in our neighborhood to provide decent, safe and affordable housing right in those same neighborhoods that we have lived in for generations. We don't want to move. I'm very excited about this project. Again, for another reason, the way the investments are working out with when we are putting these houses on different streets, there needs to be $100,000 of improvement for the entire area. Streets, sidewalks and everybody will be helped in that area. Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston continued, Rest assured, we have been having these conversations with the people in the area for over the last year and a half. They are very excited about this and it is really stemming the engagement for all residents to know that this investment is happening. It doesn't just happen with the one (1) new construction, it is happening to all the areas around it. We are talking about all the home repair grants and the dollars put in through Community Investment for this year and the coming year,those are going toward a targeted pocket on the West Side to do exactly what you're talking about and the things you are concerned about. People are concerned about what happens to those homes and the legacy residents when these investments go in and they are getting dollars,targeted to them,to make sure that their home values increase as well and are improved alongside the new construction going in. So trust and believe that area and all around Lincoln Way is going to get a lot of new residents coming in. The West Side Main Streets Plan talks about moving incentives like moving within the radius of some of the 13 REGULAR MEETING July 9, 2018 academies that your children will have priority. So understand gentrification. Understand how it is happening all over the country. You need to recognize that these programs are our answer to make sure we don't fall by the wayside like these other communities. We are making sure we proceed with development that does not displace residents that, in fact, empowers residents to engage.Trust and believe the neighborhoods affected are some of the most engaged and committed residents in this City. You will see them, hear from them, and they will not allow the things you are concerned about. This is one (1) step in the direction of staying in these neighborhoods. I just want to say thank you to the developers and thanks in advance to the Council for supporting this because if I'm going to give tax abatements, I want to give it to residential tax abatements and the people who live here already to ensure the people who live in those neighborhoods now get to stay there throughout the magnificent development that is coming to the West Side. Thank you so much and I encourage the support of this tax abatement. Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, I think we have a proven developer here with a proven history of smart partnerships and collaborative work. I particularly like the accommodations embedded within this for housing for some of our homeless population and some of our developmentally disabled. I know it helps your petition but it is so needed and will help us as a community. You have consistently,with your partners that you've brought to the table,and in past projects,Anne,kept that in mind. I'm most appreciative of that. I do want to make sure that if there is any way we can strengthen your application by rounding out some of those other programs in a real tangible way that we do that. I think we will all benefit if we strengthen your petition with some real commitments behind it. I would like to sharpen our pencils and our wits to see if we can formalize that. Maybe it's in there and spoken about broadly but I think I would be one(1)of many members on this Council that would whole-heartedly support budget items related to a project such as this because of your proven record and hitting a lot of marks for us as a City. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to adopt Bill No. 18-29. Councilmember John Voorde seconded this motion which carried by a roll call vote of eight(8) ayes. Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston stated, There was one (1) other point that I neglected to make that I think is really important we get on the record. Through the process of developing this project, I wanted to note that the developer actually spent specific dollars to hire someone to research and connect with minority contractors because of her commitment to make sure that as this development goes in that we are actually utilizing contractors from the neighborhoods and those who are minority contractors, most specifically, African American contractors. I just want to thank her for that and that has been a concerted effort that is one (1) of the huge targets that we have tried to hit for the City of South Bend. That is another reason I'm supporting this and, again, ask for your support as well. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to adopt Bill No. 18-30. Councilmember Jo M. Broden seconded this motion which carried by a roll call vote of eight (8) ayes. BILLS ON FIRST READING BILL NO. 31-18 FIRST READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING §13-75.5(0)(6) OF CHAPTER 13, ARTICLE 5 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICPAL CODE PERTAINING TO DISORDERLY HOUSES AND PROHIBITING DEALING IN MARIJUANA, HASH OIL, HASHISH, SALVIA, SYNTHETIC DRUGS AND SYNTHETIC DRUG LOOKALIKE SUBSTANCES Councilmember John Voorde made a motion to send Bill No. 31-18 to the Health and Public Safety Committee and set it for Second Reading and Public Hearing on July 23rd, 2018. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight(8) ayes. 14 REGULAR MEETING July 9, 2018 32-18 FIRST READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 10546-17 BY ADDING NEW SALARIED AND WAGE POSITIONS TO THE ORDINANCE FIXING MAXIMUM SALARIES AND WAGES OF APPOINTED OFFICERS AND NON- BARGAINING EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2018 Councilmember John Voorde made a motion to send Bill No. 32-18 to the Personnel and Finance Committee and set it for Second Reading and Public Hearing on July 23d, 2018. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight(8) ayes. