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REGULAR MEETING May 9, 2016 Councilmember Williams- Preston asked if this is something that is ever bid out to the public. Council President Scott responded anything could be on the table but the long experience of Kathleen Cekanski - Farrand in Police negotiations and her trust and skill set goes a long way. Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski - Farrand stated she has been on Police negotiations since the 1970s and was the first one to get an agreement with F.O.P. ever. No one from the public spoke in favor of or against the bill. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to adopt Bill 16 -48. Councilmember Dr. David Varner seconded the motion which carried by a roll call vote of nine (9) ayes. BILLS FIRST READING 24 -16 FIRST READING ON AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 539 CRESCENT AVENUE, COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT NO.4 IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to send this bill to both the Area Plan Commission and the Zoning and Annexation Committee with a public hearing on June 27th 2016. Councilmember Dr. David Varner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 16 -46 A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A 9- MEMBER ADVISORY SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO STUDY AND RECOMMEND ALL REASONABLE AND VIABLE OPTIONS FOR MULTIPLE OFF LEASH DOG PARKS TO BE LOCATED IN THE CITY SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Councilmember Oliver Davis clarified that after this bill was passed the Mayor sent a request via email to the Council with concerns on the bill. Over the last week, Councilmember Oliver Davis reported he had a close friend and an aunt pass away and he has not responded to a lot of different things. Also, a request via email for a bill that is already passed could technically be a serial meeting. Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand reported she sent all the Councilmembers back in January a synopsis of serial meetings and that they are prohibited on the same topic to discuss whether in person or via email by a majority of the Council over a seven (7) day period and that was the concern Councilmember Oliver Davis had with the Mayor's email. Councilmember Oliver Davis stated he notified Aaron Perri and he stated he was in favor of the bill and he notified Councilmember John Voorde that the bill would be coming up. During the public hearing portion of the meeting at the committee level, Aaron Perri voiced his support for the bill and also Chief of Staff for the Mayor James Mueller was there and expressed no concerns or questions. During the Council meeting both Mr. Perri and Mr. Mueller did not express any concerns for the bill. It was shocking that there were even questions from the Mayor given the fact all that notice went out. Councilmember Oliver Davis expressed his wish that the Mayor would have called him personally and not send that email due to the open -door law concerns and that is why he did not respond and also in two (2) meetings the Administration did not share any concerns. The dog park they just opened is privately owned and on lease and could change any minute so we need to have these discussions regarding dog parks. There have already been a bunch of people who have expressed a wish to be on the proposed committee. When we talk about resolutions, this is what the Council wants to do and we may not need the Mayor's signature and we can approve it ourselves. The Mayor is able to set out his goals and the Council does not vote against his idea. This is a precedence of overreach especially since we should have more commissions where we can look at things outside of the Council meetings. 21