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Home My WebLink About03-09-2026 Council Meeting MinutesREPORT OF SUB-COMMITTEE ON MINUTES TO THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND: THE SUB-COMMITTEE HAS INSPECTED THE MINUTES OF THE DATE: 03-09-2026 MEETING OF THE COUNCIL AND FOUND THEl\f TO BE CORRECT. THEREFORE, WE RECOMMEND THE SAME BE APPROVED: T~ APPROVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL ON: 03-23-2026 ATTEST: BIA REGULAR MEETING March 9, 2026 Be it remembered that the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, met in person on Monday, March 9th, 2026, at 7:00 P.M. Council President Canneth Lee called the meeting to order. The invocation was given by Minister LaQuita Aldridge-Hughes, and the Pledge to the Flag was given. Please note the attached link for the meeting recording: https://docs.southbendin.gov/WebLink/browse.aspx?dbid=0&mediaid=405695 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 Sharon L. McBride Troy Warner Sherry Bolden-Simpson Sheila Niezgodski Karen L. White Dr. Oliver Davis Rachel Tomas Morgan COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT None OTHERS PRESENT Bianca Tirado Jasmine Jackson Matthew Neal Veronica Pitt-Payne Elizabeth Bahena Bob Palmer 1st District, President 2nd District 3rd District 4th District, Committee of the Whole 51h District 6th District, Vice President At-Large At-Large At-Large City Clerk Chief Deputy City Clerk Deputy Director of Policy Director of Special Projects Council Intern Council Attorney Members marked with an asterisk (*) are in virtual attendance. SUB-COMMITTEE ON MINUTES : February 23, 2026 Council President Lee requested reports from the Sub-Committee on Minutes. City Clerk Bianca Tirado stated that the Sub-Committee on Minutes inspected the February 23, 2026 Common Council meeting minutes and recommend they be approved. Councilmember Sherry Bolden-Simpson moved to approve the February 23, 2026 Common Council meeting minutes, which was seconded by Council Vice President Sheila Niezgodski and carried via a vote by voice. SPECIAL BUSINESS None. REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICES None. RESOLVE INTO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Councilmember Bolden-Simpson moved to resolve into the Committee of the Whole, which was seconded by Councilmember Dr. Oliver Davis and carried via a vote by voice. PUBLIC HEARINGS REGULAR MEETING BILL NO. March 9, 2026 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, TO VACATE THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY: THE EAST/WEST ALLEY SOUTH OF MONROE, BETWEEN 516 SOUTH MICHIGAN AND 520 SOUTH MICHIGAN, STARTING AT MICHIGAN ON THE WEST AND ENDING AT THE NORTH/SOUTH ALLEY BEHIND 516 SOUTH MICHIGAN ON THE EAST Clerk Tirado read the bill to the Council for its second (2nd) reading. After the second (2nd) reading, Councilmember Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers stated that Bill No. 06- 26 went before the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee and comes with a favorable recommendation. Charity Stowe, Petitioner, 614 South Saint Joseph Street, South Bend, IN 46601 , presented the bill. She said the existing alley is a t-alley in the middle of a block that is being developed. She said the adjacent empty lot will be turned into a park, and the alley will be used for food trucks and special events. The developers are asking to keep the curb cut, they will use bollards to restrict through-traffic. Councilmember Troy Warner held the public hearing, and nobody spoke. Councilmember Dr. Davis moved to send Bill No. 06-26 to the Full Council with a favorable recommendation, which was seconded by Council President Lee and carried by a vote of nine (9) ayes. Council President Canneth Lee -Aye Councilmember Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers -Aye Councilmember Troy Warner -Aye Councilmember Rachel Tomas Morgan -Aye Councilmember Karen L. White -Aye RISE AND REPORT Council Vice President Sheila Niezgodski -Aye Councilmember Sharon McBride -Aye ----------; Councilmember Sherry Bolden-Simpson -Aye Councilmember Dr. Oliver Davis -Aye ----------< Councilmember Bolden-Simpson moved to rise from the Committee of the Whole and report back to the Full Council, which was seconded by Councilmember Dr. Davis and carried via a vote by voice. REGULAR MEETING RECONVENED Council President Lee stated that the Full Council is now back in session. This portion of the meeting is where bills are given a third (3rd) reading and action is taken regarding bills that were heard during the Committee of the Whole. BILLS ON THE THIRD READING BILL NO . 