10-09-17 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING October 9, 2017 Tim Scott, President of the Common Council of the City of South Bend, 711 Forest Avenue, South Bend, IN, served as the presenter and petitioner of this bill. Councilmember Scott stated, This was in conjunction with the Administration to look at quiet zones on the west side. Councilmember Scott presented to the Council and public a map that depicted areas that are meant to be converted into quiet zones. He stated, This is coming to the budget a bit late to try to get more funding than the $120,000 that is into the quiet zone initiative within the budget. It is agreed upon with the Administration that we would look at a study between now and the end of the year to see what we can do to turn the places designated on the map into quiet zone areas. Councilmember Scott explained that the heavy train traffic in these areas is a detriment to residents living there. He stated, What this would do is allow us to have an allocation. Once the study is completed, it might not complete all the quiet zones on the west side, but at least it's a start and we need to show a significant change in 2018. Councilmember Oliver Davis stated that quiet zone developments on the east side encourage him to remain optimistic regarding the process on the west side of South Bend. Councilmember Karen White stated that she was honored to have supported this bill. Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston echoed Councilmember White's statement. Councilmember Dr. David Varner stated, I just want to point out that I'll bet some of those intersections are in TIF districts, so we may have stumbled upon another creative use for- Councilmember Scott stated, I like that. Thank you. I believe you're a member of the Redevelopment Commission? Councilmember Dr. Varner responded, Yes, sir. Councilmember Jo M. Broden asked, I know this doesn't mention a specific amount for 2018, but what is in the budget? Can we work to expand that and actually—are you looking to make an adjustment in the appropriations? Councilmember Scott stated, My first sales attempt was to get the $120,000 that's in the budget currently for 2018 increased to some amount. Eric Horvath was not sure what that amount would be, and it would be improper to just store money into something without knowing what that amount would be. If there was not enough or too much, then there would be an allocation to move it somewhere else eventually. So,the idea was let's study it, let's figure out what it would cost. We might have to do this in stages. When I looked at this in 2013, 1 figured it was going to be about $1,000,000—but that was the team studying it at the time. We don't know what it is. This might take a couple of budgets to get it completed,but the idea with this resolution is to get it started now and try to make some headway in 2018. 1 also want to thank you, Jo Broden, for adding an amendment to look at this on a yearly basis, so we don't drop the ball, we keep it moving until we achieve the goals that we want. Councilmember Davis stated that redevelopment dollars were not originally taken into account with this project, adding, In my mind,there's no reason why this should take that long to consider this option. Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated,This is a historical oversight, I think. Let's just call it what it is. I would like to see substantial action on these top-tier ones in 2018. That was my first thought: TIF dollars this is just as a good a justification as many other things that march across our desks. Councilmember Scott stated, A journey of 1,000 steps starts with one (1), and that's this resolution tonight. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bills, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. There were none from the public wishing to speak in favor of or opposition to these bills. Councilmember Randy Kelly made a motion to adopt Substitute Bill No. 17-65 as amended. Councilmember Karen White seconded the motion which carried by a roll call vote of nine (9) ayes. 25