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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAOM 01-02-74SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING January 1974 10.00 A. M. 1200 County -City Building Presidin Officer: Mr. Fred J. Helmen, 227 W. Jefferson Boulevard President South Bend, Indiana 46601 1. ROLE CALL Present: Mr. Fred J. Helmen Mr. John E. Chenney Rev. Willie V. Williams Mr. Donald A. Wiggins Absent: Mr. B. L. Wade Leglal Counsel: Mr. Charles W. Roemer Media: Ms. Jeanne Derbeck, South Bend Tribune Reporter Mr. Dutch Hennings, South Bend Tribune Photographer Mr. Michael Trapp, WJVA Reporter Mr. Tom Cordell, WNDU -TV Reporter Mr. James L. Marchelewicz, WNDU -TV Reporter Mr. Jim Holloway, WNDU -TV Photographer Mr. Dan Caesar, WSBT -TV Reporter Mr. Frank Vellner, WSBT -TV Photographer Mr. Dean Alexander, WSJV -TV Photographer Mr. Larry Ford, WSJV -TV Reporter Also Present: Mr. F. Jay Nimtz, President, Board of Trustees Mr. Morris L. Morrison, Member, Board of Trustees Mrs. Barbara Byers, Chief Deputy City Clerk Mrs. Janet S. Allen, Interested Citizen Mr. Harry E. Bartman, S.B. Public Transportation Corp. Mr. Pete Downs, S.B. Public Transporation Corp. Mr. Conrad Damian, Neighborhood /City Liaison Worker, Southeast Side PAC Mr. Gene Evans, South Bend Civic Planning Association Mr. John R. Kagel, Executive Director, Downtown South Bend Council Mr. Mort Linder, Linder & Kerrihard Co., Inc. Mr. John A. Walsh, First Bank & Trust Company LPI Staff: Mr. Charles F. Lennon, Jr. Mrs. Dorothy N. Howell Ms. Helen S. King Mr. Harrison Miller Mr. Ed R. Bauer Miss Sue Morrison Mr. C. Wayne Brownell Mr. Bill E. Slabaugh - 1 - ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING Page 2 January 2, 1974 The Chair turned this portion of the Annual Organizational Meeting over to Mr. F. Jay Nimtz, President, Board of Trustees. Mr. Nimtz addressed the Redevelopment Commission: Mr. Chairman: We are pleased to announce again the re- appointment of all the Commissioners for the calendar year 1974, and again to reiterate the thanks of the community and of the Trustees for the tremendous work of the Commissioners and the job that is going forward in this Com unity. The audience applauded the Commissioners for their dedication. Mr. Nimtz directed the question to the Commissioners and asked if they were all re- sponsive to the re- appointment; if not, this is the time to speak up. All the Commissioners agreed to serve and received congratulations from the audience. 2. SWE�RING -IN OF COMMISSIONERS BY CHIEF DEPUTY CITY CLERK Mrs Barbara Byers Chief Deputy City Clerk, administered the oath of office t the following Commissioners: Messrs. Fred J. Helmen, John E. Chenney, Donald A. Wiggins, and Rev. Willie V. Williams. Mr. B. L. Wade was sworn in as a Commissioner, by the City Clerk, Mrs. Irene Gammon, Friday, December 21, 1973, after our last Commission Meeting, as Mr. Wade could not make it for this morning's meeting. 3. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Mr. Charles W. Roemer, Commission Legal Counsel, consented to the ap- pointmen of Temporary Chairman for the election of officers. The Temporary Chairman opened the nomination for Chairman. Mr. retain ti and the < present c seconded are: Mr. Mr. He1mE Wiggins requested if the nomination could be made by acclamation to e present officers in their respective offices for the year 1974, nswer being in the affirmative, Mr. Wiggins made the motion the fficers be retained in their respective offices. Said motion was by Mr. Chenney and unanimously carried by popular consent. These President: Mr. Fred J. Helmen Vice President: Mr. John E. Chenney Secretary Rev. Willie V. Williams Asst. Secretary: Mr. B. L. Wade Member: Mr. Donald A. Wiggins Roemer, at this point, relinquished the Temporary Chairmanship to !n, to again serve the Chairmanship for the year 1974. ANNUAL 0 GANIZATIONAL MEETING Page 3 January , 1974 Mr. Mr. Code Enfc Helmen stated: Some had mixed emotions about the re- appointment or re- election, and I think after a lot of serious thought that we have so many things pending that are so important - -among them is the NDP at the Southeast corner which is really going to be activated this year and it is a tremendous project, and I can say the same for the Northeast section of town, and last, but not least; we have the downtown mall which should be finalized by mid -year. I think, at that point, if any of us choose to relinquish our assignment as Commissioners, it would be appropriate at that time, but I, for one, feel that what we have going for Southeast and Northeast part of town, that it would be in- appropriate to have a change at this point, because we need a continuation, and at this point we need that. As your President, I am very happy to see fit to accept the re- appointment and re- election, and assure the progress of the past to finalize the projects we have started and hope to complete. Thank you very much for honoring me for the presidency. You asked to be presented, and what has happened in South Bend speaks well for this Board. I think as we look forward to another six months, we will really be proud of what has occurred, as we have been in the past. This is about the sixth project we have had: LaSalle Park, Sample Street, Chapin Street, Industrial Expansion, Northeast, Southeast, and the Downtown Project. Lennon said in addition we have the Merry Avenue and the Model Cities ircement Programs. Our Department is also responsible for these. Mr. Helmen, addressing the audience, said: I think seeing is believing and what I say here, what has gone on in the Sample Street and Chapin Street area, and the renewal of those substandard homes on Chapin Street, as well as the one back of the Industrial section and LaSalle Park, I never cease to be amazed as to what has gone on in LaSalle Park. We are not through. We have some vacant land. I hope we can really do something for the Southeast this year if we have the money. ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING Page 4 January 2, 1974 4. APPPINTMENT OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND LEGAL COUNSEL Mr. Dan Caesar asked if the Board will take official action on the re- appointm nt of Mr. Lennon, which was the next item shown on the agenda. Pre ident Helmen said it is appropriate we re- appoint our Executive Director as well as our Legal Counsel, firm of Roemer, Sweeney, Butler & Simeri, ttorneys -at -Law. Mr. Wiggins made the motion that Mr. Charles F. Lennon, Jr., be retained as Executive Director, with a tremendous vote of thanks for the job he has done in the past year, and the firm of Roemer, Sweeney, Butler & Simeri, be retained as Legal Counsel. The motion was seconded by Rev. Williams and unanimously carried. Legal Counsel Fee: The compensation for Legal Counsel is to be a retaining fee of $200.00 per mont , plus the minimum bar rate of the St. Joseph Bar Association for additional services requested. Contract to be executed by the President and attested to by the Secretary of the Commission. President Helmen said he wanted to add to what Mr. Don Wiggins said: Mr. We have had a number of Executive Directors - -both good and bad, if I may say so. I think what Chuck has done for Redevelopment has been outstanding. Personally, I want to say you have done a marvelous job. My concern with your job is you are spread- ing yourself too thin. When that time comes, I hope you cut back so redevelopment does not affect your activities. .ennon: Thank you. I certainly would not put myself in that position. I have a good staff. As an individual, I appreciate your support, what you have given, and I commend you and will continue to strive to keep the momentum of the programs started last year. I am glad to see your concern for the Southeast side and the East side of the River bank, and that next year will even be a greater year. Rev.IWilliams: The downtown area is just about whipped and money ap- propriated to complete this project. Are we going for the Southeast side and greater preference to other areas pre- viously mentioned in our meeting? ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING Page 5 January 2, 1974 Mr. Lennon: Our priority is to complete the downtown project area, to develop a much better tax base to use for other areas. Community Development legislation encompasses redevelopment. Our staff is geared to go back and ask for additional money to finish the job. It will no longer be urban renewal as we now know it. If legislation does not happen, the East side and West side of the river will be the Park Department's responsibility for maintenance. We can go to the City Council and ask for money for the Southeast side. The answer is "Yes" to your question. It is top priority. Rev. Williams: I am interested in all the projects, but I am especially interested in the Southeast side. Mr. Lennon: Money is appropriated for the R -66 area and we cannot use that money elsewhere. The Bicentennial Park, Civic Center and others are not our responsibility; elsewhere- -Block 6, Green Belt. We do not have funds on the outside. We need to have the full support of the Redevelopment Commission when we go before the Council. Southeast side is your concern and you have gone on record it is top priority. President Helmen: As far as I am concerned, and I am sure, the Southeast side will get our attention. Mr, i ins: In addition to our attention, it is not a matter of the Commissioners not wanting to work on the Southeast side, but the business of getting the money to do the job. The problem is one of financing. We should take some active concern and pursue what happens here for Federal financing. This is where the action is. Mrs. Janet S. Allen: If they do the River Bank that would give you more credit rds the City's share of the downtown area. ANNUAL RGANIZATIONAL MEETING Page 6 January 2, 1974 Mr. Mr. Lennon: That is correct.. We have already expended about $500,000. We are going to the City Council requesting to start the $1,300,000 presented December 17th, and the first reading is set for January 14, 1974. Chenney: I am in favor of the Green Belt, but feel the Southeast side should be pushed. That needs to be cleaned up down there. Mr, Lennon: We are working for a three -year program. If Community Development legislation does not provide money, we should gear ourselves to get the necessary money so we can complete the project. Pres dent Helmen: How much land west of Michigan Street? Mr. L1ennon: At the present time, none involved in the Southeast ide. Studebaker Corridor Study has been completed by ie Area Plan Commission and the Bartholemew consultants. Mr. Lennon outlined the designated areas on the chart. Mr. W. gins: Peripheral area surrounding it will undergo some automatic upgrading. There is some desirable property. Mrs. Allen: You will have to extend a park lane walk so the people ill have some sense of security to walk. Mr. Lennon: The lighting, streets and sewers, parks, police i vol vement -- everything is part of the proposal. ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING Page 7 January , 1974 5. APPPINTMENT OF STAFF AND ANNUAL ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET Mr. Lennon re- appointed the staff to their respective positions. Approval for the doption of the Administrative Budget, as presented to the Commission earlier, was requested by Mr. Lennon. Mr. Wiggins made the motion for the adoption of the.Annual Administrative Budget a presented, seconded by Mr. Chenney and unanimously carried. 6. ADJOURNMENT On rr tional Me Rev. Will (SEAL) otion duly made by Mr. Wiggins for adjournment of the Annual Organiza- eting and following that we begin the Special Meeting, seconded by iams and unanimously carried, the meeting adjourned at 10:27 a.m. rector 'Fr rob re n -