06-26 2 THIRD READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, TO VACATE THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY: THE EAST/WEST ALLEY SOUTH OF MONROE, BETWEEN 516 SOUTH MICHIGAN AND 520 SOUTH MICHIGAN, STARTING AT MICHIGAN ON THE WEST AND ENDING AT THE NORTH/SOUTH ALLEY BEHIND 516 SOUTH MICHIGAN ON THE EAST REGULAR MEETING March 9, 2026 Clerk Tirado read the bill to the Council for its third (Yd) reading. After the third (3 rd) reading, Council President Lee requested a committee report. Councilmember Warner stated that Bill No. 06-26 was heard in the Committee of the Whole and comes to the Full Coun~il with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember Dr. Davis moved for the passage of Bill No. 06-26, which was seconded by Council Vice President Niezgodski and carried by a vote of nine (9) ayes. Council President Canneth Lee -Aye Council Vice President Sheila Niezgodski -Aye f--------------------------+---- C o u n c i l member Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers -Aye Councilmember Sharon McBride -Aye f--------------------------+---- C o u n c i l member Troy Warner -Aye Councilmember Sherry Bolden-Simpson -Aye f--------------------------+----C o u n c i l member Rachel Tomas Morgan -Aye Councilmember Dr. Oliver Davis -Aye Councilmember Karen L. White -Aye RESOLUTIONS None. BILLS ON THE FIRST READING BILL NO. 07-26 FIRST READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, TO VACATE THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY: THE FIRST EAST/WEST ALLEY NORTH OF PRAST, BETWEEN ELMER AND THE FIRST NORTH/SOUTH ALLEY WEST OF ELMER Clerk Tirado read the bill to the Council for its first (1 st) reading. Council President Lee entertained a motion to send Bill No. 07-26 to the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee for public hearing and third (3 rd) reading on March 23, 2026. Council Vice President Niezgodski moved to send Bill No. 07-26 to the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee for public hearing and third (3rd) reading on March 23, 2026, which was seconded by Councilmember Rachel Tomas Morgan and carried via a vote by voice. FIRST READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 11233-25, WHICH FIXES MAXIMUM SALARIES AND WAGES OF APPOINTED OFFICERS AND NON-BARGAINING EMPLOYEES OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2026, TO INCREASE SALARIES OF CERTAIN POSITIONS WITHIN THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Clerk Tirado read the bill to the Council for its first (1 st) reading. Council President Lee entertained a motion to send Bill No. 08-26 to the Personnel and Finance Committee for public hearing and third (3 rd) reading on March 23, 2026. Councilmember Dr. Davis moved to send Bill No. 08-26 to the Personnel and Finance Committee for public hearing and third (3 rd) reading on March 23, 2026_, which was seconded by Council Vice President Niezgodski and carried via a vote by voice. 09-26 3 FIRST READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, FOR BUDGET TRANSFERS REGULAR MEETING March 9, 2026 FOR VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA FOR THE YEAR 2026 Clerk Tirado read the bill to the Council for its first (1 st) reading. Council President Lee entertained a motion to send Bill No. 09-26 to the Personnel and Finance Committee for public hearing and third (3 rd) reading on March 23, 2026. Councilmember Bolden-Simpson moved to send Bill No. 09-26 to the Personnel and Finance Committee for public hearing and third (3rd) reading on March 23, 2026, which was seconded by Councilmember Gooden-Rodgers and carried via a vote by voice. 10-26 FIRST READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, ADDITIONAL FUNDS DEPARTMENTAL AND APPROPRIATING FOR CERTAIN CITY SERVICES OPERA TIO NS FOR THE YEAR 2025 OF $976,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND (#101), $150,000 FROM THE PARKS AND RECREATION FUND (#201), $465 ,000 FROM THE MOTOR VEHICLES HIGHWAY FUND (#202), $500,000 FROM THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT OPERATING FUND (#211), $50,000 FROM THE GIFT, DONATION, BEQUEST FUND (#217), $114,300 FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CONTINUING EDUCATION FUND (#220), $2,750 FROM THE CENTRAL SERVICES FUND (#222), $21 ,099 FROM THE IT/INNOV ATION/311 CALL CENTER FUND (#279), $296,600 FROM THE POLICE FEDERAL DRUG ENFORCEMENT FUND (#299), $2,150,000 FROM THE LOCAL INCOME TAX - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND (#408), $1 ,100,000 FROM THE PROFESSIONAL SPORTS CONVENTION DEVELOPMENT AREA FUND (#413), $3 ,800,000 FROM THE WATER WORKS CAPITAL FUND (#622), $20,000 FROM THE SEWAGE WORKS OPERATIONS FUND (#641), $600,000 FROM THE STORM SEWER FUND (#667), $71 ,265 FROM THE CENTURY CENTER OPERATIONS FUND (#670), AND $5 ,000 FROM THE SELF-FUNDED EMPLOYEE BENEFITS FUND (#711) (SUBSTITUTE) Council President Lee entertained a motion to accept the substitute bill. Councilmember Dr. Davis moved to accept Substitute Bill No. 10-26, which was seconded by Council Vice President Niezgodski and carried via a vote by voice. Clerk Tirado read the bill to the Council for its first (1 st) reading. Council President Lee entertained a motion to send Substitute Bill No. 10-26 to the Personnel and Finance Committee for public hearing and third (3 rd) reading on March 23, 2026. Councilmember Gooden-Rodgers moved to send Substitute Bill No . 