HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-26-02 Community & Economic Development tommittire *port
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The August 26, 2002 meeting of the Community and Economic Committee was called to order by
its Chairperson, Council Member Karl King at 4:38 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Varner, Aranowski, Pfeifer, King, Kelly,
Kirsits, Coleman and White; Community & Economic Development Director Jon Hunt, City
Attorney Charles Leone, Director of Public Works Gary Gilot, Citizen Member Isabele Gonzalez,
Larry Magliozzi, Director of the Division of Community Development Pam Meyer, George Adler,
and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney.
Council Member King noted that the purpose of the meeting was to begin receiving information
from the Department of Community&Economic Development on the 2000 census.
Mr. Larry Magliozzi stated that approximately two(2) weeks ago he provided his first report on the
census information. By the end of September much additional census data will be released and
projections will then be able to be made to assist planning and development. All income
information has yet to be released, however when it is it will be available on a block level. The
Department will have interns provide analysis of the demographics and the Department will keep
the"Council in the information loop".
Planners will be going out to spend time with neighborhood groups and will report back their
comments. Mr. Magliozzi stated that if there is particular data which a Council Member would
like, that he or she should contact the Department.
Council Member King noted that he is concerned that the data itself would become an end in itself.
He inquired what the conceptual framework would be. He questioned what is the base information
that we must know so that a through and complete job could be done.
Mr. Magliozzi stated that certain trends will be tracked such as residents and housing.
Council Member King inquired what the overall goal is, giving an example that it could be to
develop a city or county development plan. He stressed that he is not interested in receiving
information that is already available. Council Member King inquired what the key components
would be with regard to the data which the Council would be receiving. He also inquired about
what are the key questions which the City is trying to answer by this data.
Mr. Magliozzi stated that they are currently working on a Table of Contents.
Community and Economic Development Director Jon Hunt stated that certain assignments have
been given out,and quality of life concerns are part of those assignments.
Council Member Pfeifer noted that she agreed with Council Member King's comments. She
inquired whether the City is trying to address these priorities in the city budget. She noted that
City officials should be respectful of one another during this process, but goals and objectives
must be tied to the budget if progress is to be made. She suggested that if dollars are not tied to
goals and objectives that we should start doing so. She also suggested that in many instances
programs have been successful and should be continued to be assisted by funds; but in other
instances, programs have not been successful and the City has an obligation to review why they
have not reached their goals and perhaps withhold funding; noting that all of these concerns must
be carefully weighed against our priorities and goals for the betterment of our city.
Community and Economic Development Committee
August 26, 2002
Page 2
Council Member Pfeifer suggested that the City Administration and Council should be will to
discuss and debate this information and then collectively determine the top four (4) or five (5)
priorities and agree to commit the budget to achieving them.
Mr. Hunt stated that this process should aim to developing a tool about addressing priorities so that
a workable plan could be developed.
Mr. Magliozzi noted that the proposed comprehensive plan does not go as far as it should have
with regard to addressing specific community needs, and that is why a City Plan process is
underway.
Dr. Varner stated that identifying trends is not that difficult a process. He suggested that the City
should focus on what is causing the trends and tie dollars to addressing them. Dr. Varner noted
for example that there is a perception about the South Bend Community School System by real
estate agents which is definitely affecting our city.
Ms. Gonzalez inquired whether Latino Studies at the University of Notre Dame have been
contacted, since they do studies for communities.
Mr. Hunt stated that he envisions that there will be 50-60 meetings throughout the City and that
they would be open to the public.
George Adler stated that the information in the first report provided to the Council is a beginning
and that he would be willing to provide more inciteful information. He said it is important to
develop a process and a procedure which fits within the proposed comprehensive plan. Analysis
of housing and what are the residences of choice, poverty, etc would be the type of analysis that
will be given to the Council.
Council Member White suggested that the City Administration provided a page and one-half of
bullet points with regard to the 2003 Civil City Budget and how those dollars will be addressing
the trends addressed in the census data. She further suggested that the City should also develop
priorities based on receiving no new money from the State of Indiana, in light of the state budget
problems. That information should then be discussed so that trends and forecast can be made.
She suggested that the discussions also focus on what type of community we are now and what
type of community do we want to become. What are the steps that the City must take in order to
achieve our objectives. Service trends within the county must also be studied in order to develop a
proper framework for action.
Council Member King suggested that key principles be developed. He suggested that key
assignments then be directly tied to those principles in order to develop a strong and liveable
community. He stressed that we must know what our fundamental principles are in order to move
forward.
Council Member Kirsits inquired whether the Administration would be receptive to receiving
additional written questions. Mr. Magliozzi stated that he would.
Council Member White noted that the Department of Community and Economic Development has
requested time at each Monday Council meeting to provide updates to the Council. It was also
suggested that a written history of the major changes which have occurred in the City in the past
Community and Economic Development Committee
August 26,2002
Page 3
ten(10) years be provided to the Council as a point of reference.
Mr. Magliozzi suggested that fifteen(15) minutes to provided at the next Monday session.
Council Member King thanked everyone for their initial input. There being no further business to
come before the Committee, Council Member King adjourned the Committee meeting at 5:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member Karl King,Chairperson
Community and Economic Development Committee
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