HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-23-18 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 23, 2018
MEETING OF THE COUNCIL AND FOUND THEM TO BE CORRECT.
THEREFORE, WE RECOMMEND THE SAME BE APPROVED:
TJM, SCOTT
YESHMA
APPROVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL ON: August 13, 2018
ATTEST:
KAAEEMA-H FOWLER, CITY CLERK
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REGULAR MEETING July 23, 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 23`d, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was
called to order by Council President Tim Scott and the Invocation (Rev. David Warui, Christian
Church International) and Pledge to the Flag were given.
ROLL CALL
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Tim Scott 1"District, President
Regina Williams-Preston 2nd District
Sharon L. McBride 3`d District
Jo M. Broden 4th District
Jake Teshka 5th District
Oliver J. Davis 6th District, Vice President
John Voorde At-Large
Gavin Ferlic At-Large, Chairperson Committee of the Whole
Karen L. White At-Large
OTHERS PRESENT:
Kareemah Fowler City Clerk
Jennifer Coffman Chief Deputy Clerk
Bianca Tirado Deputy Clerk
Graham Sparks Clerk Executive Assistant
Aladean DeRose Assistant City Attorney
David Boling Public Relations Intern
REPORT FROM THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON MINUTES
Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion that the minutes of the July 9 1h 2018 meeting of the
Council be accepted and placed on file. Councilmember Oliver Davis seconded the motion which
carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes.
SPECIAL BUSINESS
There was no special business.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICES
Representing the City Administration: Suzanna Fritzberg, Deputy Chief of Staff
RESOLVE INTO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
At 7:06 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 nine
(9) ayes. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic, Chairperson, presiding.
Councilmember Gavin Ferlic explained the procedures to be followed for tonight's meeting in
accordance with Article 1, Section 2-11 of the South Bend Municipal Code.
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REGULAR MEETING July 23, 2018
PUBLIC HEARINGS
BILL NO.
14-18 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND
SEEKING A SPECIAL EXCEPTION FOR
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1619 S MICHIGAN
STREET, COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT NO. 3 IN
THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA
Councilmember John Voorde,Vice Chair of the Zoning and Annexation Committee,reported that
they met this afternoon and send this bill forward with an unfavorable recommendation.
Jordan Wyatt, Zoning Planner for the Area Plan Commission with offices on the 1 lth floor of the
County-City Building, South Bend, IN, served as the presenter of the bill. Mr. Wyatt stated, The
petitioner is requesting a zone change in the area outlined in red(referencing a presentation which
is available in the City Clerk's Office) from LB, Local Business to CB, Community Business as
well as seeking a special exception use for automobile sales. To the , across an alley is a vacant
business zoned LB, Local Business. To the East across Michigan Street are Single-Family homes
zoned MU, Mixed-Use. To the South is a Family Dollar zoned LB, Local Business. To the West
across an alley are properties zoned LI,Light Industrial.On site,currently,is a carry-out restaurant.
The site plan shows the parking remaining to service the restaurant as well as the used cars. The
Department of Community Investment offered an unfavorable recommendation. They commented
it was out of character for this neighborhood. They proposed five (5) written commitments that,
after the Area Plan Commission meeting, the petitioner agreed to. Those five (5) include limiting
the number of vehicles to twenty-seven (27), in lieu of foundation landscaping adding one (1) or
two (2) replacement trees in the public tree lawn, in lieu of providing full parking lot screening
provide landscape areas with three (3) sight hedges in the northeast corner of the lot, install
landscape islands to separate the restaurant parking spaces from the display space and bring the
fence into compliance without barbed wire. This comes to you with an unfavorable
recommendation from the Area Plan Commission.
Bernie Feeney, Lang, Feeney & Associates with offices located at 715 South Michigan Street,
South Bend, IN, served as the petitioner for this bill. Mr. Feeney stated, I am here on behalf of the
owners of JJ Fish. Currently, as Area Plan had mentioned, this particular piece of property is
operating under its current zoning as a restaurant. It is one (1) of three franchises operated by the
owners locally. Another is on Lincoln Way and the other is on Edison Road. We are asking for a
rezoning on this property to allow fuller use of the property including used auto sales. The owners
have offered commitments to accompany this rezoning in compliance with those recommendations
by the Department of Community Investment. There will be a maximum of twenty-seven(27) cars
on the property at any given time. There will be islands to separate the restaurant patrons and the
auto sales patrons.They will provide landscaping in front of the building and the tree lawn between
the sidewalk and curb and they will remove the fence to move it back to make it even with the
front of the building. The cars that will be offered for sale will be purchased at the Kalamazoo and
Mishawaka Auto Auctions and will be offered for sale on this site. The car lot will not, under any
circumstances, be operated as a `Buy Here, Pay Here' used car lot. The cars will be financed
through a finance company. The owners are, in this particular instance, looking for an opportunity
to use their property more fully with the addition of the used car sales at this location. The change
in zoning would still serve as a buffer between the Light Industrial Zoning on the West and the
Mixed-Use on the East.
Councilmember Oliver Davis stated, I'm sorry I was not here this afternoon. Mr. Feeney, what is
your understanding of why there is objection to this?
Mr. Feeney replied, My understanding of the objection to this attempted rezoning of this property
is that there are already enough used car lots in the South Michigan Street area.At the meeting this
afternoon, the neighborhood group that was represented by an individual indicated that there are
five(5)used car lots in this area,my count has it as high as ten(10)but it depends on the boundaries
you use. We are dealing with a perception that another used car lot in this area will downgrade the
area. It won't downgrade the area any more than the recent leaving of Sherwin Williams paint to
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REGULAR MEETING July 23, 2018
the South. That lot has already deteriorated to some degree. The weeds are higher than normal and
they seem to not be keeping up the lot. This will be an addition and an economic stimulus to the
area. In this particular case, the owners would like to operate a nice and clean car lot with only
twenty-seven (27) cars maximum.
Councilmember Oliver Davis interjected, Are there issues regarding safety in terms of if all
twenty-seven (27) parking spots are full, with only one (1) way in and one (1) way out, are there
safety concerns with that issue?
Mr. Feeney replied, There are actually two (2) curb cuts at this location. There is one (1) on the
South Side of Bonnie Doon and Bonnie Doon was a circular affair where you came in at either of
the curb cuts and left via the other one (1).
Councilmember Oliver Davis followed up, So, therefore, if there were safety concerns and
everybody is there,and there are fire problems and anything else,people can evacuate without any
problem. That is your understanding?
Mr. Feeney replied, Absolutely.
Councilmember Oliver Davis then followed up, When it comes down to car dealerships and
everything else, is there anything in our current zoning law that prevents more car dealers from
being in an area?