10-26 to the Personnel and Finance Committee for public hearing and third (3 rd) reading on March 23, 2026, which was seconded by Councilmember Dr. Davis and carried via a vote by voice. 4 FIRST READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH REGULAR MEETING March 9, 2026 BEND, INDIANA, AUTHORIZING PAYMENTS IN LIEU OF TAXES FOR HERITAGE TRAILS SOUTH BEND, LP Clerk Tirado read the bill to the Council for its first (1 st) reading. Council President Lee entertained a motion to send Bill No. 11-26 to the Community Investment Committee for public hearing and third (3 rd) reading on March 23, 2026. Councilmember Gooden-Rodgers moved to send Bill No. 11-26 to the Community Investment Committee for public hearing and third (3 rd) reading on March 23, 2026, which was seconded by Councilmember Tomas Morgan and carried via a vote by voice. 12-26 FIRST READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA ESTABLISHING CERTAIN BOUNDARIES FOR SOUTH BEND UTILITIES TO FURNISH WATER AND SEWAGE SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC Clerk Tirado read the bill to the Council for its first (1 st) reading. Council President Lee entertained a motion to send Bill No. 12-26 to the Utilities Committee for public hearing and third (3rd) reading on March 23, 2026. Councilmember Bolden-Simpson moved to send Bill No. 12-26 to the Utilities Committee for public hearing and third (3 rd) reading on March 23, 2026, which was seconded by Council Vice President Niezgodski and carried via a vote by voice. 13-26 FIRST READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED 911 LOGAN STREET COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT NO. 3 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. 13-26 to the Plan Commission for public hearing on March 16, 2026, and to the Zoning and Annexation Committee for public hearing and third (3 rd) reading on March 23, 2026. Councilmember Warner moved to send Bill No. 13-26 to the Plan Commission for public hearing on March 16, 2026, and to the Zoning and Annexation Committee for public hearing and third (3 rd) reading on March 23, 2026. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Dr. Davis and carried via a vote by voice. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Councilmember Bolden-Simpson gave a reminder about' the Lafayette Falls Neighborhood Association's inaugural meeting on March 11, 2026, at the Centre Township Library Branch. NEW BUSINESS Council Vice President Niezgodski announced that the Solid Waste Management District of St. Joseph County will have a Tire Collection Day on Saturday, April 11, 2026. Council President Lee expressed condolences to Councilmember Karen L. White for the passing of her brother. Councilmember Bolden-Simpson addressed racist remarks that were made at a recent Riley-Penn basketball game. She urged community members to be mindful of their actions as role models for young people and offered words of encouragement to the students and principal of Riley High School. 5 REGULAR MEETING March 9, 2026 Councilmember White spoke about the Youth Advisory Council's recent curriculum meeting. She said they had a great discussion and acknowledged the guest speaker, Pam Claeys. Clerk Tirado announced that the Saint Patrick's Day Parade will be on Saturday, March 14, 2026. She spoke about Women's History Month activities and invited Councilmember Tomas Morgan to share information about her recent award. Councilmember Tomas Morgan said she was recognized by the Filipino Consulate in Chicago as an Exemplary Filipino American Woman Leader in the Midwest. Council President Lee said he and Councilmember Tomas Morgan attended the recent ribbon cutting for the new Behavior Analysis Center for Autism (BACA) in South Bend. Councilmember Sharon McBride announced that she is on the judging panel for Youth of the Year at the Boys and Girls Club. She spoke about participating in the selection process and said the winners will be announced soon. Council President Lee spoke about attending a community breakfast last week at La Casa de Amistad. Councilmember McBride requested a moment of silence for troops, their families, and communities due to the current war and asked for prayers for leaders and government officials worldwide. The Council observed a moment of silence. Councilmember Bolden-Simpson announced a trades career showcase for students is being held March 12, 2026, at the Stepan Center on the University of Notre Dame campus. She noted that event will be open to the public in the evening. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Council President Lee opened privilege of the floor. Sue Kesim, 4022 Kennedy Drive, South Bend, IN 46619, recommended the book "Poor Economics: A Radical Rethinking of the Way to Fight Global Poverty", by Nobel Prize winning economists Abhijit V. Banerjee and Esther Duflo. She said the book describes communities that are similar to South Bend and could provide insights for addressing poverty in the City. Council President Lee closed privilege of the floor. ADJOURNMENT Council President Lee adjourned the meeting at 7:32 P.M. 6