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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-09-06 Informal MeetingInformal Meeting 2006 South Bend Common Council The October 9, 2006 Informal meeting of the of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by Chairperson, Council President Timothy A. Rouse, at 4:48 p.m. in the Council's Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Pfeifer, Varner, Kuspa, Rouse, Kelly, Kirsits, Dieter, and Puzzello; Community and Economic Development Executive Director Sharon Kendall, Public Works Director Gary Gilot, Martha Lewis, City Clerk John Voorde, Martin Wolfson, Mrs. Kopola, Rob Staley, Ed Kiefer, Cliff Miller, Bab Brawn, Jamie Loo of the South Bend Tribune, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. The Crossing Educational Center: Council President Rouse welcomed Rob Staley, Ed Kiefer, Cliff Miller, Bob Brown of The Crossing Educational Center. Mr. Staley welcomed the opportunity to speak with the Council, and introduced all of the representatives from The Crossing. He provided handouts to the Council (copy attached}. He noted that he was the Principal of Concord High School in Elkhart for many years and saw the critical need for at risk programming. Mr. Staley noted that public education is great however he believes that there is a gap which must be addressed, especially in light of the unaccepted high drop out rates. They thought that a new school environment was need. The Crossing has locations in Goshen, Middlebury, Elkhart and South Bend. They are developing different locations and are located at 1820 South Michigan Street and are working closely with Jim Frick. They have block parties, and utilize support groups; and an adult education group will soon be started . The Crossing Educational Centers focus on the academic, physical, social and spiritual needs, believing that this focus is more important than dollars. They are state accredited high schools. In this area there is a 50% drop out rate where 7DD students are leaving each year. In order to address this need they write multiple grants, with the cost per student being $3,6D0. The teacher-student ratio is 1-5 and in limited situations is 1-7. They focus on relationships and not power. In January 20D4 they began with 35D students in Elkhart County. They have experienced only a 2% drop out rate. He noted that students that leave the program "either end up in jail or die", therefore they do everything to keep each person involved in succeeding. They work closely with the court systems, social workers and the Sheriff's Office. They see their program as a "good valuable alternative". Students must pass ISTEP and approximately 30% of their students have special needs. Each student is required to reach a level of 80%, otherwise they must repeat a course. They believe that helping each student reach such levels builds success, and gives them hope in each of their lives, since each one "has the potential to be a future CEO". OctoF~er 9, 2006 ]nforrnal Meeting of the SBCC Page 2 They are traveling to Gary, Indiana this evening, and are also hoping to begin a program at 55t~' and GarField in the City of Chicago. Council President Rouse noted that he read about their organization in the South Bend Tribune and then met with their staff, He is excited to hear that within the next six (6) months that The Crossings may have three (3) schools located in South Bend. In response to a question from Council Member Kirsits, Mr. Staley noted that there is a required number of days which students must attend; and they also have leadership training in the summer and field trips for their students. They do not receive funding like charter schools do because of their belief systems. They strongly believe that "changing apes heart changes their behavior" Mr. Staley noted that they are also pursuing post-secondary levels and hope to partner with Ivy Tech and IU South bend. In response to a question from Council Member Puzzello, Mr. Staley noted that they have twenty-two {22} teachers. They use aself--paced curriculum; and many special teachers are paid by the hour for those specialized areas. He noted that a student that goes through the South Bend Community School Corporation has $12,000 spent per pupil, where their program is significantly less. Mr. Staley noted that Cliff Miller is a former company president in Elkhart County, Rob Brown worked with the Elkhart YMCA, and Ed Keifer is their media person. In response to a question from Dr. Varner it was noted that their students have a 95% attendance rate. Mr. Staley invited the Council to came and visit their locations, noting that they have had no student fights since the program began. Council President Rouse thanked all of The