HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-13-04 Community Relations Committee I '
The Community Relations Committee
of the South Bend Common Council
Minutes from Meeting of December 13,2004
The December 13, 2004 meeting of the Common Council's Community Relations
Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Charlotte Pfeifer, at 4:47 p.m.
in the Council Informal Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Coleman, Dieter, Kelly, Kirsits, Pfeifer,
Puzzello,Varner and White;Deputy Clerk Janice Talboom;City Community Development Director
Pam Meyer;Morris Performing Arts Center Director Dennis Andres; Gladys Kopala; and Aladean
M. DeRose substituting for Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand.
A full quorum of the Committee existed with all members present,namely Council members
Pfeifer,Dieter, Kirsits, and Varner.
A. Urban Enterprise Association Report
The City's Community Development Director,Pam Meyer,reported to the Committee that
the City of South Bend was one of the first Indiana cities to be designated as an urban enterprise
zone,and that South Bend successfully completed its first twenty year term on December 31,2003.
Its next term is for ten years beginning January 1, 2004 and ending January 1, 2014.
Presently the Board has three vacancies which is causing a problem with quorums for
meetings where votes on expenditures and policy matters are required. Ms. Meyer noted that new
legislation requires regular monthly meetings and full board presence for approval of expenditures.
Council member Puzzello asked if Ms.Meyer had any suggestions for Board appointments,
and Ms.Meyer promised to provide a list of businesses and persons,but does not have information
regarding political affiliation which is necessary because the two residential representative vacancies
require one democrat and one republican appointee. Council Member Pfeifer noted that the openings
for these positions have been advertised.
Ms.Meyer also reported that there are no grant programs because the inventory tax revenue
which funded this program is dwindling. Past allocations to the program were as high as$900,000,
but in 2004 the funding was $300,000 and is expected to decline. Once the inventory tax is
eliminated,there will be no funding source for this program. A state committee has been created to
study this problem and issue a report.
It was noted,too,that the boundaries for South Bend's enterprise zone have changed slightly,
moving to the west and adding residential areas around the AJ Wright Company. Council members
in attendance had no questions for Ms. Meyer.
B. South Bend Entertainment n/k/a Morris Inc.
Morris Performing Arts Director Dennis Andres first noted that Morris Inc. is a 501(c)(3)
non-profit corporation, separate and distinct from the City. It has 24 members, 14 of whom are
appointed by the Mayor and 10 of whom are appointed by the Board itself. Council member
Coleman is the Common Council's designated representative.
Mr.Andres had good news about the marquis for the Morris building front. The fund raising
has been successful and about 90% of the necessary funds have been pledged. The marquis will
have radiant heat underneath; will be in full color, will be fully electronic with LED lights; it may
have signage on the back.
Mr. Andres also said that the Morris is fiscally sound, partly due to 175 active volunteers,
many of whom serve as unpaid ushers.
Committee member Kirsits asked about the cost for the marquis. Mr. Andres said that the
total estimated cost is $750,000 of which $610,000 has been raised through private donation (two
large donations of$400,000 and$150,000, and three banks contributing$25,000 each).
Committee Chair Pfeifer asked about the whereabouts of the artwork "Continuous Yew."
Mr. Andres replied that the parts were in bad condition and are in a warehouse.
Mr.Andres concluded by saying that the Morris is successful in its show operations but that
ticket sales during the week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) are slow because South Bend
audiences do not seem to support mid-week events.
There being no other business,Committee Chair Pfeifer adjourned the meeting at 5:17 p.m.