Mr. Feeney replied,None,in so far as I know. There was a car dealer North of the alley and within
one hundred (100) feet of this location. That car dealer died and that property is being offered for
sale currently. Whether or not it will be occupied by another car dealer following that use is any
body's guess. We have already seen in that area the conversion of a car wash into something
different from what was originally intended. Further to the South on the East side of Michigan
Street is a used-to-be-car wash that is now a display area for vehicles in any state of repair.
Councilmember Oliver Davis followed up, I understand. If it had been a zoning law that would
have prevented car dealers from being in this type of zoning, would you have brought this to us?
Mr. Feeney replied,No, it would have been a waste of my client's time and money.
Councilmember Oliver Davis followed up,And so,therefore,there is nothing in our current zoning
law that prevents this type of issue?
Mr. Feeney replied, If the property is rezoned to Local Business to Community Business.
Councilmember Jake Teshka stated, The block to the North that you referenced was previously
used as a car sales area, is currently zoned LB, Local Business. Do you know how that was used
under that zoning for car sales? It is my understanding that in order for your client to use this
property for what they want to use it for, we have to both up-zone it and add a special exception.
So my question is how was a car lot able to operate in a lot that was zoned LB?
Mr.Feeney replied,That car lot pre-dated any of the current zoning there.The building was painted
various colors and it is no longer operating as such.
Councilmember Jake Teshka followed up, Do your clients have any plans for additional signage
out front? From the site map, it appears the front four (4) spaces on either side of the North curb
cut are to be used for customer and employee parking. What distinguishes the back part of that lot
as a car sales lot?
Mr. Feeney replied, The owners have offered the commitment in compliance with what DCI had
requested, if you decide to rezone this, they will provide islands in there that would differentiate
the areas for restaurant parking and used car sales parking.
Councilmember Jake Teshka followed up, My question was more about seeing what would flag
someone who was driving down Michigan that there is a used car lot in the back of this restaurant?
Mr. Feeney replied, The sign standards for Bonnie Doon are still out front and it could be used to
advertise the car lot, provided the sign meets the sign regulations currently in place.
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REGULAR MEETING July 23, 2018
Councilmember Jake Teshka followed up, So if we are to up-zone this, do you know those sign
regulations?
Mr. Feeney replied, At this point, no, not exactly.
Councilmember Jake Teshka then asked, There was a distinguishing remark about the sign
requirements in the Area Plan staff report. What is the difference in sign regulations between these
two (2) zonings?
Councilmember Jo M. Broden interjected, To be fair, that was a remark made by our Department
of Community Investment so if there is someone here to speak on that,that would be great.
' i would
Mr. Wyatt replied, I don't know if DCI is here but if I remember correctly, for this site two
go from fifty (5 0) square feet of sign area to one hundred (10 0) square feet of sign area.
Councilmember Tim Scott stated,Looking at this,I count thirty-seven(3 7)parking spots including
the handicap. So that means there are ten (10) spots for the people that work there. How many
people work there? Do they park there and how many people work at the automotive side? Are
there only ten (10) spots for employees and customers?
Mr. Feeney replied,Any time I have been down there,there have been at most two (2) cars on site
at any given time. The number of spaces shown is in conformance with the current requirements
of the site.
Councilmember Tim Scott followed up, Were those two (2) cars employees? What Pm trying to
get at is how many employees there are for JJ Fish and the auto dealership plus the customers, is
it just ten (10) spots for all of those people?
Mr. Feeney replied, There are two (2) employees for JJ Fish and they park there. Then there are,
at most, two (2) employees for the used car sales, and the balance will be for customers.
Councilmember Jo M.Broden stated,I think this straddled our revised parking ordinance. So when
you reference being in conformance with our parking, is that the revised parking standards for off-
street? Could somebody comment on that?
Mr. Feeney replied, To be honest with you, Councilmember Broden, I am not aware.
Councilmember Jo M. Broden followed up, Can anybody comment from Area Plan?
Councilmember Oliver Davis interjected, Are you referring to the previously passed legislation?
Councilmember Jo M. Broden replied, Yes, and when this was first(1St)read and presented, it pre-
dated that.
Mr. Wyatt replied, For the restaurant, there are supposed to be eight (8) spaces and for the car
dealership they are required to have one (1) space. That doesn't count the display spaces, it is just
one (1) space for who is coming there.
Councilmember Jo M. Broden followed up, Ok, so nine (9) total required by the current parking
ordinance. By way of the site plan, it is very light. Are there eight (8) or ten (10)? I see four (4)
and four(4).
Mr. Feeney replied,There are five (5) spaces supplied for the restaurant and five (5) spaces for the
auto sales on the current plan.
Councilmember Jake Teshka then asked, And that includes handicap spots?
Mr. Feeney replied, Yes. There was one (1) handicap included for each use.
Councilmember Sharon L. McBride asked, So two (2) handicap and four employees (4) and then
two (2) for a patron of the food and patrons for the auto sales? Did I hear that correctly?
Mr. Feeney replied, The requirements outlined by Jordan totaled nine (9) for the combined auto
sales and restaurant. These spaces are based upon the square footage of the building.
Councilmember Jo M. Broden asked, So it does meet it then?
Councilmember Sharon L. McBride replied, Correct.
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REGULAR MEETING July 23, 2018
Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, I'm sorry I saw the four (4) and four (4) and was not
including the handicap toward the total. Thank you for that clarification. There is a second (2°d)
curb cut that was not clear with the original discussions. I'm fine but you had said in your remarks
that this will not be a`Buy Here,Pay Here.' Please enlighten me on that.How is that distinguished?
Mr. Feeney replied, The current image of a `Buy Here, Pay Here' car dealer is somewhat different
than a retail used auto sales establishment. A `Buy Here, Pay Here' is often seen, in my own
experience, along US-33 and Elkhart County. They advertise that you're able to buy the car and
finance it through them, all in one (1) simple operation. It has, to my understanding, a less than
savory reputation by way of the business they conduct at these locations. The type of operation
intended at this location is that if financing is available and you qualify, you get the car. It is a
commercial operation and if you want the car, you must qualify for financing.
Councilmember Jo M. Broden then asked, And what is the primary difference between Light
Business and Commercial and its appropriateness within that line of business? I'm trying to get at
adjacent and complimentary uses.
Mr. Feeney replied, What I'm stressing in this particular instance is the presence of light industrial
right across the alley to the West. Mixed Use and Local Business is also on the East Side of
Michigan Street. The Local Business and Community Business zonings are a transitional type of
zoning between the two (2) uses.
Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, Your earlier presentation got at that so thank you for
repeating that. It would appear to be an argument that is talking about complimentary uses East
and West. But my specific question is, complementary uses or not, North to South on that block
or from West to East?
Mr. Feeney replied, The CB zoning on the northwest corner of Indiana and Michigan Street is a
used car lot. The LB zoning immediately south of there is a former used car lot. The property in
question is the Bonnie Doon former site. The property immediately south is the Family Dollar and
South of that is a pizza place.
