04-14-08 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING APRIL 14, 2008 Councilmember Oliver Davis stated that on April 2, 2008 and April 3, 2008 he attending the Rum Village Neighborhood Association and West Side Neighborhood meetings. He noted that both associations are concerned with graffiti in their neighborhoods. Both neighborhood associations would like to see beautification programs to entice businesses to come to their respective areas. Councilmember White advised that she attended the Urban Enterprise Association meeting and general business was conducted. Councilmember White advised that the Youth Council will meet on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council’s Informal Meeting Room. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR COMMENTS FROM MS. SHIRLEY R. FULTON REGARDING THE DISCARDING OF TIRES IN THE RUM VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD Shirley R. Fulton, 1628 S. Carlisle, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she is the Secretary for the Rum Village Neighborhood Association. Ms. Fulton stated that she is here tonight to urge the Council’s support in a neighborhood clean-up effort in the Rum Village Neighborhood. Ms. Fulton stated that there is a problem in the area of having old tires and debris dumped illegally in alleys, vacant lots and residential areas throughout the Rum Village Neighborhood. She advised that the Rum Village Neighborhood Association held a community clean-up effort and discarded more than 200 tires. Ms. Fulton urged the Council to support a community wide clean-up effort. COMMENTS FROM MS. MARTHA LEWIS TO REINSTATE THE ORIGINAL ETHNIC FESTIVAL Martha Lewis, 308 S. Frances, South Bend, Indiana, advised that Niles has the Apple Festival, St. Joe has the Venetian Festival, New Carlisle has Historical Days, Plymouth the Blueberry Festival, Wakarusa the Maple Fesitval, Mishawaka has Summer Fest and South Bend used to have the Ethnic Festival. She stated that she is here tonight to present 2 petitions signed by citizens and community leaders who would like to see the original Ethnic Festival reinstated. South Bend is at the brink of major changes in the downtown, with redesigning Coveleski, the sports village and perhaps new sports arena, new and expanding restaurants, what better time to bring back a beloved festival to showcase the City’s rich diversity and changing City. Ms. Lewis stated that the first petition started August 1, 2006 and was last signed October 23, 2007 with 536 signatures. She stated that with the help of Mr. Tim Hudak, they presented the petitions to Mr. Marco Mariani and Mr. Paul Meyer of Downtown South Bend to discuss possible implementation since they have the mechanism and do such a great job with other downtown activities. The conversation was positive and they challenged to do another petition aimed at community th leaders. The second petition started November 13 2007 and was last signed March 24, 2008 with 32 signatures. Ms. Lewis stated that on September 14, 2006 the South Bend Common Council passed Resolution No. 3640-06 which stated in Section II. “The South Bend Common Council publicly urges all of our residents, governmental officials and employers to celebrate the rich racial and ethnic diversity of our city…creating opportunities and events which bring community residents, businesses, neighborhoods, our faith-based community organizations, and visitors to South Bend opportunities to recognize our city’s rich diversity.” Ms. Lewis urged the Council’s favorable recommendation in reinstating the Original Ethnic Festival. 19