HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-09-20 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
March 9, 2020
MEETING OF THE COUNCIL AND FOUND THEM TO BE CORRECT.
THEREFORE,WE RECOMMEND THE SAME BE APPROVED:
TIM SCOTT
t441 /
JAKE T SHKA
APPROVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL ON: March 23, 2020
ATTEST: Zei/WX)
DAWN M. JONES, CITY ERK
REGULAR MEETING March 9, 2020
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, March 9, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was
called to order by Council President Tim Scott and the Invocation (Rabbi Karen Companez,
Temple Beth-El) and Pledge to the Flag were given.
ROLL CALL
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Henry Davis Jr. 2nd District
Sharon L. McBride 3rd District
Troy Warner 4th District
Jake Teshka 5th District
Sheila Niezgodski 6th District
Rachel Tomas Morgan At-Large
Lori K. Hamann At-Large
Karen L. White At-Large
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
Tim Scott 1St District
OTHERS PRESENT:
Dawn M. Jones City Clerk
Bianca L. Tirado Chief Deputy Clerk
Graham D. Sparks Deputy Clerk
Gabriel N. Murei Ordinance Violations Bureau Clerk
Bob Palmer Council Attorney
REPORT FROM THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON MINUTES
Councilmember Jake Teshka made a motion to move Unfinished Business item titled `APPEAL
OF A DENIAL OF A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS, COA#20191007A, BEN AND
CARRIE MODLIN VS. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION' to the March 23rd, 2020
meeting of the South Bend Common Council, as requested by the petitioner. Councilmember
Sharon L. McBride second the motion which carried by voice vote of eight (8) ayes.
Councilmember Sharon L. McBride made a motion that the minutes of the February 24th, 2020
and February 25th, 2020 meetings of the Council be accepted and placed on file. Councilmember
Rachel Tomas Morgan seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight(8) ayes.
SPECIAL BUSINESS
BILL NO.
03-20 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA,
AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR
PROPERTY LOCATED 1322 N CHIMES,
COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT NO.4 IN THE CITY
OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA
Councilmember Sheila Niezgodski made a motion to override the Mayor's veto of Bill No. 03-20.
Councilmember Jake Teshka seconded this motion. Council Vice President Karen L. White
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REGULAR MEETING March 9, 2020
opened the floor to discussion. Councilmember Sheila Niezgodski rescinded her motion. There
was no formal motion made on Bill No. 03-20. Mayor James Mueller's veto of Bill No. 03-20 was
upheld.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICES
Representing the City Administration: Kacey Gergely, Chief of Staff
RESOLVE INTO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
At 7:11 p.m. Councilmember Jake Teshka made a motion to resolve into the Committee of the
Whole. Councilmember Troy Warner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight
(8) ayes. Councilmember Sharon L. McBride, Chairperson, presiding.
Councilmember Sharon L. McBride explained the procedures to be followed for tonight's meeting
in accordance with Article 1, Section 2-11 of the South Bend Municipal Code.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
BILL NO.
07-20 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE OF
THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, FOR BUDGET
TRANSFERS FOR VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS
WITHIN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,INDIANA
FOR THE YEAR 2020
Councilmember Karen L.White,chair of the Personnel and Finance Committee,reported that they
met this afternoon and send this bill to the full Council with a favorable recommendation.
Dan Parker, City Controller for the City of South Bend with offices located on the 12th floor of the
County-City Building, South Bend, IN, served as the presenter for this bill. Mr. Parker went over
a PowerPoint presentation (which is available in the City Clerk's Office) that highlighted the key
points of this bill.
This being the time heretofore for Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents to
this bill were given an opportunity to be heard. There were none.
Councilmember Troy Warner and Councilmember Karen L. White thanked Mr. Parker for his
PowerPoint presentation.
Councilmember Jake Teshka made a motion to send Bill No. 07-20 to the full Council with a
favorable recommendation. Councilmember Rachel Tomas Morgan seconded this motion which
carried unanimously by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes.