Councilmember Jo M. Broden asked,Who could,perhaps,answer for us these questions?Because
one(1)of our criteria is taking into consideration the comprehensive plan. Some of these,including
the one (1) on the corner, are grandfathered uses, correct?
Mr. Feeney replied, That is correct, in fact, many of them are.
Councilmember Jo M. Broden followed up, In APC's or DCI's evaluation of this, what other
properties are grandfathered?
Mr. Wyatt replied, I haven't really been here long enough to answer that question.
Larry Magliozzi, Director of the Area Plan Commission with offices on the 11th floor of the
County-City Building, South Bend, IN, replied, We didn't really look at, specifically, what uses
were and weren't grandfathered. It is a fairly long stretch of a commercial corridor and it has been
developing for decades. I imagine there are several non-conforming uses, especially talking about
these used car lots. We don't look at it property by property. We only operate under the current
comprehensive and neighborhood plans for the area.
Councilmember Jo M. Broden interjected, And within those plans, the future land use plan does
identify this area to be Mixed-Use?
Mr. Wyatt replied, That is correct.
Councilmember Jo M. Broden followed up, Ok so we are not relying on the Southeast
Neighborhood Plan that has not been approved, that was specific from the Comprehensive Plan?
Mr. Wyatt replied, Yes, our recommendation is based on those five (5) criteria as well as the
comments from DCI.
Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, So from a smart planning perspective, you could obviously
look west from this property and view this as a buffer to the neighborhood to the East. You could
look north and south and argue consistency for it to stay in its current use. Is there any rule of
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REGULAR MEETING July 23, 2018
thumb from a planning standpoint to look at across the street or behind properties?When you talk
about adjacency, is there a preference?
Mr. Wyatt replied, When I was writing the staff report, it isn't a rule of thumb but I looked at
Michigan Street as itself. I took into account the Single-Family homes that are directly across the
street. I saw that you could use the LI parcel for what they wanted.Because this is a major corridor
coming into the City, it is appropriate for commercial development but the City of South Bend's
Comprehensive Plan states that one(1) of the goals is to improve the character of the community's
entry ways and corridors to ensure coordination of land uses among adjacent areas. The
neighborhood plan referenced,even though it wasn't approved or adopted by APC or this Council,
is because it is still there.
Councilmember Jo M. Broden asked,And that was regardless of the commitments?Because those
weren't even mentioned in your recommendation.
Mr. Wyatt replied, The commitments didn't come until after the Area Plan Commission meeting.
Councilmember Jo M. Broden followed up, But they were recommended in the staff report that
you had received?
Mr. Wyatt replied, Yes, by DCI. They gave an unfavorable recommendation but they gave those
recommendations for you to consider if you all decide to approve this.
Councilmember Oliver Davis interjected, I'm glad you mentioned that because I believe to
reference a plan that has not been approved is concerning. There had to be some weight due to the
fact that it was referenced. My concern is having this plan voted down based on a plan that has not
been approved. I am very concerned to set precedent in this body to give any kind of credence to
a plan that has not been approved as a part of the decision making process. We have already
established that is not a part of the current law. We should not make our decisions based on
preference but based on what is there. That is why I have great concern that we are referencing a
document and it was shared with both Area Plan and this body and it has lead us to have a negative
point of reference. I am concerned with that.
Mr. Magliozzi replied, We mentioned two (2) plans, the Comprehensive Plan and then the
Neighborhood Plan. Our decision was based on the Comprehensive Plan and the criteria for that.
The other plan was a point of reference. There was a lot of time, effort and money by the City to
develop neighborhood plans. It didn't move forward for a variety of different reasons but our
decision, as a staff, was based on the Comprehensive Plan. Not the unapproved or non-vetted
Council documents.
Councilmember Oliver Davis interjected, But if that was the case, the adjacent places to this, this
is in keeping with the adjacent issues. And so, how did you get to the reference of it not being in
keeping when it is in keeping of it? That's where my clarity has been lost. If it's in keeping that
we both have dark suits, how do we get to the point where one (1) of us doesn't have a dark suit
from that standpoint? You don't have on a jacket I can see that but for us, how do you get there?
Mr. Magliozzi replied, Zonings, in many cases, are subjective interpretations of what we have
available to us and it is not perfect. There was a lot of discussion between DCI and our APC staff,
and our unified consensus was that this did not meet the Comprehensive Plan and the general trend
of the area. That is why we have this process.
This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and
opponents were given an opportunity to be heard.
Conrad Damian, 718 East Broadway Street, South Bend, IN, stated, I'm president of the
neighborhood association, SOAR, and when we talked about this it was agreed that we opposed
this rezoning. There are six (6) used car lots in the short ten (10) block area of Michigan Street.
We believe that is more than enough used car lots. We also have three (3) muffler shops and two
(2) auto repair shops in that very short distance and we don't believe it is a good use of the area.
We are glad JJ's has the restaurant but we do not believe the rest of the property should be used in
this way. There were twenty-three (23)people at that meeting and that was the general consensus.
The plan for our neighborhood was developed in 2015. We have been waiting for it to be approved
by the Council.I don't see why you would hold that against the good faith of the parties developing
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REGULAR MEETING July 23, 2018
the plan. Certainly, as a City,we want the major entrances to be a place that welcomes and attracts
everyone coming into our City. The ten (10) blocks that I referenced are blocks that desperately
need City attention paid to them. The businesses there and the areas around those businesses need
to be improved. However, this is not one (1) of those improvements. We ask that you deny this
rezoning request.
This being the time heretofore set for the Rebuttal on the above bill,the presenters and petitioners
were given an opportunity to rebut.
Mr. Feeney stated, Again, I would like to speak to the fact that this appears to be a consistent use
North to South and a transitional use from West to East. I remind the Council, among the uses
currently able be done without any work on the building and without any Council approval are a
mortuary, a check cashing outlet, a liquor store or a pawn shop. These are all uses that could be
instituted tomorrow but they are asking for the ability to use this property as a used car lot with
twenty-seven (27) cars. They are willing to commit to some stipulations, as outlined by DCI, for
the use of that property.
Councilmember Oliver Davis stated,I'm glad Mr. Feeney stated his last statement. Currently,even
if we vote this down, a check cashing place could go in there tomorrow without neighbors'
approval. A liquor store, a pawn shop, a mortuary, and we would have no say in it what so ever if
they wanted to put any of those in there. Yes we can vote it down and say we saved another car lot
from being in the same spot, however, we are still opening it up for all these other things to be
there too. I think, back to the question of the caution of moving forward, I don't know the exact
reasons the neighborhood plan has not been approved. If it's in DCI or the Mayor's Office, I have
no clue and it has not come before our Council. So if that's in the executive to my knowledge, we
should have some kind of stipulation on this and I'm glad they have come before us to at least
have some teeth in this right now. Again, failure of this tom could mean a liquor store is there
tomorrow. I don't want that.
