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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-08-14 Common Council Meeting MintuesREGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 1 Disclaimer: Undergoing technology updates experienced some loss of video & audio recording for dictation. 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, September 8, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Council President Oliver Davis and the Invocation and Pledge to the Flag were given. ROLL CALL COUNCILMEMBERS: Present: Tim Scott 1st District Valerie Schey 3rd District Dr. Fred Ferlic 4th District Dr. David Varner 5th District Oliver J. Davis 6th District, President Derek Dieter At-Large, Vice President Gavin Ferlic At-Large Karen L. White At-Large, Chairperson Committee of the Whole Absent: Henry Davis, Jr. 2nd District (Medical Leave) OTHERS PRESENT: Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand Council Attorney John Voorde City Clerk Janice I. Talboom Deputy Kareemah Fowler Chief Deputy REPORT FROM THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON MINUTES Councilmember Varner made a motion that the minutes of the August 25, 2014, meeting of the Council be accepted and placed on file. Councilmember Scott seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. SPECIAL BUSINESS ANNOUNCEMENT: REPRESENTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION WILL BE DEPUTY MAYOR – MARK NEAL REPORTS OF CITY OFFICES- DEPUTY MAYOR MARK NEAL Deputy Mayor reported that the Smart Streets Initiative is making progress. The William Street conversion to two-way will be done Friday before 6am, Lafayette Blvd. is scheduled to come to an end by early October ahead of schedule. We are having the Annual United Way Campaign selling hot dogs and chips with a free drink for $3.00. On September 11th 2014 at 8:30am. We will be having our annual service to honor firefighters and public servants. At 6pm. on Friday we will the Annual Parks and Recreation event. Lastly the 2015 budget is scheduled for Thursday, September 24, 2014 with a public hearing to be held next meeting Monday, September 22nd. RESOLVE INTO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE No need to resolve into the committee of the whole no public hearing before the Council today. PUBLIC HEARINGS No public hearings to present before the Council. BILLS – THIRD READING REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 2 There were no third readings on the agenda tonight. RESOLUTIONS BILL NO.14 -77 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPROVING A PETITION OF THE AREA BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1827 BENDIX ROAD, SOUTH BEND, INDIANA REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 3 REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 4 Councilmember Tim Scott, states the Zoning and Annexation Committee met earlier this afternoon and sends this bill to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Presenter, Ann Watson was not present, Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to continue this matter and have the presenter contacted by the City Clerk’s office for the next meeting. Motion seconded by Councilmember Tim Scott, and carried forth by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. BILL NO. 14 -80 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, DESIGNATING CERTAIN AREAS WITHIN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, COMMONLY KNOWN AS 501 WEST SOUTH STREET AN ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION AREA FOR PURPOSES OF AN EIGHT (8) YEAR REAL PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT OF SWING- BATTER- SWING, LLC REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 5 REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 6 REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 7 REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 8 Councilmember Gavin Ferlic states Community Investment met and sends this bill to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember Dieter stated that I work for Swing Batter Swing I have no monetary compensation on this matter and recuse myself from voting on this matter. Presentation Kathy Hahn- Department of Community Investment 14th FL, states this petition has requested an eight (8) year real property tax abatement. The total project cost of $1 million, tax abated $103,256, and taxes paid $143,508 with 1 job creation with a salary of $30,000. Joe Hart and Richard Gill are here to answer any questions. Joe Hart- President of South Bend Silver Hawks, 501 W South St. South Bend- States we are looking to construct an indoor batting center to be used by our local team and those visiting in town. It will be open annually for the youth organizations, high schools, and athletic team along with individual. Softball and baseball, something for an annual basis and bring more people to South Bend outside of the 5month baseball season. Councilmember Dr. David Varner, ask what are the proposed uses for the square footage? Petitioner David (inaudible), 412 S Lafayette Blvd. - The modifications have been made and the foot print is about 14,000 usable square feet. Councilmember Varner what are the other proposed uses? Petitioner David’s response, we will be able to use it for banquets, birthday parties, and open space for events outside of baseball, so multi-purpose. Councilmember Varner states, the petition on file shows 11,200 square feet, can you update your petition to the correct footage? Councilmember Varner, ask is