09-14-09 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 14, 2009 Councilmember Varner made a motion to combine these bills for purpose of Public Hearing. Councilmember White seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. Councilmember Rouse, Chairperson, Community & Economic Development Committee, reported that this committee held a Public Hearing on these bills this afternoon and sends them to the full Council with no recommendation. th Ms. Pam Meyer, Director, Community & Economic Development, 12 Floor County- City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation for this bill. Ms. Meyer advised that Bill No. 58-09 will amend the CDBG appropriation Ordinance No. 9877-08 which the Council passed on November 10, 2008. The overall appropriation is being increased by $130,000, and certain project allocations are being adjusted and reduced. Ms. Meyer noted that this is a companion to Bill No. 59-09. Ms. Meyer noted that this bill would add the increased award amount of $130,000. Reduce the allocation to Code Enforcement for the demolition of vacant and abandoned properties. Delete funding for the Dunbar Corner Rehab which is covered under Bill 59-09. Add the rehab of the Hansel Center for the Notre Dame Center for Arts and Culture, and the former Engman Natatorium, as the Civil Rights Heritage Center. Ms. Meyer noted that she sent an e-mail to the Council on June 23, 2009 and met with some Council Members advising of these changes and that they were recommended after a consultation with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) based on the funding best suited for each project. Ms. Meyer stated that these changes were the subject of a notice printed in the South Bend Tribune on June 24, 2009, a 30 day public comment period that ran thth from June 25 to July 24, 2009 and a Public Hearing on July 7, 2009. Additionally Ms. Meyer further advised that Bill No. 59-09 would appropriate monies in the CDBG Recovery fund and allocate new funds in accordance with the 2008 Action Plan and Amendment of the Housing and Community Development Plan submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development on June 5, 2009, and further amended and resubmitted on June 15, 2009. Ms. Meyer stated that the funds being made available are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and represent a one time formula allocation to South Bend as an entitlement community. She stated that the CDBG-R funds have a slightly different focus than regular CDBG funds. CDBG-R funding is provided as an immediate stimulus to the economy as well as to provide long term improvements. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. th Mayor Stephen Luecke, 14 Floor County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, urged the Council’s favorable recommendation for this bill. He advised that the rehab of the Natatorium and the Hansel Center are great projects. He noted that Indiana University South Bend has partnered to rehab the former Engman Natatorium as the Civil Rights Heritage Center and the University of Notre Dame has partnered for the rehab of the Hansel Center as the Notre Dame Center for Arts and Culture. Ms. Marguerite Taylor, 714 E. Corby, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she used to work at the former Hansel Center and this project will allow for the rise from ashes to the Phoenix just like the Eddy Street Commons Project on the east side of town. She stated that this area of town needs to have projects like the Civil Rights Heritage Center and the Notre Dame Center for Arts and Culture. She urged the Council’s favorable consideration. Mr. Alfred Guillaume, Vice-Chancellor, Indiana University South Bend, 1700 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend, Indiana, stated that these projects are Beacon’s of Hope for the residents of the neighborhood. He stated that Mayor Luecke along with Chancellor Reck have written a letter to First Lady Mrs. Obama to attend the opening of the Civil Rights Heritage Center and are awaiting a response. He asked for the Council’s favorable consideration. 6