Councilmember Tim Scott made a motion to send Bill No. 14-18 to the full Council with an
unfavorable recommendation. Councilmember Jake Teshka seconded this motion which carried
by a voice vote of seven (7) ayes and two (2) nays (Councilmember Oliver Davis and
Councilmember John Voorde).
25-18 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4546, 4566 &4612
NORTH LAKE BLACKTHORN DRIVE,
COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT NO. 1 IN THE
CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA
Councilmember John Voorde,Vice Chair of the Zoning and Annexation Committee,reported that
they met this afternoon and send this bill forward with a favorable recommendation.
Jordan Wyatt, Zoning Planner for the Area Plan Commission with offices on the 111' floor of the
County-City Building, South Bend, IN, served as the presenter of the bill. Mr. Wyatt stated, The
petitioner is requesting a zone change in the area outlined in red(referencing a presentation which
is available in the City Clerk's Office)from LB, Local Business to SF-One (1), Single-Family and
Two (2)-Family. To the North are Single-Family homes zoned SF-One (1), Single-Family and
Two (2)-Family. To the East is the St. Joseph Valley Parkway. To the West are Single-Family
homes zoned SF-One (1), Single-Family and Two (2)-Family. To the South are vacant parcels
zoned LB, Local Business. There is no current site plan for this rezoning as they are simply
rezoning the three (3) parcels to move from commercial development and develop Single-Family
homes. This comes to you from the Area Plan Commission with a favorable recommendation.
Mike Danch, Danch, Harper & Associates with offices located at 1643 Commerce Drive, South
Bend, IN, served as the petitioner for this bill. Mr. Danch stated,As Jordan had mentioned,we are
asking to down-zone. The petitioner has people interested in building homes. When we had
originally rezoned that corner to LB, we had written commitments in place. I am now going to ask
Area Plan to remove those for these three (3) lots so we can actually put in the homes.
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REGULAR MEETING July 23, 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. There were none.
Councilmember Tim Scott stated, This is a very nice area and it is part of the first (Ist) district.
When I started on Council seven (7) years ago, there were still vacant lots in this area. This is a
good move.
Councilmember Tim Scott then made a motion to send Bill No. 25-18 to the full Council with a
favorable recommendation. Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston seconded this motion which
carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes.
31-18 PUBLIC HEARING 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 MUNICIPAL CODE
PERTAINING TO DISORDERLY HOUSES AND
PROHIBITING DEALING IN MARIJUANA,
HASH OIL, HASHISH, SALVIA, SYNTHETIC
DRUGS AND SYNTHETIC DRUG LOOKALIKE
SUBSTANCES
Councilmember Jo M. Broden, Chair of the Health and Public Safety Committee, reported that
they met this afternoon and send this bill forward with a favorable recommendation.
Will Smith, 728 Whitehall Drive, South Bend, IN, served as the presenter for this bill. Mr. Smith
stated, Thank you, Council, for this opportunity. And thank you to all the community members
that have been involved in this effort. Presented to you is an ordinance to amend the current
ordinance to update it and keep it in line with State regulations. I think it's wise to go ahead and
pass this.Also, as far as the strategic aspect of it moving forward, I think we can look at addressing
more of the people dealing and not the people using. The main goal is to go after the individuals
that are dealing this. We also need to look at the civil side of this and help the people using this
because they do need our help. The message is pretty straight forward that we don't want these
businesses here selling these illegal substances.
Councilmember Tim Scott, 711 Forest Avenue, South Bend, IN, served as the sponsor for this bill.
Councilmember Tim Scott stated, I am the sponsor along with Councilmember Karen White. Will,
myself, Karen, Kareemah Fowler and others are on a task force to look at synthetic marijuana.
This change is in hope to stay ahead of these people that are dealing this substance. This is in line
and keeps pace with the State legislation to close any loopholes.
This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and
opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. There were none.
Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to send Bill No. 31-18 to the full Council with a
favorable recommendation. Councilmember Jo M. Broden seconded this motion which carried by
a voice vote of nine (9) ayes.
32-18 PUBLIC HEARING 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
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REGULAR MEETING July 23, 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.
Jeri Hockenhull, City Controller with offices on the 12th floor of the County-City Building, South
Bend, IN, served as the presenter for this bill. Ms. Hockenhull stated, The bill before you is
requesting two (2) new positions be added to the salary ordinance related to the AmeriCorps
Grant. One (1) is the Operations Manager who will oversee ten (10) members of the AmeriCorps
Grant. The other one (1) is a Project Manager. Both of these positions are currently listed on our
website with job descriptions and they are available to be applied for as of today.
Councilmember Karen White asked, How much will be supplied by the grant and by the City?
Ms. Hockenhull replied, The positions themselves are funded through a grant provided by
AmeriCorps. That will be around $150,000. The rest will be funded through the General Fund
and, likely, contributions from the Water and Waste Water Funds.
Councilmember Karen White followed up, Could you share percentages?
Ms. Hockenhull replied, The grant will cover up to sixty-six percent (66%) of the wages and
expenses of the program from 2018.
Councilmember Oliver Davis asked, What happens when the grant runs out?
Ms. Hockenhull replied, They are listed in the Ordinance as AmeriCorps member positions so
when the grant goes away, so will the positions.
This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and
opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. There were none.
Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to send Bill No. 32-18 to the full Council with a
favorable recommendation. Councilmember Karen White seconded this motion which carried by
a voice vote of nine (9) ayes.
RISE AND REPORT
Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to rise and report to full Council. Councilmember
Regina Williams-Preston seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) 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 7:54 p.m. Council President Tim Scott
presided with nine (9) members present.
BILLS —THIRD READING
BILL NO.
14-18 THIRD READING ON AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND
SEEKING A SPECIAL EXCEPTION FOR
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1619 S MICHIGAN
STREET, COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT NO. 3 IN
THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA
Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to defeat Bill No. 14-18. Councilmember Karen
White seconded this motion which carried by a roll call vote of seven (7) ayes and two (2) nays
(Councilmember Oliver Davis and Councilmember John Voorde).
9
REGULAR MEETING July 23, 2018
25-I8 THIRD READING ON AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4546, 4566 & 4612
NORTH LAKE BLACKTHORN DRIVE,
COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT NO. 1 IN THE
CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA
Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to adopt Bill No. 25-18. Councilmember Oliver Davis
seconded this motion which carried by a roll call vote of nine (9) ayes.