08-20 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE OF
THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPROPRIATING
ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR CERTAIN
DEPARTMENTAL AND CITY SERVICES
OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR 2020 OF$687,464
FROM GENERAL FUND (#101), $30,000 FROM
POLICE STATE SEIZURES FUND (#216),
$100,000 FROM GIFT, DONATION AND
BEQUEST FUND (#217), $759,800 FROM
LIABILITY INSURANCE PREMIUM RESERVE
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REGULAR MEETING March 9, 2020
FUND (#226), $10,282 FROM LOCAL ROAD &
STREET FUND (#251), $500,000 FROM MOTOR
VEHICLE HIGHWAY RESTRICTED FUND
(#266), $49,087 FROM TAKE HOME VEHICLE
POLICE FUND (#278), $210,113 FROM IT /
INNOVATION / 311 CALL CENTER FUND
(#279), $156,596 FROM COPS MORE GRANT
FUND (#295), $50,000 FROM COUNTY OPTION
INCOME TAX FUND (#404), $333,224 FROM
MORRIS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND
(#416), AND $980,000 FROM CENTURY
CENTER CAPITAL FUND (#671)
Councilmember Karen L. White,chair of the Personnel and Finance Committee,reported that they
met this afternoon and send this bill to the full Council with a favorable recommendation.
Dan Parker, City Controller for the City of South Bend with offices located on the 12th floor of the
County-City Building, South Bend, IN, served as the presenter for this bill. Mr. Parker went over
a PowerPoint presentation (which is available in the City Clerk's Office) that highlighted the key
points of this bill.
Councilmember Troy Warner asked a clarifying question regarding the insurance proceeds for the
East Bank Trail as well as future funding for paving.
Councilmember Jake Teshka and Councilmember Rachel Tomas Morgan thanked Mr. Parker for
making paving a priority when there are excess dollars to spend.
Councilmember Rachel Tomas Morgan then asked a clarifying question on the IT line item.
This being the time heretofore for Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents to
this bill were given an opportunity to be heard. There were none.
Councilmember Jake Teshka made a motion send to se d Bill No. 08-20 to the full Council with a
favorable recommendation. Councilmember Rachel Tomas Morgan seconded this motion which
carried unanimously by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes.
09-20 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE OF
THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA AMENDING
ORDINANCE NO. 10685-19, WHICH FIXED
MAXIMUM SALARIES AND WAGES OF
APPOINTED OFFICERS AND NON-
BARGAINING EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF
SOUTH BEND AND FOR CALENDAR YEAR
2020, TO INCREASE SALARY FOR ONE NEW
POSITION
Councilmember Karen L. White,chair of the Personnel and Finance Committee,reported that they
met this afternoon and send this bill to the full Council with a favorable recommendation.
Dan Parker,City Controller for the City of South Bend with offices located on the 12th floor of the
County-City Building, served as a presenter for this bill. Mr. Parker went over a PowerPoint
presentation (which is available in the City Clerk's Office) that highlighted the key points of this
bill.
Councilmember Jake Teshka inquired about the qualifications of the new position.
Kyra Clark, Director of Human Resources for the City of South Bend with offices located on the
12th floor of the County-City Building, South Bend, IN, served as a presenter for this bill. Mr.
Clark replied to Councilmember Jake Teshka's question by outlining the job description as well
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REGULAR MEETING March 9, 2020
as giving anecdotal history as to why this position had been difficult to fill with a competitive
applicant.
Councilmember Henry Davis Jr. inquired about the Office of Diversity and Inclusion's overall
budget as well as the salary of the Diversity and Inclusion Officer. He also inquired about the
vision of this particular Office in the City. He also inquired about the metrics that will measure the
success of those outcomes.
This being the time heretofore for Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents to
this bill were given an opportunity to be heard. There were none.
Councilmember Sheila Niezgodski made a motion to send Bill No. 09-20 to the full Council with
a favorable recommendation. Councilmember Jake Teshka seconded this motion which carried
unanimously by a voice vote of eight(8) ayes.
RISE AND REPORT
Councilmember Karen L. White made a motion to rise and report to full Council. Councilmember
Jake Teshka seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight(8) ayes.
REGULAR MEETING RECONVENED
Be it remembered that the Common Council of the City of South Bend reconvened in the Council
Chambers on the fourth floor of the County-City building at 7:37 p.m. Council Vice President
Karen L. White presided with eight (8) members present.
BILLS —THIRD READING
BILL NO.
07-20 THIRD READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE
COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH
BEND, INDIANA, FOR BUDGET TRANSFERS
FOR VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE
CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA FOR THE
YEAR 2020
Councilmember Jake Teshka made a motion to adopt Bill No. 07-20. Councilmember Rachel
Tomas Morgan seconded the motion which carried by a roll call vote of eight (8) ayes.
