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REGULAR MEETINGOCTOBER 8, 2007 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Dr. Zimmerman stated that is was the SBCSC intent to retain the current facility until the <br />new school is ready for occupancy. Then the old building would be raised. <br /> <br />Councilmember Rouse questioned why Marquette is in the shape that it is in today. <br /> <br />Dr. Zimmerman stated that they have tried to address those needs in the best way <br />possible. He would not hesitate to say since the long range plan has been to come and do <br />a substantial renovation there is a hesitancy to come in and do the quick hits and so forth. <br />They have done some of that when necessary; obviously roofs are one of those hits <br />regardless of the importance of that. The custodian staff with the support of the central <br />office staff does a great job in trying to keep the building clean. Marquette is a very <br />difficult building to maintain in a clean environment. There are some old restrooms, <br />some new restrooms obviously are much easier to maintain. They have done some of <br />those, but have not done that across the board. As far as the mold, he stated that he <br />doesn’t believe that there is any currently existing in the building, he thinks that there is a <br />very musty smell when entering the school and especially in the basement area. They do <br />air quality test to make sure it is safe and he does not believe that they have anything of <br />that nature in there. But it is a very old structure that has not been updated and <br />consequently some of the old restrooms smell, the basement has an odor, but they do try <br />to do air quality test to make sure they are safe. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kirsits stated that there has been a lot of information presented here <br />tonight and at the Zoning & Annexation Committee this afternoon, with concern from <br />both sides, he really felt it was necessary to hold the public hearing tonight. The Council <br />also feels that it is necessary to tour Marquette School in a Public Hearing setting, it will <br />be posted public meeting. He advised that there will be 3 lead people from each side to <br />guide the Council. The meeting will be on October 23, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. The Council <br />will then have substitute Bill 61-07 on for final reading on November 12, 2007. <br /> <br />Councilmember Pfeifer stated that she very sad that there are two elected bodies here <br />tonight, voted in by virtually the same constituents and there is no communication <br />between each other. She stated that it is very disheartening and she is very disappointed <br />that the SBCSC Board of Trustees would make a decision and lock in that there has to be <br />a new building. They are forcing the Council in a corner, and this does not serve the <br />public best. These two elected bodies should come together and talk about what would <br />be in the best interest of Marquette School, and together they should talk about <br />renovation versus building new. Instead of one group making a decision and then the <br />other group feeling forced to either support or deny it. This issue is a prime example of <br />the lack of cooperation and communication that voters are saying that they are disgusted <br />with in their elected officials. This is a classic case of two elected bodies not working <br />together at the same time for the best interest of the children of South Bend, Indiana. If <br />the Council designates landmark status, it is not in the best interest of the citizens, <br />taxpayers, and especially the children that the SBCSC has already made up their minds to <br />build a new school somewhere else. She stated that there is only so much money that can <br />be spent and this is not the best way to serve the constituents who elected them into <br />office. She reiterated that she is very disappointed about how this issue came to light and <br />that this is certainly not the way to do it. <br /> <br />Councilmember White advised that the Council and the SBCSC Board of Trustees have <br />an opportunity here tonight as two elected bodies to use tonight’s experience to begin to <br />look at ways to collaborate and open up the communication line. She encouraged <br />Council President Tim Rouse to make contact with the SBCSC Board of Trustees <br />President so that the Council can have regularly scheduled meetings to talk about <br />education, government and what is best for this community. As Councilmember Pfeifer <br />stated early the City is dealing with limited funds and both elected bodies need to have <br />the best interests of the community and especially the students. She believes that only <br />when both bodies work collaboratively together that they can have a better understanding <br />of how to move forward, so that South Bend and the School Corporation can come into <br />st <br />the 21 Century together. <br /> <br />Councilmember Varner made a motion to continue Substitute Bill No. 61-07 in the <br />Council Portion Only until the November 12, 2007 meeting of the Council. <br /> 20 <br /> <br />