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REGULAR MEETING October 23, 2017
<br /> show that the Parks Department really cares about this community, but that it's also doing it with
<br /> this community. It is really bringing people together,bringing trust back to our neighborhoods. I
<br /> think if we have a well-maintained park system and a really dedicated Parks Department, people
<br /> will take more initiative to maintain their properties. I think they'll see the value in coming
<br /> together as a community.
<br /> Mark Neal, 1329 East Washington Street, South Bend, IN, stated, I think that approving this
<br /> bond and the one that's to follow will demonstrate that, as a city,we can continue to work
<br /> together to build a great city where we can live,work, play, and engage.
<br /> Those from the public wishing to speak in opposition to this bill:
<br /> Sharon Banicki, 2822 Ford Street, South Bend, IN, stated that though she loves parks and is in
<br /> favor of improving them, the City needs to pay off bonds that already exist. Ms. Banicki stated,
<br /> We are leveraging not only our children's future but our grandchildren's future on speculation,
<br /> and I think we need to slow down and take it step-by-step. We don't need to do $50,000,000 of
<br /> work in one (1) year, or two (2) years, or three (3) years. We're still how many years out before
<br /> we pay off these wonderful streets that were $41,000,000? We're still paying off the Cove.
<br /> We're still paying off the "Hall of Shame." We're going to be paying off debt forever. So, slow
<br /> down,take a deep breath, think about where the future is going to be before you jump off the
<br /> cliff again for another speculative project.
<br /> Mr. Perri approached the podium to give a rebuttal. Mr. Perri stated, I think you have seen broad
<br /> support. There's a reason why we call this My SB Parks and Trails. Unlike the Parks and
<br /> Boulevard plan that I mentioned earlier,that was developed by one (1) landscape architect. This
<br /> was developed by copious, copious amounts of community feedback. I think you've seen the
<br /> strong community support. We're proud of that. The work doesn't stop here, obviously. We'll
<br /> need that continued community support as these plans become a reality. But I think we have a
<br /> strong plan. It's very fiscally responsible, and we are able to do it without raising taxes, and able
<br /> to leverage over 12,000,000 private dollars that we've already secured.
<br /> Councilmember Oliver Davis stated he is glad to see the City Cemetery, South Bend's first park,
<br /> included in this parks plan, and that he is thankful for the successful execution of the dog park in
<br /> Rum Village. Councilmember Davis added, We need to make sure that parks are connected with
<br /> our TRANSPO, so,therefore, our children and our families can use our TRANSPO.
<br /> Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to adopt Bill No. 17-72. Councilmember Karen
<br /> White seconded the motion which carried by a roll call vote of nine (9) ayes.
<br /> 17-73 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL
<br /> OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA,
<br /> APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE
<br /> ISSUANCE OF BONDS OF THE CITY OF
<br /> SOUTH BEND PARK DISTRICT AND
<br /> RELATED MATTERS
<br /> Councilmember Karen White, Chair of the Personnel and Finance Committee, reported that they
<br /> met this afternoon and send this bill forward with a favorable recommendation.
<br /> Councilmember Tim Scott announced to the public that Bill No. 17-73 should have been heard
<br /> with 17-72, as they pertain to the same project.
<br /> Aaron Perri, Executive Director of South Bend Venues, Parks and Arts, with offices at 321 East
<br /> Walter Street, South Bend, IN, served as the presenter of this bill. Mr. Perri stated, This final
<br /> third would be the New Parks Bond, which was unanimously approved at the recent Parks Board
<br /> meeting.
<br /> Randy Rompola, Barnes & Thornburg LLP, with offices at 100 North Michigan Street, South
<br /> Bend, IN, served as presenter of this bill. Mr. Rompola stated, This resolution does approve of
<br /> the issuance of a series of bonds by the City, acting on the behalf of the Parks District to issue
<br /> the bonds. As Aaron said,the Parks Board did adopt a bond resolution and a confirming
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