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REGULAR MEETING JULY 9, 2012 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />BILL NO. 27-12 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL OF THE <br />COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH <br />BEND, INDIANA, TRANSFERRING $20,625.00 <br />WITHIN GENERAL FUND NO. 101 FROM A <br />DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND <br />FINANCE ACCOUNT TO AN OFFICE RENTAL <br />ACCOUNT IN THE SOUTH BEND HUMAN <br />RIGHTS DIVISION <br /> <br />Councilmember Karen White, Chairperson, Personnel & Finance Committee, reported <br />that this committee met this afternoon on this bill and sends it to the full Council with a <br />favorable recommendation. <br /> <br />th <br />Mark Neal, City Controller, 12 Floor County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., <br />South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation for this bill. <br /> <br />Mr. Neal advised that the City of South Bend Human Rights Division of the Department <br />of Administration and Finance currently maintains its offices at 301 South St. Louis <br />Boulevard, South Bend, Indiana. The City of South Bend Public Works Department has <br />inspected the current facility and determined that it is inadequate to meet the needs of the <br />Human Rights Division and would require substantial repair costs of as much at $250,000 <br />to fully rehabilitate this facility. Mr. Neal stated that office space which meets the <br />Human Rights Division’s needs for confidentiality of claimants, ADA accessibility, and <br />convenience of South Bend residents has been located at 319 Niles Avenue, South Bend, <br />Indiana, and requires a lease with the property owner, 319 LLC. He stated that the initial <br />lease term is for five (5) years, and the annual cost will not exceed $45,000. The lease is <br />expected to begin effective July 15, 2012. This bill is a companion to Bill No. 12-87 <br />which seeks Council’s finding that the lease with 319 LLC for the Human Rights <br />Division is necessary. <br /> <br />This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents <br />and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. <br /> <br />Councilmember Henry Davis asked who owned the building. <br /> <br />Mr. Neal advised that they are working with a broker, Christian Davy, CB Richard Ellis. <br />He stated that he doesn’t know the owner of the property <br /> <br />Councilmember Henry Davis asked if we could find out who the owner is. <br /> <br />Mr. Neal stated yes and apologized for not having that information readily available. <br /> <br />Mr. Neal stated that Ms. Aladean DeRose, Interim City Attorney stated that the owner is <br />309 Niles, LLC. He stated that he understands that is not what Councilmember Davis is <br />exactly looking for. <br /> <br />Councilmember Henry Davis stated that Brad Toothaker owns the building and he was <br />looking at some of the conflicts that it may cause with him doing a lot of business with <br />the city and the amount of rent that we pay out to Mr. Toothaker or even CB Richard <br />Ellis. It almost looks like we participate with CB Richard Ellis in a way that could <br />potentially challenge the integrity of the City. He stated that he was really interested in <br />finding out if that was the case, and if that is the case then we need to look at how much <br />time and money we spend with Mr. Toothaker so that we don’t look like we are being <br />overbearing or overly helpful or excited to help Mr. Toothaker grow his business. <br /> <br />Mr. Neal stated fair enough. <br /> <br />Councilmember Henry Davis asked that when we have the opportunity could we please <br />find out who owns that building, not 309 Niles Avenue LLC. <br /> <br /> 5 <br /> <br />