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CITY OFSOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK
<br /> of time to talk about the meetings and we can continue to talk about the meetings. This has zero
<br /> (0) impact on when the meetings are.
<br /> Committeemember Dr. Davis interrupted, I mean, from that standpoint, but there is a reason why
<br /> we need to do that. So, I respect what you have shared but,no, this does have more impact on that.
<br /> It does have those kinds of things and it does send a message that we need to be able to send. We
<br /> also have talked to Area Plan, even way before you have come on. So,this is not something brand
<br /> new. This is something that we have decided to, I think for some of us, to put a line in the sand.
<br /> So, that's up to you. I mean, we're cool. No need for further remarks.
<br /> Committee Chair Ferlic then opened the floor to members of the public wishing to speak in favor
<br /> of or in opposition to the legislation.
<br /> Jim Bognar, 807 West Washington Street, stated, I am in favor of the resolution, but I direct my
<br /> comments specifically to the Council. I ask for your indulgence. I do want to point out, in helping
<br /> the Redevelopment folks, a year ago tomorrow, the presentation was made to this Council about
<br /> changing the TIF Districts. At that time, the Director was here and had quite a discussion. So,
<br /> Council has had a full year to have a very clear idea about what was going to happen. My problem
<br /> is specifically with the Council. There are four (4) members here, currently, that voted in 2014.
<br /> Councilmember Dr. Davis, at the time, was President of the Council. The mayor was not here as
<br /> he was serving in Afghanistan. We have had a turnover of three (3) individuals as head of
<br /> Community Investment, and most of the people who were in Community Investment don't
<br /> remember anything that was done in 2014, other than what they've read. At that time, and I hope
<br /> Councilmember Dr. Davis will correct me if I'm wrong, there was going to be widespread work
<br /> on getting more continuity with Council and the Board of Public Works, where the money was
<br /> going to be spent. There were going to be more efforts from the Redevelopment Commission as
<br /> to how money was going to be spent. There was going to be more information in specific Council
<br /> Districts as to how TIF money was going to be spent. So, it was passed with the understanding
<br /> that was going to be done. It could never get done. I could ask, for example, President Scott if he
<br /> knows specifically the Colfax Avenue two (2)-way costs. You probably don't know, it was close
<br /> to half a million dollars. So, when TIF projects happen in districts, for example, you have several
<br /> where money is being spent and Council Members don't know.You have to change the way you're
<br /> doing things. All due respect to your leadership,whenever the Administration has said something,
<br /> I've felt often when somebody is speaking negatively about it, you've hushed people. I've felt that
<br /> way about it for the last four (4) years. The failure is not on the part of the Administration. The
<br /> failure is on the part of the Council. We are talking about eighteen (18) year's worth of changes
<br /> on this.That is significant. We desperately need continuity both on the Administration and Council
<br /> side. It's not about passing this and changing this. I'm for some of the changes that are made. But
<br /> where has Council been?Why at the last minute are we talking about these things?Councilmember
<br /> Dr. Davis, am I saying anything that we didn't talk about, in this room, five (5) years ago? And I
<br /> think a lot of people are reluctant, quite frankly, to say something about this is, what is the
<br /> definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
<br /> The Administration and the Council need to come together so that they can understand how money
<br /> is being spent in a better way,and can articulate that,on both sides. Instead,people say$2.9 million
<br /> has been spent in the last three (3) Redevelopment Commission meetings. What has it been spent
<br /> on? Nobody knows. That breeds problems. Why can't we figure out a way to work together? If it
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