31-I8 THIRD 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 MUNICIPAL CODE
PERTAINING TO DISORDERLY HOUSES AND
PROHIBITING DEALING IN MARIJUANA,
HASH OIL, HASHISH, SALVIA, SYNTHETIC
DRUGS AND SYNTHETIC DRUG LOOKALIKE
SUBSTANCES
Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to adopt Bill No. 31-18. Councilmember Oliver Davis
seconded this motion which carried by a roll call vote of nine (9) ayes.
32-18 THIRD 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 Gavin Ferlic made a motion to adopt Bill No. 32-18. Councilmember Karen White
seconded this motion which carried by a roll call vote of nine (9) 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,Vice Chair of the Zoning and Annexation Committee,reported that
they met this afternoon and send this bill forward with a favorable recommendation.
Jordan Wyatt, Zoning Planner for the Area Plan Commission with offices on the 11th floor of the
County-City Building, South Bend, IN, served as the presenter of the bill. Mr. Wyatt stated, The
petitioner is seeking a special exception use for this vacant lot to make it an accessory parking lot.
The parking lot will be used by the church across the street. This comes to you with a favorable
recommendation from the Area Board of Zoning Appeals.
10
REGULAR MEETING July 23, 2018
Bernie Feeney, Lang, Feeney & Associates with offices located at 715 South Michigan Street,
South Bend, IN, served as the petitioner for this bill. Mr. Feeney stated, This is currently an
unpaved partially grass lot. It is used basically on Sundays as a parking lot. The church is asking
for a special exception to allow this lot be paved for the consideration of their parishioners. It will
service the church and is ideally positioned for future expansion of the church.
This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and
opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. There were none.
Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to adopt Bill No. 18-26. Councilmember Oliver Davis
seconded this motion which carried by a roll call vote of nine (9) ayes.
18-31 A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE
ADOPTION OF A DECLARATORY
RESOLUTION 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
Anne Mannix, 724 West Washington Street, South Bend, IN, served as the petitioner for this bill.
Ms. Mannix stated, 1636 Lincoln Way West is a former Brewery. The rehab costs are$6.4 million.
It is a conspicuous spot on a major artery and entrance to the City. There are twenty-two (22)
efficiency one (1) and two (2) bedroom apartments.
Council President Tim Scott interjected, Ms. Mannix, you are one (1) step ahead of us. This one
(1) is the houses in the neighborhood,the Brewery is the next one (1).
Ms. Mannix continued, Oh, alright. There are fourteen (14) Single-Family homes. They will all
have basements, garages, and they are three (3) and four(4) bedroom. The cost is $3.6 million.
This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and
opponents were given an opportunity to be heard.
Will Smith, 728 Whitehall Drive, South Bend, IN, stated, I used to serve on the Community
Investment Committee. Mr. Mariani had reached out to me in a time of need. That meant a lot to
me and I think he is a person of upstanding moral character. I was happy to see some of the
guidance of his being implemented here.
Jesse Davis, P.O. Box 10205, South Bend, IN, stated, I'm all for looking at redoing some of these
homes and bettering the neighborhoods. I guess I have more of a question. She said $3.6 million
total and fourteen (14) homes. Is money spent on these homes it going to be public record? I
brought forth an issue to you all several years back where the Heritage Foundation put $500,000
into three (3)homes and then we turned around and they were sold for only $100,000 or$200,000
and we just dumped $500,000, which doesn't appear to be a good fiscal practice. I'm just curious
if the spending on these homes is going to be public record prior to the spending happening. I'm
all for making the neighborhoods nicer but it is important where the money is being spent.
Joseph Wingo, 1020 Fuerbringer Street, South Bend, IN, stated, I live in the new development
over in Lincoln Park and I speak in favor of this tax abatement. The homes that were built over
there, there are twenty-four (24) homes, have beatified that area. Along with the help of
Councilmember Scott and the contractors, they have redone the curbs and sidewalks. That has
11
REGULAR MEETING July 23, 2018
really beautified that area. I also ask the Council Members to ride through that area some time.
Thank you, bless the Council and bless South Bend.
Willie Dearing Mallory, 501 Harrison Avenue, South Bend, IN, stated, I also live in the South
Bend Mutual Homes. I am a resident. The only thing I can say about South Bend Mutual Homes
is that it is a blessing. It is a blessing to the residents, neighborhood and area. We have twenty-
four(24)brand-new beautiful homes and that is a motivator. We have hard working and beautiful
people that live and work there.
Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to adopt Bill No. 18-31. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic
seconded this motion which carried by a roll call vote of nine (9) ayes.
18-32 A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE
ADOPTION OF A DECLARATORY
RESOLUTION DESIGNATING CERTAIN
AREAS WITHIN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,
INDIANA, COMMONLY KNOWN AS SOUTH
BEND BREWERY PLACE AS AN ECONOMIC
REVITALIZATION AREA FOR PURPOSES OF
A TEN (10) YEAR REAL PROPERTY TAX
ABATEMENT FOR HISTORIC LINCOLN WAY
WEST HOMES, LP
Anne Mannix, 724 West Washington Street, South Bend, IN, served as the petitioner for this bill.
Ms. Mannix stated,The rehab costs are $6.4 million. It is a conspicuous spot on a major artery and
entrance to the City.There are twenty-two(22)efficiency one(1)and two(2)bedroom apartments.
It is a historic property. We are applying for low-income housing tax credits and these funds will
strengthen our application. It has a public benefit as it provides affordable housing and it will
stabilize the neighborhood.
Councilmember Jo M. Broden asked, Are there any additional benefits that you would like to
highlight other than property tax abatement benefit? Are there any additional incentives the City
of South Bend is putting in?
Ms. Mannix replied, The City is giving us $1 million in tax abatement and we are working on the
off-site improvements that will be made in the surrounding neighborhood.
Councilmember Jo M. Broden followed up, In terms of petitioner, policy? Actually I'll save that
for later. Thank you.
This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and
opponents were given an opportunity to be heard.
Joseph Wingo, 1020 Fuerbringer Street, South Bend, IN, stated,Again,I am here to speak in favor
of this because what Anne Mannix has done with the revitalization of that Lincoln Park area is
incredible. It provides stability and I encourage you all to visit the area. Thank you.
Canneth Lee, 1929 North Huey Street, South Bend, IN, stated, I encourage the Council to vote in
favor of this. The area is a blight right now and this would help make this site better. We send our
support for this project.
Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to adopt Bill No. 18-32. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic
seconded this motion which carried by a roll call vote of nine (9) ayes.
18-35 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA,
REAFFIRMING AND APPROVING THE
NECESSITY OF THE LEASE OF BUILDING
LOCATED AT 319 NILES AVENUE, SOUTH
12
REGULAR MEETING July 23, 2018
BEND, INDIANA FOR THE USE BY THE
SOUTH BEND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
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.