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no Unfinished Business at this time. NEW BUSINESS Councilmember Tim Scott stated, I would like everybody to wish a Happy 29th Birthday to the faithful citizen member, Sharon Banicki. Happy 291h, Sharon. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Henry Davis Jr., 5117 Idlewood Drive, South Bend, IN, stated, Council Members, I would like to say Good Evening and thank you for the opportunity to come before you. I want to do the best I can with the three (3) minutes that I do have. I want to make sure we understand that I am the president of the La Salle Park Neighborhood Alliance and we are here,today, to present to you an agenda that was adopted by the Neighborhood Alliance. I would like for the members present to raise their hand or stand. We've been in a process for the better part of six (6) months to develop some type of action goals and plans for the neighborhood association of our given area. Within that time we were able to meet with several City employees and City elected officials. In some cases we got information we desired and in some cases we didn't. It was just a part of the process. Through our entire process we were able to mark down different things we felt were important to us as it relates to how we need to develop as a community in our given area. I think it is awesome you have seniors who are still organized and also engaged and participating in such a process.Not only are they participating in such a process but some of them have shown up torsi t and they will support what we are talking about. I want you to understand that we are serious. Many of these folks are voters and are taxpaying citizens. That is not to put pressure on you but to make sure you understand these folks are citizens and they want more out of their elected officials. I would like to read off to you all what I just sent to your emails. Jake, I do not have your email but I sent it to Kareemah. I will resend it later. Number one (1), we want to have access to and be a part of the programing ideas at the Charles Black Center. Everyone wants to talk about the crime going on in our youth and we want to be in the seat and position to help create programming. We want to impact our youth in a positive way by creating ideas of careers. We want to talk about trades,using hands and what a life looks like being an adult. Number two (2) infrastructure and Smart Street completion on and between Falcon and Kentucky Streets.Number three(3) is a plan to create open storefronts to business owners, more importantly, people of color and black business owners. Number four (4) is the curb and sidewalk program. Number five (5) is an abatement program for homes to reinvest in. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic interjected to notify Mr. Davis Jr. that his three (3) minutes has expired. 15 REGULAR MEETING July 9, 2018 i Council President Tim Scott stated,I will be talking to the Chair of the Residential Neighborhoods Committee and Alkeyna Aldridge about that. Dennis Plum, 302 S. Chicago Street, South Bend, IN, stated, I have resided in the Lasalle Park area for over forty-five (45) years and I have had the opportunity to see the positive and the negative growth in that area. I used to be a resident that didn't care about the work of our community.But since many older folks have gone off the scene,there began a decline in the overall condition of our streets, sidewalks and curbs. There was also a growth in up-kept vacant lots and alley ways along with numbers of vacant and dilapidated homes. We have been lobbying the City of South Bend, the Mayor and the Common Council to not only hear the demands of our neighborhood but to be counted as worthy as any other neighborhood district to see those improvements as well. I have just two (2) questions. How can you take money that has been accounted for our neighborhood and put it in the section originally known as the Lasalle Park neighborhood and then change that name to the West Side?Number two (2), how can you place a resource center in the section where the original Lasalle Park Neighborhood Center used to reside and call it the West Side Resource Center without even having any of the neighbors or those of us that represent the neighborhood to be on the panel of the process and planning of such a facility? We as a neighborhood are tired of promises. We have come to the point where we are demanding equal recognition and the same equality as everyone else. I want to give recognition to Councilmember White for being at some of our meetings and listening to our concerns. My other question to the other two (2) Council Members At-Large is why you have refused our requests to come to our area and sit down with us. We want to know when you will be able to come because all neighborhoods in the City of South Bend are the same. South Bend is not recognized by the downtown building up. The infrastructure of where people live is what makes up South Bend and we would like for you to have more concern for those in the demographic area of where we are at which is mostly African American. George Jones, 256 N. Sheridan Street, South Bend, IN, stated, I have been a lifetime resident of South Bend. I come with three (3) basic concerns. My first (11t) concern deals with the Lasalle Park Charles Black Center. My concern is the items. Does another Gazebo have to be placed out there?Additionally,the playground equipment is too far inward and needs to be closer to the street so that the people in the apartments can watch their kids as they play on the equipment. The upgrade of the shelter on the corner of Linden and Fountain Street needs to be redone. It has blighted for some time now and nobody has anything to take care of that. There should also be a sidewalk on Linden Street because a lot of people go back and forth there. It seems to be a great disparity, particularly when you think about the Charles Black Center and the Martin Luther King Center compared to the other Centers located in our community. My second (2nd) concern is the infrastructure. When you talk about infrastructure you are talking about people coming into our City and we have one (1) of the main corridors in Western Avenue and the island in the middle of the street on the corner of Lombardy and Western, it is deteriorating. Weeds are growing through there. As I drive down Western and I look at what the City has done, I applaud the mayor having done a little bit there, he gave us a few little crumbs. But the thing is, we need additional opportunities to improve our community. He has people working but they stop at a certain area. I look at the streets and curbs. Curb appeal is critical. They should employ someone to spray those weeds along the curb. Businesses have to maintain the properties themselves. And then you talk about the vacant lots. Until you get that point, I can't understand why the City can't appropriate some monies to have those vacant lots attended to. Jerry Donaldson, 1126 W. Jefferson Boulevard, South Bend,IN, stated,I sat and listened to people here and I listened to the passion and compassion of those who are speaking. This is the City of South Bend. And the City of South Bend, though you have blight over here but excellence over there, it is just like your physical body. If your physical body is doing well in two thirds (2/3) of your body but one third (1/3) is diseased, your whole body is diseased. What I'm hearing is the West Side is diseased. You talk about allocating monies and putting them in the triangle, if any area of South Bend is blighted, all of South Bend is blighted because anybody that comes into this City,they are coming into the City of South Bend not parts of the City of South Bend. The City of South Bend is the City of South Bend. Let's do right by the City of South Bend. Thank you. 16 REGULAR MEETING July 9, 2018 Bob Davidson, 1337 N. Wilbur Street, South Bend, IN, stated, I've lived in my house for thirty- five (3 5) years. The City Code has come out two (2) or three (3)times and every time they tell me our hands are tied and they can't do this and can't do that. My neighbor has three (3) cars in their backyard. City Code said as long as they're drivable,there is nothing they can do. Mishawaka City Code says you have to have up to date license plates.Elkhart says you have to have updated license plates and it is working perfectly. They have eliminated thousands of cars from backyards. South Bend has hundreds of cars parked in backyards and, as long as they're drivable, City Code said there is nothing they can do. If you could help City Code update and change their rulings about that, I would appreciate that. The City Council should talk to the ordinance people to get them to change the bylaws to put updated license plates on the cars and that would eliminate a lot of old cars and would also help the West Side become a cleaner and neater part of town. Thank you very much. Jason Banicki-Critchlow, 3822 W. Ford Street, South Bend, IN, stated, I seems like a couple years ago that we were sitting here and the Zoo came to us wanting a Food and Beverage Tax. They went to all the tax agencies and were told no. Then I read a couple months ago that we are now talking about including the Zoo in a TIF District. A few years prior to asking for the Food and Beverage Tax money,they had asked to be out of the City of South Bend budget process. The Park Board thought they could do better on their own. Then how come every time we turn around,now, they seem to be trying to stick their hands back into our tax coffers? First (1St) through adding a new tax which is something we don't need any more of in this County. And now, this time, going for new property tax revenue instead of allowing it to go to the General Fund and to our schools that definitely need it. If the people of Potawatomi Zoo think they can do better on their own, let them and let's not include them in the new TIF District. We already have the most TIF Districts of any County in this State and of any City in this State. We don't need to expand them, we don't need more and we sure don't need to add one (1) for a pet project for the Zoo who decided years ago they were better off without our money and who now want to spend$50 million of our money, no questions asked. Sharon Banicki, 3822 Ford Street, South Bend, IN, stated, My first (1St) question is about the unlicensed cars. I have the other problem. If I call the police up because the cars are on the streets with expired plates,the police just tell you to move it on your driveway. Code says there is nothing they can do even though they aren't drivable because they're on private property. They park them so the front end is facing out and they can't see the expired plate, then they wait till nobody is around then they are driving them and take them out on the street. I called for a trailer that had no plates, lights, no nothing. I call the police and they came up and told them they have to put it on their yard. I call Code and Code says there is nothing we can do because it's on his yard. Right now he's got four (4) dead vehicles stacked up in his driveway and it just gets worse and worse. Something needs to be done with these vehicles and cars. Code and the Police Department need to work together to get it to go. My other main concern is that I've talked to a couple police officers but I have what you would call a rolling drug dealing corner.They pull up on one(1)corner parked, they come from another way, parked, they swap vehicles, they are there for thirty (30) seconds then they get back in their original cars and take off. I've made the police aware of it and have talked to an officer today and he said we know about your corner and another house I'm aware about. If you get there on drug day you're stuck in traffic as they just stand on the street and deal their drugs as you pull your car up. Police know about it but they continue to be very active. I don't know what can be done and something needs to be done before more innocent people get hurt. Marvin Crayton, 305 S. Lake Street, South Bend, IN, stated, I, too, am a member of the Lasalle Park Neighborhood Alliance. These requests and our concerns should be dealt with and continued on to a sub-Committee. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, President Tim Scott adjourned the meeting at 8:38 p.m. 17