10-22-12 Common Council Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 22, 2012 Mayor Pete advised gave a monthly update on recent progress. He stated that the Diversity Utilization Board and Trinal Inc., had their first breaking down barriers outreach program. He stated that this program is designed to bring more women and minority owned businesses in to do business with the city. In particular he thanked Councilmember Karen White as well as Gary Gilot from the administration and Tony Fitts with the board for their leadership on this issue. This is certainly not the last of that, the next one will be a simulated exercise to stimulate capacity building in minority and women owned businesses in the community. He congratulated Councilmember Valerie Schey for her very successful “Community Pet Day” at the King Center. He stated that animals had vaccination, chipping and other services. He stated that he is currently sending out a weekly voice mail to all city employees to give them an update on city activities on Monday morning. He stated that they will record it on Friday afternoon and have it available on Monday morning. He advised that this Wednesday the “Taste of Unity Harvest Celebration” it will be a great chance to see what the Unity Gardens are up to this fall. He stated that they are one of the fastest growing non-profit organizations. On Thursday, it will be the “Lights on After School” at the Boys and Girls Club and that’s a chance for communities across the country to celebrate after school programs and their benefits. On Friday, the annual “Red Ribbon March” against drugs and violence, he noted that this is a very important event and will begin 10:30 at the Colfax Cultural Center on Lincolnway West. The following Tuesday, October 30, 2012, is the next Mayor’s Night Out. It will be in Councilmember Oliver Davis District 6, at the Rum Village Nature Center. He stated that Councilmember Davis has been working to get the word out so that his constituents are in attendance. He stated that all citizens are welcomed to attend. The day after on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 is Halloween. The Board of Public Safety has approved Trick or Treating hours. The goal is to promote safety and they are asking that trick or treating take place between the hours of 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Halloween. He stated that the police department is hosting “Fun Fest” a safe place for kids to come out celebrate have some candy, that is from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Monday, October 29, 2012. He congratulated the South Bend Parks and Recreation Department for securing its CAPRA (Commission on Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies) members from the Park Department are in California accepting the award of that accreditation. He stated that it’s a great deal and a ton of work went into being re-accredited. He stated that South Bend has recently been named as a finalist for the Code for America Program. He stated that this is an opportunity for the city to benefit from some technology professionals working with that project to make our administration and city more tech savvy. He stated that they are going to create programs and help bring ideas to make the city more efficient and hope to save taxpayer dollars in the long run. Stay tuned there will be more information on that. He congratulated the South Bend Fire Department, they put out bids for new fire trucks and were able to save by doing the bidding a little bit smarter they were able to save tens of thousands of dollars on two new fire trucks for the city and invited everyone to reach out to the fire department leadership and found out how they were able to pull that off because he felt it could be an example for all departments on how smarter bidding could be procured throughout the city to save tax payer dollars. He thanked all the Councilmembers for their hard work, time and effort on the 2013 budget. He stated that we are very close to the goal and is looking forward to the final two sessions between the administration and Council to discuss the important issues driving our city forward. He stated that he wanted to be sure that Councilmembers had some additional material regarding the vacant and abandoned properties task force. He stated that Councilmember Scott has been doing a great job of keeping Councilmembers updated and has been contributing a lot to the group. He stated that because it is taking longer than he originally anticipated for us to have a final report, he wanted to make sure before any budget vote that the Council had some information that would at least give you the sense in an outline of where things are headed. (A copy of the outline is on file in the Office of the City Clerk) He stated that the fall leaf pick-up is underway. He stated that you may call the Street Department if you leaves are at the curb and ready to go. He noted that early pick-up ends on Halloween and then after that they go into the full blown operation re-leaf. He stated that is going to start on Monday, November 5, 2012. Finally, he urged Councilmembers to join with City Employees in giving to United Way. The City of South Bend has been a great contributor and we are going to try even better this year. Gary Gilot, Interim Public Works Director and Michael Mecham, City Engineer gave an update on the Olive/Sample (Jasinski) Overpass. 6