Aladean DeRose, Assistant City Attorney with offices on the 12' floor of the County-City
Building, South Bend, IN, served as the presenter for this bill. Ms. DeRose stated, I am also the
attorney for the South Bend Human Rights Commission. In 2012, the Council saw it a necessity
for the South Bend Human Right's Commission to go outside its City-owned property and lease
property at 319 N.Niles Street. That property and that office space was specifically designed with
the Commission's needs in mind. It is located near downtown, near a bus stop and has ample
parking. It is fully ADA accessible and, as the Human Right's Commission,that is very important.
The Human Rights Commission has many customers and clients whose needs require ADA
accessibility. It is a wonderful space and the City has reviewed available buildings again and none
of them fit the needs of the Human Rights Commission. We ask at this time that the Council,again,
find need to continue the lease. It will be a five (5) year lease with a six (6) month option in case
property becomes available in the City after 2019. The rent is comparable,reasonable and fair and
we ask the Council reaffirms and continues the lease at this property.
This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and
opponents were given an opportunity to be heard.
Samuel Brown, 222 East Navarre Street, South Bend, IN, stated, I am a Human Rights
Commission officer for the City of South Bend. Aladean said it better than I could possibly say it.
I would like for this to be passed. It is a beautiful, safe and clean place. The clients come in to the
Commission on matters that affect their lives. I urge you to pass this.
Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to adopt Bill No. 18-35. Councilmember Oliver Davis
seconded this motion which carried by a roll call vote of nine(9) ayes.
BILLS ON FIRST READING
BILL NO.
33-18 FIRST READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE
COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH
BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING THE ZONING
ORDINANCE AND ESTABLISHING HISTORIC
LANDMARKS STATUS FOR THE STRUCTURE
AND REAL PROPERTY KNOWN AS THE
CIVIL RIGHTS HERITAGE CENTER
FORMERLY THE ENGMAN NATATORIUM,
AND LOCATED AT 1040 WEST WASHINGTON
STREET, IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,
INDIANA
Councilmember John Voorde made a motion to send Bill No. 33-18 to the Zoning and Annexation
Committee and set it for Second Reading and Public Hearing on August 13", 2018.
Councilmember Karen White seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
BILL NO.
18-34 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 719 AND 721 W.
REX STREET
13
REGULAR MEETING July 23, 2018
Councilmember John Voorde made a motion to send Bill No. 34-18 to the Zoning and Annexation
Committee and set it for Second Reading and Public Hearing on August 13th, 2018.
Councilmember Oliver Davis seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes.
NEW BUSINESS
Councilmember Oliver Davis stated, There are two (2) things I would like to address. In the past,
we used to get updates regarding police matters when there were situations and we had a situation
with a police officer on Friday and we had another one (1) today. I would like to get some sort of
update because we didn't on Friday when that happened. We need to be up to date on those matters.
We need to have a discussion about what should be put in place regarding that. On that same note,
in terms of the update on the mobile home situation, are we going to have a meeting on that?
Councilmember Sharon L McBride replied, Yes there will be some information within the next
few weeks regarding that matter.
Councilmember Oliver Davis followed up, And lastly, I would recommend we get an update on
the South Shore study and options. There has been stuff written in the paper and we need to get
the Mayor's input because people are asking. We haven't had an update for several months now.
I recommend that not be at a regular Council meeting.
Councilmember Gavin Ferlic assured to have that update be scheduled to come under the
Community Investment Committee of the Common Council.
Councilmember Karen White stated, At our last Council meeting, under Privilege of the Floor,
representatives from the LaSalle Park Neighborhood Alliance came before this body to share five
(5) priorities they had established. They sought feedback and response from the Council. Those
goals were delegated to the Residential Neighborhoods Committee and along with a request that
they meet with the LaSalle Park Neighborhood Association. A meeting was held on Wednesday,
July 181h 2018 and I'm happy to state that all of the Committee Members were present.The purpose
of that meeting was to first(lst) listen to their priorities, help clarify and to help respond. One (1)
of those were already in the process of being addressed so there were four(4)remaining priorities
that the members of that particular association have shared with us. We will work with them and
we will keep the Council aware of that process. I would also like to share with the Council about
the progress of Not In Our Community and that is the response to synthetic drugs. We started this
Committee about one (1)year and a half ago and I would like to acknowledge Pastor Canneth Lee
who is in the audience and who is a member of that Committee along with Council Members and
others. It is a group of individuals that responded to an issue that started in July 2017. We have
had a number of forums, we have listened to the community, and the response is to have a
comprehensive approach to addressing synthetic drugs in our community. Last Tuesday we held a
meeting with faith leaders within the first(lst) and second(2nd) districts to share information with
them, get their feedback and to disseminate information about the Committee. I want to thank the
Council, Committee and Community Members that are all working hard to ensure we respond
most appropriately to synthetic drugs in our community.
Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, I agree with Councilmember Oliver Davis and his requests.
I would also like to get an update on PSAP. There are a number of things, too, specifically in the
County budget, and that does not align with our budget process and then we have to come at those
issues on the back end.If there is a way that we can get a report from Jen Hockenhull or the primary
parties involved in that, and those considerations, I think that would be helpful. Also, any other
significant County proposals or changes that we anticipate in the budget process, we need to be
informed of. There were a number of things that happened last ye that arrived on our desks and
they were already well down the road in terms of the County budget. I would like for, specifically
PSAP, but other anticipations of changes that would affect our funding and partnership, to get
briefed on those as soon as possible. Relevant to tonight's conversation about rezoning, the South
East Neighborhood Plan, it's been around for some time. It has been listed on our website, the
neighbors came before us in a Committee setting and shared their vision and views. Council asked
for an update on these plans and I guess I'm at the position two (2) years and seven (7) months
into this, if the planning process was that comprehensive and involved both professional planners
14
REGULAR MEETING July 23, 2018
and outside consultants, I request we put that as an agenda item for approval at an upcoming
meeting.
Councilmember John Voorde stated,Reassessment notices went out from the County Assessor last
week. Generally speaking,I think there were increases in assessments. I've gotten seven(7)phone
call inquires as to why their assessments went up so much. I wonder if we couldn't ask the County
Assessor to come with a brief explanation of the process.
Councilmember Tim Scott stated, They are trying to take mine up twenty-six percent (26%) and
I've had phone calls up to forty percent (40%).
Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston stated, We are going to have a district two (2) bus tour
from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. I'm looking forward to everyone being able to meet us at
Studebaker Plaza.
Councilmember Tim Scott stated, I would like to publicly thank Aladean DeRose for filling in for
Bob Palmer. You've done an excellent job.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
Jesse Davis, P.O. Box 10205, South Bend, IN, stated, I was up here and brought a situation to the
Council's attention.Approximately three(3)years ago,there was some high-dollar City equipment
that was not in the City's possession that mysteriously got dropped off at a building on Sample
Street. I've been trying, for three (3) years now, through the Legal Department and FOIAs to get
a list of that equipment and any information as to why this equipment was not on the City's
inventory yet we paid for it. Most recently, I was actually able to get a letter from the Legal
Department and I got a list of the equipment that was dropped off at the Street Department. That
was another bunch of equipment that, if you look the prices up, are tens of thousands of dollars.