08-20 THIRD READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE
COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH
BEND, INDIANA, APPROPRIATING
ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR CERTAIN
DEPARTMENTAL AND CITY SERVICES
OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR 2020 OF$687,464
FROM GENERAL FUND (#101), $30,000 FROM
POLICE STATE SEIZURES FUND (#216),
$100,000 FROM GIFT, DONATION AND
BEQUEST FUND (#217), $759,800 FROM
LIABILITY INSURANCE PREMIUM RESERVE
FUND (#226), $10,282 FROM LOCAL ROAD &
STREET FUND (#251), $500,000 FROM MOTOR
VEHICLE HIGHWAY RESTRICTED FUND
(#266), $49,087 FROM TAKE HOME VEHICLE
POLICE FUND (#278), $210,113 FROM IT /
INNOVATION / 311 CALL CENTER FUND
4
REGULAR MEETING March 9, 2020
(#279), $156,596 FROM COPS MORE GRANT
FUND (#295), $50,000 FROM COUNTY OPTION
INCOME TAX FUND (#404), $333,224 FROM
MORRIS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND
(#416), AND $980,000 FROM CENTURY
CENTER CAPITAL FUND (#671)
Councilmember Sharon L.McBride made a motion to adopt Bill No. 08-20.Councilmember Sheila
Niezgodski seconded the motion which carried by a roll call vote of eight(8) ayes.
09-20 THIRD READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE
COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH
BEND, INDIANA AMENDING ORDINANCE
NO. 10685-19, WHICH FIXED MAXIMUM
SALARIES AND WAGES OF APPOINTED
OFFICERS AND NON-BARGAINING
EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND
AND FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2020, TO
INCREASE SALARY FOR ONE NEW POSITION
Councilmember Lori K. Hamann made a motion to adopt Bill No. 09-20. Councilmember Sharon
L. McBride seconded the motion which carried by a roll call vote of eight (8) ayes.
RESOLUTIONS
BILL NO.
20-03 A RESOLUTION ON BEHALF OF THE SOUTH
BEND COMMON COUNCIL REMINDING
RESIDENTS OF CURRENT LITTERING
ORDINANCES AND INFORMING RESIDENTS
OF DANGERS OF RELEASING BALLOONS
AND SKY LANTERNS INTO THE
ATMOSPHERE AND ENCOURAGING THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF EDUCATIONAL
SERVICES AND AN ALTERNATIVE TO
BALLOON AND SKY LANTER RELEASES
Councilmember Troy Warner, chair of the Health and Public Safety Committee,reported that they
met this afternoon and send this bill to the full Council with a favorable recommendation.
Councilmember Jake Teshka, 2419 Cheshire Drive, South Bend, IN, served as the petitioner for
this bill. Councilmember Jake Teshka summarized the key points of the resolution and the impetus
of its introduction.
This being the time heretofore for Public Hearing on the above bill, ro onents and opponents onents to
P p
this bill weregiven an opportunity to be heard.
PP ortunY
Vernardo Malone, 4510 Washington Street, South Bend, IN, spoke against the bill as he believes
balloon releasing is a grief exercise used by families that experience a loss of a loved one (1).
Councilmember Jake Teshka rebutted the parts of the resolution that encourages other more
sustainable ways of honoring lost loved ones.
Council Members were eachiven the abilityto comment on this bill.
g
Councilmember Jake Teshka made a motion to adopt Bill No. 20-03. Councilmember Sharon L.
McBride seconded the motion which carried by a roll call vote of eight(8) ayes.
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REGULAR MEETING March 9, 2020
20-04 A RESOLUTION ON BEHALF OF THE SOUTH
BEND COMMON COUNCIL ENCOURAGING
LOCAL RESIDENTS AND THE CITY OF SOUTH
BEND TO "BUY-LOCAL" TO PARTICIPATE IN
THE MANY BENEFITS OF PURCHASING
FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES
Councilmember Lori K. Hamann,chair of the Community Relations Committee,reported that they
met this afternoon and send this bill to the full Council with a favorable recommendation.
