06-11-12 Common Council Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING JUNE 11, 2012 Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr., stated the PARC Committee members, the Council Appointees to the Century Center Board of Managers. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic asked if Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr., wanted a representative from Global Spectrum there as well. Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr., stated that he didn’t think that it was necessary. He thinks that this is a council manic issue, he stated that this deals with Council dollars, that we get from the taxpayer, so that if they want to show, it’s a public hearing, however, he is requesting Council appointees and Councilmember’s are a part of this conversation as well as administration. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic stated that if there is anyone else that Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr., would like to invite or that should be present to let him know by tomorrow morning. Councilmember Henry Davis Jr., stated regarding Solid Waste in county areas, the Solid Waste District looks like they are trying to move into some county areas. He stated right now he didn’t know if that means good or bad for the City of South Bend. However, he stated that he does know that is another cost, it will probably produce more dollars for the City of South Bend, and when we are talking about cleaning up areas, and the pick up that we already have, the special team between Code and also Solid Waste, which has worked wonders for the City of South Bend, when we begin to move into county areas we are obviously going to incur cost and so obviously these votes are happening before we get to say anything about it, it shows up in the newspaper, and then we actually react. He wanted to make sure that they are clear on that particular item as well through Solid Waste and when it is happening as far as them going and expanding or reducing the territory that they are serving and how much is it going to cost the residents through their tax dollars. He asked who is the Representative from the Council on Solid Waste. Councilmember Valerie Schey stated that she is the representative for recycling not Solid Waste. Councilmember Varner stated that the correct title is Solid Waste Management Board. Councilmember Valerie Schey stated that the recycling team is not the one that is doing the pick up, clean-up crews. Councilmember Varner stated that is Environmental Services. Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr., stated that what he is saying is that those dollars are shared and so when you are looking at the budget it’s a matter of what we produce a budget that goes to solid waste, solid waste obviously breaks it down to their various arms and parts within the budget after the Council says yes or no. So what he is getting at is that we need to make sure that we are on top of our or in front of these things before we say yes or we say no, because obviously they are expanding their territory and we are not a part of these conversations. What happens is that those conversations happen after the vote is made and clearly there are some other things just happen by a vote and we are on the back end of it. He stated that he wants to be on the front end of that because they are obviously talking about expanding their territory. He stated because he knows that it is going to be a cost to us, also probable something that happens on maybe the east side, west side, whatever, it may stop the services being at their optimal level for those sides of town. Council President Dieter asked Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr., for clarification on what his expectations are. He asked if he wanted an update or a report. Councilmember Henry Davis stated that an update from Council Representative Valerie Schey would be good. He stated that he did not know when the vote on expanding their territory was going to take place or when that bill will be filed from the administration, but he would like the Council to be on the front end of that. 15