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REGULAR MEETING February 8th, 2016 16 -08 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, ESTABLISHING A 5- MEMBER ADVISORY SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO STUDY AND RECOMMEND ALL REASONABLE AND VIABLE OPTIONS FOR THE PROPERTY KNOWN AS ELBEL GOLF COURSE AS A SHORT AND LONG TERM ASSET OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Councilmembers Karen White, At -large Councilmember with offices on the 0 Floor of the County City Building, and Regina Williams- Preston, Second District Councilmember with offices on the 4th Floor of the County City Building, served as the presenters for this resolution. Councilmember Karen White thanked Councilmember Jo M. Broden for the work she has done to bring this resolution before the Council. When there are discussions about a sale or lease of any park resources, the City must have full disclosure and transparency. Citizens expect the City to be good stewards of their tax dollars. The proposed committee would enhance communication, transparency, and gather and dissimilating information. All concerned parties can present their concerns, ask questions, and provide their recommendations for the future of the golf course. In the interest of the residents and business owners this committee should be established to review all viable options going forward for Elbel Park. Councilmember Regina Williams- Preston read the full resolution. Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski - Farrand explained what a non - binding resolution is. The committee can advise and make recommendations to the full Council. These are non - binding recommendations and not final. Councilmember Jo M. Broden expressed her belief this resolution is a great compromise for the city to come together and decide what to do with this great asset. She pointed out a link that is on the Common Council's website that has a large amount of relevant financial data as well as PARC Committee minutes and Park Board minutes as well over the past three years. Councilmember Oliver Davis stated there is no question.on the public trust portion of the committees' resolution. There has been a public trust issue regarding the Elbel sale and we are bound as a Council to listen to their concerns. He hopes this committee will be a spring board to more permanent discussions and that the community continues to work with the Council going forward. There were no questions from the Council. Those wishing to speak in favor of the resolution: S. J. Szabo, offices on Mishawaka Ave., thanked the Council for taking the initiative on this important issue that is surely needed. He supports the intent and respect for the public that is embodied in this resolution but takes issues with three aspects. There is no reason to restrict the committee for forty -five (45) days. The committee should not be made up of five (5) bureaucrats and should include from the outset members of the public, resources of ecological expertise, and members from the local colleges. Last, he is discouraged of the non - binding nature of this resolution and the Council should assert itself and make this committee's recommendations binding. Jason Banicki Critchlow, 3822 W Fourth St., thanked the Council for making the public process more transparent. As the City continues to expand westward, this part may be in the city limits in the next fifty (50) to one - hundred (100) years so let's not rush to a decision. Perhaps there are other areas where we may need to trim the fat of the Park budget. Let's make sure if we go forward with this, the City thinks about what we are doing and not just guess and gamble. Pam Clays, 1106 Bell View Ave, applauded the sponsors of this Bill. It was a travesty there was not more transparency in this process starting out and she agreed there is no reason to limit this