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Home My WebLink About05-28-2025 Common Council Minutes SignedREPORT OF SUB-COMMITTEE ON MINUTES TO THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND: THE SUB-COMMITTEE HAS INSPECTED THE MINUTES OF THE DA TE: 05-28-2025 MEETING OF THE COUNCIL AND FOUND THEM TO BE CORRECT. THEREFORE, WE RECOMMEND THE SAME BE APPROVED: APPROVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL ON: 06-23-2025 ATTEST: BIANCA L. TIRADO, 7 REGULAR MEETING May 28, 2025 Be it remembered that the Common Council of the City of South Bend , Indiana , met in person on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 7:00 P.M . Council President Canneth Lee called the meeting to order. The invocation was given by Pastor Daniel Cho of First Presbyterian Church, and Pledge to the Flag was given. City Clerk Bianca L. Tirado announced : Good Evening, members of the public. For audio quality , we will be muting everyone not speaking by default to maintain good audio quality for the Council and yourselves . If you would like to speak during the meeting on a specific agenda item , please submit your request in the chat -directions to do so are in the chat. We ask that you provide your [FULL NAME] and [ADDRESS], as those are required for all speakers at in-person Council meetings. Please note the attached link for the meeting recording: https://docs.southbendin.gov/WebLink/browsc.aspx?dbid=0&mcdiaid=395776 Council meetings are also available at Michiana Access Channel on both their website and their Facebook page. ROLL CALL COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT Canneth Lee Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers * (Arrived Late) Sharon L. McBride 1s t District, President 2nd District 3 rd District Troy Warner Sherry Bolden-Simpson Sheila Niezgodski Karen L. White Dr. Oliver Davis Rachel Tomas Morgan COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT None. OTHERS PRESENT Bianca L. Tirado Matthew Neal Margaret Gotsch Bob Palmer City Clerk 4th District , Committee of the Whole 5th District 6th District At-Large At-Large At-Large, Vice President Deputy Director of Policy Director of Special Projects Council Attorney Me mb ers m ark ed with a n as t eri s k(*) a re in v irt ua l att end ance. SUB-COMMITTEE ON MINUTES: May 12, 2025 Council President Canneth Lee requested reports from the Sub-Committee on Minutes. Clerk Tirado stated that the Sub-Committee on Minutes inspected the May 12, 2025 Common Council meeting minutes and recommend they be approved. Councilmember Dr. Oliver Davis moved to approve the May 12, 2025 Common Council meeting minutes , which was seconded by Councilmember Sherry Bolden-Simpson and carried by eight (8) ayes. Council President Canneth Lee -Aye Council Vice President Rachel Tomas Morgan -Aye Councilmember Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers -Absent Councilmember Sharon McBride-Ay e Councilmember Troy Warner -Aye Councilmember Sherry Bolden-Simpson -Aye Councilmember Sheila Niezgodski -Aye Councilmember Dr. Oliver Davis -Aye Councilmember Karen L. White -Aye SPECIAL BUSINESS None. REGULAR MEETING REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICES None. PUBLIC HEARINGS None . BILLS ON THE THIRD READING None RESOLUTIONS 25-27 May 28, 2025 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND , INDIANA , APPROVING THE ISSUANCE OF SCRAP MET AL/JUNK DEALERS/RECYCLING OPERATIONS LICENSE FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2025 PURSUANT TO SECTION 4-51 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE (SUBSTITUTE) Clerk Tirado read the resolution to the Council. Councilmember Dr. Oliver Davis moved to Substitute Bill No . 25-2 7 for consideration by the Council , which was seconded by Council Vice-President Rachel Tomas Morgan and carried by a vote of eight (8) ayes. Council President Canneth Lee -Aye Council Vice President Rachel Tomas Morgan -Aye Councilmember Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers -Abse nt Councilmember Sharon McBride-Aye Councilmember Troy Warner -Ay e Councilmember Sherry Bolden-Simpson -Aye Councilmember Sheila Niezgodski -Aye Councilmember Dr. Oliver Davis -Aye Councilmember Karen L. White -Aye Council member Warner stated Bill No. 25-27 was heard in the Community Investment Committee and comes to the Full Council with a favorable recommendation. Council President Lee requested that the petitioner(s) state their name and address. Michelle Adams , Department of Community Investment , with offices on the 14 th floor of the County-City Building, South Bend , IN , 46601, stated that Bill No . 