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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 13, 2016 levels. Regardless of where the firehouse is to be located, the vehicles will be transiting the school areas no matter what and it does not matter where the firehouse is located. Ronnie Seward, 703 Kentucky Street South Bend, spoke in favor of the need for better sidewalk programs specifically highlighting the need for new sidewalks and curbs on Kentucky Street. and Chapin Street. There are many areas in the South Bend communities who need help fixing these sidewalks not just the main thoroughfares. People just want simple fixes while the City is paying for large upgrades to the roads. Samuel Brown, 222 East Navarre Street South Bend, spoke in admiration of Muhammad Ali and the work he did for South Bend and was a great person every time he came to this City. Mr. Brown expressed the need of the community to come together and get past racial and other differences that separate the community. The only way that violence is going to change is if we come together and say enough is enough. Jonathan Anderstrom, 526 W. Western Avenue, stated the City needs to work with businesses for their new free Wi -Fi downtown. It is a great thing for the city to have but we need to make sure it is not disparately affecting other businesses' downtown Wi -Fi. This is a great program but the City does need to discuss with businesses before implementing such a powerful network because it does have unintended consequences. Mr. Anderstrom spoke about the proposed charter school to come downtown and stated they have pulled the application for right now but do intend to submit a new application in the future. Jean Perrin, 830 South 32"d Street South Bend 46615, president of the River Park Neighborhood Association but spoke as a citizen.. Ms. Perrin spoke in favor of the proposed relocation of the River Park Fire Station. Due to the realities of the City's Budget this proposal makes the most fiscal sense. There is also an urgency to have a fire station with an ambulance in the neighborhood. Ms. Perrin spoke about the difficulties her family had when her husband had to wait for twenty (20) minutes for an ambulance because of the great distance they have to travel to get to River Park. The EMTs and firefighters who responded were wonderful and resuscitated her husband but no one should go through that trauma or fear. Also, the proposed relocation is equidistant to the boundaries of River Park and there would be a positive presence in the park that could possibly help mitigate possible criminal issues. Huey Scoby, 3415 Riverside Drive South Bend, spoke in support of establishing a MLK Drive in South Bend. He has submitted petitions with over seven - hundred (700) signatures asking to move MLK Drive to a larger road and over sixteen (16) pastors are in agreement as well. This town is heading towards being another Fergusson Missouri if we do not change how we operate. The Council should look at those petitions and let the community decide which street. Janet Maciulski, 1117 South 31st South Bend, spoke in favor of Potawatomi Park and stopping the proposed firehouse. She presented a petition with over seven - hundred and fifty (750) signatures from all over the country. Some of these signers have enjoyed growing the park while growing up in South Bend and others are friends and relatives of residents who enjoy the park while.visiting the City. They are submitting responses from South Bend residents only. Their words represent the breadth and depth of the overall opposition to the firehouse. Ms. Maciulski also turned in over four hundred (400) written petitions as well. Ms. Maciulski read a few of the responses from people who were against building the firehouse. Pam Claeys, 1106 Bellevue South Bend 46615, stated she is a part of the River Park Neighborhood Association but is speaking against the proposed firehouse. Ms. Claeyes provided a map of the parks in South Bend and Potawatomi is the only park in River Park. She suggested buying houses on Mishawaka Street that are for sale and use that land for the firehouse. Green space is invaluable to the City. Linda Myers, 2823 Samsong Street South Bend 46614, spoke about the benefit of nature to living a healthy life. Some doctors even prescribe patients to spend time in nature. In our technological world today we need parks and green space more than ever. Protecting nature builds upon our community and makes us all healthier. South Bend can be an even better place to live and building that firehouse is a step backwards. M