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02-08-16
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02-08-16
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City Council - City Clerk
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REGULAR MEETING <br />February 8t", 2016 <br />and not pit parks against each other. Overall, the City should be able to say stop and find the <br />money to keep Elbel a city park. <br />No one spoke against the resolution. <br />Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand noted the proposed resolution refers to the <br />property as 26595 Auten Road, which covers the entire three - hundred and fourteen (314) acres <br />and is the entire park. <br />Councilmember Oliver Davis asked if it is possible the proposed committee could ask for more <br />time and that their committee be expanded. <br />Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski - Farrand responded they could do that and it would take an <br />action of the Council as an amendment to the resolution. The Council always has the power to <br />amend the resolution and expand the days or the membership of the committee. <br />Councilmember Regina Williams- Preston thanked the public for coming and speaking in favor <br />of this resolution. She highlighted there is no reason to rush. In many of the conversations she <br />had on this issue one comment stuck with her that the woman said "I came to this because of <br />turtles but I am staying because of transparency." This is much more about Elbel, it is about <br />being transparent and responsive to the public's interest. She hopes this process serves as a <br />model going forward because we obviously have other issues to address in South Bend. The City <br />needs to start listening to all facets of the community and their issues. <br />Councilmember Randy Kelly stated the committee is being put together to look all the issues that <br />have been brought up. This is not to say we are finished with this in forty -five (45) days but to <br />have the chance to talk to experts and interested citizens and make a recommendation that maybe <br />we do need a year -long study. Just because this committee only lasts forty -five (45) days does <br />not mean that is when the process will end, the idea is within that time frame that puts our feet to <br />the fire, and we can make a good decision that leads to maybe more long term recommendations. <br />Councilmember Jo Broden stated the practical concern is we have to open the course for golf this <br />year. That question of how we do that needs to be addressed quickly and that was the reason for <br />the shorter time frame. The first question the committee answers is to figure out what to do this <br />year because we have golf packages to sell and also a commitment that the course is in an <br />outstanding condition. This was a measure to make sure the public voices were heard but it is not <br />only reactionary but is also nimble enough where the circumstances can change. <br />Councilmember Dr. Varner stated a big issue is how Elbel is addressed. The other big issue is <br />what we do in the long term. This problem will not be solved in forty five days but the issue of <br />the golf course for this playing year can be addressed in that forty -five (45) days. He agreed that <br />if we are going to make this course available it should be in the best shape possible. He <br />expressed support for raising rates if that is needed and making the course pay for itself if it can. <br />Councilmember Oliver Davis stated priorities are needed because there are a lot of separate <br />issues but the issue that comes first is how to run this golf course and park this coming year. <br />There is no reason that some of our parks should be in conditions that have been shared by the <br />public today. The Parks Department came to us, and the Council funded their budget, and they <br />said all the parks would be funded. During the last budget season no one came and talk about the <br />issues mentioned earlier tonight, plus we approved a Park Bond to take care of those needs. <br />These discussions need to happen separately, it is not the parks on the East Side versus the parks <br />on the West Side. Let's talk about and figure out what to do about Elbel. We should not have to <br />compare a park and basketball court. The Council was never told that Elbel was being cautiously <br />spent out, that's not fair to the Council and not fair to the people who signed up for <br />memberships. Those people should want their money back. Councilmember Oliver Davis stated <br />his appreciation of Aaron Perri and what he said earlier about listening and acting on the <br />committees suggestions because people needed to hear that and that gives you credibility with <br />the people. This is a critical point in our cities government because if the people can't trust us on <br />this they won't trust on anything. <br />Councilmember John Voorde voiced his support for this resolution and everything that has been <br />said. He was disappointed in the way this seemed like it was going to play out, you cannot talk <br />9 <br />
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