|
REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 11, 2006
<br />allocations, debt obligations, reclassification of expenses, ’07 election cost, utility costs.
<br />In other uses an increase of 4.4% ($525,306) due to increase in various inter-fund
<br />transfers. The projected operating surplus of $22.8 million is dependent on 100% of
<br />collection of revenues project. Ms. Fanello stated that this normally doesn’t happen. The
<br />$13.6 million Major Move dollars, however there are restricted uses by law. A 9.2
<br />million dollar Capital and Debt Service fund dollars or Utility department capital dollars
<br />to be appropriated during the City’s capital budgeting process in January. Therefore,
<br />surpluses don’t necessarily exist for operating expenditures. Ms. Fanello stated that in
<br />conclusion, the 2% circuit breaker, as is, will cause future budget reductions. In 2008,
<br />$6-8 million will need to be cut from the budget; she noted that the 2007 budget is a
<br />responsible and proactive budget.
<br />This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents
<br />and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard.
<br />There was no one present wishing to speak in favor of this bill.
<br />The following individuals spoke in opposition to this bill.
<br />st
<br />Ms. Janet Maciulski, 1117 S. 31 Street, South Bend, Indiana, spoke opposed to closing
<br />of the Greenhouse and Conservatory. She would like to see the Greenhouse and
<br />Conservatory continue to be a part of this community. They are part of the culture and
<br />educational components that are necessary to keep a good community. She quoted from
<br />articles that were written in the South Bend Tribune: The greenhouse dates back to the
<br />early 1920’s, they have been used to grow flower for many places in the City. Ella
<br />Morris donated $108,000 to add a conservatory for flower shows and garden club
<br />meetings in 1963. The superintendent of the greenhouse said that Mrs. Morris’ gift will
<br />provide a magnificent show place for his annual spring flower show. Construction was
<br />done by Lord and Burnham constructions, who are know for making crystal palaces for
<br />plants. The park superintendent, Ralph Newman said that the glass enclosed structure
<br />represents one of the finest facilities of its kind in the Midwest. He also stated that if we
<br />want children to appreciate beauty, we must have something of beauty to show them. In
<br />1968, City officials and guests had nothing but praise as they toured the new Muessel
<br />Ellison Topical Gardens at Potowatomi Park, after a ceremony in which it was presented
<br />to the City. The cost of this gift was $150,000. The Muessel Ellison Fund again donated
<br />$80,000 in 1973 for a domed conservatory to house and $18,000 gift of plants to this
<br />City, that was donated by Father McGraff, from Notre Dame. At that point in time,
<br />Henry Rybicki, who was the supervisor of the greenhouse, said that it is appropriate that
<br />the City have an attractive place to keep the collection, which has both display and
<br />scientific value. It will provide South Bend with one of the nation’s finest facilities for
<br />displaying flowers and plant life. In early 1974, a $1.00 general admission, was needed
<br />to off set costs. At that time Mr. St. Clair stated that the cost of renovating the entire
<br />complex could be as much as $100,000. That was twelve years ago, now he says it is
<br />going to cost 1.3 to 1.7 million.. Why did the City let that happen! The City needs to be
<br />more creative, these conservatories were a gift to this City. If they are closed and
<br />demolished, then how can we ever expect or ask anybody to give gifts to this City again!
<br />Activities should be programmed, at this point and time there are no activities at the
<br />conservatories. Ms. Maciulski, advised that she was in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and visited
<br />the Botanical Gardens there, they have activities, scheduled for every month and that they
<br />are creative and they are fun, and get many, many people to come to them. The City of
<br />South Bend has no public way of knowing about the greenhouse. She went to the visitor
<br />center today, and stated that there are no brochures about the greenhouse and
<br />conservatories. She tried to look it up on the City’s new website and found nothing about
<br />the greenhouse or conservatories. She said it was very frustrating to try to find.
<br />Activities should be programmed. People would come and fund this facility, if the City
<br />treated it the way it should be treated. If the City just lets it go, and fall apart, of course,
<br />nobody will want to go. Or if we don’t let people know that it is there, then when people
<br />come to this City, for Notre Dame Games or other opportunities, they don’t know that it
<br />is there. How does the City expect it to support itself, when the City does nothing to
<br />market its existence? She was here about five years ago, trying to stop the demolition of
<br />another historic site, which since has been demolished. She remembers a
<br />Councilmember saying “that if we keep tearing down the things that are important to the
<br />7
<br />
<br />
|