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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 11, 2012
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<br />Councilmember Oliver Davis asked if that is the same as the County.
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<br />Ms. DeRose advised that to the best of her knowledge did not furnish a direct
<br />contribution.
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<br />Phil Custard, Director, Purchasing, Department of Administration & Finance, 12 Floor
<br />County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, advised that they
<br />had initially started looking at a new facility for Human Rights and looked at 31 potential
<br />sites. He stated from that list of 31 they narrowed it down to 5, that they thought met the
<br />needs of the Human Rights Department, primarily accessibility and secondly
<br />confidentiality, were the two key components that were required. He stated that from the
<br />list of 5, they selected 319 Niles Avenue, it’s a one story building, it’s got off-street
<br />parking, it’s on a bus route, currently has four offices already in place. He stated that
<br />they were able to talk to the landlord and he agreed to give some of the desks, filing
<br />cabinets, receptionists table, so that they won’t have to purchase that. He stated that the
<br />current expenses for St. Louis Blvd. are approximately $1778.00 a month. He stated that
<br />what we are looking at is doubling the per month cost, if the lease is approved, he stated
<br />that they are looking at $3555 per month. He stated that includes janitorial service,
<br />parking lot snow removal, and trash removal.
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<br />Councilmember Tim Scott asked out of the 31 buildings that were looked at, were any of
<br />those on either the current list, Redevelopment list that the city owns.
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<br />Mr. Custard replied no. Those were buildings that were available for lease.
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<br />Mr. Henry Davis stated that we clearly don’t have enough information right now, and
<br />there are some outstanding issues with this particular bill and reiterated that he is not
<br />advocating for poor working conditions for any city employee or private entity
<br />whatsoever. He stated that this bill should be continued to have more direct dialogue on
<br />the issues that were presented here tonight, and made a motion to continue this bill until
<br />the June 25, 2012 meeting of the Council. Councilmember Schey seconded the motion.
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<br />Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand advised that if the Council if going to have
<br />a public hearing, she recommended that the public have the opportunity to address the
<br />substitute bill, since the administration would in all likelihood be acting up the substitute
<br />bill.
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<br />Councilmember Varner made a motion to accept the substitute bill. Councilmember
<br />Henry Davis seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes.
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<br />A Public Hearing was held on the Resolution at this time.
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<br />The following individuals spoke in favor of this bill:
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<br />Rev. Greg Brown, 1238 Diamond, South Bend, Indiana, spoke in favor of this bill. He
<br />stated that he is in favor of good working conditions. However, he stated that he would
<br />like all the buildings to be looked at. Buildings that the City owns, buildings that have
<br />already been recondition in all the districts. He stated that the Bible says “in all your
<br />getting, get understanding.”
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<br />Samuel Brown, 222 E. Navarre, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he is representing
<br />Citizens United for a Better Government. He stated that he would like the Council to get
<br />more information, especially on the property located on St. Louis Street. He stated that
<br />since it is a historic landmark and cannot be torn down, how much would it really cost to
<br />bring it up to code. He stated that the Council needs to get more facts. He stated that he
<br />is 100% in favor of the Human Rights Commission being housed in a location with good
<br />working conditions, but the Council needs to get more information. He advised the
<br />Council to continue this bill.
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<br />Glenda Rae Hernandez, 702 E. South Street, South Bend, Indiana, advised that she is a
<br />member of the Human Rights Commission, an appointee of this Council. She stated that
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