07-25-11 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JULY 25, 2011 people to remember from their own childhoods, a place that they want to share with future generations. It is also a gift that was given to us to care for and keep. If we don’t respect what was given to us, why would anyone want to donate to this community? The educational opportunities in these facilities are endless and it is truly an irreplaceable treasure. She stated that we have been given a wonderful gift, let’s treat it respectfully and enjoy its beauty. She thanked the Council for their support in the past and looks forward to their support now and in the future. Tony Trinca, 129 Camden Street, South Bend, stated that he has never been to the greenhouse or conservatory, but has driven by a bunch of times and always looks forward to the day that he does visit and enjoy them. He stated that he thinks they are beautiful from the outside, its unique, its kind of like, he has lived in this country all of his life and never visited the Grand Canyon, but he does intend to go, one of these days will go and hope that they are they. He stated that he thinks the 1.2 million dollars seems to be a pretty popular figure, but it seems like a heck of a deal to him. He asked the Council for their favorable support. The following individual spoke in opposition to this bill: Greg Burkowski, 20155 Roosevelt Road, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he has lived there for the past 11 years, and formerly lived at 915 S. 21 Street which is not more than 200 feet from these conservatories. He stated that while he would like for the City to keep them and maintain them he has several reservations about this particular bill. For one thing the type of structures that are being talked about the heating system that is being used is probably pretty dog gone inefficient. He stated that he wonders why they haven’t thought about geo-thermal or something like that would be much more efficient. He stated that he would like to know why these buildings have been neglected for the last 50 years, and not maintained. He stated that they would be in such a bind as far as having to put the money into these buildings had they been maintained from the get go. It seems for some reason over the last 50 years that they have been neglected. He stated st that he watched them for the 13 years that he lived on 21 Street gradually deteriorate and he went there and voted every election. He stated that he has been in them and they are a treasure and to the lady who said where else can you go and see a facility that has this, he suggested Ft. Wayne, they have a beautiful Botanical Garden and would like to see something like that in South Bend. He stated that he knows that the City can’t afford it and doesn’t think that the city can throw $1.2 million dollars at this one right now either. He stated that they do need to do something to maintain these facilities and get them up to standards. He stated that all of the people that have been responsible for the maintenance of these structures and the preservation of these structures not just this administration but past five or six administrations should be held accountable. He stated that we can’t keep taking care of our assets like this and turn around when everything’s all caput and ask for massive expenditures to re-do them. A little bit spent each year would go a long way. He stated that he thinks this bill needs to be withdrawn and seriously look at what they want to put into these structures, what we want to use these structures for and what is the most efficient way to take care of these conservatories and to market them, use them, and to get the full use out of them. He stated that having conventions or receptions are a great idea and they do that at the Botanical Gardens in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, all the time. He stated that he has reservations about the economy and if this is the most efficient way to go. He stated that more studies need to be done before we fork over $1.2 million dollars and maybe we could defer this decision to the next administration, after all this administration only has five more months, this maybe contrary to what the plans that Mayor Curry or Mayor Buttigieg may want to lead the city on. He stated that the Council should consider putting this vote off, the buildings are not going to fall in over the next six months, but he thinks that it would be a good idea to just hold off. Take what donations that they can get use them wisely, but hold off on the overall $1.2 million dollar expenditure and see what the next administration wants to do. In Rebuttal, Mayor Luecke advised that there has been significant work done by the Botanical Society in terms of programming and operating of these facilities. He stated that he thinks it’s a great investment and also feel that it is an appropriate investment on the city’s part to recognize the significant donations that have been made over the years. 5