We now have two (2) buildings where equipment purchased on the City's dime was dropped off.
Both buildings are very secure but yet nobody knows why it was dropped off,why it wasn't in our
inventory, who purchased it and who had it. I'm being told to go back to the State Police to ask
for the State Police report that was done on this. In fact, a State Police Detective who was involved
sent me an email that they concluded their investigation well over a year ago and it was sent back
to the City and the Prosecutor's Office. Again, I'm up here complaining about transparency,
number one (1) because it has taken me three (3) years to even get this info. And also,
accountability. From what I understand, that was returned to the City but it was probably near
$100,000 worth of equipment in total. Who dropped this off? Who had possession of it? Who
signed to buy this equipment? That will be my next FOIA on this. Here is the documentation I
have on this and if you took a look at it maybe you guys can get more information that I can on
this. Mr. Davis provided this documentation which is available in the City Clerk's Office.
Jason Banicki-Critchlow, 3822 West Ford Street, South Bend, IN, stated, We were talking about
entry way corridors and it got me to thinking about two (2)years ago when the County decided to
spend $1 million to reinstitute a County-wide drug unit. In the two (2) years, they have affected
roughly three (3) total arrests. At the time, I challenged the Common Council then to find $1
million in our over $300 million budget to find and fund heroine treatment programs for our City.
You know what I see when I drive down Main and Michigan Streets every day? I see people
hunched over, drooling, clearly out of their mind on heroine. I challenge you guys again as we go
into this next budget process. We shouldn't be spending as much on economic development as we
are on public safety, so maybe we take $1 million out of economic development and put it toward
heroine treatment programs because we could spend all we want on economic development but if
the first(1St) impression of the City is panhandling and heroine in front of the business, that is not
a good look to anybody.
Thomas Zmyslo Sr., 51042 Prairie View Way, South Bend, IN, stated, I am the Chairman of the
UAW Local Nine (9)retirees. I am here tonight with a number of us to speak to you all regarding
your relationship with Honeywell Corporation here in South Bend, Indiana. I know there are a
number of you that were out there when there was a lockout in support of the workers locked out.
This corporation in the City of South Bend has demoralized the active workforce greatly. It is
really going to hurt this City a lot.Not only is the active workforce but the retirees are demoralized.
15
REGULAR MEETING July 23, 2018
We were promised when we started working there, and I worked there over thirty (30) years
myself, health insurance. We have some serious issues regarding health and health insurance in
the Country and this isn't helping the situation. We've got people here under sixty-five (65) that
can't even afford to buy health insurance. They were told that if they did not retire before 2016
that they could lose their health care if they did not retire ahead of time. They retired before sixty-
five (65) and they are having to pay$3,000 to $5,000 a month for health care right now. There are
well over 2,000 to 3,000 in this community that are retirees of Honeywell. This not only affects
Honeywell here in South Bend but it affects them in Green Island and at Walsh Corp. in St.Joseph,
Michigan, as a number people are under the same contract. Honeywell has $3.4 billion in Federal
Contracts under President Trump. Last year, Honeywell posted $1.7 billion profit. The Trump-
Walorski tax cuts lead them to bring back$7 billion in cash from overseas. In the first(1St) quarter,
Honeywell paid out almost $950 million on stock buybacks. That is the money they make from
pushing employees under sixty-five (65) to retire and pushing them off of their insurance
programs. Their earnings were up eleven percent(11%) in the first quarter and sales were up nine
percent (9%) in the aerospace division. We kept our part of the bargain in South Bend, Indiana,
and have worked for twenty-five (25), thirty-five (35), forty-five (45) and fifty (50) years for this
corporation and I'm asking you all, toni ht, to back up the people in this community. Honeywell
is a ruthless corporation. This is going to hurt our community greatly. It will take a lot of money
out of the economy. The South Bend Common Council needs to take a stand and I ask you to
examine your relationship with this corporation. They threw our people under the bus. Thank you.
Larry Alexander, 56051 Harmon Drive, Mishawaka, IN, stated, I'm here to piggyback off what
Tom said. When I was hired, it was Bendix Corporation. Thirty-seven (37) years I worked at that
place with the understanding I had healthcare and I wouldn't have to worry about it when I retired.
Low and behold they went from Bendix which was a compassionate company. When my father
died, I was a month and a day,they offered my mother a job. That is when it was Bendix. Through
all the acquisitions it is now Honeywell and they are the most ruthless, corporate and greedy
company in this Country. They are taking the retirees, the people who made them who they are,
and throwing them under the bus. As far as I'm concerned, I will have to buy supplemental
insurance. I'm going to have to take$4,000 or$5,000 out of my paycheck that I could be spreading
across this community. I appreciate you guys and please give us some consideration.
Bryan Edington, 2702 Hilltop Drive, South Bend, IN, stated, I come here tom in support of
Robert Goodchild,better known as `Cochise' by his close friends and co-workers. Cochise means
strong like the oak tree. In 1964, Mishawaka Marion opened its doors for the very first (1St) time
and his son, Rodrick,known as Rod, was part of that very first(1St) freshman class. Being a brand
new school it had no athletic facilities on the forty (40) acre campus. Mr. Goodchild saw the need
and spearheaded the development of the football field and track. The Athletic Director at the time,
Bob Owtolski, better known as Big O, described Mr. Goodchild as a mover and shaker who got
projects done and on time. Robert Goodchild was born and grew up on the Menomonee Indian
Reservation where he walked eight(8)miles to and from school each day.He graduated from West
High School at the top of his class and went to the University of Wisconsin on academic and
athletic scholarships. He was a varsity wrestler for the Badgers as well as the president of his
fraternity. With one (1) semester to go before graduation,we was selected to go into the Army Air
Corps. After six (6)months of officer training at Yale,the balance of his four(4)year tour of duty
was in British India,heading up the resupply mission of our Chinese allies. He served our Country
with distinction as a World War Two (2) first Lieutenant without a college degree. He returned to
the University of Wisconsin and completed his last semester and graduated with honors. He was
then recruited by NIPSCO in 1946 and moved to South Bend. For thirty-four(34) years he headed
up the mission to install the underground pipeline network throughout Northern Indiana. This
transformed our community from a dirty coal and fuel oil to clean-burning natural gas or, as he
called it, Pepe Flame. The mission to carve the dead oak tree stumps into magical spirit animals
was accomplished through the trust fund of Robert Goodchild. The first (lst) carving was
completed in 2013 and the final welcome oak carving dedicated to Robert Goodchild on December
21St, 2017. The project is complete and all sixteen (16) animal carvings were done by Maw
2018. We celebrated the Best. Week. Ever. at Potawatomi Park and the 2018 Best. Walk. Ever.
went through the magical oak tree carving which was recognized as a unique happening and a first
(1 St) of its kind. Thank you very much.