this structure built with all the fixtures, with weight room equipment? Petitioner David stated, the team’s sponsors will supply the equipment, everything else we will supply, all the furnishings. Council members and petitioner stated that the documentation needs to be updated with the furnishings and square footage, and all agreed to allow another (2) two weeks to get all the documentation. Council Attorney Kathy Cekanski Farrand, stated that we can still proceed tonight as this is step one in three phase process, so additional documentation can still be sent in and requested. A Public Hearing was held on the Resolution at this time. There being no one present wishing to speak to the Council either in favor of or in opposition to this Resolution. Comments from Councilmembers: Councilmember Scott, states on the record to Scott Ford director of Community Investment, I feel we are getting information late or not quite correct, that is my main concern as this is a reoccurring theme. We need it correctly and on time. Councilmember Dr. Varner, states I think you will not have a lot of request for banquet space, we don’t need another, the bill is all in the details, once we have more information I will be able to make a decision. Councilmember Gavin, I think it is a great thing you are doing it, you will get a lot of people to use this facility, and softball players now have a facility to use. Great for a positive addition to the town. Councilmember Schey I look forward to utilizing the facilities as we will be adding more sports teams, one which will be baseball. REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 9 Councilmember Karen White, I look forward to this and will forward information to IU, since their expanding and baseball is included baseball. Councilmember Scott made a motion to adopt this Resolution. Councilmember Derek Dieter seconded the motion which was adopted by a roll call vote of eight (8) ayes. BILLS - FIRST READING There were no first bill readings to present before the Common Council. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business to come before the Council at this time. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business to come before the Council at this time. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Jesse Davis- P.O. Box 10205 South Bend- In between here and Mishawaka, there were city workers that were used for private property to do city officials personal property for private gain. There needs to be an investigation on this and who sent them. Watch the news tonight as it will be on there. Charles Taylor- 3803 S Cole South Bend- I’m here for People United for a Better Government, to have an investigation with a number of people. There has been several reports of city workers doing work for city officials and misusing tax payer’s dollar. 24-25-62 there is several examples of misconduct, Boykins fired others fired, the citizens have a right to all of that, and we want transparency. Pastor Melvin Townsend- 608 S St. Joseph St. - I’m here to back up Mr. Taylor, everything that you do in here is not legal, according to the constitution article 4 section 3 no new state should be directed, this is Indiana everything you do is illegal, with that flag. David Flagg-505 Tolbert Drive- I’m a founder of Citizens United for a Better Government, founded because we have been watching our community go down the toilet for the last 50 years. Consistently nothing has gotten done, there is no plan for the citizens. We only want to make the community better and use the funds to build a local issues database, no transparency without communication and it would fulfill the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King. I hope you get back with us to discuss this to move forward. Jerry King- 730 N Carol St- I was happy to see Deputy Mayor Neal article in the paper and there are many good things going on in the city. An incident I encountered a city worker was operating a tilted plow, was questionable the work he was doing as it was already level, just make sure your workers are doing relevant work. Susan Moore- 2203 Mayor St. - I’m here with an issue that is ongoing for 2 years, the house has multiple code violations at 2201 Mayor St. I left messages, spoke with green code person Wendy, legal went to a hearing, most people that I spoke with basically, I have been blown off. The media came out this morning and hopefully something will be done. 220 Swanson Blvd. - I’m the President at Ivy Tech School, we believe in building technology that will benefit everyone. The water will be easy to use to detect viruses in water, we will be believe that this will help with determining water in commercial and public water to warn prior to any harms. We are looking for financial support to help the community. We are asking $20,641 to cover materials and supplies. Councilmember White, for the record Mr. Davis has asked council to pursue an investigation, is this within the council jurisdiction? REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 10 Council Attorney Kathy Cekanski-Farrand and Councilmember Dr. Varner noted there will be an update in two weeks we are following the proper channels. Councilmember Varner, I appreciate the science project and their endeavors but the council is not the appropriate place. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, President Oliver Davis adjourned the meeting at 7:39 p.m. ATTEST: ATTEST: ____________________________ ____________________________ John Voorde, City Clerk Oliver Davis, President