Laserfiche WebLink
REGULAR MEETING APRIL 11, 2015 <br />the Administration negotiating with the Pokagon Band. He stated he has family who live near the <br />Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo and the Pokagon Band has been extraordinary partners with <br />New Buffalo and are regarded very highly. The beach communities near the casino have not <br />been negatively impacted in terms of property values or business development and continue to <br />thrive. <br />Councilmember Regina Williams- Preston pointed out this is not the end. This establishes a long <br />term relationship with lots of time and space to continue to have a conversation with the Pokagon <br />Band on how our community can benefit from all the development that is coming. She stated she <br />feels very positive with having that conversation with the Band as they have been so receptive so <br />far to South Bend and the other communities where they have casinos. She reiterated that the <br />Council need to figure out better ways to communicate with the constituents so they can get their <br />input to us but also a lot of things that were talked about as problems are already problems in this <br />community and she would like to see those people who have concerns work to make them better <br />now. We already have many of those problems. This conversation needs to be happening <br />continually. It's not about whether this casino comes or doesn't come because we have problems <br />that need to be addressed period. There are a whole lot more problems with the School <br />Corporation and education in South Bend than a casino coming. She invited those who spoke on <br />that problem to work with the education issues now because then the impact of the casino would <br />not be as severe. There are lots of positive things such as jobs providing living wages with the <br />casino and opportunities to reimburse people for continued education. We are stronger as a <br />community if we come together to deal with those issues, those problems need to be addressed <br />whether the casino is coming or not. She stated that she will vote for the bill but does appreciate <br />that maybe somebody should vote against the bill just to represent that voice. What she heard <br />from her district is that this plan and casino is something they want to see. <br />Council President Tim Scott thanked the councilmembers for doing their due diligence on this <br />issue. He thanked everyone who came out for and against the issue for being respectful. This is a <br />democratic process, not everyone is going to be happy with the outcome, but it is the process. <br />This is the beginning and not the end of this conversation and this negotiation with the Band. <br />Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to adopt Bill 16 -32. Councilmember Randy Kelly <br />seconded the motion which carried by a roll call vote of eight (8) ayes. <br />BILLS FIRST READING <br />20 -16 FIRST READING ON AN ORDINANCE AMENDING <br />THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY <br />LOCATED AT 2724 LINCOLNWAY WEST, <br />COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT NO. 2 IN THE CITY OF <br />SOUTH BEND, INDIANA <br />Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to send Bill 20 -16 to Area Plan and set public <br />hearing for May 23rd. Councilmember Dr. David Varner seconded the motion which carried by a <br />voice vote of eight (8) ayes. <br />21 -16 FIRST READING ON AN ORDINANCE AMENDING <br />THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY <br />LOCATED AT 803 WEST WASHINGTON STREET, <br />COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT NO. 1 IN THE CITY OF <br />SOUTH BEND, INDIANA <br />Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to send Bill 20 -16 to Area Plan and set public <br />hearing for May 23rd. Councilmember Dr. David Varner seconded the motion which carried by a <br />voice vote of eight (8) ayes. <br />19 <br />