Laserfiche WebLink
REGULAR MEETING APRIL 11, 2015 <br />Mayor Buttigieg said he thinks of this agreement as a way to take the next step in our <br />community's relationship with its first citizens. The Pokagon Band has been here since before <br />the City of South Bend was incorporated and that relationship has gone through many stages. <br />Five (5) to ten (10) years from now, we will be able to point not only to the impact of any jobs <br />and physical growth that is accrued to the tribal citizens, which many are also our residents as <br />well in South Bend, but also we will be able to look at the effects of the improvement <br />contemplated in the agreement from the charitable contributions and also that extra revenue for <br />the City. <br />Councilmember Randy Kelly asked the Mayor if during the course of the negotiations if there <br />was any talk of the casino being potentially a smoke free area. <br />Mayor Buttigieg stated they clearly shared their interest in that outcome but because it is <br />sovereign land we are not in a position to request that. The Four Winds facility in Michigan has <br />smoke free bars and restaurants however no conclusion was reached to constrain them in South <br />Bend. <br />Councilmember Regina Williams- Preston thanked Cristal Brisco and James Mueller for <br />clarifying and answering some of the Council questions on the agreement and those answers <br />were very informative. She stated as far as she knew at those other Four Winds facilities the bars <br />and restaurants were smoke free but not on the floor of the casino so it is not completely smoke <br />free. <br />Mayor Buttigieg stated he did not have detailed knowledge but yes that was his understanding as <br />well. <br />Councilmember Regina Williams- Preston asked Corporation Counsel Brisco to clarify if the <br />Administration has a sense of how many games are currently planning to come to the casino so <br />the Council knows if the City can expect to get that $2 million floor or $1 million floor. <br />Corporation Counsel Brisco responded they do have a sense and believe it will be more than the <br />1700 games so the $2 million floor would be in effect. <br />Councilmember Williams- Preston asked about why the gift to Howard Park was significantly <br />higher than the other community gifts. <br />Corporation Counsel Brsico responded the donations of $5 million over five (5) years is just <br />another example of the Tribe's generosity and when they came with those suggestions, the <br />Administration welcomed them. It is $2.25 million dedicated to Howard Park, which is a Park <br />that is centrally located in the City and is used by a diverse set of residents. <br />Council President Scott asked Corporation Counsel Brisco to address any services that the Tribe <br />does provide for people with gambling addictions and also thanked Corporation Counsel Cristal <br />Brisco and the Mayor's Chief of Staff James Mueller for being prompt and eager to work with <br />and answer the Council's questions on this issue. <br />Corporation Counsel Brisco thanked Council President Scott for bringing up the gambling <br />addiction issue and she does have packets for the Council regarding the different services the <br />Tribe provides for people with addictions. They recently made a contribution of $25,000 this <br />year to gambling addiction services and that is an ongoing annual contribution. <br />Councilmember Oliver Davis asked to clarify when the payments would be received by the City <br />and how that process would work. <br />Corporation Counsel Brisco responded the payments would be received annually starting one <br />year after the casino opened. <br />Those from the public wishing to speak in favor of the bill: <br />Jason Banicki Critchlow, 3822 W. Ford St. South Bend IN, spoke in favor of the agreement. It <br />gives the City a large amount of funds which are definitely needed. People are going to go to the <br />casinos no matter where they are, people need their vices, and it's great that one finally may <br />come here. It's a shame this is not the first casino the Pokagon's built in the area but at least it is <br />finally getting done. We have seen in New Buffalo how they have been good community <br />14 <br />