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SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL JULY 14,2003
INFORMAL MEETING
The July 14, 2003 Informal Meeting of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by
Council President Karen L. White at 6:45 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room.
The following Councilmembers were in attendance:
James Aranowski 1st District
Charlotte Pfeifer 2"d District
Roland Kelly 3rd District
Karl King 4th District Chairperson, Committee of the Whole
David Varner 5th District
Ervin Kuspa 6th District
Sean Coleman At-Large Vice-President
Karen L. White At-Large President
The following Councilmember was absent:
Al "Buddy"Kirsits At-Large
Also present were:
Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand Council Attorney
Loretta J. Duda City Clerk
Sandra M. Parmerlee Chief Deputy City Clerk
Janice I. Talboom Deputy City Clerk
Council President White reviewed the Council agenda noting the following information:
1. Under Special Business- Councilmember Varner will announce the reappointment
of Mr. Emil Reznik to a four(4)year term on the TRANSPO Board of Directors.
2. Bill No. 39-03 - Favorable from Zoning and Annexation.
3. Bill No. 40-03 - Favorable from Zoning and Annexation.
4. Bill No. 49-03 -Favorable from Public Works and Property Vacation.
5. Bill No. 03-66 - Favorable from Community and Economic Development.
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SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL JULY 14, 2003
INFORMAL MEETING
6. Bill No. 03-67 - Substitute needs to be accepted. Favorable, as substituted, from
Community and Economic Development.
7. Bill No. 03-68 - Favorable from Community and Economic Development.
8. Bill No. 50-03 -Public Hearing on July 28, 2003 and referred to the Public Works
and Property Vacation Committee.
9. Bill No. 51-03 - Referred to the Area Plan Commission.
10. Bill No. 52-03 -Public Hearing on August 11, 2003, Third Reading on August 25,
2003 and referred to the Zoning and Annexation Committee.
11. Bill No. 53-03 - Public Hearing on July 28, 2003 and referred to the Utilities
Committee.
12. Bill No. 54-03 - Public Hearing on July 28, 2003 and referred to the Parks,
Recreation, Cultural Arts and Entertainment Committee.
13. Bill Nos. 55-03, 56-03 and 57-03 -Public Hearing on July 28,2003 and referred to
the Community and Economic Development Committee.
14. Bill No. 58-03 - Referred to the Area Plan Commission
15. Under Unfinished Business a motion to withdraw Bill No. 48-03 is needed.
16. President White asked members for their feedback on the 2004 Council budget
noting that the Council is being asked to decrease the budget by a certain percentage.
Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand advised that City Controller Rick O1lett
has advised her that money can be encumbered from this year into next year's
budget.
17. President White reminded members of the Informal Meeting of the Council this
Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. She also noted that the Council will not conduct Informal
Meetings in August.
18. Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand advised that Councilmember Coleman
has called a meeting of the Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts and Entertainment
committee for Thursday,July 17,2003 at 4:00 p.m.to continue discussion from the
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SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL JULY 14, 2003
INFORMAL MEETING
Committee meeting held today regrading the 21st Century Park Initiative.
19. Councilmember King informed members that there are approximately six (6)
companies with eleven (11) tax abatements that out of compliance. He suggested
that the Committee of the Whole meet at 3:30 p.m.on a regular Council meeting day
to discuss these deficiencies with the various companies,perhaps having hearings on
three (3) at a time beginning in August. He asked Council Attorney Kathleen
Cekanski-Farrand to prepare a letter to be sent to these companies before the end of
the month stating that they are not in compliance and that in extenuating
circumstances the Council can extend the abatement and they will need to come
before the Council to present their case. If they do not show cause, then a Public
Hearing will be held. These meetings would give individuals an opportunity to cure
deficiencies. In response to Councilmember Varner's concerns, Councilmember
King advised that the individuals would be advised that they would be on probation
or a Public Hearing would be held. There would be a vote on this decision.
20. Councilmember King noted that the Information and Technology Committee will
meet on August 11, 2003.
The meeting adjourned at 6:59 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Loretta J. Duda, City Clerk
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