HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-31-15 Personnel and FinancePERSONNEL & FINANCE
Committee Members Present:
Citizen Members Present:
Other Council Present:
Others Present:
AUGUST 31, 2015 5:00 P.M.
Karen White, Valerie Schey (AB), Derek Dieter (XAB),
Dr. Fred Ferlic
Valerie Mora -Kraus (AB), Charnelle Mayfield- Martin (AB)
Tim Scott, Henry Davis (5:25), Dr. David Varner, Oliver Davis,
Gavin Ferlic
Scott Ford, Brock Zeeb, Kathy Cekanski - Farrand,
Jennifer Hockenhull, John Murphy, Pam Meyer, Beth Leonard,
Jitin Cain, Aaron Perri, Regina Williams- Preston, Jim Bognar,
Chris Fielding, Jim Mueller
Agenda: 2016 Budget Proposals
The Personnel & Finance Committee continues their scheduled series of meetings to review the 2016
City budget.
Karen White, Chair of the Personnel & Finance Committee noted only two committee members were
present. Through lacking a quorum she said the hearing would proceed. In all, four Councilmembers
were present.
This meeting was scheduled to review the budget of the Community Investment Department. Scott
Ford, the Director of Community Investment Department led off the presentation with a brief overview
of his departments accomplishments in 2015 along with the priorities reflected in the 2016 proposals.
Scott provided three handouts for Council review. (Attached) The first of these focused on Downtown
South Bend (DTSB). Aaron Perri, Director of DTSB, made the presentation. Using a handout
supplemented with overhead slides Aaron gave an overview of DTSB's accomplishments including
sponsorship and collaboration with organizations to stage a record number of downtown events. In
addition, he pointed with pride to the overwhelming success of the SB150 birthday celebration which
was attended by over 100,000 residents. An added feature to SB150 was the river lighting at the
Jefferson Street Bridge universally hailed as a "cool" addition to the DTSB riverfront.
Subsequent to his overview, Aaron took questions from Council. Karen White asked each
Councilmember present, intern, for questions and comment.
Dr. Ferlic asked how many new liquor licenses were granted in the downtown area. Aaron said six this
year for a total of 12 since inception with only one business failure. Dr. Ferlic also asked about safety
Seitz Park, river lights area. Aaron responded saying DTSB's ambassadors as well as the SBPD were
increasing patrols. More lighting along the approaches was also in the works.
Tim Scott complemented DTSB on their accomplishments.
At 5:22 on the recording clock Scott Ford took center stage to list Community Investments progress and
projections. Scott emphasized with an overhead the mission of his department. He said the past and
future efforts were directed to do three things... attract and retain growing business, connect residents
to economic opportunities, and plan for vibrant neighborhoods. Each initiative was to be measured by
the performance indicators or KPI's.
Each Councilmember followed with questions. Karen White asked if there were any new programs. If
so how were they to be funded and when would they begin. Scott replied that EDIT funds would get the
initiatives started by the end of the year.
Dr. Ferlic asked about annexation and the rumored sale of Elbel Golf Course. Scott said state law made
annexation even more difficult than before. Elbel was he said a Park Department issue.
Tim Scott asked about the future of the vacant and abandoned housing program. Scott said,the City was
on track to meet the target 1,000 houses in 1,000 days. In the future Scott Ford said the focus would
shift to prevent homes from getting on the vacant and abandoned list.
Henry Davis was critical saying the City was not doing enough to address core problems of
unemployment, poverty, and affordable housing in sustainable neighborhoods. Scott took exception to
the job creation effort citing multiple successes. The neighborhood development challenges are
addressed with funded initiatives in the 2016 budget proposals.
Tim Scott wondered what was being done to assist downtown business impacted by the two -way traffic
conversion. Scott Ford said regular meetings with downtown owners had helped to formulate the
construction and rollout aimed at minimizing the disruptions.
Dr. Varner suggested angled parking downtown would be safer that the current straight -in system.
Scott said the trade -off would be fewer parking spaces.
Dr. Ferlic expressed concerns about South Bend becoming a regional magnet for the "homeless"
suggesting the "boat theory" claiming there are limits to what we can afford.
Karen White reiterated her concerns about the adequate funding in the future for investments in quality
of life neighborhood issues.
Karen then asked if there was anyone from the public who cared to comment.
Jim Bognar felt the Foreign Trade Zone was underutilized and should be expanded and better promoted.
Regina Williams- Preston said any neighborhood programs should be mindful of the need to listen to
residents living there. She also said a revolving loan fund for housing improvements should be
established.
With that Karen made closing comments before adjourning the meeting at 6:26 P.M.
Attachments (3)
Respectfully Submitted,
Karen L. White, Chairperson
Personnel & Finance Committee