16
REGULAR MEETING July 23, 2018
Rod Goodchild, 837 South 24th Street, South Bend,IN, stated,This is my pride and joy. He handed
in documents that are available in the City Clerk's Office. Mr. Goodchild continued, When I was
given this, it marked that we went through all the proper procedures. We asked everybody.Valerie
Schey started it. She came to me and asked what we are going to do. She was our Council Member
for the area and she said, with all of her input, Mr. Goodchild, they approved it, they approved it,
and they approved it. It started in 2013 and the first (1St) one (1) was completed for Ella Morris.
You see her there, you see the picture. My mother and her were go-getters. So after that, they
continued to tell me you work with protocol. You work with the people that you are told to,
Goodchild.Don't go here,don't go there,you do exactly what we tell you. I was assigned fourteen
(14)letters,as you will see, I went to the Mayor's Office. Countless letter to everyone else. Patrick
Sherman, twenty-four (24) correspondents because that is who I was told to go through. I am an
individual in the community that when I am told something, I'm a foot soldier. You do exactly
what you're told. It is done and completed. All we are missing is the stone. We went back in
December and they said it would be approved but they had a problem with Victor's name on it. I
said take it off but then they said it should be on it because he is an unbelievable local artist. He is
on it, it was done, communication went through and now it sits there on the trunk ready to be put
down and the question they have is who is going to pay for it and it has been totally paid for, sitting
there since May 11th, 2018. We are still trying to get new laws and new rules before it ever gets
approved. Here are the two (2) stones. He then turned in pictures of the stones and those pictures
can be found in the City Clerk's Office.
Canneth Lee, 1929 North Huey Street, South Bend, IN, stated, I'm here to address the issue, along
with my friends of the Far North West Side Neighborhood Association, of the community
development program that is going to launch home repair for the West Side of South Bend. For
the last seven (7) years, we've been working together to try to bring about improvements in the
area. We've gotten a splash pad, we do Shakespeare in the park and other community things. I am
a life-long resident. I grew up on North Elmer,lived on Olive,and now I bought a house on Huey.
I have lived in that area for forty-one (41) years. When we found out this opportunity for home
repair was happening, we were very disheartened it cuts off right at Elwood Street and doesn't
continue all the way to Lathrop Street. We have people who have lived in that area their whole
life. They are taxpayers and we are tired of being left out. We are asking to get some help and
assistance. There are people that need roofs on their house. We were told that decision about the
boundary is because we have more renters than homeowners in the area but I don't think that is a
very good answer to why we were left out of the boundary. We are asking for someone to speak
up on our behalf and help us because we have people in need. We have been working very hard to
make our neighborhood better and the work we have done should be rewarded in some way. We
just want something. I don't think it has been announced but we ask, before it is announced, that
some recommendation be made to expand those boundaries. We ask the Council to help us.
Thelma Williams, 1748 North Olive Street, South Bend, IN, stated, I have lived in that area since
1963 and am very proud of that area. For some reason, when a house has been somewhere for
long,it deteriorates.A lot of those homes were there when I moved there. Between the older people
moving on and the younger moving in, some people just don't have the money to fix their roof.
You would be surprised at how many raccoons are tearing up these roofs. I'm telling you. And
people don't have the money. Someone came and told me it would be $11,000 to fix the roof. It is
hard to get these things done. Since I've been in the neighborhood association,we've worked hard
to try and pick up all the litter. We are trying to handle that ourselves. But we need help with the
roofs, gutters, and vacant lots. We need something to boost the people in that area. We got
sidewalks and curbs put in and the first(1St)thing people asked was who paid for it. We need some
taxpayer money in that area. I don't want to lose my people. They came toni ht to say please help
us. Last Saturday I was in the rain all day. I cooked and stayed up all night long and only got two
(2)and a half hours of sleep making food for our neighborhood association people to put a roof on
Margie's house. From Menards to everyone else volunteering their time and money. We had a
grand time. We were on a lot under a canopy that a lady volunteered to give us. We did it and we
are going to keep doing it. We will not stop and we will be back. Thank you.
Ruby Rampoldt, 222 East Oakside Street, South Bend, IN, stated, I am not as eloquent as those
that have preceded so I have prepared a little written statement. There are numerous issues about
which I have called 311. 1 would prefer to call departments directly but, of course, the calls are
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REGULAR MEETING July 23, 2018
diverted into the 311 system. I don't find the system to be very effective. Until this past Friday, I
have not received any call backs. Late on Friday I received a message which I returned this
morning. The supervisor of 311 and I had a good conversation this morning but I had already
planned on coming here this evening. Some of my unresolved conditions include the condition of
a neighbor's property, effectively operating a scrapyard in his backyard, the condition of the alley
surface, trash and abandoned vehicles, substandard outbuildings ready to collapse, the negative
results left behind by the safe sidewalks project and the disappearance of my yard waste bin. All
of these have been made more annoying because the people working the lines at 311 don't seem
very well equipped to deal with channeling the requests to the proper people in the proper
departments. 1 hope you can help me with my problems.
Samuel Brown, 222 East Navarre Street, South Bend, IN, stated, I would like to just address the
Council about some things that affect our City. I am a part of a watch dog group called Citizen's
United and when things happen in our City that affect the City as a whole, I think it's only fair that
we get as close to the facts as we can. We had the accident involving a public servant and a citizen
lost their life. I am not willing to go out and say bad things without knowing the facts, but a lot of
people don't trust the paper and they don't even read the paper. We need to set up a mechanism. I
know you have a website but we need to do a better job of it. These people that protect our lives
have the same rights and fairness as the citizens do. We need to know the facts. I am trying to get
the facts. I love South Bend and I pray for the people involved in the tragic situation. I love this
community. You are our leaders and you are the ones that can make it better. Get us what we need.
Lee Gloster, 2110 South High Street, South Bend,IN, stated,We moved here when I was three(3)
years old and, outside of seven (7) years, I have lived here all of my life and I am seventy (70).
This is a Union issue, I want to come back to the Honeywell issue. This is a Union issue and I am
a union member and steward.It is also not just a Union issue but it is an issue about this community
and what kind of people we are. I am asking you to make some kind of a statement or resolution
that calls upon returning the health care to the Honeywell retirees. This is an issue that speaks to
what kind of people we are. We all know about health care and what kind of a national issue this
is. This doesn't just speak to health care but how we treat our elderly as well. It speaks to what we
are as a community,what our politics are,what our economics are and what our morality is.Thank
you.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council President Tim Scott adjourned the
meeting at 8:56 p.m.
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