Crossinig representatives for sharing information about their very valuable program and wished them continued success, especially in South Bend. There being no further business to come before the Council, President Rouse adjourned the meeting at 5:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Timothy A. Rouse, Council President South Bend Common Council Attachment Joint Committee Meeting of the Zoning and Annexation Committee anti the PARC Committee 20fl6 South Bend Common Council The October 9, 2006 joint committee meeting of the Zoning and Annexation Committee and the PARC Committee of the South Bend Common Council was called to order Chairpersons, Council Member Ervin Kuspa and Council Member Derek D, Dieter , at 3 p,m. in the Council's Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Varner, Kuspa, Rouse, Kelly, Kuspa, Dieter, and Puzzello; Citizen Member Ed Talley, Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, Citizen Member Martha Lewis, City Controller M. Catherine Fanello, Community and Economic Development Executive Director Sharon Kendall, Catherine Hostetler, John O';Laughlin, Mrs. Rita Kopola Jamie Lno of the Sou#h Bend Tribune, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Dieter noted that members of the Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts & Entertainment Committee (PARC) included Council Members Kuspa, Puzzello, Kirsits and himself, and Charles A. Shock is the Citizen Member. Council Member Kuspa noted that members of the Zoning and Annexation Committee included Council Members Kirsits, Dieter, White and himself as well as Citizen Member J. Edward Talley. Council Member Dieter noted that Mayor Luecke has appointed an advisory task force who has met and that recently there was a meeting at the O'Brien Center. He noted that Council Member Pfeifer had asked the Council Attorney to prepare a timeline on the greenhouses and conservatories which has been provided to the Council Members earlier (copy attached). He added that certain information was requested by Counci! Member Kuspa and himself of the Park Board and the Park Superintendent in a letter request dated September 14, 2006 (copy attached). He also added that Mayor Luecke also sent an email to the Council stated that "Fire Station 9 is not driving the greenhouselconservatory decision". He then introduced John O'Loughlin who is the General Manager of O.J. Shoemaker to give an update. Mr. O'Loughlin noted that he is an energy engineer and that it is significant tha# $100,000 is spent on gas for the facilities. Replacing the heating system with a gas-fired system may reduce this amount to $40,000 to $50,000. The estimated cost to replace the entire system itself is $179,000, which could be paid off in three (3) years. He also recommends that heat be controlled for each areas by separate zones and that a small energy management system be utilized. It could be set back at night. Upgrading the systems and the proposed fixing/replacing of broken windows, etc. will also reduce the costs. He noted that implementation October 9, 2806 Joint Committee Meeting of the Zoning and Annexation Committee and the PARC Committee Page 2 would give a useful life of at least thirty (30} years, which would be the long term solution. Various options are proposed with Option I implementing minor repairs. He basically concurs with the report given by the expert brought in by the Historic Preservation Commission, but thought that long-term solutions should also be placed on the table for discussion. Dr. Varner thanked Mr. O'Loughlin for the time he has spent volunteering on this project. Mr. O'Loughlin noted in response to a question from Dr. Varner that the existing gas line could be cut into and that the upgrades could be done in various stages. There was flexibility for the options. In response to a question from Council Member Kelly, it was noted that labor costs are estimated at $18,000, with the profit margin not being added. Mayor Luecke suggested that closed-looped geo-thermal systems may also be considered. Mr, O'Loughlin Hated that there would be a 10% loss when the boiler is turned on as a rule of thumb because the heat transfer. Individualized zones are recommended where there could be a daily print-out of usage. Council Member Kelly noted that the Century Center has realized considerable savings when they went to a zoned system. In response to a question from Council Member Kuspa, Mr. O'Loughlin Hated that the PHCC would like to help out on this project. With this cost estimate and with the sealing, replacement, etc., previously recommended that they will be able to discuss what assistance they would be willing to do. In response to a question from Citizen Member Talley, Mr.O' Loughlin noted that the estimated $179,600 is an "at cost" estimate. He also thanked Mr. O'Loughlin and the members of PHCC for donating so much of their time and expertise on this project which he thought was very commendable. Mr. Talley suggested that other ideas far raising funds such as plant sales and plants for other city locations could be considered. Mayor Luecke noted that a lot of good ideas and suggestions have been given, and he would be most appreciative of any donation of labor and material to address the operating short-fall. He noted that there are both capital and October 9, 2006 Joint Committee Meeting of the Zoning and Annexation Committee and the PARC Committee Page 3 operations expenses involved. He noted that on Monday, October 16, 2006 at 5:15 p.m. there would be a meeting in the Park Board Committee Roam. Council Members Kuspa and Dieter thanked Mr. O'Loughlin for his presentation. There being no further business to come before the joint committee meeting, the meeting was adjourned at 3:32 p,m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Ervin Kuspa, Chairperson Zoning and Annexation Committee Council Member Derek D. Dieter, Chairperson PARC Committee Attachments Zoning and Annexation Committee Meeting 2006 South Bend Common Council The October 9, 2Q06 meeting of the Zoning and Annexation Committee of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by Chairperson, Council Member Ervin Kuspa, at 3:32 p.m. in the Council's Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Pfeifer, Varner, Kuspa, Rouse, Kelly, Kirsits, Dieter, and Puzzella; Citizen Member Ed Talley, Community and Economic Development Executive Director Sharon Kendall, Martha Lewis, Richard Deahl, Michael Danch, Ed Murphy, City Clerk Jahn Voorde, Frank Agostino, J. Bernard Feeney, Nicholas Witwer, Mark Lyons, Marco Mariani, Tyler Glenn, Martin Wolfson, Charles Bulot, Mrs. Kopola, Bill Schalliol, Jamie Loo of the Soufh Bend Tribune, and Kathleen CekanskiWFarrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Kuspa noted that the Committee Members consist of Council Members Kirsits, Dieter and White, and Citizen Member Ed Talley. He stated that those who wish to be recognized should state their name and address far the record. Bill No. 06-'102 Special Exception fnr 3fi36 Gagnon Street;- Council Member Kuspa called for a report from the Board of Zoning Appeals, Charles Bulot, Assistant Zoning Administrator, noted that the petition for special exception to allow for an outside storage area from the maximum allowable area of 4,54Q square feet to 84,975 square feet received a favorable recommendation at their September 21, 200t? meeting (report attached). In response to questions from Council Member Dieter it was noted that there was a prior violation which resulted in the petitioner filing the request pending before the Council. There were no violations prior to that in their operations for the past ten (10) years. Mr. Richard Deahl, an attorney with Barnes and Thornburg made the formal presentation. He introduced Ed Murphy, President of General Machine and Saw and Mr. Michael Danch. He noted that the site in question contains ten (1 Q) acres. They are taking in more inventory and consequently need more storage apace. A change in the new zoning ordinance which previously permitted this now places a 20% cap. There would be evergreen screening on the east side and their largest customer is on the west side. Mike Danch of Danch, Horner & Associates, Inc. with offices at 1843 Commerce Drive provided preliminary site plans to the Committee (copy attached). He noted that there would be a recycled asphalt topcoat on the gravel. Six foot tall Douglas firs would be planted and white firs on the east side. 5-6 trips per day for truck traffic is anticipated with the highest amount on any one day being twenty. October 9, 2006 Zoning and Annexation Committee Meeting Minutes Page 2 There was no one from the public to speak in favor or in opposition to the Bill. Council Member Dieter noted that he was the District Council Member and that the prior concerns have been properly addressed. He then made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kirsits that Bill No. 06-102 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Bill No. 06-103 S ecial Exce Lion for 505 East Ireland: Council Member Kuspa called for a report from the Board of Zoning Appeals. Charles Bulot, Assistant Zoning Administrator, noted that the petition for special exception of ROI Investments was to allow retail sales in an "O" Office District. It had a public hearing before the Board of Zoning Appeals an September 21, 2006 and received a favorable recommendation. Tyler Glenn noted that he has offices at 910 East Ireland Road and is the petition. He occupies 113 of the