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REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 25, 2016 Jason Banicki Critchlow, 3822 W Ford St South Bend, stated that its kind of early talking budgets and funding but he was already seen a new restaurant tax to fund the zoo and then also selling Elbel. He stated this bothers him and everyone knows the gas tax is going to go up soon just as the wheel tax will go up. He stated at some point we will have to stop taxing everyone in this city to the breaking point and if the zoo if something they want and enjoy they need to spend the money at the zoo and not count on a special tax just for the zoo. He stated it would inevitably be raised to start spending money on other things. He stated if we really need this tax lets at least do a full one percent tax not one quarter of one percent. He stated lets save Elbel and make sure this tax is not for one person. He stated you cannot say the zoo is special and then subsequently sell Elbel and twenty five percent of our park land. Paul Blaschko, 322 E. Colfax South Bend, stated he was representing Elbel for Everyone. He asked everyone in attendance to raise their hands for being here to save Elbel. He encouraged the Council to continue to listen to the voices beginning to be heard and said that this city has a vision to invest in our parks and natural spaces. Jerry Niezgodski, 1113 N. Eliot, welcomed the new and returning Council members this year and voiced his support in not selling Elbel Park. He stated whether we keep it or sell it the area should remain a Golf Course. He stated back when they first made that course the country club wanted to swap with them and moving forward he would like to see some comparisons to other municipalities. He stated Mr. Berlin has shown that marketing can achieve wonders in our city and that may solve the budgeting problems. Katherine Osborne, 517 River Ave South Bend, stated she is a new comer to this city and from her perspective one of the great things about South Bend is the investment the city has made in green spaces and parks. She stated she would hate to see Elbel go and in fact it could be made more attractive and accessible to residents. She stated that if we sell it for not very much money there is no take backs once it's sold it's gone. Jennifer Betz, 511 S. St. Joseph St, had a woman submit her name and address who could not make it because she is in cancer treatment and she read her statement. Her name is Connie Tooley, 514 W. Lasalle Ave, who wrote "I can't make the hearings but want my voice to be heard. I recently had surgery related to breast cancer and have therapy today at 2 p.m. which takes two hours and takes the stuffing out of me. I did sign the petition and have been following the news. I definitely want to say to the powers that be to hear our pleas and give the citizens a say and a chance to come up with a viable alternative. We need to save what we have, to take care of what we have and to acquire more parks and green space, not sell an environmental gem such as Elbel. They owe us that much and this my way or the highway attitude has demolished too many things of value in this town just look at the history of what DTSB used to look like." Rebecca Oneil, 518 S. St. Joseph St., stated she is a recent graduate of St. Mary's and has moved into a community that had its voices heard today. She stated she worked with a nonprofit that works with local urban youth and wants to echo that benefits for the urban youth should not be pitted against the parks or park initiatives. Charles Smith, 2023 S. Haley St, stated he was not here to speak about Elbel. He stated he has spent time with the people who work with the City and is here to speak on behalf of the animal community in South Bend. He stated animal welfare does have an impact on our community. He stated he is here to let the Council know the animal community is making things happen in South Bend from working at shelters to helping adoption rates. He stated Pit Bull South Bend has brought change and a new ordinance which is one of the best things South Bend has done for the animal community. He stated he invited Mayor Pete and he did not respond. He stated we are here to make a better and safer community as a whole. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, President Tim Scott adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m. E3