12-14-15 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 14, 2015 plan that will use television to allow the people to start coming up with ideas to make the community better. He stated the people in our community need to be more than taxpayers. We currently vote on American Idol, CNN, and other things but not what is important. He stated we vote every two (2) years for people who talk about transparency but then don't hear from them. Mr. Frank said this is a tool to use the television and the internet to bring issues to the community and they can be debated on. Right now Comcast uses $900,000.00 a year and they want to take $600,000.00 of that to implement this program. Mr. Frank said they are working with WNIT and that this can go to every other public broadcasting across the county. He stated issues will be addressed in this community either through violence or communication. He stated we have an excellent communication plan and they have a plan that outlines how this would work. Mr. Frank stated they are asking for the money initially appropriated by Comcast to be used for what it is supposed to be used for and that we can set a precedent for other communities across this country. Councilmember Schey stated there is an app that we can do this with that only costs $1,000.00. She stated she loves the idea but wants to do it for less. Councilmember Oliver Davis asked if they are aware we have been having problems with WNIT. He was informed tonight this meeting is not being broadcasted correctly tonight and have had problems throughout the year. He asked if they are aware of these problems. Dave Frank responded I guess not. Councilmember Oliver Davis asked have you worked with state representatives who represent our citizens. Councilmember Henry Davis Jr. responded no this proposal has not been presented to any state representative of this area. He stated this is the local governing body representing local issues. Davis Jr. stated this is not a step to create a new republic but enhance the ability to know what the public thinks about particular issues. He said he understands elected officials have thought this is to replace them or overthrow the government which is not the case. He said the app itself wouldn't support somebody who does not have a cell phone or know how to work a cell phone. He stated that would not include our seniors who do not know how to use those technologies. Councilmember Oliver Davis asked has there been a discussion with St. Joe County officials or Mishawaka Council or the South Bend School Board. Councilmember Henry Davis Jr. responded no that has not been started. He stated there is a very good opportunity to table this in efforts to expand the idea to include those other governing bodies in the face of this idea. He said he thinks it would be appropriate to do that. Councilmember Davis Jr. stated he thinks Mr. Frank has been very patient over the past eight (8) years waiting to get this in front of the Council. Councilmember Oliver Davis said what he has heard tonight has been different from what he has heard from Mr. Frank over the years. He asked if they are on the same page that this is different from what Mr. Frank has brought before that the votes of this system would replace the Council's votes. Councilmember Henry Davis Jr. responded yes this is different. He stated regardless there is no way possible anyone on this Council can overthrow the government through their actions. He said he would like to have a responsible conversation. Councilmember Oliver Davis said a whole group of other entities should be on this proposal not just the Council. He stated the proposal should have the School Board and Public Works and other entities. This is a different discussion than I understood when I first heard about the $800,000.00. Councilmember Henry Davis Jr. asked if there was any way Oliver Davis as a returning Councilmember for 2016 would be willing to facilitate those conversations. Councilmember Oliver Davis stated he could live with the old idea that was presented. Councilmember Dieter asked if they would clarify the purpose of this proposal. He asked if this is for the City to study this issue or allocating the $600,000.00. 15