06-27-11 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 27, 2011 community. He stated that it has come up tonight about the concern of the availability of the school for public use. He wasn’t sure if everyone here tonight was aware that St. Joe has a track record for the last 30 years of having to schedule their events at public facilities because St. Joe High School does not have those facilities at their current location. He stated that they are well versed in that exercise and fully intend to continue that to work cooperatively now that they will be one of the groups that have facilities that other people need or want to use. He stated that it was mentioned earlier why this money is being dedicated to this project and not to fund $60,000 worth of lights at two local recreation centers. He stated that he believes that this money being used is money from a dedicated fund that is used for economic development. He stated that the money is coming out of a different pool and pulling the plug on this project will not free up $60,000 for lights. He stated that it only make good sense to use these to create the opportunity to build this school. He stated that he has six children, one of whom has gone through St. Joe and five that will go to St. Joe; he urged the Council’s favorable consideration of this project. The following individuals spoke in opposition to the bill: Mr. Greg Burkowski, 20155 Roosevelt Road, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he is against this project. He advised that he has been researching the State Constitution for what the basic duties of a city are: The basic duties of a city are to provide basic infrastructure, public safety, roads, sewers, sidewalks, police protection, fire protection, and public health such as sanitary sewers and safe drinking water and provide in partnership with the State public schools. He stated that he did not see anywhere in the constitution where it is the duty of any city to be a clearing house for private developers whether they be a educational institution or a business to the scale that this city has done or is planning to do with this project for St. Joseph High School. He urged the Council to vote against this project. Tony Trinca, 139 Camden, South Bend, Indiana, reiterated concerns of Councilmember Oliver Davis on the availability of use of the facility and the conflict in scheduling that will occur. He stated that the administration is just grasping at ways to make this project sound like it will be a public benefit. He stated that if these funds are dedicated funds that they should be rededicated to build the new Animal Care and Control Facility. He asked the Council to reject this bill. th Brandon Rickey, 2218 Rockne, South Bend, Indiana, stated that lives in the 4 District and is a student at Indiana University South Bend. He advised that he is not opposed to St. Joe building a new high school, however, he believes that taking 1.2 million dollars of taxpayer money whether it is from this fund or that fund it all comes from the taxpayers, and hand it over to a religious institution that doesn’t pay one cent in taxes back to the city is a stupid idea. He stated that as this project relates to public benefit the city already has facilities such as school field for activities. He stated that he doesn’t see this project as being a public benefit to the city. He urged the Council to vote against this bill and anyone who votes in favor won’t get his vote. Glenda Rae Hernandez, 702 E. South Street, South Bend, Indiana, stated that this project along with others that were proposed came up because of this pool of extra funds that came up. She stated that last year they were told that taxes had to be raised so that the City would not have to lay off police and fire personnel. She stated that the city cut positions in various departments. She stated that she has knowledge of this because of her affiliation with the South Bend Human Rights Commission. She stated that they have been operating with out a secretary since that position was eliminated two years ago. She believes that this pool of money would be better spent putting those positions back into the budget. She stated that should be the first priority of the City and not giving money to a private religious institution. She stated that she doesn’t think that this project justifies the 1.2 million dollars. She asked the Council to vote no. Rev. Henry Davis, Sr., 215 N. Sheridan Street, South Bend, Indiana, stated that the previous speakers tonight spoke with passion for a project that they feel very passionate about. He stated that he felt that some who spoke were very condescending. He stated 9