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®CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK <br /> Ms. Kesim interjected, Do you have a timeline or are we budgeting out so we know? <br /> Committee Chair White asked Ms. Kesim to follow up with Director Horvath offline. <br /> Mr. Horvath replied, We will talk more about the LTCP later on in other meetings. <br /> Jim Bognar, 807 W. Washington Street, stated, We've been through this for about three (3) years, <br /> street lights. I'm going to try a different analogy with you. My significant other wanted to buy a <br /> white car. I say I've never seen a white car. Momma's not happy, nobody's happy, I got a white <br /> car.Now I see white cars. As I go around the community, street lights are out. I know there was a <br /> mention that some of it is underground and there are issues with that. Last year, you probably do <br /> not recall, we had a discussion where you were concerned about going in to talk to AEP to see <br /> whether they could do something about this. The goals you aspire to include developing <br /> sustainable assets and infrastructure and enhancing the community's quality of life. The mayor <br /> mentioned under residents' budget goals, number three (3), maintenance of street lights. I think <br /> we need to get the sustainability folks involved in this. I think there should be a focus, right now, <br /> before the end of this year to get with AEP to look at these lights. I encourage everyone in this <br /> room,as you drive around the community,look at the lights that are out. This doesn't take anything <br /> away from what you folks do but I think AEP has to be held accountable for this. We don't expect <br /> them to come and fix all of the lights but there is no opportunity to improve, clean, or maintain <br /> them,yet the City pays it.I think you and I have discussed,AEP doesn't really want to be involved <br /> in it anymore, but they are involved and we are paying. I think in every one (1) of these districts, <br /> Light Up South Bend is a good program but it has kind of been the one (1)that everyone mucks it <br /> up. How about we fix up what we have? I think you now have the staff and the resources to bring <br /> different departments in on this. I know of three (3) lights out by the school and the leeper park <br /> tennis courts that have been out for three (3) or four(4) years. Finally, one (1) last thing,we have <br /> to get some kind of idea of consistency in lighting. Are we sticking with Culver lights? Historical <br /> lights? I think this needs to be a priority before the end of the year and I think you need to come <br /> back to Council and tell them who owns what, this is where it is, and it needs to be addressed so <br /> neighbors and residents know what is going on with it. Let's hold AEP accountable. <br /> Councilmember Teshka stated, There is a lot that needs to be addressed here. Eric, your depth of <br /> knowledge is fantastic and thank you so much for that. I'm going to ask again, Jen, we got this <br /> yesterday at 9:00 a.m. and, you know, we are part time and we aren't all like Karen and have the <br /> benefit of being retired, so it takes some time to digest it and we need the full pictures. Piecing this <br /> budget out is really frustrating me without the big picture. I did some quick math through these <br /> funds and it looks like in just this portion of the budget we've got$9.1 million in deficit spending. <br /> It is really hard to see that and not get concerned when I don't have the full picture. Then we have <br /> this survey out that tells us that our residents are saying their number one (1) priority is this stuff. <br /> These are the basic City services that we are tasked with. Streets, sewer, water, and public safety <br /> are pretty much the basic City services. What our residents are telling us is that we are failing.No <br /> disrespect to you guys. I would love to get you more resources. Where does that come from? I <br /> don't know because I don't have a complete picture. I'm going to have to digest some of this stuff <br /> because it is too important to just blow through like this. I would love to get the information a little <br /> bit earlier and thank you for what you are doing. This is not a criticism of you, this is a criticism <br /> of the budget process as a whole and it is too important to just blow through. <br /> EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION ( EMPOWERMENT <br /> 455 County-City Building 1 227 W.Jefferson Bvid I South Bend,Indiana 466011 p 574.235.9221 If 574.235.9173 I TTD 574.235.5567 I www.southbendin.gov <br /> 20 <br />