25-27 is a resolution that would approve a scrap metal dealer license renewal per section 4-51 of the Municipal Code for Alternative 2 , LLC , located at 700 West Chippewa Avenue, South Bend , IN 46614 , which has been active for sixteen (16) years. At that time, Bill No. 25-27 was tabled because a question had arisen about the status of their business license , which has since been resolved with the Indiana Secretary of State. Michelle Adams stated that her Department will also check this in the future with every scrap metal dealer applicant to ensure that their status is active . Councilmember Dr. Davis asked if a dissolution of a corporation affects the zoning status . Councilmember Dr. Davis also mentioned that Stevie's Enterprises , Inc., which was approved by resolution in April , 2025 , has been administratively dissolved , as well. Michelle Adams stated that corporate dissolution does not affect zoning or the renewal process. The Department will be checking on the status of Stevie's Enterprises, Inc, and will be checking the status of all applicants moving forward. Additionally , requiring an active corporate license is something that can be added to the scrap metal ordinance. Councilmember Dr. Davis stated that he will consult with the Council Attorney regarding his concerns. Vice-President Rachel Tomas Morgan asked Michelle Adams to recap a portion of her presentation from the Community Investment Committee meeting . Michelle Adams stated that most businesses are not aware that when they file for incorporation that they must renew bi-annually, and she has begun a process to remind local businesses of this requirement. 2 REGULAR MEETING May 28, 2025 Vice-President Tomas Morgan expressed her thanks . Councilmember Dr. Davis asked if a corporation fails to be properly licensed , should the Council act. Council Attorney Robert Palmer noted the Council ha s done nothing historically in these situations. Council President Canneth Lee held the public hearing , and nobody spoke. Councilmember Sharon McBride moved for the passage of Substitute Bill No . 25-27, which was seconded by Councilmember Troy Warner and carried by a vote of nine (9) ayes. Council President Canneth Lee -Aye Councilmember Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers -Aye Councilmember Troy Warner -Aye Councilmember Sheila Niezgodski -Aye Councilmember Karen L. White -Aye 25-31 Council Vice President Rachel Tomas Morgan -Aye Councilmember Sharon McBride-Aye Councilmember Sherry Bolden-Simpson -Aye Councilmember Dr. Oliver Davis -Aye A RESOLUTION OF THE SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL APPOINTING DR. DE BRYANT TO A ONE YEAR TERM AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW BOARD Clerk Tirado read the resolution to the Council. Councilmember Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers stated Bill No. 25-31 was heard in the Community Relations Committee and comes to the Full Council with a favorable recommendation. Canneth Lee , Council President , with offices on the fourth (4 th ) floor of the County-City Building, South Bend , IN 46601 , stated that Bill No . 25-31 is a resolution regarding the Community Police Review Board (CPRB), which was approved at the last Council meeting but a vacancy on the board remained. Council President Lee thanked Councilmember Dr. Davis for identifying Dr. De Bryant as a member of the CPRB for a one-year (1) tenn. Councilmember Dr. Davis expressed his gratitude. Council President Lee held the public hearing, and nobody spoke. Councilmember Dr. Davis moved for the passage of Bill No . 25-31 , which was seconded by Council member McBride and carried by a vote of nine (9) ayes . Council President Canneth Lee -Aye Councilmember Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers -Aye Councilmember Troy Warner -Aye Councilmember Sheila Niezgodski -Aye Councilmember Karen L. White -Aye BILLS ON FIRST READING BILL NO . Council Vice President Rachel Tomas Morgan -Aye Councilmember Sharon McBride-Aye Councilmember She1Ty Bolden-Simpson -Aye Councilmember Dr. Oliver Davis -Aye FIRST READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND , INDIANA , AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED 314 WEST CHIPPEWA A VENUE COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT NO . 5 IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND , INDIANA Clerk Tirado read the bill to the Council for its first (1 st) reading. Council President Lee entertained a motion to send Bill No . 31-25 to the South Bend Area Plan Commission for public hearing on June 16, 2025 , and to the Zoning and Annexation Committee for public hearing and third (3 rd ) reading on June 23, 2025. 