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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-12-12 Spring 2012 SBCC Accountability ReportNEWS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICERS OF THE SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL Date: Thursday, April 12, 2012 From: Council President Derek D. Dieter Contact: 532 -2200 Council Vice - President Oliver J. Davis Contact: 876 -6938 Chairperson of the Whole Karen L. White Contact: 520 -4477 Re: SPRING 2012 SBCC ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT "Ci E Council and Standinz Committees Qff to an Action Packed 2012" The Officers of the South Bend Common Council are initiating a new reporting system for the residents and business owners of the City of South Bend. With today's News Release, Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter Reports will be made to highlight activities of the City Council and their Standing Committees. The Officers believe that this will give greater transparency and accountability which they believe are needed and consistent with the Council's Mission Statement: "To make certain that our City Government is always responsive to the needs of our residents c& that the betterment of South Bend is always our highest priority ". Highlights for the 2012 SBCC SprinRort include: • The City Council has reviewed and passed twelve (12) Ordinances to date, with some addressing: o Streamlining the annual reporting system for tax abatements o Establishing another local historic landmark to help preserve our city's history for generations to come o Appropriating money donated so that new bicycle signs can be installed o Human Rights Amendments o Zoning and vacations of public way requests which are consistent with City Plan ® The City Council has reviewed and adopted twenty -six (26) Resolutions to date, such as: o Reviewing & approving a tax abatement for Steel Warehouse at their Riverside Drive location — a proven leader in creating jobs in our City 2012 SBCC Accountability Report -- page 2 o Recommending Thresholds and Criteria when public tax dollars are to be used to leverage economic development with private enterprises in our City. o Reviewing & approving licenses for the seventeen (17) recycling /scrap metal businesses who are working to keep our city environmentally clean o Recommending that a Riverfront Redevelopment District along the St. Joseph River be pursued so that more attractions & businesses will be created to enhance and create job opportunities in downtown South Bend o Acknowledging private citizens & businesses in our community who have given so much of their time and talent for the betterment of our city — Aaron Blight, Howard Buchanon, Patrick Michael, John Schalliol, and Martin's Supermarket; as well as honoring the Washington High School Football Team for going to the State Finals • Recommending that Martin Luther King, Jr. be a designated holiday for city workers • Approved a service agreement so that a Public Education and Government Access (PEG) Channel can be re- established in partnership with the City of Mishawaka and St. Joseph County aimed at increasing transparency and capturing community talent • Recommending participation in World Spay Day in February to enhance pets' lives • Recommending stepped up initiatives for more fuel efficient programs aimed at protecting our environment o Reviewing & approving three (3) special exceptions so that local businesses could continue to carrying out their services -µ A community center, a day care & a local eatery ® A record forty -nine (49) meetings of the Council's Standing Committees have been held to date focusing on such topics as: o Utilizing the talents of 13 residents- the greatest number of citizen volunteers who are serving Committee members o Establishing Committee goals and objectives so that measureable outcomes can he tracked The Officers of the South Bend Common Council have re- dedicated their efforts to providing more information to our citizens in a timely manner. Working with City Clerk John voorde and his very capable staff, more documents are now available on the Council's website for the public more than ever before. We encourage the public to attend the regular meetings of the Council on the 2nd & 4th Mondays, and the many Committee meetings - all of which are posted on the Council's website. We pledge to continue to implement more creative, cost - savings initiatives, so that the City of South Bend will be a leader throughout the Midwest and beyond.