building as his office and is seeking a special exception to allow retail such as a boutique jewelry store. No one from the public spoke in favor or in opposition to the Bill. Dr. Varner, the District Council Member for the area, noted that the look of the building blends into the neighborhood and that they are supportive of it. Bill Schalliol of the Department of Community and Economic Development spoke in favor of the request. Council Member Dieter made a motion, seconded by Citizen Member Talley that Bill No. 06-103 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Bill No. 06-105 Pro osed Fiscal Plan for the Brick Road Annexation Area Bill No. 51-06 Annexation Ordinance for the Brick Road Annexation Area: Council Member Kuspa then called for presentations on Bill Nos. 06-105 and 51-06. Marco Mariani of the Department of Community and Economic made the formal presentation on Bill No. 06-105. The area contains .37 acres of agricultural [and which is at least 12.5% contiguous to the current city limits. He highlighted portions of the Fiscal Plan (copy attached). It was noted that under Section IV. Addressing "Land 1Jse Analysis & Development Criteria" that in the 2na paragraph it should be corrected to ".37„ October 9, 2008 Zoning and Annexation Committee Meeting Minutes Page 3 Nicholas Witwer of the Department of Community and Economic Development made the presentation on Bill No. 51-06. This action is necessary for the widening of Brick Road. In response to a question from Council Member Dieter, Mr. Witwer staed that the purchase price was $140,000. . Council Member Dieter made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kirsits that Bill Nos. 06-105 and 51-06 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Bill No. 06-106 Proposed Fiscal Plan for the Olive Road Annexation Area Bill No. 52-OG Annexation Ordinance for the Olive Road Annexation Area; Council Member Kuspa then called for presentations on Bill Nos. 06-106 and 52-06. Marco Mariani of the Department of Community and Economic made the formal presentation on Bill No. 06-106. The area contains 1.129 acres of agricultural land which is at least 12.5% contiguous to the current city limits. He highlighted portions of the Fiscal Plan (copy attached). Nicholas Witwer of the Department of Community and Economic Development made the presentation an Bill No. 52-06. This action is necessary for the widening of alive Road. Council Member Dieter made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kirsits that Bill Nos. 06-106 and 52-06 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Z"d Substitute Bill No. 48-06 Proposed Zoning Ordinance for 12'10 Miami Street: Council Member Kuspa called for a report from the Area Plan Commission on 2"~ Substitute Bill No. 48-06 (copy attached}. Mark Lyons of the Area Plan Staff noted that the proposed rezoning which would permit an auto repair shop received an unfavorable recommendation from the Area Plan Commission. Mr. Frank J. Agostino the attorney for the property owner made the formal presentation. He noted that he would like to withdraw the petition since they lost their primary tenant. Citizen Member Talley made a motion, seconded by Council Member Dieter that 2~'~ Substitute Bill No. 48-06 be recommended to be removed from the agenda at the request of the petition. The motion passed. October 9, 2006 Zoning and Annexation Committee Meeting Minutes Page 4 Bill No. 50-06: Rezonin Re uest for 5117 Soufh Ironwood Drive: Council Member Kuspa called for a report from the Area Plan Commission followed by the formal presentation. Mark Lyons of the Area Plan Staff noted that the proposed rezoning which would permit the St. Joseph County 4HFair, Inc. to rezone their property located at 5117 S outh Ironwood from "SF1" Single and Two Family to "OB" Office Buffer. It received a favorable recommendation from the Area Plan Commission. J. Bernard Feeney made the formal presentation. He noted that historically the home has been used as the house for the 4H Fair Manager. They would like to be able to rent the house as an office. Dr. Varner the District Council Member for the area noted that it is his understanding that in light of the residential area across from the property in question that the "OB" Office Buffer would be a less intense use which would compliment the area. Mr. Feeney stated that that was correct. There was no one from the public to speak in favor or in opposition to the Bill. Council Member Dieter made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kirsits that Bill No. 50-06 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Kuspa adjourned the meeting at 4:03 p.m. RespectFully submitted, Council Member Ervin Kuspa, Chairperson Zoning and Annexation Committee Attachments