3 REGULAR MEETING May 28, 2025 Councilmember Dr. Davi s moved to send Bill No . 31-25 to the South Bend Area Plan Commission for public hearing on June 16, 2025 , and to the Zoning and Annexation Committee for public hearing and third (3 rd ) reading on June 23, 2025 , which was seconded by Councilmember McBride and carried by nine (9) ayes . Council President Canneth Lee -Aye Councilmember Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers -Aye Councilmember Troy Warner -Ay e Councilmember Sheila Niezgodski -Aye Councilmember Karen L. White -Aye BILL NO . 32-25 Council Vice President Rachel Tomas Morgan -Aye Councilmember Sharon McBride-Aye Councilmember Sherry Bolden-Simpson -Aye Councilmember Dr. Oliver Davis -Aye FIRST READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA , AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED 1037 WEST COLFAX A VENUE COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT NO. 2 IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND , INDIANA Clerk Tirado read the bill to the Council for its first (1 st) reading. Council President Lee entertained a motion to send Bill No . 31-25 to the South Bend Area Plan Commission for public hearing on June 16, 2025 , and to the Zoning and Annexation Committee for public hearing and third (3 rd ) reading on June 23, 2025. Councilmember McBride moved to send Bill N o. 31-25 to the South Bend Area Plan Commission for public hearing on June 16, 2025 , and to the Zoning and Annexation Committee for public hearing and third (3 rd ) reading on June 23, 2025 , which was seconded by Councilmember Dr. Davis and carried by nine (9) ayes. Council President Canneth Lee -Aye Council Vice President Rachel Tomas Morgan -Aye Councilmember Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers -Aye Councilmember Sharon McBride-Aye Councilmember Troy Warner -Aye Councilmember Sherry Bolden-Simpson -Aye Councilmember Sheila Niezgodski -Aye Councilmember Dr. Oliver Davis -Aye Councilmember Karen L. White -Aye UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS Councilmembers had an open discussion regarding the CPRB and the need for the members to be fully trained and aware of their responsibilities to conduct open meetings. The Council agreed to consider the amount of time needed for training new members of the CPRB. Councilmember Shiela Niezgodski recognized the ninety-ninth (99 th ) annual Memorial Day Parade on South Bend 's West Side. President Lee recognized that South Bend is celebrating its One-Hundredth and Sixtieth ( 160 th ) birthday , and there will be events planned throughout the year. President Lee also noted that the Far Northwest Neighborhood Association will be meeting on Monday at the Kingdom Christian Center, 2010 Elwood , at 6:00 P.M., and staff will be present to answer questions . PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Logan Fo ster , 1138 College Street, South Bend , IN 46628 , spoke regarding the South Bend Municipal Code and Council complaints . Teresa Phillips , 2020 North Meade Street , South Bend IN 46628 , spoke regarding neighborhood complaints. 4 REGULAR MEETING May 28, 2025 Lillie Chandler, 2513 Bergen Street, South Bend , IN 46628 , spoke regarding neighborhood complaints. Clara Cotton, 2407 Bergen Street, South Bend , IN 46628 , spoke regarding neighborhood complaints. Emma James , 2525 Bergen Street, South Bend , IN 46628, spoke regarding neighborhood complaints. Sarah Foster, 1138 Co llege Street, South Bend , l 46628, spoke regarding neighborhood safety. Chris Eberly , 609 Walden Street East, South Bend , IN 46614, spoke regarding neighborhood safety and lack of sidewalks. Councilmember Karen L. White stated that every human deserves to live in a safe, clean environment, and what we have heard regarding Bergen Street is unacceptable. Councilmember White attended a meeting and heard concerns. President Lee stated that the Kingdom Christian Center opened its door for the residents of Bergen Street on May 5, 2025, to hear concerns and to address issues . Since then , they have been working with Code Enforcement and other City Departments. Councilmember Niezgodski thanked Councilmember White for attending the meeting. Councilmember Gooden-Rodgers expressed concern about the problems on Bergen Street and thanked the residents for producing solutions . Councilmember She1Ty Bolden-Simpson spoke about grants from the Safe Routes to School Project , which will address the concerns about s idewalks. ADJOURNMENT Council President Canneth Lee adjourned the meeting at 7:51 P.M . 5