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REGULAR MEETING May 28, 2019
<br /> want a resolution approved to rezone land for these projects, then you have to have your plan all
<br /> the way in order before we do that. Just like if I try and go to get a small business loan and start a
<br /> small business in South Bend, I'm going to have all my I's dotted and my T's crossed. That is
<br /> where we get into equal access and equal standards. If I have to have every I dotted and every T
<br /> crossed on my paperwork when I go to apply for a small business loan, and I know how that works
<br /> because my family used to own a small business in South Bend, then the City needs to have their
<br /> paperwork and their plan all in order before we put that amount of the public's taxpayer money on
<br /> the table. Projects and the TIF realignments and so forth, they affect everybody else's property
<br /> taxes. I'm very fortunate. I have seen the assessment paperwork this year on the property where I
<br /> make residence. The value was higher this year than it was last year. That obviously means the tax
<br /> on the property is going to be higher. Nothing has changed with the property I live at. We've done
<br /> no renovations.The reason I stand opposed to the bill being considered is that it is obvious,tonight,
<br /> as Councilmember Broden and Davis spoke to, the process is not completed for what is going to
<br /> be done. We are supposed to give approval for the use of tax money to do it.
<br /> Eli Cantu, 1813 South Douglas Street, South Bend, IN, stated, I won't take too much of your time.
<br /> All I really want to make a point of it is that we should want to be inclusive. I think inclusive
<br /> comes in three (3) different ways. You could open up your doors and let people come in. You
<br /> could also open up your doors and don't judge how people come in. Because, a lot of times, that
<br /> happens. Then we could take a step further to also be inclusive and not judge people how they
<br /> come in, but we can also go to them. Me, from training kids in different neighborhoods, I would
<br /> notice if I trained in a specific area, I couldn't expect the kids from the north west side to come
<br /> over if I am on the south side. So, you really have to take it to them if you want to be inclusive. I,
<br /> for one (1), am the Vice President of the Rum Village Neighborhood and I believe part of this is
<br /> in the south side area. We never heard about this. This never came to us and we didn't have any
<br /> input on this. If I'm looking at this, my thing about TIF is it should be about the neighborhoods. It
<br /> should be for the development for our neighborhoods. It goes to private companies. I look at this
<br /> map and I see the Studebaker footprint. Five (5) brothers, symbolizing family, starting a huge
<br /> worldwide company, now we are giving these TIF dollars to companies not even from the City.
<br /> Why can't we envision our people here in South Bend and give them the respect and help to assist
<br /> them to have companies. Maybe instead of giving these breaks and this money to people from the
<br /> outside, give it to local companies and promote local entrepreneurs. The point I'm trying to make
<br /> is we want to be more inclusive. I completely agree with Councilmember Broden. I appreciate
<br /> what you're saying, and I think it is very important. If you guys have the option, I would hope you
<br /> table this to get further input from neighbors who actually live there. I appreciate you had listening
<br /> sessions but those don't cover the whole City. That is all I want to say. Maybe make another reach
<br /> that is more effective. I don't think they were very effective. A lot of people that are going to be
<br /> affected weren't able to give their input.
<br /> Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston stated, I would just like to thank the Administration,
<br /> Tim, and everyone who worked so hard on this over the course of the last several months. Even in
<br /> your presentation, it was apparent you're hitting some of the marks we have been saying. One(1)
<br /> of the slides in the presentation highlighted the areas that were parks. It was a visual representation,
<br /> for me, of how we've been calling for development to happen outside of downtown and all around
<br /> the City. It was very noticeable that this realignment will provide money for redevelopment in all
<br /> corners of the City. I want to thank you for that. Also, I think I want to thank you for being
<br /> responsive to the people in District Two(2). Initially,that area for LaSalle Park was not completely
<br /> a part of this realignment. Also, Linden Street was not initially included. Based on interactions
<br /> with residents, over on the Lake and over in Kennedy Park, they asked for that to be included and
<br /> you included that. So, that is going to be a really important piece for redevelopment in a new way
<br /> in a historically black business district. We will be able to bring that back to Linden Street. Also,
<br /> we need to make sure we are redeveloping all areas around the Lake which includes some of those
<br /> residential areas. So, I appreciate that. I would also like to speak to some of the things members of
<br /> the public stated tonight. I'm in favor of moving this forward tonight because I know there has
<br /> been a lot of work done by, not just the City and the Council, but also by some residents in the
<br /> neighborhoods who are really looking forward to moving on into planning and developing their
<br /> areas. I agree that we need to increase our connection and communication with the neighborhoods,
<br /> so people can be more a part of the conversation going along. I also notice we need more education
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