09-25-06 Zoning & Annexation - Laserfiche WebLink

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Informal Meeting of the Common Council 2©06 South Bend Common Council The September 25, 2006 Informal meeting of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by Council President Timothy A. Rouse at 4:18 p.m. in the Council's Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Pfeifer, Kelly, Varner, Kuspa, Kirsits, Rouse, Dieter, White and Puzzello; Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, Public Works Director Gary Gilot, Dr. John Dillon, Citizen Member Martha Lewis, City Controller M. Catherine Fanello, City Attorney Charles Leone, Don Inks, Fire Chief Luther Taylor, Police Chief Thomas Fautz, Bill Schalliol, Community and Economic Development Director Sharon Kendall, David Ray, Marci Burdick, Jamie Loo of the Saufh Bend Tribune and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Schurz Communications Inc. Council President Rouse Hated that the Informal Meeting was called so that the Council would have the opportunity to talk face-to-face with representatives of Schurz Communications, Inc. who have announced to relocate their operations to Mishawaka. He stated that the meeting was scheduled prior to yesterday`s article in the Soufh Bend Tribune. Council President Rouse then read into the record aone-page statement (copy attached), followed by Council Member Dieter noting that he had a '/z page statement wi#h a copy of the Tribune article (copy attached) which he also asked be made part of the record. Council President Rouse welcomed Vice-President David Ray and Senior Vice- President of Broadcasting Marci Burdick of Schurz Communications, Inc. to the meeting. Mr. Ray stated that he came before the South Bend Common Council 14-15 years ago when they sought a tax abatement. At that time their architects advised them against staying in South Bend. Nevertheless, they made a $36 million investment in downtown South Bend, and since that time have invested an additional $7 million in order to upgrade their packaging systems. Mr. Ray noted that they have been located in downtown South Bend since 1872, however the Shurz operations is growing. The WSBT building is over fifty (50) years old and was constructed to house two (2} radio operations and one (1) television station. Today, the building is housing four (4} radio operations and two (2) television operations. The building is just too small and the facility is in adequate to meet their needs. They attempted to purchase property from Herrman & Goetz, without success. They looked at the building housing the Democratic party headquarters "but it is a mess". The Indiana Club has a historic facade which proved untenable. About 2 ~/ years ago Todd Schurz met with Mayor Luecke. The City Administration posed the