HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-23-2026 Public Works and Property Vacation Committee MinutesOFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
BIANCA L. T IRADO, CITY CLERK
PUBLIC WORKS & PROPERTY VACATION MARCH 23, 2026, 3:55 P.M.
Committee Members Present:
Committee Members Absent:
Other Council Present:
Others Present:
Presenters:
Agenda:
Troy Warner, Abel Gonzalez, Sheila
Niezgodski, Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers
Dr. Oliver Davis
Canneth Lee, Rachel Tomas Morgan, Karen
L. White
Bianca L. Tirado, Matthew Neal, Jasmine
Jackson, Veronica Pitt-Payne, Bob Palmer
Noemi Ruiz, Ezequias Ruiz
Bill No. 07-26 -Alley Vacation -The First
East/West Alley North of Prast, Between
Elmer and the First North/South Alley West
of Elmer
Members marked with an asterisk(*) are in virtual attendance.
Please note the attached link for the meeting recording:
https://docs.southbendin.gov/WebLink/browse.aspx?dbid=0,0,0,0,0,0&mediaid=406196
Committee Chair Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers called to order the Public Works and Property
Vacation Committee meeting at 3:55 P.M.
Bill No. 07-26 -Alley Vacation -The First East/West Alley North of Prast, Between Elmer
and the First North/South Alley West of Elmer
Noemi and Ezequias Ruiz, Petitioners, 901 North Elmer Street, South Bend, IN 46628, presented
the bill. They said they have been maintaining the alley and there is already a fence in place. They
want to complete the formal alley vacation process and meet all City requirements.
Committee Vice Chair Sheila Niezgodski asked if the petitioners intend to put in a curb and no
longer use the alley as a driveway.
Jasmine Jack.son
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Veronica Pitt-Payne
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EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY ! INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT
300 City Hall I21 5 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. I South Bend, Indiana 46601 Ip. 574.235.9221 If. 574.235.9173 1 www.southbendin.gov
@ CITY OF SOUTH BEND J OFFICE OF THE CIIT CLERK
Noemi Ruiz confirmed that is correct.
Committee Chair Gooden-Rodgers asked if the petitioners have communicated with their
neighbors about this request.
Noemi Ruiz said that most of their neighbors are renters, but they have been in communication
with the property owners about their plans.
Committee Member Troy Warner asked to hear any department recommendations.
Chris Dressel, Senior Planner, with offices on the fifth (5th) floor of City Hall , South Bend, IN
46601 , said the petitioners wish to expand their home, and the planned expansion would occupy
the current right-of-way.
Committee Member Warner added that the petitioners own the properties on each side of the
alley.
Committee Chair Gooden-Rodgers held the public hearing, and nobody spoke.
Committee Vice Chair Niezgodski moved to send Bill No. 07-26 to the Committee of the Whole
with a favorable recommendation, which was seconded by Committee Member Warner and
carried by a vote of four (4) ayes with one (1) Committee Member absent.
Committee Chair Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers -Aye Committee Vice Chair Sheila Niezgodski -Aye
Committee Member Troy Warner -Aye Committee Member Dr. Oliver Davis -Absent
Citizen Member Abel Gonzalez -Aye
With no further business, Committee Chair Gooden-Rodgers adjourned the Public Works and
Property Vacation meeting at 4:03 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers, Committee Chair
EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY \ INNOVATION \ INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT
300 City Hall I215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. I South Bend, Indiana 46601 Ip. 574.235.9221 If. 574.235.9173 1 WVvW.southbendin.gov