Councilmember Lori K. Hamann, 2658 Tomahawk Trail, South Bend, IN, served as the presenter
for this bill. Councilmember Lori K. Hamann read the resolution into the record: A Resolution on
behalf of the South Bend Common Council, encouraging local residents in the City of South Bend
to `Buy-Local' to participate in the many benefits of purchasing from local businesses. Whereas,
The South Bend Common Council is proud of local-independent businesses, including local
agricultural businesses, and supports the impact those businesses have on the City's culture,
economy and character; and, Whereas, by buying local South Bend and area residents encourage
a strong sense of pride in our community; and, Whereas, buying local improves and protects the
environment because the purchasing habits, central location and smaller footprint of local
businesses results in less pollution and congestion; and, Whereas, according to The Cambridge
Journal of Regions, Economy,and Society, counties with a higher volume of local businesses have
a lower rate of mortality, obesity, and diabetes presumably due to eating foods that are
unadulterated with pesticides like organic fruits and vegetables, or free from hormone disrupting
compounds like grass-fed meats, pasture-raised eggs and dairy; and, Whereas, The Institute for
Local Self-Reliance conducted a study which determined that each one hundred dollars ($100)
spent at local independents generated forty-five dollars ($45) of secondary local spending,
compared to fourteen dollars ($14) for big-box chain stores; and, Whereas, a more recent study by
a private research firm, Civic Economics, found that the total impact(direct, indirect and induced)
on a Chicago neighborhood was sixty-eight cents ($.68) for every dollar ($1) spent at local
independents compared to forty-three cents ($.43)projected for chain competitors,meaning sixty-
eight cents ($.68) of additional local economic return ultimately generated after additional
spending cycles; and, Whereas, another study, commissioned by the American Independent
Business Alliance, found that local merchants generated twice as much sales activity per square
foot of a large chain store and nearly quadrupled the local economic return per square foot of the
chain store projections; and, Whereas, local businesses create diverse job opportunities, boost the
local economy and preserve neighborhoods; and, Whereas, purchasing from local businesses
means less travel time from the farm to table thereby reducing the energy required to transport
food by planes, trucks, and ships and reducing the nearly 250,000 tons of global warming gases
attributed to the import of foods by limiting the use of fossil fuels; and, Whereas, buying local
means the risk of foodborne illnesses is reduced because the food is fresher; and, Whereas, the
benefits of buying local result not only from the actions of residents, but also from the actions of
the City;and,Whereas,in addition to the benefits of residents buying local,purchasing local goods
and materials by the City will increase the City's self-reliance and resiliency, as well as acting as
a model for local purchasing policies that support local business development and economic
growth; and, Whereas, colleges and universities are inherently an important potential institutional
base for assisting community-based economic development in general, and civically engaged
development in particular, and by strategically focusing higher education's academic programs
and research to business practices colleges and universities can improve their core intellectual and
academic work in part by giving students and faculty real-world experience which can inform both
research and teaching. The Common Council therefore encourages participation in, and
development of, economic partnerships with these valuable anchor institutions within our
community; and, Whereas, encouraging local businesses to follow sustainable practices will
quicken their participation in high-growth sectors of the economy such as renewable energy,
recycling, green building, zero (0) waste and other sustainable businesses, which, in turn will
encourage local graduates to remain in South Bend and attract new talent to the area.
This being the time heretofore for Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents to
this bill were given an opportunity to be heard. There were none.
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REGULAR MEETING March 9, 2020
Council Members were each given the ability to comment on this bill.
Councilmember Troy Warner made a motion to adopt Bill No. 20-04. Councilmember Jake Teshka
seconded the motion which carried with a roll call vote of eight(8) ayes.
BILLS ON FIRST READING
BILL NO.
10-20 FIRST READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE
CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA,
RETROACTIVELY AMENDING ANNEXATION
ORDINANCE #10629-18 (OLD NATIONAL
ANNEXATION AREA) TO CORRECT
SCRIVENER'S ERROR IN LEGAL
DESCRIPTION
Councilmember Rachel Tomas Morgan made a motion to send Bill No. 10-20 to the Zoning and
Annexation Committee for Second Reading and Public Hearing at the March 23,2020 meeting of
the South Bend Common Council. Councilmember Jake Teshka seconded the motion which
carried by a voice vote of eight(8) ayes.
11-20 FIRST READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE
CITY OF SOUTH BEND,AMENDING CHAPTER
21 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE
TO CORRECT TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS IN
VARIOUS ARTICLES AND TO ADD
CLARIFYING LANGUAGE AND TABLES
Councilmember Jake Teshka made a motion to send Bill No. 11-20 to the Zoning and Annexation
Committee for Second Reading and Public Hearing at the March 23, 2020 meeting of the South
Bend Common Council. Councilmember Rachel Tomas Morgan seconded the motion which
carried by a voice vote of eight(8) ayes.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no unfinished business.
NEW BUSINESS
Councilmember Henry Davis Jr. spoke to his current relationship with the City Administration and
with the 311 Call Center. Councilmember Henry Davis Jr. stated that he has been unable to reach
Department Heads upon his request,and he finds that unacceptable as he is a Council Member that
is responsible for approving the budgets of the various departments.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
Four(4) citizens spoke on a variety of issues ranging from South Bend Animal Care and Welfare,
the Special Prosecutor's Report on the Officer Involved Shooting and Death of Eric Logan, and
the South Bend Police Department.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council Vice President Karen L. White
adjourned the meeting at 8:29 p.m.