|
',CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK
<br /> Councilmember White stated, I think adding an amendment will not necessarily get us to where
<br /> we need to be. I think it would be helpful, but I want to hear from the public, too, regarding these
<br /> various realignments but to also ensure that our citizens have the opportunity to attend these
<br /> Redevelopment Commission meetings.
<br /> Committeemember Sharon L. McBride stated, I actually got some phone calls last night from my
<br /> area. They were asking about money being moved from the South Side and they wanted to know
<br /> where it was going and why. So, I think those are good questions and I think they said they are
<br /> coming today to speak about it.
<br /> Committee Chair Ferlic stated, I did ask Redevelopment President, Marsha Jones, at the last
<br /> meeting to consider a different time. I'm hopeful she is open to that.
<br /> Committeemember Dr. Davis interjected,But that's why I said,to me,if she is not,I think a portion
<br /> of this amendment being passed should be contingent on that being put into place. If it's not, it's
<br /> just wishful thinking. We've asked them in the past to do certain things and, basically, we have
<br /> gotten the cold shoulder. I think if an amendment is put into place, now and future Council, we
<br /> will still get the same kind of reaction.
<br /> Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, I just want to concur with the folks who brought up the
<br /> timing of the meetings. Certainly, reports are important and that can be hit on a quarterly basis.
<br /> Heretofore, we have received some annual reporting, you know, relative to abatements or TIFs.
<br /> You know, stuff that is statutorily required. However, I do think, again, to concur, the amount of
<br /> dollars that are going through there, I think public engagement could be higher. To that end, I
<br /> actually asked for some stats over just the past two (2) years in terms of public participation at the
<br /> meetings, an outright list of those individuals,petitioners, city employees and the media. If we are
<br /> going to move the meetings, I suggest we look at 5:00 p.m.,similar to the Parks Board. Aside from
<br /> public participation, being educated by the process is something that could be an outcome of that.
<br /> I do think,also,if we are going to look at this,and one(1)of the pushbacks is,and it's a reasonable
<br /> one(1), is that there is an impact on the City employees and those individuals who routinely attend
<br /> these meetings. So, I think we have to find ways to accommodate that, as a Council and as an
<br /> Administration, their participation on those frequent meeting dates and, hopefully, at a different
<br /> time.
<br /> She passed out handouts to Committee and Council Members (which are available in the City
<br /> Clerk's Office) and stated, One (1) of the things the research guided me to is also that the media
<br /> participation is only really four(4). Michiana Observer, I believe that is just a blogger, the South
<br /> Bend Tribune, WNDU and WSBT. So, in terms of coverage at those events, between individual
<br /> members of the public and Council Members, most of us are precluded from that because of our
<br /> job schedules. So, again, the importance of it, I don't want to under state.
<br /> Committeemember Dr. Davis stated, Going along with what she said, the ability to even speak at
<br /> these meetings is not encouraged. It's a problem. Even as a Council Member. I wasn't a Council
<br /> Member that day, but they gave me the courtesy to speak, but it shouldn't be a courtesy. It should
<br /> be everybody.
<br /> Chris Dressel, Senior Planner for the Department of Community Investment with offices located
<br /> on the 14th floor of the County-City Building, stated, Well, I will try to answer these concerns in
<br /> EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT
<br /> 455 County-City Building 227 W.Jefferson Bvld South Bend,Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221 f 574.235.9173 TTD 574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov
<br /> 3
<br />
|